Racing Sim Thread, Part II

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 10:26 am

iRacing price schemes announced:

>>>>>

BEDFORD, MA (23 January 2008) — iRacing.com today announced pricing for its racing simulation, which will be available on a subscription basis starting in 2008. A one-year subscription to the service will cost $13 per month and includes all of the content necessary for a subscriber's first season of oval-track and road-racing. Shorter terms of six and three months are priced at $15 and $17 per month, respectively. A one-month trial subscription is available for $20.

"We're building a community," said David Kaemmer, iRacing.com's CEO. "Our pricing reflects our desire to attract simracers who are interested in being part of that community over time, providing the lowest monthly rate to those willing to commit to a longer subscription. At the same time, we want to offer people a low-cost way to try out our service and see if it meets their needs."

Kaemmer noted that every subscription, regardless of length, includes a selection of both oval and road-racing cars, tracks and series, as well as a certain number of free "iRacing Dollars" that can be applied to the purchase of additional content. As with the monthly subscription price, annual membership offers an advantage, bringing $60 worth of free iRacing credit.

<<<<<

$156 per year so just I can have the privilege of racing Dave Kaemmer's wet dream online? Sorry, I'll pass. I might give a one-month subscription a go, but this game will need to channel the ghosts of Fangio and Jim Clark for me to pay that kind of dosh every month.

It also appears, from reading the last paragraph of the release, that Kaemmer is taking the Xbox Live microtransaction route and planning to nickel-and-dime players to death. That also indicates that this game will have closed code, as I would imagine that Kaemmer doesn't want mods to infringe upon his sacred microtransaction cha-ching.

Take care,
PK

Gurantsu · Post by **Gurantsu** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 11:50 am

This kind of setup is like the one used for MMORPGs, but I can't see how it will fly, as the RPGs (World of Warcraft, Lord Of The Rings Online and the like) offer something that players can't get anywhere else; the interaction with hundreds of other people. That is why many (including myself) will pay those subscription fee's.

But online racing has been around forever and I can't see people paying to do what they have been doing already for free.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 12:30 pm

Good Lord, the upcoming Historic GT and Touring Car mod for rFactor looks and sounds fantastic:

http://www.virtualr.net/historix-ford-gt40-onboard/

On another note, I finally got around to trying the F1 1988 mod last night after our very fun Rolex 24. I'll echo the comments of others in here: Fun mod, even if it doesn't feel and sound quite right.

There's too much grip, especially in the rear end. Plus I'm having a really hard time getting top-end speed out of the McLaren on long straightaways. Could only reach about 165 mph on the front straight of the Indy road course, even after basic setup changes to emphasize speed.

This mod reminds me of the first version of the IDT 2006 Champ Car mod. Very fun, but just a bit off. Hopefully this one-man mod team -- and the F1 1988 mod is quite impressive considering it was done by one guy -- can make the needed changes for the final release and not continue to needlessly f*ck with it like IDT has done with its four versions of the 2006 Champ Car mod.

Take care,
PK

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 1:56 pm

Nice vid on the Historic Mod. Too bad I could only watch like 30 seconds of that. I got disoriented with the TrackIR he was using. Does anyone know if it will require the Starforce infected GT Legends disc?

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 2:09 pm

Rodster wrote:Does anyone know if it will require the Starforce infected GT Legends disc?

Sadly, yes:

>>>>>
Due to the use of GTL's 3D models, and the big respect we have for the great work Simbin did creating that game, a valid GTL DVD is going to be required to install the mod in rFactor.

This DVD check won't install Starforce in your computer. It only checks that you own a valid copy of GTL during the installation process of the mod.

Why do we do include that DVD check?

Because we all love GTL, and SimBin deserves the biggest respect for such amazing simracing software. We want to thank them for its creation, which inspired us and allow all the community get a closer view of these amazing cars.
<<<<<

The developer insists that Starforce won't be an issue, but I have serious misgivings and doubts.

Bummer. I didn't even think of this. Nice catch, Rodster.

Take care,
PK

DChaps · Post by **DChaps** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 8:52 pm

I really don't think there will be an issue with the Starforce. The GTR2 mod that used a similar model only required the CD to verify the content. Nothing installed whatsoever from the standpoint of the Starforce encryption. I will be glad to check this on one of my clean PCs that has had no versions of GTR or GTL installed on it.

I would hate for you all to miss the greatness of these cars. I will be glad to send you all GTL discs even (I think I have 4 - don't ask), just so you don't have to buy it.

DChaps · Post by **DChaps** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 9:01 pm

pk500 wrote:$156 per year so just I can have the privilege of racing Dave Kaemmer's wet dream online? Sorry, I'll pass. I might give a one-month subscription a go, but this game will need to channel the ghosts of Fangio and Jim Clark for me to pay that kind of dosh every month.

That does seem a little steep, but far more resonable than the first rumors. However, back when there were 5 or more decent racing games released a year for PC/Consoles, I easily spent more than that. In 2007 I purchased one racing sim all year and that was Race 2007 for $19.99- that's sad.

