It's not about being "hardcore" at all. It appeals to them as well, but it's more about how much value you put in your racing experience.
I assign a lot of value to the experience I get racing online, so for me the price isn't a deterent. It's all about value (or should I say "worth", since it's a fluid value that varies from person to person) vs investment. To me, the value is much higher than the investment. Thats how most people see it as well that are in the service. Very few are "hardcore" simmers. I will say though, that the system does create a more "mature" environment, but that has little to do with age and more to do with a beautiful coincidence I think.
As far as the forums. The forums are closed to public because everyone is given their real name... and they've said that is one of the reasons for the privacy of the forums.
As far as going around defending themselves, it's not neccessary. Apple, Microsoft, Chevy, Ford... etc don't go around trying to correct internet forums... and they get plenty of ill-will and mis-information spread about them... it's just not "professional" to get in pissing matches in public forums...
I assign a lot of value to the experience I get racing online, so for me the price isn't a deterent. It's all about value (or should I say "worth", since it's a fluid value that varies from person to person) vs investment. To me, the value is much higher than the investment. Thats how most people see it as well that are in the service. Very few are "hardcore" simmers. I will say though, that the system does create a more "mature" environment, but that has little to do with age and more to do with a beautiful coincidence I think.
As far as the forums. The forums are closed to public because everyone is given their real name... and they've said that is one of the reasons for the privacy of the forums.
As far as going around defending themselves, it's not neccessary. Apple, Microsoft, Chevy, Ford... etc don't go around trying to correct internet forums... and they get plenty of ill-will and mis-information spread about them... it's just not "professional" to get in pissing matches in public forums...