Below is the December newsletter from Ed Martin of Papyrus about the
NRO. I think that Ed has done a very good job of defining the current
status of the HAWAII and the NRO. We at the IVGA appreciate this
information. We will comment on this letter at the end.
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NRO Prototype Newsletter - December, 1996
New month, new name, new provider!
Let's start with the name. The entity formerly known as the NASCAR Racing
League has a new name - the NASCAR Racing Online Series (NRO). Why the
change? Well, to be honest with you, the NRL name was never really planned
to be the final name. NRO is a SERIES, not a LEAGUE, just like the other
NASCAR series (NASCAR Winston Cup Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series,
etc.). Further, NRL wasn't a very descriptive name of what this thing is.
It just took a while to finalize the new name and run it through all the
legalities before we could announce it.
OK, now the big news - we've announced our provider. We've been talking for
months about local access for NRO, and there has been a ton of speculation.
We have been working on this deal in one form or another for - believe it or
not - almost 2 years. Over the past 6 months, or so, we have spent an
enormous amount of time researching all of the alternatives. We are very
excited to announce that Total Entertainment Network (TEN) will be the
provider for the NASCAR Racing Online Series when it debuts next year.
Speculation about this deal has run rampant in the online chatter circles -
in regard to who the provider was going to be and a lot of talk about the
merits of the different providers. I hope to address a lot of the chatter
here, but I will tell you that there is still a lot more coming in the way
of announcements, so there is a lot of information that we can't give out
yet.
Before I get into the Q&A stuff, let me recap some of the technical
requirements of NRO.
NRO requires incredibly low latency - you've been hearing and talking about
this for a long time. In addition to low latency, NRO also requires stable
latency. In other words, just because you get 200 millisecond latency in a
ping test(s), does not mean that NRO will work. For example, if every 5-10
seconds, you get a latency spike of, let's say, 700 milliseconds, that's
almost as bad as having consistent 700 millisecond latency. So, NRO
requires consistently low latency.
On to the Q&A.
** Where does TEN provide local access numbers?
TEN is available through their own dial-up numbers, in addition to being
available over the internet. TEN *currently* has over 200 local access
numbers across the country. They are rolling out an enormous amount of
additional numbers as we speak. I'll speak more about this below, but in
conjunction with more local access numbers, TEN is in the midst of rolling
out their next generation technology which, in addition to providing much
better latency, provides a huge boost in the reach of their local access
numbers.
** Is TEN available through the internet?
Yes. TEN is an internet-based service. Just go to www.ten.net. However,
the internet as a whole is a very inconsistent entity as is relates to
quality of connections and latency. Some internet service providers provide
good connections as it pertains to games on TEN, others, not so good.
The TEN dial-ups typically provide the best connections to TEN. The TEN
dial-ups are actually done through an internet service provider. That ISP,
has customized their network to provide high quality, low latency
connections to TEN.
** I tried TEN in the past and it didn't provide low latency/good gameplay.
There's just no way that NRO is going to work.
TEN has been building their service for over 2 years. They have been in
open testing mode for almost that long. Trust me, building something like
TEN, which uses cutting edge technology (i.e. blazing new trails), is a long
& painful trek. There are a lot of hurdles along the way.
When TEN first went public, the game that most people tried was Duke Nukem
3D. 2 issues. First, TEN was building & tuning their network. Those of
you who participated in the closed beta testing of Hawaii, and in the early
stages of the prototype once it went public can relate to this. Building,
growing & fine tuning a low latency service takes time, and it's very tough.
TEN has gone through this, tuned their technology as well as it can be tuned,
learned a lot, and is now rolling out even better technology. Making a
judgment of TEN based on what you saw in the past is not really fair.
Second, Duke Nukem is a lock-step game. That means that before the game
advances, all machines involved in the game must verify that they have all
received each other's data. So, if 2 people have great connections and very
fast machines, but the third person has a really bad connections and/or a
really slow machine, Duke online will slow everyone down to match the lowest
common denominator. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing inherently wrong
with lock-step games. In fact, today, Duke works great on TEN. All I'm
saying is that Duke threw another technical hurdle into the mix for TEN.
