Point taken, but what bothers me lately (besides the feeding frenzy on
downloading GP3) is the outcry that Crammond has deceived us, that he has
committed some heinous crime. Hello... you downloaded a warez copy of the
game ("you" being a general term here, not you specifically) and you didn't
like it. Your total cost is zero. I don't see the problem. Others have
downloaded the program, tried it, and can't get enough of the racing
experience. I should point out that you are making some bold assumptions
with your Pro Club House. In a clubhouse, there will be as many people
(high level players, mind you) who discuss only the relative challenge of a
particular course, or the sublime feeling of nailing a particular hole.
Others will discuss why their Taylor Made titanium driver, together with
expert coaching, improved their drive by twenty yards. Some get their
satisfaction from the techincal, some from the esoteric. GP2 and (it seems)
GP3 fall into the "simulation" category because it offers a believable
driving experience, and layers on top a fabulous portrayal of the race
weekend. I suppose it's naiive to think this could happen in USENET, but
those who enjoy the "atmosphere" aspect of a simulation should be able to
discuss why GP3 is the new king of race weekend strategy without taunting
the gearheads who want a 30DOF model, but at the same time the gearheads
should not be so elitist to think that their idea of what constitutes a
"simulation" is universal. Commercial "simulators" also broadly include
systems which accurately duplicate a situation, without an emphasis on the
mechanics of the task.
Sorry, I meant to include the word "snowboard" in there, not that it is
particularly relevant to r.a.s.
Stephen