Official matchmaking Online Events should be finally introduced in GT5

[amar212]

I usually do not make this type of threads, but the recent post by Sneaper in GT5 Latest News & Discussion thread has finally inspired me enough to finally highlight my personal greatest issue with options and functionality within Gran Turismo 5 (with exception of ability to change oil in the Pit Area of all game modes ).

And that is lack of Official Matchmaking in GT5, previously known as "Online Event" during GT5: Prologue times.

TO CLARIFY: Matchmaking Online Events system should be addition to existing Open Lobby/Private Lobby system, which should remain unchanged. Basically, it should be aded as additional *type* of online racing events

Quick travel to past will tell us how during GT5 era we had Online Event lobbies on disposal which were basically a online matchmaking races with pre-determined restrictions, split into Race events and Time Trial events. On top of that, Race events were split into 3 difficulty categories: Beginner, Intermediate and Expert (Professional), each with its own set of "rules".

Beginners races were 1-5 laps, with lower PP cars, up to 8 players, simpler tracks and with ability to use assists.

Intermediate were longer races, with tighter PP restrictions or varied choice of pre-determined cars/tyre compounds, more laps, up to 12 players on more demanding circuits and were hosting some of the assists.

Expert (Professional) races were top-tier events with up to 16 players, high-lap count (even to 20 laps), disabled assists (except ABS), high PP values, often with ability to use tuning and often with strictly enabled particular cars. In most cases Expert races were run on low-grip compounds, especially in the ending days of GT5rologue online services. All races awarded some Cr (there was no XP in GT5) and I remember many of those as the greatest experiences of GT online.

In my opinion, that system was perfect for matchmaking. All types of players could find races for themselves, while constant changes of the events allowed for great versatility. And we only had 6 tracks in disposal for more then 2 years - but we never got bored actually. Crazy, I know

As Sneaper has highlighted in his post, the Official Matchmaking is mentioned within GT5 manual - click for the picture - but it has never been actually included in the GT5.

There are hundreds of ways Online Matchmaking could be included in GT5, but somehow I think how bi-weekly circulation of new events that would coincide with Seasonal Events would be the best way. Just by hand-picking some Seasonal Events combo (cars/races) and establishing an Online Events lobbies would do miracle for everyday playtime of GT5.

Not to even mention if additional effort would be done in order to produce fresh and interesting Online Events every two weeks with strong emphasis on less-usual tracks and cars (SS7, Top Gear, Eiger rain, Kart Events, snow races, generated Course Maker races...) or races with pre-determined car/compound combo same for everyone (LFA on CS for example, or even F40 on CM, to remember legendary race from GT5 times from Expert events pool).

Many of players do not have much time on disposal and having Online Events (Matchmaking) back would be a perfect solution for those who would love to race online for an hour-two but do not have enough friends on the list or can't find events that suits them in the Public Lobbies.

Also, IMO such option would drastically increase playability of GT5 for many, many players that are in constant search for new friends, challengers or in-game challenges.

Please discuss and I am thanking in advance for keeping this thread alive in order to gain maximum visibility on the front page in order to be (maybe) noticed by someone who could care.

Never forget:

 

[Nicko]

I cannot express how much more I would enjoy the online component of GT5 if the official matchmaking was to be introduced again. The only reason why I would stick to GT5P for endless hours some nights was because of this particular online matchmaking system. It was fantastic.

This idea should be seriously considered; it would be a great addition to the game.

Excellent thread Amar. 👍

 

[Spagetti69]

I agree Amsr.

Not sure if PD want players clogging up the bandwidth.
The problem with match making is that it would encourage people to play.
Hey I would even play it now and again.

PD knows best.

 

[thelvynau]

Amar definately agree this would make it easier to find like minded people wanting the same preferences.

 

[Wardez]

It's definitely a gaping hole left in GT5's multi-player.

I think it could've evolved into something even better than we can imagine if it had been a feature on release. Allowing some customization could go a long way. Even allowing people to host their own permanent rooms like BF3 allows console players to "rent a server."

Like you described, it's just such an obvious thing they should've had all the basic features just fall together. I've thought about this idea for a while and always come up with new interesting things they could've done with it like theme events based on real life famous races that were going on at the time (Le Mans, Monaco, etc) and special online events and race competitions sanctioned by PD/Sony themselves that could attract many more competitive players and, if they were to stream it or allow people to watch in a spectator mode, have a lot of fans come and watch so that every one can also see how teeming it would be.

But the basic concept here at the core is keeping things simple and easy of course, that's what made the original system in GT5 so good, but it could've (or could for GT6 hopefully) grown into its own animal entirely.

Really appreciate the thread Amar 👍

 

[NjLowrider]

Since day 1 I thought we needed this.

 

[TwIsTeD_83]

Would be nice but who would kick the rammers then?
Also many many more options in lobbies...

 

[VBR]

I think matchmaking GT5 Prologue style is totally redundant now that we have online lobbies, both public & private, where we can set up any race we want. It's not something that I miss, nor is it something I want back in GT5.