Anyway I am a sucker for the Papyrus group. I was a beta tester for the Hawaii network for their original Nascar Racing sim in 1995. Of course this was before I was married, and before broadband. I spent $400 plus on long distance charges dialing into the servers in Boston, Mass to race online. So I guess $156 is nothing compared to that.

johnvon314 · Post by **johnvon314** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 9:12 pm

pk500 wrote:iRacing price schemes announced:

It also appears, from reading the last paragraph of the release, that Kaemmer is taking the Xbox Live microtransaction route and planning to nickel-and-dime players to death. That also indicates that this game will have closed code, as I would imagine that Kaemmer doesn't want mods to infringe upon his sacred microtransaction cha-ching.

Take care,
PK

That's the part that kills it for me as well. It essentially makes iRacing a console like game in terms of its business model. The mods have been one of the major advantages of PC racing for so long , but now we'll have to pay for each little add-on. It really makes you appreciate rFactor and the GTR series.

John

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 9:27 pm

I'm curious to see how iRacing does financially and most importantly how it's accepted by the NR2003 crowd. From the previews i've read iRacing does look to be a solid product. The problem iRacing will have to deal with is all the pissed off NR2003 fanbase. I remember when iRacing threatened legal action against several modders for altering the .exe file. The classic GTP mod for NR2003 was pulled because of threats from iRacing as well as others. So the NR2003 community took it as they just basically want to kill off NR2003 because it's that good.

And iRacing shares a lot of blame because right before iRacing was formed they released the sandbox mod to create tracks, Trans Am mod, the Busch and Craftsman ruck series mod.

So from that perspective i'm curious how many of the NR2003 will be willing to bury the hatchet and embrace iRacing.

As far as pricing goes I don't think that will be a deterrent for several reasons actually. DChaps stated one already and the other is that I believe iRacing is trying to build a serious sim based community where you won't have turds turning around midfield and driving in the wrong direction just because they're losing. So a subscription kind of discourages that.

Also if they do in fact build a solid product with serious sim racers I can imagine drivers like Dale Jr and others showing up to race.

There's another internet racing series that's ready for rollout very soon. The ARCA based sim. There are cats who race in this internet based league who say the sim is awesome as well as the racing and they have seen Nascar Cup drivers like Dale Jr. and a few others make an appearance by racing online. As PK said the only thing I see as a drawback is the micro transaction BS ala XBL.

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 3:11 pm

DChaps wrote:That does seem a little steep, but far more resonable than the first rumors. However, back when there were 5 or more decent racing games released a year for PC/Consoles, I easily spent more than that.

I wouldn't have a problem with doing the same, though my tendency to wait a few months for a price drop saves me from having to. Where I would object, though, would be when asked to pay an amount that would get me 5 or 6 games in a normal year in order to gain repeated access to the same thing. $156 per year to play the same thing isn't a business model I ever intend to support.

I've just downloaded these things, and since I know we've got a few enthusiasts in here I'll post a few thoughts in a while:

http://www.rfactorcentral.com/detail.cf ... nts%202008

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 4:40 pm

Tried the sprint cars, running a test session without AI, and they bored me silly.

I'm not sure there's anything inherently wrong with them, based on the few laps I ran. The handling is predictable enough, I imagine they could be raced competently with a little practice as long as the AI was up to it, but I didn't ever have a sense that I wanted to keep playing, so I didn't. Not really a lot else I can tell you - they're worth a download if you're into sprint cars, because I can see people getting more mileage out of them than me (as I said, I didn't feel like it was particularly bad or broken, just not that engaging to me), but I'll not be keeping them.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 6:24 pm

Adam:

Thanks for the feedback on the sprint cars. I'll probably give them a go just so I can remind myself for the 19th time that the ISI engine is horrible for oval racing and even worse for oval racing on dirt

I've played a number of rFactor oval mods on dirt and asphalt, and all have been utter shite compared to their standalone counterparts like NR 2003, Dirt Track Racing and Dirt Track Racing Sprint Cars.

I don't expect this mod to be any different.

Take care,
PK

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 8:20 pm

PK, having played it once more to make certain, I'm beginning to think I was a bit generous. I've never really played any of the other dirt oval mods so I don't have any point of comparison, but what I notice now with this one is that the handling is predictable up to a point, that being the point at which the car starts to spin irretrievably and without any warning that I'm able to spot. It reminds me, to some extent, of the silly little canned half-spins Codemasters had in the first ToCA game, and I hated it then too.

Luckily I still own DTR Sprint Cars and one of the few PAL copies of World of Outlaws that exists for PS2, so I don't need rFactor to be any good on dirt, but on the evidence of this and the rallycross mod, that's probably just as well.

DChaps · Post by **DChaps** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 12:01 pm

The next masterpiece from Virtua_LM (maker of LeMans) Elwood & Madhorse is available in the form of Rouen-Les-Essarts 1.01

This track is respectfully dedicaced to Efisio Manunza.

