Quote from Mackie The Staggie :

So your left there in a small room, not a sole to speak to, with only the regrets of your life replaying over and over in your head

"... if only I had waited until turn 2 before I tried to pass those 6 other players ..."

The online play isn't dead, it's just changed, from what it was back in 2003 when I started with S1. As mentioned there are still a large number of players online, more so than most other racing games.

I always knew that with just 3 developers, progress was going to be slow, and my guess back in 2005 was that S3 would get released in 2009, which probably would have been true had it not been for the tire physics redo.

I've never understood why they call it "alpha", since it's really a "beta" release, since the public or a sub-set of the public are testing the game, as opposed to an "alpha" release which is "in house", hired game testers, and/or consultants, but not the general public.

Quote from JeffR :

"... if only I had waited until turn 2 before I tried to pass those 6 other players ..."

The online play isn't dead, it's just changed, from what it was back in 2003 when I started with S1. As mentioned there are still a large number of players online, more so than most other racing games.

I always knew that with just 3 developers, progress was going to be slow, and my guess back in 2005 was that S3 would get released in 2009, which probably would have been true had it not been for the tire physics redo.

I've never understood why they call it "alpha", since it's really a "beta" release, since the public or a sub-set of the public are testing the game, as opposed to an "alpha" release which is "in house", hired game testers, and/or consultants, but not the general public.

My own guess would be 2015 for S3.

The stages of testing are not named according to who is involved. An "alpha" tag merely means that it's in a stage where extra features are still expected to be added and that you should also expect fairly serious bugs. A "beta" tag means that most of the major bugs have been mended and that the feature list (in the case of LFS this would be cars and tracks) is pretty much fixed.
Obviously this isn't the case with LFS because there are cars being added as we speak and possibly tracks as well. So a beta tag would be incorrect and misleading, implying that development of the workings is finished and that the only thing left to sort out are bugs.

As for whether it's dying or not, I'm on the side of "in the current state, probably". Not because the content isn't good (I still love the general driving feel of LFS above everything but real life) but because after 7 years it's stale. Let's be honest here, look at major franchises and you'll see why the release every couple of years - Gears of War was only released in 2006 and has already seen one sequel released and another peek out from development. Halo 3 was 2007 and has already spawned ODST and is about to get Reach as well. Both Uncharted games have come since 2007. All of these have DLC to keep things as fresh as possible.

The 3-man development team is admirable in terms of scope, because it's a lot for just one programmer to sort out. But it is definitely showing it's limitations these days.

Quote from modelmotorracing :

.......So I wonder if Airio servers on LFS can be set up to hit safety ratings harder (particularly repeat infringments in the same race) and also have a default car at the bottom of the pile, a restricted/ballasted XFG for example, which people risk dropping down to if their safety rating dictates. Admins can then apply safety penalties for bad driving (but give people the chance to still race and recover their status) and leave bans or suspensions purely for abuse, harrassment and more serious infringements. I can see potential issues with the first race on a new multiclass circuit with ballasted cars on pole and on any short circuit with them being repeatedly lapped but maybe these are not insurmountable - anyway just an idea.

I joined an Airio server few months back a number of times, but had to give it up as I couldn't climb the ratings.

Problem is, most of the drivers who've been there a while are in more powerful cars than something like the XFG, which us newbies are given. Also, the server always seemed to race on short circuits like AS2. So there you are at the start, lights go green, FXR's etc go streaking away, and by the time you're half way round you're getting lapped.

So for us with no ratings, we're constantly having to get out of everyone's way. Then the leaders finish the race, timer for next race starts, and it runs out before you can finish the race.

So you don't get any points to help you get faster car.

And that's if you have a clean lap.

With so many faster cars all racing each other, you tend to get in someone's way, no matter how careful you are (and some people in front expect you to get off the track when they're coming past (as an aside - when you're in a slow car, the amount of time between a blue flag being shown and a fast car going past you is way too brief).

So not so sure you're idea would really help. In fact, I see it making things much worse.

Quote from CodieMorgan :

My own guess would be 2015 for S3.

.. Very optimistic, only a few years for S3? When 1 new car took years?

Quote from sinanju :

With so many faster cars all racing each other, you tend to get in someone's way, no matter how careful you are (and some people in front expect you to get off the track when they're coming past (as an aside - when you're in a slow car, the amount of time between a blue flag being shown and a fast car going past you is way too brief).

So not so sure you're idea would really help. In fact, I see it making things much worse.

Completely agree, implemented as it is now would not be helpful. And not getting a blue flag till the faster car is beside you is a real problem. But if multiclass servers were to stick to long tracks (not SO Classic) it would be better. Just enough laps for the slowest cars not to be lapped any more than once in normal conditions. Less frequent track changes and less hurried restarts so the "first grid" issue doesn't happen so often. (For comparison, iRacing rookie races start every hour and last 20-30 minutes). Generally making everything on race servers less frantic will help to calm everything down I think and make each race a bit more "special".

Just face it... LFS is dead. You can argue the definition of "dead" until you're blue in the face for all I care. Eventually you all will accept or at least come to realize the reality of this "situation".

