Finding Balance - Daily Track Updates.

[TCG]

I’m a pretty regular Joe with a full time Buisness, family and a social life and gaming is something I do most evenings to wind down and at best I might get about 2 maybe 3 hours in a day to game. And that’s been fine for GT:S - Sport Mode up until this point.

With the Sport Mode event rotation now changing to daily, that leaves me with 2-3hours to learn 3 tracks, test several cars and become proficient at each track and I just can’t see that happening in that time TBH.

Since I doubt I’m the only person here who doesn’t have hours to spend gaming I’d love to hear how you are planning to find balance and get both enjoyment and value out of GT:S and it’s primary function - Sport Mode?

Because for me it’s either:

A) Enter each race event unprepared and hope for the best but probably just risk mine and everyone else’s DR/SR Rating.

B) Enter each race event unprepared and drive cautiously that it’s not actually racing and except that GT:S - Sport Mode for me is just a game where I drive around a track saving DR/SR points.

C) Focus on just one of the three events, losing value in what I’ve paid (paying) for, but experiencing some level of racing fun hopfully after track practise, car comparisons and effective qualifying.

D) realise that this game and PD’s direction just isn’t a fit for me and my life and hope that GT7 is not years away.

 

[Ian Fairbanks]

You’ve got to buy out the time from life man. I’m in the same boat. Work full time, commute, wife, house, real life race cars to fix, volunteer 10hrs a month. I’ve stayed home from work to play this game...

 

[BigDawg_1281]

I’m a pretty regular Joe with a full time Buisness, family and a social life and gaming is something I do most evenings to wind down and at best I might get about 2 maybe 3 hours in a day to game. And that’s been fine for GT:S - Sport Mode up until this point.

With the Sport Mode event rotation now changing to daily, that leaves me with 2-3hours to learn 3 tracks, test several cars and become proficient at each track and I just can’t see that happening in that time TBH.

Since I doubt I’m the only person here who doesn’t have hours to spend gaming I’d love to hear how you are planning to find balance and get both enjoyment and value out of GT:S and it’s primary function - Sport Mode?

Because for me it’s either:

A) Enter each race event unprepared and hope for the best but probably just risk mine and everyone else’s DR/SR Rating.

B) Enter each race event unprepared and drive cautiously that it’s not actually racing and except that GT:S - Sport Mode for me is just a game where I drive around a track saving DR/SR points.

C) Focus on just one of the three events, losing value in what I’ve paid (paying) for, but experiencing some level of racing fun hopfully after track practise, car comparisons and effective qualifying.

D) realise that this game and PD’s direction just isn’t a fit for me and my life and hope that GT7 is not years away.

I'm in the same boat with ya. Tonight, I just focused on 1 race. I figure eventually they will change it up again. If not... well, maybe the races will come back around in rotation. I'm having too much fun to give it up and I don't want to just ride around.

I did run a few qualifying laps in each first tho. Just to see which track I thought I could pick up on quickest.

 

[TCG]

I'm in the same boat with ya. Tonight, I just focused on 1 race. I figure eventually they will change it up again. If not... well, maybe the races will come back around in rotation. I'm having too much fun to give it up and I don't want to just ride around.

I did run a few qualifying laps in each first tho. Just to see which track I thought I could pick up on quickest.

Yeah, just focusing on one event seems like the best option for now, I think.

How have you found the races? Less prep time seems to be playing havoc here. Grids with qualifying times varying over 20+secs from 1st to last, and at least 3-4 cars without qualifying times. Also lots of cars completely missing breaking points all over the place and this is in groups of A/B drivers... It’s made it easier to gain positions if you’re cautious, but it’s certainly a lot more chaotic on track with everyone appearing to have limited track time and it will be interesting to see how that plays out longer term.

 

[Adrenaline]

Catch 22.
Your point is valid, and I understand where you're coming from.

Having said that... Everyone is in the same boat, so I'm not sure it really matters.

People won't be spending hours trying to get their qualifying lap anymore. No one will have time to test 10 different cars to find the absolute best for the days combo, and very few will have the car\track combo perfected within the day.

You're still going to be grouped by your SR\DR and will get good racing, with a field of drivers who are at the same disadvantage as you, therefore no disadvantage at all realistically.

I prefer a full week, or maybe even a mon-thur and fri-sun cycle, rather than a daily personally, but ultimately the point is that no matter which day you hop on the track, the people you race against are likely to have very little track time advantage.

Honestly, if you're really getting 2-3 hours a night, I'd actually say you're on the high side and should be at an advantage, not disadvantage.

Realistically speaking, even at 2-3 hours a night, the daily cycle should benefit you more than the weekly cycle anyways. The weekly cycle would compound and disadvantage you felt you have daily, because it would grow exponentially each day.

My worry is more people with less seat time will mean more carnage, and lower quality of competition. Luckily I haven't had the same issues I see the forum spamming every day. Sport mode has lead to some of the best racing I've had since the gt5 league I was in.

