Levels: The new way to progress, the appropriate way for online matchmaking?

[SuperCobraJet]

While being somewhat reluctant to post in this thread, at the same time I'm very intrigued by the possibilities brought forward here.

It is safe to say that GT5 will introduce Level system as new way of leveling the player. Numbers 11 (A) and 9 (B) obviusely corresponds with "Level" of particular mode.

Further logic says you need to collect something in order to level up, so we may presume that Points for A/B-Spec are back, but now their collection results with leveling.

Also, we may presume that License tests will be graduated though those Levels, because Levels are obviously restricting factor for entering particular race/event - as particular License was in previous games (A, B, Internationals, Special..).

So, further logic tells us that higher/harder instance of Events will require higher Level, ergo give more A/B-Spec points after the race.

These statements strike me as little unusual.
Certainly this is all possible, but the use of the terms "safe to say", "obviously", "presume", and "further logic" seems to be a bit of a stretch from what info is available, at least that I know of.

If we expand the A/B-Spec point system, it would be more than perfect if some kind of "backup engine" - similar to one in COD games for instance - would constantly monitor our driving during races and award more points after the race (not just prior to the race, depending of factors descriptive for A/B-Spec points in GT4 <GT5?>) for clean racing/racing without damage/non-usage of assists, etc..

I have to admit that does sound logical.

I wonder would the Levels be descriptive factor for the online Matchmaking, because if executed even remotely closed to system I've concieved above it would solve almost any problem imaginable for Public Races..

I'm not convinced any system is capable of your conclusion, but it would conceivably, be a step in the right direction.

Discuss if interested, thanx in advance for constructive thoughts.

Knowing the prior need for the use of a little "coding" at times, I guess I'm wondering if this is one of those times?

My apologies in advance if this post is not considered constructive thought.

 

[zork123]

I'm definitely all for levelling. Im curious to see how it works tho in the game and how it does come together in online to. Im a huge call of duty fan so this is definately the way to go. The more awards you get for doing stuff the better.

 

[darkblade986]

I could understand having some kind of Level restriction in place for this game, if for nothing else than to encourage you to actually play the game correctly.


For the GT5P entry on GameFAQs, there's a save there containing all cars (including the F1). What fun does the game provide if you can just go grab a save file and start driving the F1 online automatically? By having a Level system attached to your PSN account, rather than the save file, they can force you to actually race your way up through the ranks before you're trusted with such a high powered car.


Because, obviously, what race team would let an absolute nobody drive such an expensive piece of precision machinery without testing their abilities first?

 

[Predwolf]

In my opinion the rank on FM3 is a nightmare and ruins what online racing should be about, fun. Im forever being kicked or having to dodge idiots who are parked up waiting to take me out because of my rank.

Having said this another nightmare on FM3 is racing against people who are 8secs a lap slower. Being behind someone who brakes hard for a corner which I do flat out causes all sorts of problems.

Ideally online racing should be about clean, fair racing and more importantly playing for fun. This is what a friends list is for because you will never get this racing against strangers!

I, respectfully, disagree about not having to race against strangers.

Some of the best races I've had in GT5P were 1-on-1's with complete strangers. The kind where, if somebody makes a mistake on a ten lap race when you two are in the heat of battle, the other slows down and waits, so that it stays interesting.
👍

 

[zork123]

I, respectfully, disagree about not having to race against strangers.

Some of the best races I've had in GT5P were 1-on-1's with complete strangers. The kind where, if somebody makes a mistake on a ten lap race when you two are in the heat of battle, the other slows down and waits, so that it stays interesting.
👍

Agreed. I love racing against anyone but i think collision should be turned off by default for most online races.

 

[FlourescentBlak]

Yup, that makes sence, lets add a dammage system then turn collisions off.

I agree on the online races, you get people that wait for you fairly often. The times I won't wait for somone is if I'm running very well and I want to check my total time or if think I might get a record laptime on the current lap. Usually I wait though.

 

[MadduckUK]

if polyphony need to learn one lesson from forza, it is make the multiplayer like Forza2, not Forza3. matchmaking just does not work on racing games. Rooms customized the way the creator wants and then people can choose whether to join it or not works perfectly.

 

[darkblade986]

Agreed. I love racing against anyone but i think collision should be turned off by default for most online races.

The only problem with this is that it turns it into glorified Time Trial rather than an actual race. Part of racing is trying to find a way around the other guy. It's one thing to be faster than him. It's another thing to be more agile. The collision penalty system should be more than enough, but an in-race vote kick system wouldn't be a bad idea for someone who's skirting the penalties.

 

[dhandeh]

It will probably be a blessing in disguise that gt5 is released around the same time as the new call of duty. Hopefully all the annoying 12 year olds will be off playing that, allowing the online to settle down and learn the best way to create/take part in the on line mode. Whatever leveling model is used, im not sure how it would be able to root out the annoying players.

