Ending the race before it starts

[Guest]

As a long-time racing game fan, there are a few things I think I should tell you folks playing MTASA--since it's a racing-only mod for now.

1. The race is not won or lost in turn one. A lot can happen during the course. I personally have started out dead last and wound up winning a couple of races--I've also started out leading only to lose in the last few seconds. Don't be in a rush to take the lead early. It sounds counter-intuitive, but TAKE YOUR TIME. 9 times out of 10 everyone rushing to the first checkpoint is what does in half the field on a crowded map--often taking out other drivers who were just trying to avoid the whole mess. (Then again part of the problem is that several of the maps have spawn points which are much too close together)

2. There are dedicated destruction derby tracks. Bash cars to your heart's content. The regular race courses are NOT. Now I understand that "rubbin's racin'" but that does not give you carte blanche to wipe out all your competition. I've found the most aggressive drivers, the ones most actively trying to destroy their competition, most often don't make it to the finish due to the damage inflicted on their OWN car. Concentrate on driving first. Of course if you get the opportunity to give someone a little love tap then there's probably no harm in trading a little paint, but don't go out of your way to ram someone. If they're going that much slower than you, pass them.

3. Blocking is an accepted racing tactic. If you can get in the way to prevent someone from passing you, DO IT. The only exception is in a multi-lap race, like 10LapHotring. If you're in last place and see someone coming up to pass you, please let him go. He's obviously faster than you, and if he's fast enough to lap you you're effectively out of the race anyway. Move off the racing line and allow the other driver to pass. For the driver who's lapping the slower car, stay on your line and drive past him CLEANLY--there's no reason to bump or ram the slower car.

In general, please try to use some common courtesy and not drive like hyperactive spider monkeys on crystal meth. As good as this mod is, playing respectfully will make it even better.

[Si|ent]

I so want to be a hyperactive spider monkey on crystal meth now you mentioned it. But otherwise, very good advice.

[Maccer]

yeah well said =)

i somehow doubt though that the majority of the players would follow them, im allready happy when a non-deathmatch map has been voted =p

[Gav]

about starting in last place: it always happens to me and i wonder if its got something to do with my less than wonderful graphics card?

[Lethal.Ambition]

I couldn't agree more with your reasoning. I like racing games, and having played them all my life (doesnt mean I'm an expert) I have to say patience is the key to the whole thing. For example, I've noticed some people accelerate past a turn and half the time they spin out, while I took 1 second to brake and make the turn very smooth. It works specially well in 90 degree turns that are most often found in the city.

Furthermore, have you ever noticed that when you're first and you have someone like 3 seconds behind you that they are wilder than you? I've used this to my advantage. On turns I take everything very calm and easy. I see my competition pass me in the turn but most of the time hitting something on the sides, and like custom races are starting to include, either fall of the track into the water, hit a barrel and blow up, or heck, they might get lucky and not spin out.

The common courtesy I also agree with. THe other day I was doing the 8 track and there was a fool driving the wrong side blowing up everyway up and messing up their race. It was ridiculous. I wish there was a vote kick implemented.

That's my 2 cents.

[Guest]

I think starting positions are determined at random, but I'm not really sure.

[Si|ent]

Votekick was mentioned in posts by the team, i'm not sure what hapened to it.

[Leviathan]

I make slipcorners