I really, really don't get it, well actually I think I do get it, but I'll get to that in a second. I'm serious here, you all know who you are. I'm speaking to all of you 1st lap, 1st corner-hooligans who just destroy any kind of enjoyment for a grid of other racers. What is it about this situation that you can't use two brain cells and realize that a race is not won on the 1st or 2nd corner of the of the race through driving obnoxiously, mainly using other people as guard rails? Is it because you're so used to racing against the AI in ridiculously overpowered cars? Are you just too used to knocking them off the road on your way to getting your next gold trophy as soon as possible, taking a 10 second lead by the 3rd turn in your car that outmatches them by 300hp? Has A-Spec conditioned you this way, to be so inconsiderate, so mindless?
I tried and failed in every room and race tonight to find a group of drivers who could make it through the first two turns, much less the first LAP, with clean driving. I'm talking about five different rooms, all different drivers. Sure, one race was with F1 cars, but it was on Suzuka. There is PLENTY of room on that track to allow for clean driving with even the slightest hint of consideration for any of the other participants.
I just finished out my night with a race on the Indy Road Course. There's a recipe for destruction right there... everyone hits 180mph at the start of the race and has to slow down to make the first turn = disaster. I was in the lead on the first turn, got plowed as expected because I took the first corner at an appropriate speed, but I managed to hold onto it through turn one despite at least 10 other drivers' best efforts to include me in their demolition derby. I get to the very next turn (1 second later?), I get plowed right into the sand, oh and by the same guy I saw leading the pack in destroying my bumper on the first turn. This was not a RUB either. I'm talking about serious impact. Oh but that was still okay because guess where all of the other fine drivers were, back BEHIND me in the sand still recovering, you know, just trying to get their cars to face in the correct direction again.
So I drive as clean as I can for the rest of the race, people fly off the track here and there and I get back into 2nd place before the last lap. I have no shot at 1st by then since the first place driver managed to escape the carnage from earlier and cut through from the back (half the battle of online racing? sad), and I'm just trying to keep it clean and hold onto 2nd. So I get to the hairpin on that track and guess what, I get plowed right off into the grass again by the same guy who hit me 2 times earlier. I make the comment, "Man if you hit me one more time..." And he replies, "Come on man, it's the last lap." To which I reply, "And what does that mean, it's a license for you to drive dirty and throw me off the track?" No reply. Turns out the driver was the host. I said nothing more, took my 3rd place and left as soon as the lobby reloaded.
- It's A-Spec's fault, I know it, well that's my theory. The problem here is that A-Spec doesn't really teach people how to RACE, nor do license tests for that matter. It teaches them how to drive like neanderthals clubbing their way toward their next gold trophy and prize car. Strict penalties in A-Spec events, including the enforcement of 2 tires on, AND more importantly having a significant clean race bonus could really do a lot to improve the quality of driving out there among the interwebs. I remember way back in the days of my first Need For Speed game when it was a big deal to finish the race with the clean driving bonus because it paid off. Think about what that could do for these pickle heads ruining any chance for a lot of other people to have and enjoyable racing experience.
