Racing/Driving Games and Accessories - Happy Shopping! :)

Showing posts with label iRacing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label iRacing. Show all posts

Saturday, February 29, 2020

iRacing: Game or Simulation?

John B. Marine | 8:39 PM | | | Be the first to comment!
iRacing is the premier racing simulation on the market. Granted you've paid for subscription and other services, you can't go wrong. Some think it is a game. But is iRacing a "game?" This is a debate I still showcase here on "John's Race Space." Feel free to agree or disagree with the content to be offered in this blog post.


My Credentials.

I have never played or paid for iRacing. So I am only going on impressions.






Is iRacing a "Game?"


iRacing is the original eSport racing game. Even the iRacing team themselves call it a game. It has been a fine evolution from NASCAR Racing 2003 Season- which is hailed as one of the premier models of simulation-type racing in gaming history. People usually stream iRacing on YouTube Live and Twitch. Because iRacing is a simulation, people think iRacing is more of a game than a simulation. It is constantly being developed and perfected with new features and content to enhance the experience all the further. Just about everything in iRacing is real- from the laser-scanned locations to the very accurate vehicles you can race. Nothing is fake... well, maybe that circle track, but that's about it. Since iRacing is digital and is used with a number of gaming devices (usually with steering wheels), some think iRacing is more of a game than a simulation. iRacing is also heavily governed through most leagues by various spotters and judges. Poor driving or any kind of unusual moments usually are reported to individuals judging the racing action. Some disgruntled racers may issue protests if they feel they have been shafted by another racer or other racers. ...but what IS iRacing- a game or a simulation?

If money were no object, iRacing checks the boxes as far as being a true out-and-out simulator. It is pound-for-pound one of the most realistic experiences one can have as far as any kind of virtual driving is concerned. iRacing is a paid service. You must buy a subscription to use the service while also having some extra money in case you want to purchase any vehicles or other content not freely available to all iRacing customers. Having an iRacing subscription even affects your ability to use certain services such as Trading Paints, which is used to share custom-made skins for iRacing vehicles.

Let's take the game vs. simulation argument further now.




iRacing: The Arguments


How would you describe iRacing? Here are two arguments and what make them true:


"iRacing is a Game!"

Usually, a game entails that there is a certain set goal you are supposed to clear. A game also suggests you can possibly use some underhanded tactics or cheats to win. Games may even have certain challenges and certain entities unique to trying to complete certain games. A game may also have certain difficulty levels to make play as easy or as hard as one would like. iRacing, to my knowledge, has very little in the way of any cheating through hacks or codes to win. So by this logic, iRacing is not any kind of "game." In addition, you are not able to develop custom content for iRacing besides your own livery for vehicles. You can't create custom content unless it is skins for your iRacing vehicles or even graphics for your iRacing driver and/or pit team. In recent builds of iRacing, there was the announcement and implementation of AI racing for iRacing. Since you can buy extra content as part of your iRacing subscription, some can see the extra content seem more like in-app purchases or downloadable content that you will commonly see in some of today's games.


"iRacing is a Simulation!"

iRacing is more meant to be a simulation despite the fact it seems like a game. In a sense, think of iRacing like Second Life or OpenSimulator- what seems like a game is really a sim. iRacing is more along those lines. iRacing is fairly deep as a simulation. This service is even used in training as well as grooming racing drivers. There are leagues and major races that nearl rival some of the greatest real-life races. Some of those leagues and championships are even virtual events by actual motorsports entities like NASCAR. Almost anyone who takes part in iRacing has at least a steering wheel. I hear you can use a keyboard or even a game pad, but it is recommended you have a steering wheel for accuracy and realism. iRacing also supports the use of virtual reality headsets for even more realism. Some people even think iRacing is the best simulation racer you can buy or take part in.

On the broadcasting end of the spectrum, iRacing streams are of great quality. The usual top-level broadcasting is done through RaceSpotTV usually on YouTube Live. Various other iRacing leagues are called by various different broadcasters such as OSRNetwork, MaxSpeed TV, LSRTV, and other outlets. iRacing provides opportunities even most games or game genres can't equal or better.


Even personalities such as play-by-play announcer Joe White of OSRNetwork mentions how iRacing is more like the best opportunity one has to do actual racing if one lacks the funding, talent, and physical strength to real racing. Some actual racers in real life even take on the challenge of iRacing. Some actual racers have even been involved in certain infamous situations on iRacing, such as ex-Formula 1 racer Scott Speed.

Allow me to answer the main question at hand. Next section, please...




iRacing: Game or Simulation? My Thoughts


iRacing is a simulation to me. It is only a game to those who basically think it is a game or like a game. It is, for the most part, a true simulation of driving and racing. iRacing is just built in a way that it is borderline disrespect to call iRacing a "game." Some people may even say iRacing is both a game AND a simulation. Put me on the "simulation" side of this debate.

