Would anyone care to play some GPRO (http://www.gpro.net)? You don't have to be a fan of Formula 1 - I'm certainly not - to enjoy it (but it probably enhances it if you are). As browser-based sims go it's by far the best I've ever played. Free to play with optional purchase of supporter credits for quality-of-life enhancements.
In a nutshell, you are the manager of a team, so as well as managing the car, team and pit crew you also need to hire your driver, train him, and enter him in races. The current season just ended (I scored a whopping one point) and a new one will start soon so now is the ideal time to sign up.
There are two races per week, Tuesday and Friday. Before each race you will run practice laps to develop your driver and car, work with your driver to find the ideal tuning for the coming track, qualify, set race strategies and so on. The races can be watched live (a semi-dynamic race screen which updates every two minutes with the next lap) and also in retrospect, with the ability to chat with other managers. Things that affect each race are weather, driver mistakes, race strategy (e.g. how aggressive should your driver be at the start of the race, should he take risks overtaking), pit strategy, fuel strategy, etc. Even such things as should you pit straight away if it starts raining, or pit after a few laps in case it was a brief shower, etc.
It's enormously detailed. The website has a screenshot tour and feature overview so you can see I'm not exaggerating. You'll find yourself building a spreadsheet to keep track of track data, fuel consumption under various conditions, etc. The goal of course is to win each season and be promoted to a higher group, but a cup also runs throughout each season. To progress in the cup you have to beat your opponent in the grand prix, with progression rewarded with money.
Each group has its own subforum within the main forum and managers can use the internal messaging system to chat too. When you satisfy certain criteria you can also form teams - it would be fantastic to have a Grogheads team eventually!
I could ramble for ages about the game but why not take a look at the website if you're curious? I also humbly offer my referral link (http://www.gpro.net/?id=134315) if you fancy it but don't feel any pressure; I'd rather people just played and I'm not particularly bothered by free referral credits. :)
Also check out the wiki, FAQ and new player guide which can freely be browsed without registering.
Estimated time commitment: One to two hours per week as a minimum...plenty more if you really get into it and want to do well. The rookie group has certain special conditions like a total reset of finances, car etc between seasons. The next season will start soon. They require a real name to sign up (which will appear as your manager name) but as long as it looks like a real name, anything you enter will be accepted.
I love me some F1..
Pick Mercedes, hire Hamilton and win everything. Just like real life.
So sign up then! I'll try to answer any questions but I R Noob myself.
I love your new avatar by the way, Star!
Thanks! Its boob month so get yourself a gif. O0
just waiting on account approval.
I'm a huge F1 fan, and my registration is awaiting approval. My manager's name will be Johnny Flash.
This outta be lots of fun. O0
My goodness, Star. That Avatar...wow!
Thanks
for reference:
http://grogheads.com/forums/index.php?topic=11394.0
Im actually really pissed that I slept through the last 2 races because of time zone differences. >:(
but Im glad that Hamilton is back on top. Mercedes is just crushing it this season.
Ive been trying to get a bunch of buddies to go to Austin this year but it aint happening. :(
Cool, welcome aboard chaps! It can take a day or two to get approved but they'll definitely do it in time for the next season. Make absolutely sure to read the beginner guide and FAQ!
Dangit, they rejected my application because I used "Johnny Flash" as my name. What a bunch of party poopers. Now I have to resubmit another application and use my real, boring name. ::)
That looks a bit too in-depth for anything I have time for at the moment.
Quote from: Slick Wilhelm on October 09, 2014, 08:40:37 AM
Dangit, they rejected my application because I used "Johnny Flash" as my name. What a bunch of party poopers. Now I have to resubmit another application and use my real, boring name. ::)
Haha, I did warn you!
Quote from: JudgeDredd on October 09, 2014, 09:20:53 AM
That looks a bit too in-depth for anything I have time for at the moment.
Yeah it would be too hard for you, JD. :P
To anyone who plays on Windows, I
strongly recommend downloading GPRO GO (http://mbjerg.dk/gpro/) which will make your lives easier. :)
How long do you have to wait for a race to start? This isn't geared to my immediate gratification needs.
7 days, 20 hours. :)
Have patience! You have one week to hire a driver if you don't already have one, read all the help docs, and get some practice stints in. Oh, not to mention qualifying!