 

[Morgoth_666]

I never played Prologue, but that does sound like the best (read: only decent) matchmaking system I've ever come across. Having played many games which do include matchmaking and having it virtually always mean playing uncustomizable games with lousy options against random strangers who seem highly likely to be cheap players, and usually with a feeling of it being at the expense of proper options in the "standard lobby" mode -- and often making up the entirety of online with no other way to play... I'll never complain about the lack of such a mode in any game.

If it was done well, in a way similar to what is described above, and if the rest of the online area was at least as decent(I know it's far from perfect) as it is now, and if PD was continually spending the time to keep updating it with fresh and interesting events, and if there was a reasonable way to deal with dirty players... then sure, bring it on. If it was anything like what I've come to expect(both from other games' matchmaking systems and from PD's implementation of almost anything) or if it took anything at all away from the rest of the game then I'm glad they haven't wasted the time on it.

I'd rather just get the option to filter lobbies by tire compound and the ability to see the rules/aids settings before joining a room.

 

[tka_tha]

Totally agree. GT Prolgue online races were a great attraction.

 

[Exorcet]

My only concern would be that they leave GT5's online in tact, as well as bring it over to GT6 (with many improvements of course).

GT5P's online lobby system was one of the worst parts of the game for me. GT5 was an immense improvement, and given the choice, I'd prefer not to use any match making system like GT5P's.

 

[Ghoa$t]

My only concern would be that they leave GT5's online in tact, as well as bring it over to GT6 (with many improvements of course).

GT5P's online lobby system was one of the worst parts of the game for me. GT5 was an immense improvement, and given the choice, I'd prefer not to use any match making system like GT5P's.

I think matchmaking GT5 Prologue style is totally redundant now that we have online lobbies, both public & private, where we can set up any race we want. It's not something that I miss, nor is it something I want back in GT5.

You'd not be forced to use it as it's obviously not for everybody, and if PD does bring it back in an update I doubt the current state of online lobbies would be affected in any way. Online is currently a free-for-all, and sometimes you just want hop online for a few quick races without having to sift through the mess of unorganized lobbies. The 3 tier system[Beginner, Advanced and Expert events] worked back in Prologue and I see no reason why they shouldn't/couldn't implement an evolved version of it. I've seen a lot of people on this site who simply refuse to play online due to how unorganized it is. Quick pick up and play of organized racing with car/tire/track/PP restrictions would add to GT5's current online state, not take away from it.

 

[VBR]

You're right, as long as it was an optional addition of course. I doubt I'd use it myself though.


👍

 

[NjLowrider]

I would just like a casual option between shuffle races and full online lobbies.

I love getting in a shuffle lobby when I just want to drive and not fuss with car choice and tuning.

Then there are times when I buy a new car and would like a dedicated 400-450-500-550-600-650 beginner/advanced lobby just to casually hop in and do some clean laps to test it out! Just leave those 6 lobbies at the top of lobby list at all times. Would make it easy to find the pp your looking for without going through every lobby.

I love racing online and drive everyday.. Most who are still racing online are clean drivers, so just having 6 lobbies for this would be great. Vote to kick those that are dirty.

Then you can have your fully customizable lobbies for the rest!

 

[amar212]

I added clarification into OP - the intention is not to *replace* anything, but to *add*.

Existing Open Lobby and Private Lounges should remain intact, I see Matchmaking Online Events as extension of the current online modes, as proposed on the very GT5's guide that was published with the game on its release. (which I also refer at in the OP).

👍

 

[C_Raccoon23]

This is the #1 feature I've wanted since GT5 came out. It would breath new life into the game for me if it were added.

We need this mode so that people who just care about racing don't have to waste time dealing with Open Lobby.

 

[cletus 669]

In addition to what we have now would be awesome. The same main reason as already stated, I usualy only have an hour or two at most to jump online and it takes way to much time to find a decent room and then when ya finally do usualy you have wasted at least 30 minutes or more searching. An option for quick matchups would be great for those times! Great thread so far Amar.

 

[mcfizzle]

Great post Amar and I agree 100%. I enjoyed the matching making in GT5P and raced online often. The way it is set up now, I only dare go online when I am joining club races and practices that I am a part of. If they brought back matchmaking in addition to the current online features I would definitely venture online a lot more. The Seasonal Events being both online matchmaking and offline events is a great idea and one I have mentioned before. The only problem is that GT5 has probably already lost a lot of people who would have enjoyed matchmaking and stayed around longer because of it. Let's hope matchmaking is reintroduced in GT6 if not for GT5.

 

[Tired Tyres]

The lack of this feature is why I don't race online.

I was always racing online in GT5P because of the very feature.

It needs to come back. 👍

 

[Olegonic]

...Just imagine...
All online much making is split into groups for different preference:
1. Nordschlife 24hrs, 5-7 laps, time weather change. Always same track only cars combo is changing.
2. GT500 series, tracks Suza, Fu, Motegi...20-50 laps.
3. GT300 series
4. Tuned cars
5. Classic cars
6. Modern cars
7. Supercars
8. Lightweights
9. Rally cars.
10. Drift battles for 2 players on track with improved points system for battling.
This list could be added by sedans group, FF, FR, MR, AWD.
I wouldn't have skipped a day without Gran Turismo if this matchmaking was implemented/added. Of course with restrictions according to difficulty, or difficulty itself could vary within a group.