I don't have the money, talent, or even a decent-enough PC to play iRacing. So I'll leave the iRacing fun to everybody else who can take advantage of all of this. I will just be here to lurk in online streams of iRacing or maybe chat a bit.





Those are my thoughts. What say you?

Is iRacing a "game" or a "simulation" to you?

Please have yourself a great day/night, and thank you for visiting my blog(s). I hope to provide much more content in the future for all of my different blogs and such. I just hope you'll be there to check it all out once I drop the content to those sites and services. Thank you for reading! Take care and be well.

Visit my official website at johnbmarine.com, subscribe to My Blog(s), and/or Follow on Bloglovin!
Subscribe to John's Blog Space (JBS) Subscribe to John's Creative Space (JCS) Subscribe to John's Race Space (JRS) Subscribe to StyleSpace (SS) Subscribe to John's Life Space (JLS)
Support My Creative Works!
JMDesigns Patreon Soundcloud Bandcamp Twitch OpenGameArt TurboSquid
Get Social With Me!
Facebook (Friends) Facebook (Fans) Twitter YouTube Instagram Pinterest LinkedIn (professionals only)
Questions or Comments? Contact Me (serious inquiries only)...
Contact Me via E-Mail




read more...

Thursday, November 1, 2018

Trading Paints

John B. Marine | 8:46 AM | | | Be the first to comment!
You @iRacing types may have heard of @tradingpaints. Trading Paints is the marketplace and community to share racing liveries for iRacing vehicles. Why Trading Paints? Some people can't design their own iRacing liveries. Some people want to have the most solid paint schemes for their cars. Some want purely unique liveries that set themselves apart. So rather than lament not having the artistic talent to design liveries, we have a solid service and community like Trading Paints to cater to those seeking solid paint schemes.

Usually, "trading paint" is an expression for when race cars usually grind into each other or into the wall during the course of a race. Trading Paints is all about offering many fine paint schemes and liveries for those who want some fresh liveries. A great looking livery won't give you any performance advantage to win races, but it will help you feel good and confident. And as we say, when you look good, you feel good. So why not go ahead and give your racing machines a bangin' livery job? Trading Paints can help!

To get started on Trading Paints, you must have an iRacing subscription. Paint schemes offered on Trading Paints are offered for free. You are regardless getting solid schemes from a world of iRacing artists. You use your iRacing account along with providing a valid E-Mail address and password to get to use the service. From there, any car that you can make your own custom livery with is available to you to download. Liveries can range from re-creations of real-world paint schemes to a handful of unique fictional paint schemes. If you fancy the different artists whom have provided such schemes, you can see more of their work by looking at some of their other paint schemes. There is also a Trading Paints Pro service which allows you more freedoms and liberties in showcasing your iRacing paint styles. It is fairly realistic to say that you WILL find a livery for your favorite iRacing vehicles that suits your interests and that you will enjoy. Unless you fancy creating your own liveries or have someone else make a racing livery for you, Trading Paints will fix you up proper.


DISCLAIMER:

I am not on iRacing, nor have I ever paid for or used iRacing. I have provided this blog post based on impressions and opinions. My current PC can't even handle iRacing based on a performance test I once ran. I am also not a very good sim racer to take on the challenge of iRacing. Hey- at least I'm honest about my material!


For More Information...

For more information on Trading Paints or to get started with Trading Paints, please visit www.tradingpaints.com.





This post has concluded. Thank you for reading! Subscribe/Follow my blog(s) if you are interested in my work and love it. Please take care and be well.

Subscribe to My Blog(s), and/or Follow on Bloglovin!
Subscribe to John's Blog Space (JBS) Subscribe to John's Creative Space (JCS) Subscribe to John's Race Space (JRS) Subscribe to StyleSpace (SS) Subscribe to John's Life Space (JLS)
Support My Creative Works!
JMDesigns Patreon Soundcloud Bandcamp Twitch OpenGameArt TurboSquid
Get Social With Me!
Facebook (Friends) Facebook (Fans) Twitter YouTube Instagram Google+ LinkedIn (professionals only)
Questions or Comments? Contact Me (serious inquiries only)...
Contact Me via E-Mail




read more...

Friday, December 15, 2017

Should iRacing Include Drag Racing?

