As 2023 draws to a close and we look forward to what might be in 2024, I thought I'd end the year with a bit of a retrospective. My blog tends to focus on GP4 content that I'm releasing, as well as compiling links to the current season. Occasionally I'll add things to my downloads section (although not quite everything).
We've had a couple of epic years of advances and great content created for GP4, and I thought I'd do a summary of 2023 GP4 downloads not created by me, just in case you missed it.
|
|
    |
The big news for 2023 is the gradual release of cars from the year 2000. The 3D car shapes were created around 15 years ago by EnzoJZ. Besides the Ferrari and the McLaren, the cars were all under 10,000 polygons and used a unique method for controlling normals (which is stunning and stands up today). Enzo had passed on his blessings for these to be finished, and initially, Coldblood took the lead in updating and releasing these cars, but sadly progress ground to a halt. After some persuasion from some members of the community, Hega took on the job and practically re-worked and finished every car on the grid and created a great helmet set to boot. Nice to see Kedy89 back and releasing updates, and we have engineers & pitcrews using 32bobo32's excellent HD template. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
 | In case you've missed it, Öggo has been slowly been creating incredibly detailed shapes from the 1990s. This is a Honda/Mugen helmet used in 1990/1991 by Senna and Berger. This helmet comes with textures for both drivers as well as a template for you to create your own skins. |
| |
| |
 | This is a fantastic set of tyres and rims done to great detail and yet perfectly playable in GP4. The rims from this set have already been incorporated into the 1994 and 1995 mods via some updates released on this site. |
| |
| |
  | On the topic of 3D tyres and rims, Zifox has created 3D grooves for the Michelin and Bridgestone tyres for the early 2000s mods. The problem comes when the game applies intermediate or wet tyre textures, it does not change the shape, but Zifox has done a great job to seamlessly make these textures fit the shape. |
| |
| |
  | Moving onto the SkaningeN section, and we have a whole host of updates from my friend Eric. He's done many long and painstaking work or creating in-season changes to shapes, liveries as well as special helmets. Here's the 1997 add-on pack, which includes the original cars converted from F1C, as well as the hi-res converted from Asseto Corsa and Soulbringer's excellent McLaren. Full credits to the original authors are given in the link below. |
| |
| |
 | SkaningeN has put together this nice pack of additional shape updates, mostly rear wing changes, for Hega's cars from 2001. |
| |
| |
  | We're all saddened that the 2002 mod from Soulbringer and Kedy89 was pulled. They were well on track to completing one of the most detailed and top quality mods in GP4. There were two cars missing from their catalogue before they removed their content, so SkaningeN has updated the old F1C conversions for the Sauber and Jaguar. I was glad to help on the Sauber with the alternative nose-cone and front wing. |
| |
| |
  | Skaningen has updated the 2003 helmets and included shapes by Daimon and Jvinu (updated by Hega) and put together this great set of high resolution helmets. |
| |
| |
 | These are updated on EnzoJZ's and Lee's tyres. These are 2D rim versions. For more 2003 updates previously released, you can see a collection of them here |
| |
  | Much like the 2003 pack, this 2004 pack includes helmets from Daimon and Jvinu (amended by Hega). I had previously remapped Daimon's helmets to fit the textures of Jvinu. This set also includes the Bell helmet by Eugenio Faria, which was also remapped by me. This Bell helmet was used from mid-season 2004 to mid-season 2005. You'll also find my all new Massa helmet included here. |
| |
| |
 | These are updated on EnzoJZ's and Lee's tyres. These are 2D rim versions. |
| |
| |
  | This pack includes the same shapes as the 2004 helmet pack, and contains many fantastic high resolution helmets from various authors. |
 | |
| |
 | These are updated on EnzoJZ's and Lee's tyres. These are 2D rim versions. |
| |
| |
  | Erik continues his work into 2006, with helmets originally by R0b3rt0_38, Raulongo, Overgone, MDBSnake, Öggo, b-tone and Alex Schumi. Some remapping of Daimon's helmets were done by me. |
| |
| |
 | Once more, EnzoJZ's and Lee's tyres are adapted to 2006 versions. These are 2D rim versions only. |
| |
| |
 | Not so much new releases, but previously withdrawn released mods have now been kindly made available again by Kedy89. |
| |
 | Here's some mods by Huskyman49 from 1972. The first one is the Le Mans mod... |
| |
| |
 | ... and the second mod is from the 1972 WSC race at the Österreichring... |
| |
| |
 | ... and a third mod that he's created and shared is of the 1972 ETCC. |
| |
| |
| We've been grateful for rracunis for providing many mods over the years, and this is another great addition to the series. | |
| |
| |
 | José Gomes has been created lots of new sounds from various eras. There's far too many to list here, but the majority of them can be previewed on his YouTube channel: YouTube channel |
| |
| |
 | On the theme of social media, Viking75 has started a new Twitter/X channel showcasing GP4 tracks. This brings us nicely to the tracks section of this post... |
| |
 | This fictious track is based on Paul Hoad's original work and updated by Viking75. |
| |
| |
 | This is a fast paced fictional track based in Canada and is his first track created from scratch by him. |
| |
| |
 | Based on the updated 2001 track by Hega, Viking75 takes us on a tour around the 'unseen' side of Monaco |
| |
| |
| This is the Rouen track based on the dat by Atticus. This track hosted the French GP on-and-off throughout the 1950s and 1960s. | |
| |
| |
| This is the Dallas track from 1984 created by Landex. He's been doing some created tracks from the 1980s and earlier and his latest creation includes an alternative bumpy version. At this point in time, I believe this track is a released beta, so it's not quite finished, but it still looks really good to me. | |
| |
| |
| Back in the early days of track modding, MarioB worked with btone on DTM mods in 2005 and 2006, which included new tracks. The Lausitzring included an oval option, but this now has been overhauled and brought up to date by veteran track maker, drt01. | |
| |
| |
| Another excellent track from drt01 and prblanco is the Curitiba Road & Oval Track in Brazil. | |
| |
| |
| This little update is an update to the original GP4 arcade textures, remade in HD by 32bobo32. | |
| |
And let's not forget this brilliant article released on this blog by Carl:
Of course, here's all the downloads relating to the 2023 season: GP4 2023 Download sources
It's been a great year of fantastic updates provided for Grand Prix 4, so hats off to all the contributors involved. We've seen content from authors of old and some new-comers learning this trade. And thanks to you for playing the game.
On a personal note, thank you for supporting me and supporting this blog. This site has grown gradually over recent years and it's not just a place to highlight my work, but to showcase and share works from many authors down the years who have contributed to the longevity and legacy of Geoff Crammond's brilliant game.
Happy New Year to you all. Keep racing into 2024.