I think I got rather misconstrued, I have never said that sim racing isn't a game. But it's a game based on a sport, and I think the majority that play online (which is, of course, a tiny minority!) come to it because they love the SPORT.
As some have commented, they don't like playing online. Too many griefers, too competitive, too time consuming, whatever...
But for those that love the real sport, it's all too obvious right from the first race that the AI don't provide an even remotely realistic experience. Where in real life have you ever see someone able to pick up at least ten places from the back of the grid because NOT ONE SINGLE CAR defended the inside?
And it's this that really sorts the lovers of the real sport from those that just want to play a game. Or, if you will, 'gamers'. Feel free to raise your hackles again, but, as pointed out earlier, the numbers for participation in online have consistently shown (on consoles at least) that most people just want to play a game. Not 'simulate' the sport the game's based on.
For me, single player is a last resort. Some games need it because of the fake 'economy' and I simply won't play them. It's one of the best features of PC2. Any car, any track, Day One...
For those that skip online because of the griefers, look to games with lockable lobbies. If the room host can kick griefers and they can't immediately re-enter (PC2's WORST 'feature'!) that's the problem solved.
But it's a numbers game. PMR rushed out the game, online looks like it hasn't enough numbers to reach critical mass. So it's all a bit moot...
If anyone's still upset about my critique of the difference between racers and gamers, try to remove yourself from the equation and simply explain why VERY FEW play online even when many games allow easy removal of griefers...