 

[avens]

This would be a good addition even when it is more than 2 years after the game's release. That's because matchmaking requires lots of experimentation especially on an activity that isn't 1v1, and lets be honest GT5 has been all about it.

 

[Infinital-NG]

Since it was in the manual I'd like to see it happen. As others have said, it's difficult when you have a limited time to play and are stuck spending half of it going through room after room to find something that's not exactly what you are looking for.

Usually I end up in shuffle rooms when can't find anywhere else to race.

 

[Exorcet]

I added clarification into OP - the intention is not to *replace* anything, but to *add*.

Existing Open Lobby and Private Lounges should remain intact, I see Matchmaking Online Events as extension of the current online modes, as proposed on the very GT5's guide that was published with the game on its release. (which I also refer at in the OP).

👍

I understood, but it's always good to clarify. I just thought I'd post for the same reason you made the thread.

Please discuss and I am thanking in advance for keeping this thread alive in order to gain maximum visibility on the front page in order to be (maybe) noticed by someone who could care.

PD doesn't seem to like choices, they'll add something and then take something else away at the same time.

One thing that both matchmaking and the current system desperately need is a search function. A lot of people have complained about the time it takes to find a room. As someone who avoids RS tires, I agree. But the problem isn't the lobby system, it's the lack of a means to sort them. If any specific option or combinations of options is less than 10% popular, good luck finding it without a filter.

 

[Morgoth_666]

One thing that both matchmaking and the current system desperately need is a search function. A lot of people have complained about the time it takes to find a room. As someone who avoids RS tires, I agree. But the problem isn't the lobby system, it's the lack of a means to sort them. If any specific option or combinations of options is less than 10% popular, good luck finding it without a filter.

This. Search and/or filters would help so much. Some way to organize the list so you can see what you are interested in seeing. I even think that GT5 online might well have evolved into a much different place if we had had the ability to see and sort by all of the relevant settings available from near the start.

And just look at the one setting you can filter besides "race-for-fun" and tracks. Either SRF Off(great for us who don't want to be around it) or SRF All. Where's the sense in that? Why no third option for those who want to use it and not deal with us "hardcore simjerks?"




To the point of whether it would replace what we have now: I'm thinking of this not really as something I'd expect them to add now, as they surely have a lot of things they need to do. I'm thinking of it more as something they could have added before now or might add back into GT6. If it's done well it can be nice for sure, but with a proper lobby system it still seems largely redundant to me. If we could have both that's fine but everything takes work and if I had to choose between the two, I'd take a truly proper lobby system over none or matchmaking and a half-working lobby system.

 

[VBR]

On second thoughts, I would probably be interested in the one make untuned pro races they used to do in Prologue. I remember the Ford GT on N3 tyres at Daytona Road was a blast.

The biggest issue with the matchmaking in GT5P was all the 'fail to connect to rooms' we used to get. It was so frustrating to wait for ages, only to not connect. Also, you sometimes ended up with players with bad connections entering the race resulting in a super-lag-flying-car-fest, not good. They'd have to fix that, & it would be good to be able to stay in the room for race 2, rather than having to go through matchmaking again as in Prologue.

 

[Tired Tyres]

I miss this feature from GT5P but what I always really wanted was two sets of races based on drive trains.

FF, FR, 4WD and MR. In one set the races are for a specific car with set tyres and no tuning.

The second set are for any car with the correct drive train and a PP limit to allow tuning.

Change cars and tracks every two weeks and you're good to go.

 

[Snaeper]

Thanks Amar, glad my post got someones attention!

To any and all users who have purchased more recent copies of Gran Turismo (especially the XL edition and others) can you look in your manuals to confirm whether or not this "Matchmaking" entry is still in there? I need to satiate my curiosity.

 

[m176]

When I first heard of seasonal events , this is what I thought it would be . Not the horrible AI.

 

[Chrunch Houston]

When I first started playing GT5 I have to say I was angry and frustrated at the lobby system as I had expected the matchmaking system to be included into the game.

In GT5P I did a few intermediate races, but 99% of what I did was the amateur races. I liked the shorter races and didn’t like dealing with the tradeoffs between power and tire grip.

Beginners races were 1-5 laps, with lower PP cars, up to 8 players, simpler tracks and with ability to use assists.

I have to correct the OP here, the amateur races were all 3 laps. Every two weeks (I think that was the time period) the track would change. It was either Eiger, London, or Susuki east. They would rotate. So every night for two weeks it was the same track.

I loved the matchmaking system because, while I was watching TV, I could pause my DVR pop into GT and do a race or two, then go back to the TV and FF>> through the commercials. It was much more casual.

The biggest problem was that most of the races had very few racers, except around Christmas time.

 

[derherbman]

I wanted this feature till day one. Can´t understand why they took it away. It´s annoying to search for so long till you find a good race.