 

[magicalgin]

if you level up in this game, i hope i evolve at level 16 and 32.. just like charmander!

Imagine you start off as an alfa 147 then evolve into the Brera and eventually into the 8C

 

[FlourescentBlak]

It will probably be a blessing in disguise that gt5 is released around the same time as the new call of duty. Hopefully all the annoying 12 year olds will be off playing that

We can only hope.

 

[Imari]

For the GT5P entry on GameFAQs, there's a save there containing all cars (including the F1). What fun does the game provide if you can just go grab a save file and start driving the F1 online automatically?

There are different kinds of fun in the game. One is the joy of earning your car. Another is the simple joy of driving a fine piece of machinery. If some people want to skip the earning part of the fun, or they just don't find that enjoyable, then more power to them.

One would hope that any online levelling system has an element of skill to it instead of pure grinding. A mixture of both is usually the route that most developers take, players gain points regardless but skilled players accumulate them faster and thus remain in a group at the head of the field. This sucks a bit if you're late joining the system, but nothing is perfect.

 

[Patrocles]

Sorry for mentioning it once again, but on Enthusia the player got a negative bonus for car-to-car crashes, so in the end he was encouraged to drive cleanly.
I still can't help but feel that Enthusia has been a great source of inspiration for Yamauchi when it came out in 2005, not much time after GT4. Even the "GT Life" mode here, it's named as Enthusia's "Enthusia Life". I'm not sure if it's a coincidence.

(by the way, some people from the Enthusia staff also apparently worked for Polyphony for GT5P, and I guess GT5. This might explain some similarities).

I would be up for penalties on car-to-car crashes! It is harsh, but definitely pushes people to learn how to race cleanly (see iRacing).

 

[SavageEvil]

If you need a certain level to compete online, then it's probably because the game assumes you don't have much experience racing. And while there are Level 1 players who can give 35s a run for their money, for the most part the drivers will be inexperienced. I'm sure you'd much rather have a level cap than open season where a driver who would normally be unable to race can get in and ruin it for everyone by ramming people off.

That's what I was saying, but not all level 1 drivers are actually level 1 skill, they could be far beyond that skill. Happens in FM3 often online, actually you can pretty much tell a beginner by the type of vehicle he selects for a race(Veyron S Class = Beginner). The main thing that will stop the crash and bash is the fact that we can have fairly large rooms setup, and a site like this can be used to sort out our skill levels and will pretty much guarantee a fair driver.

It remains to be seen what they implement, but I'm thinking that they will have varying skill rooms by default until people get used to the game. Either way, when you go to public rooms you will undoubtedly come across idiots. I just hope that the online game rules instantly ghost cars going the wrong way, and cars that are approaching a braking point well beyond the speed it will take to slow down and turn. A system that can do incredibly fast calculations can pretty much extrapolate the vector speed and know whether or not you can stop your car(if there are cars in the within the braking zone then you instantly get ghosted and will be penalized 5 second 40 mph top speed, that is after you get back on the course). You deliberately drive badly, ramming other vehicles and attempting to do so(only so fast you can approach a corner in a car) will result in you being ghosted the rest of the race and not be allowed to come in any place above 5th. This would have to be a pretty smart system, incidental contact shouldn't be a problem but full bore, no braking well into a braking zone just flags you. Also other racers will also flag you as someone to avoid, thereby making it harder for you to join races with these racers in it.

In private races, we won't really have to use such features at all. Considering that everyone will have headsets to let people know which side you are passing and if you aren't going to be able to stop in time to look out and if you knock someone off you can apologize and allow them to come back on ahead of you. This is mainly how we play in private rooms in FM3 and in public rooms as well, not many online are courteous like that, but you do come across those who are.

Can't wait till I get online, lets hope people are courteous. Knuckleheads be damned.

 

[Revelation1115]

Imagine you start off as an alfa 147 then evolve into the Brera and eventually into the 8C

lol, my integra will turn into an nsx haha

 

[Revelation1115]

I want to know too ,Revelation1115

thats like asking, "how many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie pop?"

 

[HaylRayzor]

yay, "safety rating" based public matchmaking would be great!! 👍

Yeah I'm sure you want to know none of the other drivers will hit you as you lap them...

 

[timeatkuu]

Yeah I'm sure you want to know none of the other drivers will hit you as you lap them...

Exactly what my thought was... I hope levels weeds out the serious racers from those who just crash into pole position after being lapped / knowing they're going to lose the race.

 

[juwlzx5]

OK, my guess is that when someone is penalized in a race, they will be penalized on their level as well. In this way, good players won't need to have to deal with rammers. Just a thought.