I can't help but add some colour to this thread. I started playing LFS in 2003 and I LOVED IT. The potential for this game was huge. For me it's nothing to do with powerful and complex graphics, accurate physics or content. But what makes this sim so amazing is the ability to simulate racing situations. In 2003 I was able to race with tens of other cars, be able to accurately late brake into an apex, overtake using psychological driving as much as real road holding talent. In short, LFS consumed many, many hours of time and I fell in love.
Before I go on, let me bullet point some credentials just so those who might flame me, get some perspective on where I'm coming from.
- I've been in software development since 1996. I've worked for Dell, Microsoft, Oracle and I'm currently a product manager who leads the development of a software solution with a good chunk of developers.
- I worked in the games industry, first for Domark and then for Eidos. I experienced the nightmare of poor management in the games industry and ultimately left to join a more mature enterprise software world.
- I've raced cars. I started rallying with my cousin in small events around Lincolnshire, England. Then I did a few endurance races and then finally decided to have a go at drifting and built a drift car from the ground up (and ended up writing for a magazine in the process)
- I've played a fair chunk of racing games on both PC and consoles.
So it pains me to the core that LFS has seen such horrible development. The potential was huge. 5-6 years ago I raced daily and had made some great friends through LFS. The old CTRA racing system (mostly run by Sam) was absolutely fantastic. LFS is great, but it's nowhere near what it could be.
Sure the current version is still a great blast and those who complain they didn't get what they paid for, are plain wrong. LFS has been the best money in games I've ever paid for. But that still doesn't detract from the feeling of pity towards the community who were hoping, praying for more.
Clearly the developers don't have the time to dedicate to the solution. That is a real shame. But they also don't have the acumen to take advantage of the dedicated community the game has accrued. If the devs need more money, then charge a monthly subscription and in return deliver some new content. I would absolutely pay a reasonable amount a month if I knew there was going to be a new track in the next 3 months. Many people have cried out asking to provide help, only to be ignored. If people are TRYING to help you, and you are struggling financially to progress the game, then you gotta find a way to work it out.
But unfortunately LFS has just barely limped along. Surviving only on it's fantastic initial development. Heck, if Scawen is spending so much time on these new physics, there is a massive risk he screws up the "feel" that so many people love this game for. Instead, invest the time in delivering what people REALLY want. That is content, content, content... new tracks, cars, gameplay features.
I hate to write such a long and negative post. And I would love NOTHING more than to see S3 or a new track or SOMETHING released soon. But that hope is dead. LFS is great, but its potential has never been realized. That makes me sad