UBISOFT GAME SERVICE:
Url: ftp://ftp.ubisoft.com/pub/GameService/GSCsetup.EXE
Supported titles: POD, Speed Busters, Monaco Grand Prix Racing Simulation 2, Redline Racer.
Overview: The UbiSoft Game Service (GS) is offered as a free service, and supports several UbiSoft racing titles. The download is about 5 MB in an auto-installing executable, and sets up the software and installs shortcuts automatically. I listed the racing titles I knew the GS supported, but could not find any mention of Formula One Racing Simulation--only MGPRS2 was being advertised on site. The GS runs on servers in the US, Canada, and France, so expect to be left out of some conversations, unless you're bilingual.

My Experience: I've run several sessions of Speed Busters via the GS, and the results are pleasing, except for a lack of opponents at any given time. Once again, this may be bad timing on my part, but I suspect its because the title is fairly new--although there seems to be no lack of MGPRS2 races going on.

The racing itself is very good, with Speed Busters providing a fun, lag-free environment to race in. I haven't suffered a dropped connection yet, but have witnessed a couple during session setup--never during the actual race. UbiSoft seems to have hit on some pretty good multiplayer coding in this title.

For those of you who own one of the supported titles, the GS is well worth the small download. From my brief experience, this is one of the better performing online racing venues I have found.

MSN GAMING ZONE:
Url: http://www.zone.com
Supported Titles: CART Precision Racing, Monster Truck Madness 1 and 2, Motocross Madness
Overview: Most of you will be familiar with what was the Internet Gaming Zone. Despite the name change, it's still the same place, and is one of the more popular sites I tried out. Membership is free, and the install includes an ICQ-like applet to allow contact with a list of friends, even if you aren't at the site itself. The software downloads and installs automatically, in typical Microsoft style, and is relatively quick and headache-free.

My Experience: Talk about day and night--I found a huge difference in the two titles I tried on the Zone, CART Precision Racing (CPR) and Motocross Madness (MXM).

I'll tackle CPR first, since it's still fresh in my mind. First thing I noticed is that the lobby for CPR is sparsely used--it took me 4 days to find anyone to race with, and the most racers I saw there was 11. CPR will support up to 8 in a race, so don't expect to find an NROS-like selection. Race settings are handled by the host from within CPR, and things went smoothly up to that point, but things took a downward turn when we hit the track. There was significant warping, enough to make concentration difficult--about the same level as experienced with NASCAR 2 over HEAT. Once again, this may not be indicative of a typical session, but it didn't entice me to return often.

On the other hand, MXM was excellent over the Zone--very little warping, a roomful of races going on most of the time, and some good, fun (albeit slightly gravity-impaired), and good-natured racing. If MXM is your cup of tea, racing on the zone will be a real treat, and is strongly recommended. CPR, on the other hand, is not as fortunate--I'd recommend exchanging IP addresses and bypassing the Zone for this one.

That wraps up what I found in the multiplayer services I checked out--there are some excellent things going on, and a few sites which could use some tweaking. there are many ways to connect which were not covered here, such as IRC and Kali, but the list provides a good sample for the racer to browse and form his or her own opinion.

- Scott Moore

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