rec.autos.simulators

Here's the problem: some lame drivers will enter a best out of 3 race for
'pink slips' or large amounts of cash. Then when they find out they're going
to lose, they deliberately disconnect. With no penalty for that sort of
behaviour, what's the point of racing? To get around the current rule, now
they will simply stop on the track to avoid crossing the finish line and
ending the race. They hope that you (having already finished) will get bored
of waiting for them and exit the 'race lobby' and thereby invalidate the
race.

The current rule is not a great solution, accidental disco's do happen
(although never for me in MCO - yet). What do you suggest would be a better
way of handling it, while not ending up making racing a risk-free, pointless
activity?

            ...Klinn

Like anything else, if you don't ask for it, you're not going to get it. If
enough people tell EA that they like the concept but they won't buy it
without an off-line mode, they'll see that the dollars will come from that
direction. (they'll try to figure out a way around people hacking cars, etc)
If the concept doesn't appeal to you, don't worry about it - I know I'll be
playing Rally Trophy too.

Anyway, when you get your CD, be sure to check out the Message Boards on the
beta site, in particular the Announcements and Known Issues sections for the
latest info. And when in the game, look me up. I go under my usual "nom du
jeu" of Klinn.

        ...Klinn

This is one of those situations where an
appropriate effort to penalize the cheats also
penalizes those with poor connections.  This would
not be such a big deal if the entire Motor City
experience hadn't been pushed online.  Because MC
is now O, one of the unintended consequences is
that the internet itself takes on a role as a
player simply because it is impossible to tell if
a disconnect is accidental or intended.  I've had
too many unexpected disconnects to allow TCP/IP to
be my co-pilot.  It seems much too much like
Rolling Roulette.      

My personal solution to this issue will probably
be to play the beta until it times out and then
dump the whole works.  I'm not willing to wager
real money in the form of monthly fee against the
odds that my ISP won't fold in a critical race.

As for racing being a risk-free, pointless
activity, I would argue that the risks ought to be
related to my skills, not my ISP's performance
levels and that racing itself is the point.  But
then, I'm not a gambler, either.  ;)

On Wed, 15 Aug 2001 08:02:19 -0400, "Colin French"

Remove "hi" from address or it will bounce....

You'll find me as MrLipid.  :)

Appreciate the discussion so far and plan to
reserve judgment until I've actually had the
opportunity to give MCO a spin.  

On Wed, 15 Aug 2001 08:20:14 -0400, "Colin French"

Remove "hi" from address or it will bounce....

I have a feeling that the game will cost $50 in the store, then you have
to pay the monthly fee to play (just like Everquest.)  If the boxed game
is inexpensive, say <$20, I would probably pick it up. That's assuming it
gets good reviews. :) If the box is full price, i'm waiting for it to hit
the bargain bin, again like Everquest, which is $10 for the base game
now. The thought of paying full price for a game AND having to shell out
cash each month to play it _really_ rubs me the wrong way.

EA currently puts the retail price at around $40.
To your point, that, when coupled with a monthly
fee, seems high.  Unless, of course, they toss in
three free months as part of the purchase price.
Considering there will be no demo of MCO (so says
EA), there has to be *some* sugar to get people to
sign up.  Given the comments showing up on the
Beta Test Bulletin Boards, the reviews ought to be
fascinating.  :)

Remove "hi" from address or it will bounce....

It will be very interesting to see if they have enough faith in the
replay value of MCO to give away even one free month. My guess is that
they don't...

*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Todd Walker
http://twalker.d2g.com
Canon Pro90IS:
http://twalker.d2g.com/pro90/index.htm
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