Elwood, Madhorse and Virtua_LM are proud to present with an enhanced version of Rouen-Les-Essarts, France. This track, previously created from scratch for the Prototype-C Mod (F1 Challenge 99-02) has been deeply modified for rFactor. Among the most significant modifications, the 1974-1994 layout has been created and several parts have been smoothed also

Go here:

http://www.rfactorcentral.com/detail.cf ... %2DEssarts

http://www.virtualr.net/

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 5:56 pm

Excellent, downloading that one now - a wonderful piece of road. Thanks, Don.

Meanwhile, iDT are merrily making themselves look silly again. Not content with updating their 2006 Champ Car mod to within an inch of its life, they're arsing about with their already-excellent Formula BMW mod. 2.1 fixes cockpit clipping (anyone ever see any of that?) and brake overheating (which Smurfy and I both suffered from exactly once), and 2.2 adds the rfm and folder structure they forgot to include in 2.1...

Grab them here if you can be bothered, and Lord knows I can't:

http://www.rfactorcentral.com/detail.cf ... mula%20BMW

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 6:09 pm

Thanks, Adam. Lord, I bookmarked 2.1 this morning from a fresh RSS feed, and there's already a 2.2?

I'll stick with it, though, as I really dig the FBMW's.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 10:54 am

Version 1.0 of the fantastic BMW 320 E21 mod was released:

http://www.rfactorcentral.com/detail.cf ... 0320%20E21

Take care,
PK

pigpen81 · Post by **pigpen81** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 10:58 am

PK...isn't that what we raced with last night?

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 11:07 am

pigpen81 wrote:PK...isn't that what we raced with last night?

We raced with the RC (release candidate beta) version. This is the first completed version.

That was a damn impressive beta, so I can't wait to race with this version! Just great fun to drive and race these cars. One of my favorites.

Take care,
PK

Jimmydeicide · Post by **Jimmydeicide** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 12:13 pm

pk500 wrote:
pigpen81 wrote:PK...isn't that what we raced with last night?
We raced with the RC (release candidate beta) version. This is the first completed version.

That was a damn impressive beta, so I can't wait to race with this version! Just great fun to drive and race these cars. One of my favorites.

Take care,
PK

Realy ? Felt like i was going to the store to get milk and eggs and the kids had left a golf ball in the back annoying me on every turn.

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 5:05 pm

Jimmydeicide wrote:Realy ? Felt like i was going to the store to get milk and eggs and the kids had left a golf ball in the back annoying me on every turn.

Man...it's like every time I read that back, I walk into a wall of wrong.

Nah, it's your opinion and I can see what you mean. They don't feel all that racy most of the time. I'm with PK, though - I find them fun, I can throw them about (within sensible limits, which I wasn't for quite a lot of last night...) and they're reasonably forgiving (within sensible etc). I'd certainly rather use them for an enduro than do an hour's race in the Champ Cars purely because this kind of car keeps the racing a little closer. They'd be good for some sprint racing somewhere shorter like Lime Rock too, I reckon.

Jimmydeicide · Post by **Jimmydeicide** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 6:44 pm

Its an old crappy beemer that some 17 yr old boy racer has added some real cheesy after market spoilers...Himself.

They were fine just ragging on PK realy for pouring man love all over them , i just hated that track i guess, the older layout was much better.

I was willing to listen to pigpen. Was all mute any way as my game froze. Ever since i downloaded that pro thing from PK Rfactor keeps taking a s***.

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 6:53 pm

My frame rates have gone through the floor a couple of times with the Pro thing. It did load faster, definitely, but the on-track performance varied for some reason. Seems to be working alright for plenty of others, though.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 7:47 pm

Fellas:

That X-Setup Pro program isn't automatic. If you left-click on the rFactor icon on your desktop, it will run in low priority. It only runs in high priority upon request with a right click, not default.

Take care,
PK

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 9:29 pm

PK:

Can't speak for Jimmy but I've been asking it to Start High Priority through the right-click menu and it's definitely induced the occasional frame rate slump. You know when you select the wrong shader settings for a game and it runs at 5 fps or something ridiculous like that? rFactor lapses into doing that without warning if I use X-Setup; it'll be alright for a few laps and then, usually as I exit the pits after my first return to the garage, it starts to chug alarmingly. Without X-Setup, it doesn't. It happens with GTR2 as well, but nowhere near as badly.

I've no idea why, and I'm well aware it shouldn't happen and should have had a positive effect on my game, but it seems that whatever I do to improve this rig of mine always has the opposite effect. If I buy another stick of RAM I'll probably accidentally turn it into a P133.

If you or anyone else has any tips for other programs that do the same thing I'll be keen to try them out, and I'm really annoyed that X-Setup isn't helping because on paper it's exactly the sort of thing I'd benefit from, but it's definitely not working for me.