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It is recommended (though not required) to use a core.ini
file to race GPL online. When the host's machine is connected
to the Internet through its serial port (including ISDN modems
and Terminal Adapters connected through the serial port), using
an appropriate core.ini file is likely to allow more players
to join the race. Recent experience on VROC with cable modems
and other high speed connections suggest that the same core.ini
provides the same benefits in races hosted over these connections
as well.
Download the recommended core.ini here.
On the popup menu, choose Save Link As and save it to the folder
in which you installed GPL (by default, C:\SIERRA\gpl).
Note that the need for downoading core.ini may be temporary.
We hope to eventually automate the generation of a core.ini file,
at least for clients (players who join) and possibly on host
machines as well.
Could a core.ini file cause problems?
There is no potential harm in using the suggested core.ini
file, although an undesireable side effect may be somewhat increased
warping. You can always delete the core.ini file or rename it
to something else, and GPL will return to its default behavior.
Why use a core.ini file?
The use of a core.ini allows you to control the bandwidth
used by GPL. Reducing the bandwidth reduces the load on the serial
port. If your CPU cannot keep up with the data coming into and
going out of the serial port, important information is lost.
If too much information is lost, GPL decides that the connection
quality is too poor for racing, and disconnects.
Technical Details
After extensive online testing, the GPL beta team settled
on reducing the packet send frequency as the most effective way
to allow the greatest number of players to join. It is also possible
to reduce the packet size, although we did not find any noticeable
benefit to this.
The core.ini can optionally contain other parameters which
can control GPL's behavior in multiplayer racing.
The more technically inclined may click here
to download a zip file containing several core.ini files and
a ReadMe file with a detailed explanation of core.ini parameters.
See also the VROC Technical Notes,
Eagle Woman's GPL
Online FAQ, Michael Carver's comments
on MTU/RWIN/etc. settings, and Bart Westra's detailed
analysis of online issues for more information about bandwidth,
core.ini, and other GPL online racing topics. |