 

[Fredzy]

For me it’s C. Don’t worry too much about your ratings. Pick the event that looks most interesting and do that for the night, or maybe switch up after one or two races. Get comfortable and enjoy the racing.

It was tough for me to accept that I won’t be able to exercise my full potential due to time constraints. I went pretty hard the first week of the closed beta, but I sorta burned out on it and dropped it all together. Wasn’t sustainable. But with the full game, I’ve found that where I am - a few hours per week really - can turn over some awesome racing.

 

[TCG]

Catch 22.
Your point is valid, and I understand where you're coming from.

Having said that... Everyone is in the same boat, so I'm not sure it really matters.

People won't be spending hours trying to get their qualifying lap anymore. No one will have time to test 10 different cars to find the absolute best for the days combo, and very few will have the car\track combo perfected within the day.

You're still going to be grouped by your SR\DR and will get good racing, with a field of drivers who are at the same disadvantage as you, therefore no disadvantage at all realistically.

I prefer a full week, or maybe even a mon-thur and fri-sun cycle, rather than a daily personally, but ultimately the point is that no matter which day you hop on the track, the people you race against are likely to have very little track time advantage.

Honestly, if you're really getting 2-3 hours a night, I'd actually say you're on the high side and should be at an advantage, not disadvantage.

Realistically speaking, even at 2-3 hours a night, the daily cycle should benefit you more than the weekly cycle anyways. The weekly cycle would compound and disadvantage you felt you have daily, because it would grow exponentially each day.

My worry is more people with less seat time will mean more carnage, and lower quality of competition. Luckily I haven't had the same issues I see the forum spamming every day. Sport mode has lead to some of the best racing I've had since the gt5 league I was in.

All Great points!

Haha, I feel you on those fears of utter carnage, the races I’ve raced since the change have been pretty chaotic, lots of passing but usually because the car ahead has completely missed a breaking point or had no idea of the correct corner entry/exit point and this is in A/B/S groupings.

I’m also seeing large gaps in quali times on the grid too and also have seen a lot of racers who haven’t even posted a quali time so assume have no track experience except for when the lights go out!

 

[insayne05]

Catch 22
My worry is more people with less seat time will mean more carnage, and lower quality of competition. Luckily I haven't had the same issues I see the forum spamming every day. Sport mode has lead to some of the best racing I've had since the gt5 league I was in.

Totally agree, reading all over the forum about disgruntled drivers airing their grievances about being used as bumper cars and all very likely too but I have had some great racing in the groups I have been paired with. Of course, there has been some aggressive driving, but it has been pretty fair.
Mind you I think a lot comes down to being in the seat and watching your surroundings like mirrors, radar etc.

 

[Finflash]

Daily rotation is not good idea yet as many of us are still learning the cars/tracks. It kind of favours those who have the time right now. Well isn't this the case always After we have cycled all tracks with maybe 3-7 day rotation after that the daily change wouldn't be a issue anymore. I think we would want them to change tracks everyday later on anyway.

No tuning is more bigger problem for me. No tune levels the playing field but it doesn't feel racing 👎 Feels like a festival.

 

[FerrellJ]

No tuning is more bigger problem for me. No tune levels the playing field but it doesn't feel racing 👎 Feels like a festival.

That assumes the default setups for all cars puts them in a level playing field and I don't think it does. It also doesn't allow changes to accommodate particular driving styles. For example, the car I like to drive, the Gr.4 Alfa 4C, really doesn't behave well at all coming out of corners with the default diff settings (at least with how I'm driving it) but I can make some small changes and get it to be nearly as controllable as an AWD car.

I'm not a fan of the daily rotation. Yeah it can make the races more "exciting" but it doesn't necessarily allow people to improve which is what we want for the long term viability of the game. People just casually playing the game will eventually tire of those races and move on rather that sticking with the game and dedicating themselves to get better at it.

You think about other genres of competitive games and how much time players spend mastering a small number of characters. Why would that not apply to racing games as well? Master one vehicle (or vehicle type), learn how to set it up and drive it on every track...

 

[TCG]

Ugh. Logged on tonight for two races and it was total chaos everywhere.

Felt more like a Burnout game than GT. Maybe that’s what they’re wanting, quick, fast, dumb fun.

I always thought GT was an intelligent game but there is little “intelligence” about how anything has been implemented to this point.

 

[Matt368]

Ugh. Logged on tonight for two races and it was total chaos everywhere.

Felt more like a Burnout game than GT. Maybe that’s what they’re wanting, quick, fast, dumb fun.

I always thought GT was an intelligent game but there is little “intelligence” about how anything has been implemented to this point.

There is another side to this though as always. Coincidentally I had the day off yesterday on the same day the tracks changed from last week. To be honest the races I had yesterday were some of the best I have had and this would be with people who have also only been on the track for less than 1 day.

Granted I had more time that just a few hours after work but it certainly showed that within 1 day it isn't a total crash festival. This is DR-A and SR-S.

 

[breyzipp]

I’m a pretty regular Joe with a full time Buisness, family and a social life and gaming is something I do most evenings to wind down and at best I might get about 2 maybe 3 hours in a day to game. And that’s been fine for GT:S - Sport Mode up until this point.