Again, making a judgment on TEN based on a past experience is not really
fair.
NASCAR is not a lock-step game. In addition, we have spent an enormous
amount of time investigating, testing and playing a number of games over
TEN's existing technology, as well as their new technology which is
currently being deployed. TEN can run NRO, and in fact, we've found that
many times, TEN can run NRO better than the prototype currently runs. I
know that only time can prove this to you, so you'll have to take my word
for now. I'm convinced that you'll be impressed.
** OK, so what is NRO going to cost?
We have not, and are not yet ready to announce the pricing for NRO. Yes,
TEN has announced their pricing, but that is not necessarily indicative of
what NRO will cost. All I can tell you for now is that it will cost a lot
less than the long-distance charges that you are currently paying to dial
into Hawaii.
We are very excited to finally announce our relationship with TEN. After
months of analysis & negotiation, we are thoroughly impressed with TEN and
convinced that they are the ultimate partner to bring the NRO to fruition.
If you want a preview of TEN, it is included on the NASCAR Racing 2
CD - just remember that TEN is still in the midst of deploying new
technology. If you want more information, take a look at www.ten.net.
Also, please take a look at the NASCAR 2 and NRO press releases which can be
downloaded on Hawaii.
Ed Martin
Manager & Series Director
NASCAR Racing Online Series
==================================================================================
I have reviewed this letter and am going to put in my .02 cents. I will try and keep
my comments short. Marc and John I would like to see SRN give us your analysis of
this letter and your expert opinion on the state of technology as well.....
1). NAME CHANGE... I see that there is a name change from NRL to NRO, I am probably
wrong but I heard the name change was necessary because it was to close IRL and
people where concerned about possible legal actions. Think it was some lawyer
in Atlanta from the N company... NRO thats ok with me..
2). TEN ANNOUCEMENT -- Simple the Internet connection will not work and I hope the
concentric based dialup service does.. We will all know soon enough...
3). NRO REQUIURES LOW LATENCY - Ed, you couldnt have said it better. I think you
have finally explained that INTERNET will not work the NRO.
4). TEN DIALUP ACCESS. Well I can tell you one thing that .95 cents a hour
is better than my prediction of $7.20, maybe. With
INTERNET being ruled out we can all pretty much count on a .95 cent a hour
for NASCAR racing. Provided you have a local access number, I dont. I will
have to make a long distance phone call at .09 cents an hour, so now I will
be paying .95 cents + (.09 cents x 60 = $5.40) or about $6.35 an hour.
That will cut increase my phone bill down from $800.00 a month to about $900.00.
Now for some of you you will have local dialup, but still be prepared to pay
over a $100 a month if you are a average HAWAII driver.
5). LOCAL DIALUP NUMBERS. Bottomline is we have a catch 22 here. When I look at the
demo graphics of the IVGA membership we are mostly in rural areas. NASCAR is
a southeastern sport embedded in low tech communication states like, Alabama,
Arkansas, Georgia, North and South Carloina. And the local numbers will most likely
not be available in rural areas for awhile. How long who knows, and dont forget
they come in different grades. Even if you are lucky enough to get a local number
it doesnt mean you will have LOW LATENCY to race NASCAR..
Here are the current enhanced performace phone numbers for NASCAR racing located on the East
Coast!!!!
We need alot more numbers.. Or we all are going to be calling Long Distance...