Enjoy what you have, I wouldn't expect any updates in the future.

Quote from CodieMorgan :

My own guess would be 2015 for S3.

Uh.. right

It's not dead! IT'S UNDEAD!

Wouldnt listen to any input from anyone living outside of the european timezones, cause its in europe most of the players are.

With that being so i can clearly understand why any, lets say canadians/americans/australians etc. etc. thinks LFS is dead. From around 1800(ish) to 22-2300(ish) its the most active during european time. And thats during week, the weekends have a pretty spread out userbase since alot of people tend to actually do other things(i know its hard to believe).

The fact that people are trolling the forum about LFS being dead, dying, sucks etc. Doesnt prove a damn thing, log on, check the servers, and play, its nowhere near dead! its just that people arent active on this specific forum(for obvious reasons, flaming, spamming, idiots etc.) they are either just playing, or active in other LFS communities.

If anything all the spamming/flaming/naming/idiots here prove that LFS is alive.

Those servers you're talking about though - what's running on them? Are they cycling combos or are they all running GTR/AS3, FOX/BL1, FBM/AS1 and BF1/KY1? If that's the only choices then it's not what I'd consider to be a healthy state.

Likewise, if the unusual combos are all on password protected servers then 99% of the world can't join them so they can't really count either.

I'm desperate to get back into LFS when I get my new wheel, but I can't help but forget that one of the things that turned me away (other than my old wheel breaking) was the endless, mindless repetition of the same old tracks and cars. Variety being the spice of life and all that. If there's plenty of servers running combos I couldn't do blindfolded (hey, there's a challenge idea) then I'll happily eat my words and admit that it's perfectly healthy.

Quote from AcesHigh :

Wouldnt listen to any input from anyone living outside of the european timezones, cause its in europe most of the players are.

With that being so i can clearly understand why any, lets say canadians/americans/australians etc. etc. thinks LFS is dead. From around 1800(ish) to 22-2300(ish) its the most active during european time. And thats during week, the weekends have a pretty spread out userbase since alot of people tend to actually do other things(i know its hard to believe).

The fact that people are trolling the forum about LFS being dead, dying, sucks etc. Doesnt prove a damn thing, log on, check the servers, and play, its nowhere near dead! its just that people arent active on this specific forum(for obvious reasons, flaming, spamming, idiots etc.) they are either just playing, or active in other LFS communities.

If anything all the spamming/flaming/naming/idiots here prove that LFS is alive.

amen.

Quote from JVIONE :

But after all that, one of the many people that couldnt follow the simple rules, copied our server to the tee.. I mean every command... This is sad.... It showed me the type of people that play LFS.

Don't spread lies...

http://ironhorseracing.forumot ... anned-don-t-know-t267.htm

Quote :

Ok ... Clear...

It's a lot of work but it will be done. Matter of honor now.

Cya..

Quote from RasmusL :

.. Very optimistic, only a few years for S3? When 1 new car took years?

Wrong, Scirroco did not take years, It was done already.

The Physics update is the only thing hampering the Scirroco Release and the Track (and apparently, another car as well ) that we know of.

Victor appears to be a very quick modeler to me.. probably faster than me....

Quote from teedot :

Just face it... LFS is dead. You can argue the definition of "dead" until you're blue in the face for all I care. Eventually you all will accept or at least come to realize the reality of this "situation".

Enjoy what you have, I wouldn't expect any updates in the future.

I doubt 3 developers would quit this job in particular when it has too much potential.

LFS is dead and gone.
The excuses about 3 developers is unjust...look at RuneScape, started with ONE person nearly 10 years ago. He developed the game on his own. He got more people on board (more people = more progression, if the developers haven't realised that yet) as he started to get more money from a paid version of the game.
Look at the game now...largest free multiplayer game ever, huge amount of content, huge improvements from where it started.

LFS was a good game, but it's a shame the developers were too stupid to realise. Even if getting more developers wasn't an option financially, there is a large dedicated community willing to help out.

Our only hope is that when they give up, the source files are released.

In my opinion LFS is'nt dead yet but it is slowly dying. The last patch we got was over six months ago. I gave up playing LFS because of the lack of proper long races and most servers having the same cars. I like to go onto servers where all cars are allowed and the races arent so serious with long tracks (I dont like short tracks). I like the servers where we are socialising as well as racing like it was when I started playing LFS first. Now most servers are full of LFS Elitist players who get mad if you dont get out of their way half way around a corner.

I just hope we get a new test patch some time soon. It would also be nice to hear from Scawen on some sort of update on whats going on with the development.

Quote from Mango Juice :

LFS was a good game, but it's a shame the developers were too stupid to realise. Even if getting more developers wasn't an option financially, there is a large dedicated community willing to help out.

It has nothing to do with stupidity, and everything to do with their choice to leave multi-programmer environments behind. They don't WANT to employ more people. That's why they left their previous jobs and started LFS, to get away from it all.

I love the way people are peddling their opinions as fact here.

