Possible Licences for online Racing?

Im just wondering if it may be a good way of cleaning up online racing to have something like the achievements but something actually of some use. How about some driving license tests where you would need to pass these at some level in order to be able to race on some servers.

A fairly simple way could be just a basic time trial run a set number of laps on a track in a car without going off track under a set time. Have a basic license up to say a higher level where the speed needed would be much higher. I dont think this should be done over just a single laps but maybe 5-10 laps, this way anyone passing these tests would at least show they are competent enough to drive at a certain level.

I think the test should be just a single car on track would be enough and if people can run 5 or 10 laps at a good pace without issues they generally wont be a huge issue online. You could still have full open public servers but if the license system worked well then people could choose what min level someone would need to be at to race on their server.

There could be separate licenses for full sim or guys that have full blown AIDS this way it would be easier to find servers that will have people at your skill level and overall better driving standards online.

 

A good idea, and probably much easier to implement than any other iRacing-safety-rating-type system. There are only 2 things that concerns me though:

1. If the license information was stored on the computer it could be hacked (tests etc. would probably have to be performed on a Kunos server to make sure it's all done legitimately)

2. Anyone can theoretically pass those sorts of tests with practice, so troll drivers can still get on-to "A-class" servers. Still, better something than nothing.

 

I dont think this sort of thing is needed to stop trolls and such but as its quite common for people to hack and cheat whatever they can be doing such a thing on a Kunos server and storing License data info somehow online along with your user info would be a good thing. I guess doing something like that could also be an anti piracy thing to prevent people racing online without a license so maybe a very basic simple test to get the lowest level online license for access to any servers then more difficult tests to get up to the highest possible license. You should only need to complete the test at the highest level which will then allow you to race anything below that. No need for people to go through all the basic simpler tests just a basic driving level assesment more then anything.

2. I guess thats kind of the point if the tests are set in a way that shows someone is competent enough after practicing over 5 or so laps to drive clean, stay on track at a reasonable pace. Relative to license then it will at least show the drivers are at a level similar to others and so they can be confident all other drivers on that server will be at least at a certain skill level. Its not there to alienate people and make an elitest club anyone that can practice enough and pass the test can race servers at that level. Sure some will try and cheat or troll on servers but the admin can easily boot someone that clearly is there to simply spoil everyone elses day.

I think the main reason for something like this is to give people a fair grading so they can see where they are at and choose servers that match their abilities. Generally guys with top level passes wouldn't be racing a min level all aids server and so beginners that do tend to get intimidated racing with the faster guys could do so.

An alternative method could be servers to have a private qualifying session for users if they want to join, the admin could set conditions for a pass and then anyone that passes this test could be given access to the server. You could select track, car, aids, weather, duration, pass level damage and corner violations etc. This would be another way around it but I still think a general license setup may be easier where you only need to do it once to gain access to all server up to your license level.

 

Burrrr i cant imagine these days to just join any server where i dont know who they are lol. Back in the days there were never these kinds of problems. I will stick to inviting myself or joining peeps on this forum that i know are cool guys. And of course if there ever will be serious cups etc.

But pub servers with raging kids? Uh uh no sir!

 

Something like RSR timings rank would be great. Letting in only those under 17 minutes would already be a huge improvement. Once inside, you can get into even competition, based on the time.

 

The main reason I was thinking of something along these lines is to make public open server racing more useable. There will always be private servers where you can invite friends or other people via a forum but if racing online could be as accessible as loading up and starting an AI race this would be a great thing I think.

I really work odd hours and am away quite a bit so my free time is not on any regular schedule, this rules out league racing pretty much completely. I may be home during the day a couple times of the week and other times I may be wanting some late nite racing so even just racing local friends will be very hit and miss.

I would prefer any such system to not be based on a single hotlap time as this really doesn't indicate a competent racer. Most of the real quick guys obviously could string very quick laps together as you need to be very consistant to put together a very quick lap. But having some ranking over 5 laps or say 10-15 minutes track time however many laps that is on any given track would be a better indicator of a more solid driver. The times themselves would be bracketed into 3 categories or so and the basic level wouldn't be too hard for most ok drivers to achieve.

The top license level should be a bit more of a challenge so longer duration and tighter timing limits as its pointless if its too easy, this way if you just wanted a pickup race then you can join a license enforced server and know the basic driving standard of all those on there. It still doesn't say much about their actual racing skills or behavior but at least if you can string a slightly longer session at ok pace you must have the basic driver skills needed to keep the racing at a better standard then just any random person who may have their first ever drive in the game online in that server.

Sure have public fully open servers too so those guys can join but then everyone would know that that is going to have all the unlicensed guys in there too.