LA Complexity :: Championship Gaming Series

This article is the opinion of the author and not necessarily that of the Los Angeles compLexity or its parent companies.

A Balanced Act

Written By: Donald "GTDon" Gaetke

Editor's Note: Please welcome GTDon to our writing crew. He was brought on board to expand our Forza2 coverage and provide valuable insight into this important CGS game.

Greetings ladies and gents of Forza2, and CGS fans everywhere! VVV GTDon here, that’s right as you can see, a major “trade” has occurred in the club scene, no longer am I with TDR. TDR has merged into VVV for reasons mentioned on various forums that I wouldn’t bother you here with. It’s all-good though, and both clubs are looking forward to this high-powered union.

I’d like to do a short recap of how things have developed since the draft in Texas for Forza 2 drivers into CGS. Several myths have come to light since the time of the draft. Things like, “Forza2 isn’t any different than PGR4 to compete in”, or “experienced PGR4 pro drivers are going to dominate the rookie Forza2 draft picks in the draft.” On the other side we heard things like, “PGR4 drivers are clueless newbs when it comes to Forza2.” And, “The Forza2 veterans will smoke all the PGR4 guys on the track.”

To a degree all of these “myths” turned out to be somewhat true from the perspective of the person or persons who said them. Forza2 when used the same way as PGR4, is nearly the same type of gaming competition. True, the veteran PGR4 drivers were preferred in the draft over unknown but probably more skilled Forza2 drivers. PGR4 veterans from every CGS team have quickly learned that they do need more practice with Forza2. The Forza2 drivers even while operating under PGR4 type rules have generally showed their advantage and superiority over the less experienced PGR4 veteran drivers several times during the draft, and after.

What does all this mean then? Several things. It means that though there are arguable differences to point out, the CGS competition format has kept the playing field as level and even as possible during this transition from PGR4 to FM2. This key point is all that really matters for the moment. Another scenario could have easily resulted in less parity, and as a result a weak fan base. The powers that be knew that those well-known veterans of the previous racing game (PGR4) might be hard pressed to stay on top when faced against a new crop of hardcore drivers from an entirely different racing game. Rather than play into the hands of the side that would have the greater experience and skill, the format would be the needed equalizer to keep the established franchise players near the top.

Yes, there was some major disappointment on the Forza2 side for how the draft panned out in favor of known entities, and yes, few Forza2 purists cared for the sacrileges PGR4 style of, ‘crash and bash’, but in the end no better compromise could be had. From a marketing standpoint you never want to have a lack of exciting competition with a runaway winner. You also want to keep as much notoriety and (fair) controversy as you can so as to extend the attention one might receive for an event. In this regard CGS has struck the best balance to date.

Will CGS allow a more refined more real-like racing competition in future Forza2 races as many in the Forza camp would like to see? Not likely. There is no marketing incentive to do so. They know that people often go to races or watch racing for one reason, seeing a horrific crash. CGS has capitalized on this well-known sensation by encouraging foul driving tactics, and strategic crashing. Perverse though it may sound, in the virtual racing world no one dies, so there is no harm done while at the same time capturing that same sense of dreaded attraction and excitement, when things go terribly wrong.

What does this mean for the average fan? Well, spectacular hair razing crashes, and unpredictable results for the most part, with some good driving in-between.

If you are one of the tens of thousands of Forza fanatics who seek a format modeled more like that of real racing with strict rules, and officiating, better stick with your local club, or organizations like www.IFCAracing.com to get your fix, and leave the rough stuff to the pros.

Yours in Forza,

VVV GTDon

"To a degree all of these â��mythsâ�� turned out to be somewhat true from the perspective of the person or persons who said them. Forza2 when used the same way as PGR4, is nearly the same type of gaming competition. True, the veteran PGR4 drivers were preferred in the draft over unknown but probably more skilled Forza2 drivers. PGR4 veterans from every CGS team have quickly learned that they do need more practice with Forza2. The Forza2 drivers even while operating under PGR4 type rules have generally showed their advantage and superiority over the less experienced PGR4 veteran drivers several times during the draft, and after."

What are you talking about? o.O Guess what, the coL.FM2 team were apart of the "PGR4 players" (even though none of the players from CGS really played PGR4 except Miximup).

In the CGS formatted competition, for Forza LUCK>>>>>>dominates>>>>>>>SKILL

So none of the "myths" came true.

Hello everyone, and thanks for all the applause. I can't always respond to every critic, and it probably wouldn't be healthy if I did. However, I will try to show my face at least once, after every article I write is posted by the fine folks at LA Complexity. Please feel free to say exactly what you think about what I wrote, I can take it. You won't be flamed by me for expressing a contrary opinion, I promise.

Special thanks goes out to Ch0mpr for his perspective. I think he's right, from his view of things, and this is something I wanted to highlight in the article. On the other hand, many others I've talked with who were at the draft would have issues with his opinion, and believe theirs is more valid. Either way, it is interesting how these circumstances evolve, and depending on your point of view clued you in as to what was, and wasn't the case.

To be very honest with you all, I expected to get some heat for this article, but not for the issues Ch0mpr so graciously brought up. On other forums the rise in temperature was felt to a certain small degree about my tough attitude towards the racing format being used. Some felt I might have been a little too harsh on CGS by not mentioning the concessionary move to outlaw "wall-riding," and they may be right.