(212) 328-9066 New York, NY (! enhanced performance)
(217) 378-7250 Champaign-Urbana, IL (! enhanced performance)
(301) 479-0503 Berwyn, MD (! enhanced performance)
(301) 968-0528 Bethesda, MD (! enhanced performance)
(301) 778-0503 Capitol Heights, MD (! enhanced performance)
(301) 296-0570 Gaithersburg, MD (! enhanced performance)
(301) 337-0607 Gaithersburg, MD (! enhanced performance)
(301) 364-0531 Hyattsville, MD (! enhanced performance)
(301) 348-0538 Kensington, MD (! enhanced performance)
(301) 755-0502 Silver Springs, MD (! enhanced performance)
(303) 776-7167 Longmont, CO (! enhanced performance)
(309) 669-2480 Peoria, IL (! enhanced performance)
(312) 803-0927 Chicago, IL (! enhanced performance)
(312) 453-7228 Chicago, IL (! enhanced performance)
(313) 749-0710 Detroit, MI (! enhanced performance)
(508) 964-0519 Billerica (! enhanced performance)
(508) 862-0532 Framingham, MA (! enhanced performance)
(517) 895-0510 Bay City, MI (! enhanced performance)
(517) 249-6220 Saginaw, MI (! enhanced performance)
(608) 245-1950 Madison, WI (! enhanced performance)
(617) 531-0669 Boston, MA (! enhanced performance)
(617) 852-0503 Burlington, MA (! enhanced performance)
(617) 588-0946 Cambridge, MA (! enhanced performance)
(617) 992-0502 Everett, MA (! enhanced performance)
(617) 480-0503 Malden, MA (! enhanced performance)
(617) 658-0502 Medford, MA (! enhanced performance)
(617) 831-0503 Newton, MA (! enhanced performance)
(617) 249-0503 Quincy, MA (! enhanced performance)
(617) 531-0669 Salem, MA (! enhanced performance)
(617) 663-0829 Waltham, MA (! enhanced performance)
(617) 970-0503 Woburn, MA (! enhanced performance)
(630) 203-0590 Hinsdale, IL (! enhanced performance)
(708) 401-0525 Bellwood, IL (! enhanced performance)
(708) 477-0596 Bensenville, IL (! enhanced performance)
(708) 874-0964 Downers Grove, IL (! enhanced performance)
(708) 300-0540 Naperville, IL (! enhanced performance)
(708) 929-0573 Summitt, IL (! enhanced performance)
(718) 210-0541 Brooklyn, NY (! enhanced performance)
(770) 225-0001 Chamblee, GA (! enhanced performance)
(770) 250-0001 Marietta, GA (! enhanced performance)
(770) 308-0001 Smyrna, GA (! enhanced performance)
(770) 325-0001 Norcross, GA (! enhanced performance)
(773) 442-0536 Chicago, IL (! enhanced performance)
(773) 584-0841 Chicago, IL (! enhanced performance)
(773) 598-0523 Chicago, IL (! enhanced performance)
(773) 632-0531 Chicago, IL (! enhanced performance)
(810) 365-0710 Pontiac, MI (! enhanced performance)
(810) 936-0710 Southfield, MI (! enhanced performance)
(810) 729-0710 Troy, MI (! enhanced performance)
(815) 987-4520 Rockford, IL (! enhanced performance)
(817) 421-8600 Fort Worth, TX (* low-speed games only)
(847) 838-7150 Antioch, IL (! enhanced performance)
(847) 463-0526 Arlington Hgts, IL (! enhanced performance)
(847) 631-0555 Elk Grove, IL (! enhanced performance)
(847) 400-0690 Northbrook, IL (! enhanced performance)
(847) 273-0531 Roselle, IL (! enhanced performance)
(847) 745-0526 Deerfield, IL (! enhanced performance)
(847) 777-0571 Wheeling, IL (! enhanced performance)
(919) 572-2224 Durham, NC (! enhanced performance)
(972) 375-0501 Grand Prairie, TX (! enhanced performance)
Summary:
So what is the status bottomline:
1). As stated by PAPYRUS, NRO will not work on INTERNET with 32 drivers or even 5.
2). NRO will require you to use DIALUP network at .95 cents a hour plus, long
distance at least .09 censt a minute or $5.40 an hour, plus the NRO charges
which will be on TOP of this...
3). Better Budget somewhere between $100 and $800 a month to race...
4). Personally I think that Papyrus should have told us alittle more about this
eventual situation. I think alot of us were led to believe that it was
going to cost like $3.95 an hour. Maybe it will
Ed, I wish you all the luck in the World, You got a tough job man..
Don Wilshe, IVGA
http://www.ivga.com
Practice for TEN, come to the www.wheretorace.com and practice STOCK CAR RACING... We cant use the
N word...
PS. Yes we are working on developing alternative racing venues at the IVGA
