It is with deep regret that I write this invitation. I express deep regret
since I saw this problem you are having (with perhaps undeserving bans)
coming a MILE AWAY with Papy's current ban system, and Cryptic Rank system.
Here is what I mean:
1) The Internet is a VERY volatile place (regardless of the online code) to
begin with.
2) Shitty races happen to the best of us (perhaps even, I get a bit over
confident after a couple beers and feel like the incarnation of Dale has
entered my body around beer #5 and I am unstoppable, whereas the reality of
the situation states that I am actually unstartable at beer #5), and now my
license is revoked for life for simply having poor judgement, and
accidentally taking out a driver.
3) Technical problems occur out of nowhere, to the best of us (perhaps my
pot decides to develop cancer at 5 degrees left in the middle of the race,
and I jig left unintentionally stronger than Kiwi at America's Cup), and I
take out half the field unintentionally (bet a few of the heavy users have
had this happen).
4) It is the end of the race, 3 laps to go and I am in second looking to
make a move on #1, and I develop tunnel vision and forget to check my
mirrors out of fatigue, and find out with a crash and boom that the #3 guy
was actually gaining advantage on ME, and beside me low..... as we swap
paint kissing with a screech.
I could go on for HOURS about real-world unintentional accidents that
'could' be perceived as being a 'wrecking maouver'.
Now we get onto the topic of the wreckers as a whole. I say... let 'em wreck
all the want... amongst themselves.
Here is where the inherit and GLARING faults of teh current N4 Ranking
System REALLY show their ugly colours.
First of all... it only takes into account your last 10 races. As a
wrecker... hell I can create 50 different usernames, and ponsy-scheme their
ranks to a high rating in just an hour (I simply oscillate my player nicks,
and pump their ranks falsly with my crew), to reach a rank that is high enou
gh to go after the dedicated sim boys at the higher levels. Its REALLY not
that hard if you think about it.
Keeping all this in mind, I personally feel that Papy have REALLY painted
themselves into a corner on their logistics. I do not and will not question
their integrity or intentions in the 'goal' (I am a big and respectful fan
of their work as a whole), but they simply have NOWHERE else to go, and I am
sure that Papy themselves are HATING the position they find themselves in,
in this matter. They can only come out looking poorly, which appears is
already happening (undeservedly I say... but true nonetheless).
So... if you have been banned from N4online, I'd like to invite you to try
F1RC from Ubisoft. I'll warn you that the game has its issues all in its
own, but with Relay (I just released it), we do not have the problems that
N4 has inheritly online.
Our Real-Time ranking system is career length, and we place the 'ban'
feature in teh hands of the 'individual user' not us. In fact, you will not
find us interfering with your pleasure in any way. If ya wanna play smash-up
derby... go right ahead... but unless you can find others with similar
aspirations, you're going to find it extremely lonely in there (people will
ban you from joining their sessions, making your ability to join
increasingly difficult).
Here is an exerpt from our Skill Rating Guide:
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Relay does not see the global exclusion of certain parties for actions that
are deemed to be undesirable by others, as being fair, just, or even ethical
(We do not see any High Court for Online Track Etiquette out there. Even if
we did, who appointed them judge and jury and how can we be assured of
unbiased practices!?). We believe that each person has the right to engage
in whatever type of pleasure they see fit, regardless of the opposing
idealisms of others (Different Strokes for Different Folks).
Relay simply strives to supply the tools and the real-time information, that
allow users the ability to identify the other players who are seeking the
same type of fun as they are, on an individual basis. In the same manner,
those users are given the tools and information to discriminate or exclude
certain parties based on their commitment or lack thereof, on an individual
and session-by-session basis, as those individuals see fit.
Basically, we leave the tools and the structured information in your hands.
What you decide to do with them is entirely your individual prerogative, and
Relay will not interfere with your choices accordingly. Custom Build your
own Castle of Fun, and we'll protect your Castle as you wish it to be
protected, no questions asked.
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Anyways... please excuse me if this seems like a shameless plug. It is not
intended to be such. We have simply found a way to bypass all this ***that
is occurring in N4online, and would like to invite those who now cannot play
N4 online anymore, to come take a peek, and enjoy our logistics/practises,
without losing quality of enjoyment.
Come check us out at: www.f1rcrelay.com (we do not support netscrap...
sorry... simply too limited of a browser with too many bugs, so please use
IE)
Cheers,
Jason 'Schumi' Murray