New to "hardcore" simracing

[Robin Simonsen 0]

Hey guys, my name is Robin and I'm from norway. I've been around for a little while playing games like Assetto Corsa and rFactor 1 but I haven't really gotten any further than a G27 and an annoying rolling office chair. But now I've decided to get more into sim racing and I ordered a playseat challenge because I want a rig but I need to have easy storage. But now I have some questions, do I buy rFactor 2 before it gets too many mods that split the community or do I just drop the rFactor franchise for good? I was also thinking about getting into iRacing, but its really really expensive. Do y'all think Assetto Corsa is the next "big" simulator (except iRacing its in its own league) for multiplayer racing?

[madh4tt3r 5]

Some of the guys that have been in this longer will probably have some good opinions for you, I only recently started with Sim Racing, got my wheel about a month ago. First tried the Race07 set of games and just didnt gel with them, I was also looking for a great online league racing game and decided to trial iRacing for a month. I played for 2 weeks and I would say I got a bit annoyed with it. The cars you start with are actually quite junk in my opinion, the MX-5 is alright, sometimes I have fun in it, othertimes I dont. I tried the oval cars and it is just not my thing.

 

Got to a D licence on road and without spending money you dont really get anywhere with the game. I personally do not have the money to spend buying tracks and cars. I wanted to get to C licence and do the RUF cup but I am certainly not spending $120 odd just to buy the cars and tracks for the series. Just feels like iRacing is a bit of a rip off to me. Some people enjoy it and I am happy for them but I am not at a position to fork out that kind of money on 1 game and then still on top of that have a subscription. Each to their own and it is really up to you to decide if it is worth it.

 

I decided to purchase Assetto Corsa this weekend and so far I am prefering it to iRacing from a driving aspect, prefer the way the cars handle, prefer their business model. multiplayer is not yet in the same league as iRacing but over time I see it getting much better. If you join structured leagues I would imagine you can get a similar experience to iRacing. They still have quite a bit of work to do on the multiplayer side and it would be a guessing game as to how good it will eventually get but the devs do seem quite devoted. Only time will tell in that aspect. 

 

Good luck in your choice and have fun racing:)

[motiondave 88]

I was going to say Assetto Corsa, but you beat me to it. Give it time to progress for sure. But maybe buy it as I think its only going to get more expensive over time. Also, dedicate servers are getting set up to reduce ping rates.

AC as far as I know is based of an more recent game engine (correct me if I am wrong) and the updates in physics are awesome.

I play mine on a DIY motion sim, and the motion is far better than Race07.

However, for value for money, Simbin games are great to start on and I still go on for a run now and then.

Mind you , I am changing games depending on mood, so Dirt3, GRID2, Race 07 and Ac are randomly run through.

Iracing tends to rack up the costs and too much time it seems, hence I stopped playing it. Too much time continually trying to add up points towards licence upgrade.

Mind you, a lot of people love it, so they know its good. So don't take my word for it, have a  go if you like, they run specials from time to time 

[Krassi 692]

Hey guys, my name is Robin and I'm from norway. I've been around for a little while playing games like Assetto Corsa and rFactor 1 but I haven't really gotten any further than a G27 and an annoying rolling office chair. But now I've decided to get more into sim racing and I ordered a playseat challenge because I want a rig but I need to have easy storage. But now I have some questions, do I buy rFactor 2 before it gets too many mods that split the community or do I just drop the rFactor franchise for good? I was also thinking about getting into iRacing, but its really really expensive. Do y'all think Assetto Corsa is the next "big" simulator (except iRacing its in its own league) for multiplayer racing?

I am not from the "Hardcore" guys , but your questions are not so hardcore so:

Both Assetto Corsa and rFactor 2 are good to have it...good future for both.

For now I am not big fan for iRacing , because need time and very serious attention, but I am surprised that you called it really,really expensive. I mean compared to Norway`s incomes;) 

Maybe you look for the total of buying all tracks and all cars - no need to do that.With an year subscription and buying from time to time new item - it is really reasonable cost for what you receive from iRacing.

The real money cost for every track and car make you to enjoy it completely and to have time to learn it.In long term this is better for Racers;)

 

Cheers

[Paradox 92]

Hi Robin. I've been simracing on the PC since 2010.

 

iRacing is not for everyone. I myself, "grew" into it over time. It requires a lot of time to get good value out of it. 

 

Back to the topic, I agree with what most are saying here. Assetto Corsa and rFactor2 do have a long future ahead. I bought into rF2 very early, and though development has been slow (compared to other titles) it has come a very long way from those infancy days. Big things are coming to rF2 soon. The lifetime membership might seem expensive, but considering the success of rF1 (released in 2005 and still going strong) its actually a great value and worth investing in, even if you cant devote much time into it. 

 

Another sim that I keep overlooking is Game Stock Car Extreme. Thats also a great title to get into, and its affordable (about $25 US). Its based on rFactor1, but the graphics are better and the FFB is superb. New content should be released for GSCE any day now. 

[Robin Simonsen 0]

I'm strongly considering rF2 so I can get better at sim racing before maybe trying iRacing. iRacing does seem like the best online experience but I'm not sure if I'm ready for that kind of time and money commitment

[Ricky Davies 326]

If your not ready for iracing, id consider Gamestock car EXTREME and AC. rfactor 2 is good and its getting better but right now im finding GSC the most fun. They are all worth getting anyway

 

CHEERS!

[Robin Simonsen 0]

Just did a 2hour practice session on rFactor 2 in the Renault Megane on Loch Drummond (long) and OH MY GOD! is it fun. I met a few cool dudes and they gave me setups and stuff after they saw me improve my laptime from 1.21.something to 1.18.something and they got me into the 1.16s! My only problem is consistency, I kept putting it in the wall when I tried to push for a fault free lap or when I got someone fast behind me. But I do not regret my decision to buy it and I'll probably join a league when I get better at the game. And my setup is gonna improve alot soon when I move but this is what it looks like so far:'

[Ricky Davies 326]

Glad to see you are enjoying RF2, just keep practicing and you will stop hitting the walls hehe.

 

CHEERS! D