If it's dead for you then move on or do something positive to help revive to a level you consider to be alive again. All the moaning and declaring stuff to be dead makes no difference at all.

Personally, I still get a lot of enjoyment and for me it is very much alive.

Quote from Mango Juice :

LFS is dead and gone.
The excuses about 3 developers is unjust...look at RuneScape, started with ONE person nearly 10 years ago. He developed the game on his own. He got more people on board (more people = more progression, if the developers haven't realised that yet) as he started to get more money from a paid version of the game.
Look at the game now...largest free multiplayer game ever, huge amount of content, huge improvements from where it started.

LFS was a good game, but it's a shame the developers were too stupid to realise. Even if getting more developers wasn't an option financially, there is a large dedicated community willing to help out.

Our only hope is that when they give up, the source files are released.

its funny to see that a men thats here from 2008 got so many wise words.
its only ashame he wasnt here at the S2 launch, or do we need to say the S2 Break, because before S2 came we had to wait quite some time allready. and just look what a great succes S2 has given us.

Quote from JPeace :

Unbeleivably I agree. As boothy has said, 20,000+ racers online a week obviously don't think its dead. Yes, most of them may be drifters, or cruisers, but they are still online. If the thread was to be called, "is racing in LFS dead?" then yes, it probrably is in decline. But as a whole, LFS is still fluroushing.

i do agree with a part of you post. but just to make it clear. lately i been doing some lfs racing again. with again i mean every day and not 1 or 2 times a week . its getting more fun again. more online races. its only that you are seeing new people. people with only 25k km on the clock. but its getting fun because they do learn more and more how racing works.

Also im seeing more people doing the "drop in and drive a scheduled race" thing. think about the casual Saturday that Draksideracing.net is doing, its a Bi-week event ( so every 2 weeks) http://www.darksideracing.net/home/index.php

many other teams are doing this lately and if you ask me its great fun. when you are there you can drive. its not too serious but its just fun.

( if you quote me, lets make a positive posts just for the change!!)

Quote from cargame.nl :

Don't spread lies...

http://ironhorseracing.forumot ... anned-don-t-know-t267.htm


Cya..

Haha, that puts things in a whole different perspective You sure showed IHR

Sigh........here we go again.......

As has been said time and time again, LFS maybe "dead" for YOU, its not for plenty of others.

For me, there is no draw anymore, its essentially the same game, with the same problems, and the same physics engine as it was years and years ago, I have very little interest in playing the same game over and over.

For me, the draw of LFS was the community spirit, and in "its" hayday, LFS had an amazing community, so it was a good package, it was something that when combined with the game, made it something special, its clear now that this is not the case, the community has self destructed, its very hostile, not only on here, but also in servers, the driving standards now are worse than they were before.

So due to all that, its is, as a game, dead TO ME, the good points that LFS used to stand on have been equalled, and in many cases surpased by other sims.

So you are left with a so-so game, with dated graphics and audio, physics that are no longer streets ahead of other sims, a hostile community, and seemingly stagnant development.

Its no wonder people are tired of LFS, however, what I can't understand is the continual moaning and bleeting about it, sure, I can understand anyone getting tired of it, but for the love of god, move on to something else.

Quote from obsolum :

Haha, that puts things in a whole different perspective You sure showed IHR

I wasn't going to respond to any of this IHR v Cargame rubbish but I feel compelled now.

I suppose that thread can be read a couple of ways. The way I see it is.

Guy gets banned
in his first protest post he threatens to open his own server if we don't unban him
I respond that he should feel free to open his own server as threatening to do so will not help his case
He does open the server as a "matter of pride" but copies virtually everything except the admin attitude. Nothing we can do about it, his server his choice.

Obsolum, should I have unbanned him so that he didn't set up his own server?

Now why is IHR not the busiest anymore? We decided not to allow newbies on. It has been mentioned already in this thread. We made this choice knowing that we would no longer be busy. Check the post I made at the time. I stated that we would no longer be the busiest.

Now be honest cargame, did I or did I not PM you asking for your permission to tell newbies to go to your server when they can't race on ours? If I wanted the cargame server to fail why would I suggest to people to go there?

So yes Obsolum, cargame sure showed IHR even though IHR recommended cargame server on many occasions.

Edit: Now can we please not have this thread hijacked into another IHR vs Most of the forum. It is not the topic of this thread. danowat is right about the hostile community and JPeace, it's good to see we can agree on some things and act like grown ups about it.

It is still a very enjoyable sim, no question, but to those of us who have been playing for a very long time, its still essential the same game as it was 7 years ago, without the community spirit that made it such a great place to race.

As a whole, purely going by racer numbers, I don't think the product is "dying", as the numbers show that the amount of people playing has remained fairly static for a while, but it depends how you quantify "dying" I guess.

Do you guys know what is the day today? Second anniversary of patch Z! yay!! Let's celebrate! ....ummm, maybe not.

:cake: for everyone!1

Quote from chanoman315 :

No it's not dying...

It's in pause mode

But, to be obvious the P button, which is the button of Pause is broken on the keyboard of LFS