great deal of interest,since I spend my relaxation time most nights after
dinner either practicing or racing gpl online. (However,I do race Nas2 off
line).
When Scotts suggests that some of us only take this as a hobby,it infers
that others have taken online racing to another level. And this is simply
false. Ones degree of interest or dedication doesn't change the fact that
online racing is done as a computer *** activity. No one to my knowledge
make a living doing this.
Many sim racers like myself stayed away from Hawaii and now Ten simply
because of the additional cost factor. For 2 years I ran several off line
ICR2 leagues. And while they all had serious problems,they were free. Many
Hawaii racers complained or stated of monthly phones bills in the HUNDREDS!!
Ten has resolved that problem with just a monthly charge,but VROC has
taken it one step further,and offered online racing for free. Yes,it does
take dedicated racers to produce a product like VROC,but those people do
exist.
With connection problems like warping,and popping,and the biggest
problem of all,the dreaded disconnect,I wouldn't dream of paying for a
service that under normal conditions couldn't just about promise a
disconnect free connection. After all,there is nothing worse in the online
racing world then to spend a 1/2 hour practicing/qualifying,then make the
front row,start the race and be out in front,only to be disconnected. It's
one thing to have this happen as on VROC,but quite another if I'm paying for
the service.
Then there is the issue of organizing races/leagues/and keeping stats
on everyone. Most of us just don't care about all of that. On VROC we pick
what races we want to run,and run several during the session. Once the race
is over,it's over. For those who want leagues and seasons,there are several
that exist already on VROC,and each run with their own rules. But as for the
unruly racer that's there just to cause havoc or can't race,at the present
there isn't anything we can do. But with the up coming batch,the host will
have the option to remove anyone.
I access VROC through Spy Boy,and you can see just how many racers
are presently signed on,racing,or just chatting. I never seen a total number
more than 100. So my point is that the dedicated sim racer, racing gpl is a
very small number.
I do like Scotts idea of having a central(s) site that will allow all
sim/arcade races whether single races or leagues, a place to race & chat.
But for such a site to exist,Microsoft and or the major producers would have
to be involved.
Joel Willstein