With the Sport Mode event rotation now changing to daily, that leaves me with 2-3hours to learn 3 tracks, test several cars and become proficient at each track and I just can’t see that happening in that time TBH.

Since I doubt I’m the only person here who doesn’t have hours to spend gaming I’d love to hear how you are planning to find balance and get both enjoyment and value out of GT:S and it’s primary function - Sport Mode?

Because for me it’s either:

A) Enter each race event unprepared and hope for the best but probably just risk mine and everyone else’s DR/SR Rating.

B) Enter each race event unprepared and drive cautiously that it’s not actually racing and except that GT:S - Sport Mode for me is just a game where I drive around a track saving DR/SR points.

C) Focus on just one of the three events, losing value in what I’ve paid (paying) for, but experiencing some level of racing fun hopfully after track practise, car comparisons and effective qualifying.

D) realise that this game and PD’s direction just isn’t a fit for me and my life and hope that GT7 is not years away.

I got a full daytime job as well and plan to put my fitness program and social time with friends & dancing back on the rails again, bot at the cost of gaming and... gaming forums.

I kinda like the daily rotations to be honest. Since they swap around every day anyway IMO just pick the one you like the most and ignore the other two, that's basically what I did yesterday, I loved the Gr.4 race at Maggiore reverse and kinda ignored the other 2. And that was even on a day I was not working and had more time to play. From today's pickings there isn't even 1 race that really stands out IMO. I love Alsace but don't like the Audi TTS so maybe try it a few times, else skip. Gr.4 is now on mini Kyoto so maybe try a few times, or skip. And Gr.3 is on BB raceway... pfft skip entirely. I think tonight I won't do Sport mode but just do some off-racing stuff like scapes, liveries or maybe finally go through some sections of the brands museums.

 

[Johnnypenso]

Sport Mode desperately needs to release a schedule a week in advance so that those so inclined can practice some time ahead.

 

[BigDawg_1281]

Yeah, just focusing on one event seems like the best option for now, I think.

How have you found the races? Less prep time seems to be playing havoc here. Grids with qualifying times varying over 20+secs from 1st to last, and at least 3-4 cars without qualifying times. Also lots of cars completely missing breaking points all over the place and this is in groups of A/B drivers... It’s made it easier to gain positions if you’re cautious, but it’s certainly a lot more chaotic on track with everyone appearing to have limited track time and it will be interesting to see how that plays out longer term.

For the most part, I had some good races. Some of the times were all over the place. I can tell some didn't bother to run many laps in qualifying. In one race, the pole sitter finished last.

I just try to stay clean and get faster. I'm @ B/ A now. I've won a few races, mostly top 5s tho. It is tough having to watch out for the cars missing braking points and turn ins.

 

[TCG]

Sport Mode desperately needs to release a schedule a week in advance so that those so inclined can practice some time ahead.

I like that idea. A schedule would be great.

On the flip-side, I guess In 3-4 months time this won’t be such a big issue as a large part of the community will have had experience with most cars and tracks, so jumping on for a race won’t be as daunting as it is currently.

 

[BigDawg_1281]

I like that idea. A schedule would be great.

On the flip-side, I guess In 3-4 months time this won’t be such a big issue as a large part of the community will have had experience with most cars and tracks, so jumping on for a race won’t be as daunting as it is currently.

This is what I'm hoping for. Down the road it won't be so bad. Hopefully by then I will have a wheel and can get that extra couple of seconds 👍

 

[Matt368]

Sport Mode desperately needs to release a schedule a week in advance so that those so inclined can practice some time ahead.

This is a brilliant idea. Maybe at the start of the week release a schedule for that week, then we can choose the entries we want, go and practice ready for the races on whatever day the are scheduled. As a bonus it would place more emphasis on driving well because you will only have the one day to maximise your results. We have that now but without the time to practice.

 

[Johnnypenso]

I like that idea. A schedule would be great.

On the flip-side, I guess In 3-4 months time this won’t be such a big issue as a large part of the community will have had experience with most cars and tracks, so jumping on for a race won’t be as daunting as it is currently.

True, but at that point the community will likely be down to the hardcore few anyway. The lack of a schedule might drive a lot of people away. Preparedness is a huge part of racing. Not having a schedule seems rather...amateurish. It certainly doesn't give on the feeling of being part of something bigger, something more organized, something with a longer end game beyond a daily rotation of random sprint races. I mean, if you think about it, the only way to organize this that could be worse would be having a daily rotation of a single race instead of 3 with no schedule.

 

[Matt368]

With the weekly races it was great to be able to chip away at your qualifying time over a few days to move up the grid come the races. If they stay with the daily rotation then a schedule is a great way to give people the time to prepare. The best case is that they cater for both groups by introducing 2 types of races so that those who want short, sharp races with track variety can enter the daily races and those who want a longer more focused attack at a given track can enter the weekly races.

That has to be so easy to implement surely?