GPL end of practice question, multiplayer

Hi Glen, I believe the computer starts when all players are off the track and the server sync's with the clients. I have never seen the race start while drivers were still on the track. This will only happen if the host forces a race start, but then the field is randomized and your qualification times don't count :( Maybe conduct a test? Time how long it takes when people exit the track. Compare that with having everyone practice for another 10 minutes. You know the race will begin shortly when the session status is "Complete". Inquiring minds want to know. Jason.

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> Typically, when the practice clock has ticked down to 0 people start typing > "practice over, back to pits please" and stuff like that. But it seems to me > that it doesn't make any difference, even if everyone is off the track there is > still a delay after the practice clock has ticked down to 0. > So should I just keep driving until the computer forces me to the next stage? > I don't think it saves any time if everyone pits out, the computer seems to go > at it's own pace anyway. > So don't get mad if people are still on the track after practice is over. I > think the computer moves things along when it's ready regardless of what's > happening on the track. > Am I right in this? > glen

-- -------- Jason Monds (Please remove 'no extra spork' when replying)

Yeah, this is true. The program seems to give people enough time to complete their lap once time expires. Wait till you try a race at the Ring! This is another thing we need a patch for because waiting over 8 mins for a start at the Ring is insane, especially when your ALL waiting and no one is on the track!

Quoted text (16 lines)

> Typically, when the practice clock has ticked down to 0 people start typing > "practice over, back to pits please" and stuff like that. But it seems to me > that it doesn't make any difference, even if everyone is off the track there is > still a delay after the practice clock has ticked down to 0. > So should I just keep driving until the computer forces me to the next stage? > I don't think it saves any time if everyone pits out, the computer seems to go > at it's own pace anyway. > So don't get mad if people are still on the track after practice is over. I > think the computer moves things along when it's ready regardless of what's > happening on the track. > Am I right in this? > glen

-- Byron Forbes Captain of Team Lightning Bolt http://members.tripod.com/~HOSHUMUNGUS and http://www.frontiernet.net/~godsoe/bolt/home.htm

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> >Maybe conduct a test? Time how long it takes when people exit the > >track. Compare that with having everyone practice for another 10 > >minutes. You know the race will begin shortly when the session > >status is "Complete". > I just did an experiment. I started multiplayer, and hosted a race at Mexico. > I turned off computer opponents so I was the only one on the entry list. I > didn't even do a lap, I just sat there and let the time run out. After time > ran out in the practice session it changed to "Status: End of session - Stand > by" and stayed that way for 2 minutes and 45 seconds! It then changed to > "Status: Session complete" and stayed that way for another 30 seconds. > I backed out and did it again, this time with exactly 1 minute left on the > practice clock I began a very slow leisurely tour of the Autodromo in first > gear at 30 Km/h. Exactly 4 minutes and 15 seconds later, the screen flashed > static and I was taken to the pit screen with the message "Start sequence 30 > seconds". I was out for 1 minute of practice, and 3:15 of additional time. > Exactly the same as when I never pitted out the first time. > Conclusion: It doesn't make any difference if people leave the track after > time expires. The computer takes 3 minutes and 15 seconds to advance to the > starting grid. It may seem like it takes longer when people are out there but > that's only because it takes a long time either way and you're sitting there > thinking "C'mon buddy let's go". It takes just as long no matter what happens. > Now, everyone grab a stop watch and time how long it takes from the practice > clock ticking down to 0 and the beginning of the start sequence. 3:15 here, > every time.

ah, that's interesting - i had thought GPL did something like that but was too lazy to try timing it :) You only tested at Mexico? I suspect the time delay depends on each circuit - the 'ring always seems to take a lot longer once the practice session ends before the race starts.