But hey, no one is perfect, and I need you to let me know when I stray.

Yours in Forza,
VVV GTDon

PS Thanks xcamx

[img]http://www.freewebs.com/ifcaracing/RSS/rss%5Ffeed%5F1.jpg[/img]

"The powers that be knew that those well-known veterans of the previous racing game (PGR4) might be hard pressed to stay on top when faced against a new crop of hardcore drivers from an entirely different racing game. Rather than play into the hands of the side that would have the greater experience and skill, the format would be the needed equalizer to keep the established franchise players near the top."

GTDon, the game before was PGR 3 and not PGR 4. Also, I don't think CGS really cared for their current CGS participants that much or they would've pick, perhaps, PGR 4. Forza indeed has a lot of talented racers but GMs picked the best from the combine and I would guess they know a thing or two about who they pick. As to keep all this deliberately equalized by using the current rule set you should know that every current and past CGS pro racers wanted to change it but it wasn't possible.

Let's not forget that the capable Forza community that really knows what they are doing is slim and almost non-existing compared to the large Forza demographic. Your thoughts are your thoughts and are very respected.

Every day you don't practice means you're a day farther from getting good.
Ben Hogan

You are right about that Chavisan, for some reason I was thinking PGR 4 at the time, I guess because that is the current version, my mistake.

There has been great debate over the draft and why certain players were picked over others. If one goes by skill alone as the measuring stick then this can't possibly explain all of the selections that were made. If one goes by marketability and established familiarity with a franchise, then this can fully explain why the draft was what it was.

I don't think using market considerations is unjustified understand, but I get a little frown on my face when people try to say the best drivers were picked, when I know better.

Yours in Forza,
VVV GTDon

Well, some taxi will get a chance to probe what you are saying. Hope they back up your writings. Because you seem to back them up a lot. We'll see if its reciprocal. This is exactly what I was looking forward from your writings so keep it up.

"There has been great debate over the draft and why certain players were picked over others. If one goes by skill alone as the measuring stick then this can't possibly explain all of the selections that were made. If one goes by marketability and established familiarity with a franchise, then this can fully explain why the draft was what it was. "

Dude... The people drafted ARE the fastest with the cars chosen... At the time of the draft it was debatable wether or not some of the people chosen were the "fastest"... That was because they had picked up the game only 2-3 weeks before the time of the combine.

Now it's undoubtable that they're deserving though. Just go by times...

#1 "Several myths have come to light since the time of the draft. Things like, 'Forza2 isnâ��t any different than PGR4 to compete in',"

WRONG - Completely different. Forza and a tap will send you flying, so you have to play way more cautious.

#2 "or 'experienced PGR4 pro drivers are going to dominate the rookie Forza2 draft picks in the draft.' "

WRONG - You can't dominate in this format because the game is waaaaaay too random.

#3 "On the other side we heard things like, 'PGR4 drivers are clueless newbs when it comes to Forza2.' "

WRONG - This one is just ignorant, and obviously false. If you need me to explain more, then it's pointless because you'll never understand.

#4 "And, 'The Forza2 veterans will smoke all the PGR4 guys on the track.' "

See #2

Oh no!!! lol Ch0mpr, you have completely missed the context. I wasn't claiming these myths as being my own creations, and I wasn't saying they were flat wrong, or wonderfully right either. lol All I was really saying is that they did/do exist, and that depending on how people looked at them they could be either true or false, and that both possibilities could be correct, again, depending on your frame of reference.

I'm not advocating one side or the other, only shining a light on the fact that there is more than one side to this story. It's up to you which side or sides to take, and whichever one you like is cool with moi.

I think you'll find that my opinion pieces are more open ended than they are dogmatic, and if you keep this in mind you'll better grasp the context of the message in the future. Still, thanks for your effort to add to the dialogue. I think everyone is enjoying it.

Yours in Forza,
VVV GTDon

"I don't think using market considerations is unjustified understand, but I get a little frown on my face when people try to say the best drivers were picked, when I know better."

The best/fastest drivers in the current format were picked.

SF OPTX

Referenced post #21 by SACKAMONJARO

#21

FINALLY! Some support!! lol

make sure to get those plugs in don., oh wait you did.

This is beating a dead horse and the current cgs players have been bashed for no reason by the Forza community and have stood their ground. Collisions off would have disproved half of the bs that came from the combine.

To end this, im bad, I dont deserve to be in CGS, and I hope Forza 4.5 is picked next year.

Last modified on 5/11/2008 at 3:46 pm EST

i like unicorns and rainbows and pink lace

GT don if you are talking about Da vinci, or speed racer or jerseyboy. They were not fast they would be getting their rears completely demolished by the CGS racers. Wildchild who is the fastest of the people not drafted had his chance and couldnt show anything other then a lack of speed that caused a 1-6 defeat and caused them to lose out of a 6-1 victory. The best people made it don, its over.

Preseason BLOG 3!
http://www.thecgs.com/index.php?s=upanel&d=viewblog&b_id=2335

A Balanced Act

Posted by: DetonatoR

A Balanced Act

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