John B. Marine | 11:55 PM | | | | Be the first to comment!
iRacing has come a long way with its many racing series. Everything from oval racing to various road racing disciplines make up iRacing's diverse racing portfolio. iRacing is not "just a game. It is a simulation racing game offering racing experiences almost as close to real racing. Offering the experiences many of us may never get to experience is what makes iRacing- let alone any game or entertainment piece- is what makes things like iRacing fun. Of the many different disciplines of iRacing, should drag racing be considered? I will be offering my thoughts in this blog post on if iRacing should feature drag racing.

NOTE: I am considering certain extra topics similar to this topic, so don't be surprised if any similar topics are covered here in this blog regarding iRacing.


Why Drag Racing?

Drag racing is either loved or hated by the general racing public-at-large. Some love drag racing for the thrills of high-speed racing both with horsepower and flat out speed. Some others dislike drag racing since it is just straight-line racing with no real purpose or intrigue. While I don't watch too much drag racing, I do think drag racing is great to watch. There is just something to watching a car make a pass down the drag strip. Drag racing is a test of acceleration and trying to make the most of the car's power and transmission. It is important you get a good launch off the line and be sure to make efficient use of the transmission and the engine's power band.


Drag Racing Considerations.

The most obvious things to consider is the length of drag races. Most drag racing events are usually a quarter mile drag race, but there are sometimes eighth mile drag races. I think some of the NHRA's races have now gone to about 1000 ft. drag races. There are also unique drag races of half mile drag races. While many drag races are one-on-one, Charlotte Motor Speedway has the unique four-wide drags where you can have four drag racers compete among themselves with the best two advancing.

As far as drag racing itself goes, you have to consider everything from start to finish. You have to perform a burnout just to get heat into the tires. You then try to get into the staging lane. The next step is to stage the car by slowly advancing. You then watch the lights and try to react as quickly as possible without jumping too early. Get a good reaction time and try to blast down the track at great speed while making timely shifts. You also need to make sure your vehicle can hook down the track. All that power and speed means nothing if you can't control your vehicle down the strip. You will be disqualified if you hit the outside wall or cross over the middle lines.

One of the other real considerations is in lane choice. If one side is hooking better than the other, you may choose to run in one certain lane if you win lane choice.


What Should Be Included for Drag Racing?

If iRacing implements drag racing, one has to wonder what should be included. Proper drag racing machines would suffice. Look at NHRA machines such as Funny Car, Top Fuel, and Pro Stock among others. If iRacing had motorcycles, then I'm sure Pro Stock Bike would also be included. I think back to the former NOPI drag racing series with classes for rear-wheel drive and even front-wheel drive drag cars. You could probably even add some four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive machines also. There are a lot of options- NHRA drag vehicles, IHRA drag vehicles, NOPI drag cars... or you can be REALLY insane and go for some jet-powered drag vehicles!

You also have to consider drag racing tracks. I think you have to at least account for tracks like Pomona, Indianapolis, Charlotte, Gainesville, and places like that. At least many of the popular drag racing venues. I am also unsure if iRacing can build a bond with the NHRA, IHRA, or any similar drag racing leagues.

One thing I am not real certain of is how you actually implement everything. How do you determine if staging is properly done? How would you implement fouls if somebody red lights? I'm sure iRacing administrators will properly monitor and judge drag racing runs, but these are just a few ideas in mind.


Would Drag Racing in iRacing be Successful?

If dirt oval racing was embraced along with rallycross, then I am sure iRacing will deliver with drag racing. Who else honestly can provide quality drag racing? It would be a rare breed because drag racing games haven't been very popular. Android gamers do have some popular drag racing such as CSR2. But when it comes to PC or consoles, not many drag racing games have succeeded. iRacing could provide that boost to provide great drag racing in the already stacked iRacing model.

The inclusion of drag racing would add to an already stacked array of racing disciplines and series offered in iRacing.


Those are just a hodgepodge of ideas about iRacing and drag racing.





Well... what do you think?

Do you think drag racing should be added to iRacing?

Go ahead and Subscribe/Follow if you enjoy my work. I thank you for your involvement in my posts. It means a lot to me. Thank you for reading! Take care and be well.

Subscribe to My Blog(s), and/or Follow on Bloglovin!
Subscribe to John's Blog Space (JBS) Subscribe to John's Creative Space (JCS) Subscribe to John's Race Space (JRS) Subscribe to StyleSpace (SS) Subscribe to John's Life Space (JLS)
Support My Creative Works!
JMDesigns Patreon Soundcloud Bandcamp Twitch OpenGameArt TurboSquid
Get Social With Me!
Facebook (Friends) Facebook (Fans) Twitter YouTube Instagram Google+ LinkedIn (professionals only)
Questions or Comments? Contact Me (serious inquiries only)...
Contact Me via E-Mail




read more...


 
Copyright © 2015 John's Race Space • All Rights Reserved.
Template Design by BTDesigner • Powered by Blogger