Time to think about the future

[Ollo]

Talking about the schedule here. Since not very many has been racing online the last weeks, I propose we have four weeks of "open races", i.e. no specified cars or tracks, after next weeks event. This way, we will at least have a common meeting time. Let's see if online racing starts to pick up after that period of time. If there is more interest later on, it would be fun to have an online championship of some sort.

What do you think?

Cheers,
Ollo

[Roger]

I think.......I have been watching you sweating away trying to whip up some interest with not much feedback. Your efforts are appreciated.

Personally, I have had very little spare time lately, also the stutters I got put me off a little as I seemed to spend more time trying to steer and if I did crash - then waiting for the next race - i.e. lots of seat time got me not much running time. Is it a Gamespy problem?

I wonder what it is about RT that keeps more people from doing more on-line racing? Maybe if we can figure that out something can de done about it.

Do you think that there is too much "risk" of people being able to cheat that will keep some racers away? Personally I don't mind who drives what as long as there is at least someone else to race with.

Back to your question, I would say that your approach so far is the best one - you are offering up races and cars for people to tag along with. At least you create an "event" by doing that.

Anyway - let's hope that it's just a holiday lull ATM.

A championship might give people something to aim for, although how you police the physics could be an issue (people will REALLY start to get bothered if there are points at stake). I'll give an example, say you all are racing Florenzo's Swiss winter rally - if someone was running gravel on their PC you would not see it on your screen (just their car running away in the distance).

[Ollo]

I think.......I have been watching you sweating away trying to whip up some interest with not much feedback. Your efforts are appreciated.

Thanks! :)

Personally, I have had very little spare time lately, also the stutters I got put me off a little as I seemed to spend more time trying to steer and if I did crash - then waiting for the next race - i.e. lots of seat time got me not much running time. Is it a Gamespy problem?

Not sure about that one. All I know is that having a couple of (even one sometimes) web browser windows open in the background causes stutter for me. Let's try to find the time to do a one-on-one race sometime soon, so that you can check if that helps.

I wonder what it is about RT that keeps more people from doing more on-line racing? Maybe if we can figure that out something can de done about it.

I think many experience the same thing as you do. Also, I think it was CPt_Henke who said it once, the damn patch causes a lot of confusion.

Do you think that there is too much "risk" of people being able to cheat that will keep some racers away? Personally I don't mind who drives what as long as there is at least someone else to race with.

Not really. I don't think many people know how to cheat, besides using a WRC car and passing it off as an original RT car. That's easily spotted online anyway ;) Those that have the knowledge to do something more exotic are probably RT fans and RT veterans, and they generally don't need a cheat to be quick (or maybe that's why they ARE quick :OMG: ). Like you, I really don't care much, just as long as there is someone to race. If it takes a cheat to stay competetive, fine, do it. I'll just have a more fun and close race :P The only one losing out is the cheater, who won't get a sim-like experience.

Back to your question, I would say that your approach so far is the best one - you are offering up races and cars for people to tag along with. At least you create an "event" by doing that.

Yes. The only problem is there are usually the same amount of people online every weeknight, sometimes more on other nights than Wednesdays. Also, the casual driver that just pops by on a Wednesday night will not be able to join in most of the time, as they have never heard of BZF Manager etc. I figured we might get them onboard by using some regular cars and tracks for a couple of weeks.

I think it would be good if this forum started working more as a general online forum, where people can make "dates" for races on various weeknights. If we start using the forum that way, perhaps more of us will find a suitable time for races (how about that one-on-one? :cool: ) and we could race specific cars or tracks, or have handicapped races.

Anyway - let's hope that it's just a holiday lull ATM.

Yes! :)

A championship might give people something to aim for, although how you police the physics could be an issue (people will REALLY start to get bothered if there are points at stake). I'll give an example, say you all are racing Florenzo's Swiss winter rally - if someone was running gravel on their PC you would not see it on your screen (just their car running away in the distance).

Hm, yes... All we can do is hoping this remains a gentlman's club :) Competing online has one big advantage here: If someones car is going way to fast, you can easily see it. (A bit more problematic if someone were to do something more subtle.) As for myself, it is not very important for me who wins and who don't, just as long as there are good races!

[Roger]

Yes. The only problem is there are usually the same amount of people online every weeknight, sometimes more on other nights than Wednesdays. Also, the casual driver that just pops by on a Wednesday night will not be able to join in most of the time, as they have never heard of BZF Manager etc. I figured we might get them onboard by using some regular cars and tracks for a couple of weeks.

Good thinking - :up:

I think it would be good if this forum started working more as a general online forum, where people can make "dates" for races on various weeknights. If we start using the forum that way, perhaps more of us will find a suitable time for races and we could race specific cars or tracks, or have handicapped races.

Another - :up:

how about that one-on-one? :cool:

I'll see what I can do this Weds - I'll give you a shout beforehand. ATM the missus is tidying "her" office, I think that the lump in the corner under her mess could be my wheel (could be a dead animal also :P ) - if I'm lucky enough to still have a wheel I have no excuse for not turning up.

BTW - Anyone seen Alpine lately?

[Ollo]

BTW - Anyone seen Alpine lately?

Last I saw of him was when you handed him the keys to that 1000 hp vehicle right before his vacation... :eek: We can't race on Wednesday without him!

[Ollo]

After doing some more thinking, I have come up with the following schedule:

Sept 10: Open
Sept 17: Open
Sept 24: Wales 5 (been too long since we raced this one!)
Oct 1: Finland gravel
Oct 8: Switzerland tarmac (!)

I reduced the open rallies to two weeks, since well into September all veterans should be back. If interest is still low at that point, we'll just see what will happen next.

[Dan]

yeh.. you're doing a great job ollo ;)

sry for my lack of participation lately.. I needed a break from rt and had a few computer problems too.. but those are all solved now, plus I just today got ADSL connection installed here so I'm interested in trying that out in rt sometime (next wednesday?)

another that's probably makign it slow ATM is the time of year.. I guess a lot of people are on holiday the last month or so .. hopefully it will ick up a bit again



:wave:

[Ollo]

Great to hear your PC is up and running (or rather sprinting if I know you...) and that you now have ADSL. Would be great to have a few races on Wednesday!

[Ollo]

OK, this is the new schedule:

Sept 10: Open
Sept 17: Open
Sept 24: Wales 5
Oct 1: Finland gravel
Oct 8: Switzerland tarmac