rFactor
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Publisher: Sniper Entertainment Genre(s): Sports / Racing Home Page: http://www.rfactor.net/
AI: A Lesson In Fail Danger ahead: though the cockpit field-of-view can be adjusted, it never feels quite "right" on a widescreen display The simulation is rewarding and intense (if a bit too intense for casual gamers), but one rough edge stands out: opponent AI is immature, and doesn't match the quality of the rest of the product. CPU-controlled cars do have the ability to learn tracks (as the "auto-pilot" mode displays), but the fly-by-wire mode is hardly convincing. rFactor's AI has long been criticized as not believable, and that description is still apt, despite a near-complete overhaul of the code in recent revisions. AI vehicles corner nearly perfectly in every turn and rarely make mistakes, as if they're traversing circuits on rails. Worst, computer drivers seem oblivious to the race going on around them, and will frequently perform manoeuvres that no competent racer would attempt on a real course (cutting into corners despite having no clear line is a common occurrence). Yes, the AI opponents are generally very fast, but they lack convincing blocking tactics and passing techniques that make the algorithms in other racing simulations stand out. Multiplayer: Bring Your Big Boy PantsThere's a reason for the lackluster AI: single-player isn't really the heart of the game. In the nearly four years since its first release, rFactor has garnered a cult following of online racers. Dozens of online teams compete in various series and leagues, and ISI have provided the facilities to bolster the multiplayer aspect. Notable is the web-based RaceCast, a centralized collection of rankings and races which foster the competitive spirit the thousands of international rFactor racers. After registering a dedicated rFactor protocol with Windows and opening the proper firewall ports (both processes are outlined in the documentation), races can be joined by clicking on RaceCast web links. rFactor is by no means a pick-up-and-play simulation, and nowhere is this more apparent than with online multiplayer. Ad-hoc games can be hosted by players, but the majority of races take place on password-protected dedicated servers, which require registration to play. Open servers are available, but the awful in-game server browser makes it difficult to determine which races are available with your current vehicle selection. After some time browsing various rFactor racing league sites, I managed to find some open race sessions catering to my meager abilities.
Racing was smooth and lag was rarely an issue, though busy sessions (with 20 or more drivers) had noticeable hitching in crowded sections. For better or worse, multiplayer rFactor definitely caters to a more serious crowd. On a positive note, other players are generally polite and race cleanly; on the downside, experienced drivers are less forgiving to newcomers, and other racers have little patience for novice mistakes. That may be a statement of my abilities more than the game itself, but be prepared to spend your first few online sessions at the back of the pack.
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