Quick tips: Pay attention to the weather forecast when qualifying; the tyres you choose to qualify with are the tyres you'll start the race with. Note that the weather can change from Q1 to Q2. Download and use GPRO GO. Go for a sponsor but only focus on one at a time. Don't upgrade your car too much, in fact spend as little money as possible in your first season; virtually everything you spend money on will increase your driver's OA (overall ability) and if it goes above 85 you will lose him at the end of the season if you aren't promoted (you won't be going for promotion in your first season).
Use the first season to learn how to play...expect to be at the back of every grid...grab as much track data as you can after each race as it will be invaluable next season (GPRO GO is extremely useful for this!). Pay close attention to race strategy settings, especially fuel strategy.
how long does a season last?
I'm sure theres a FAQ I could read but this is your fault so you get the questions. ;)
About two months, with two races a week. Trust me, once it gets going it won't seem slow at all...you'll be rushing to make sure you're absolutely prepared for each race.
Quote from: GDS_Starfury on October 09, 2014, 05:43:39 PM
I'm sure theres a FAQ I could read but this is your fault so you get the questions. ;)
No problem, but I'm hardly an authority! I'll do my best. :)
You
really ought to read the FAQ though!
I find it funny that you dont like F1 racing but do like the game. this real lifes season has been pretty great in a lot of ways. lots of team drama, a crushing lead for 1 team but a fair number of upsets along the way.
I've been accepted and I've been placed in Rookie group 238.
Like my avatar? O:-)
:coolsmiley: O0
Im in rookie group 149
by the way Slick, in the real world of F1 who are your favorites?
I like a lot of the drivers, but if I'm forced to pick one to root for, I'd say Valtteri Bottas. I like how upbeat and mature he is for his young age.
As to the Mercedes bruhaha, I'm in Nico's corner. Mercedes has already banked on him as their future, and they seem to think(as I do) that Lewis is a bit of a drama queen. When Lewis has his head screwed on right, nobody is faster. But he is so easily ruffled and thrown off his game.
It's a pity that Lewis and Nico, friends for so long, have let the championship race affect their personal relationship. Hopefully, they can be friends again someday.
I can't wait to see where Alonso ends up. I know McLaren is the obvious choice, but I can't believe they'd take him back after he cost them $100 million just a few years ago.
How about that Vettel bombshell at Suzuka, eh?
I don't think I've seen anyone nearly as chirpy as Ricciardo. He's superb in interview...never down always smiling...and he's not even winning yet! ;D
Legend
Quote from: JudgeDredd on October 10, 2014, 08:34:27 AM
I don't think I've seen anyone nearly as chirpy as Ricciardo. He's superb in interview...never down always smiling...and he's not even winning yet! ;D
Legend
Indeed, how can you not like Ricciardo. He's a breath of fresh air in the paddock, for sure. He's got some serious skills, too. I can see him becoming a World Champion someday(if he's got the best car).
First race is on 17 October, last race is 12 December. Good luck guys! I'll be going for promotion this season. I won't get anywhere near it, but hope to learn a fair bit along the way. :)
You can download the season calendar as an .ics and integrate it into your email client by the way. Quite useful. I've placed on offer on a 85 OA driver and will find out if I've got him on Monday.
Slick - yours is the best avatar I've seen so far. That girl has some meat on her bones. O0
this next RL race should be interesting.
What happens if you miss a race? I'll be out of town on a fishing trip during the first race this weekend.
Nothing, but obviously you'll miss out on potential points - not that that really matters in your first season. You won't be kicked out or anything. It's very common for players not to take part in 100% of the races for the season.
Whew, thanks Huw! Hey, that rhymes! :2funny:
Quote from: Huw the Poo on October 13, 2014, 07:46:55 PM
Nothing, but obviously you'll miss out on potential points - not that that really matters in your first season. You won't be kicked out or anything. It's very common for players not to take part in 100% of the races for the season.
I'd like to see Mercedes miss a few races! Not that it would help the other teams...which reminds me of a joke...
England are going to play Scotland at football. The English lads meet up in the bar the night before and are bitching.
"I can't believe we have to play Scotland"..."What's the point...they're crap"..."Even their fans are horrid"
"Oi marra's" says Gascoigne "Y'all stay put mun...I'll tak them an mesen"
"Really Gazza...? You sure?"
"Why aye....nae botha mun"
The next day the big match starts. The guys are in the pub and playing pool and they hear huge cheers and look up at the TV and sure enough, 1 minute in, it's 1 - 0 to England...sublime strike from Gazza.
They switch the TV off...not wanting to see the bloodshed and carry on playing pool. Eventually, one of the drunken players shouts "Oi...it must be full time - stick the telly on". When they switch it on, they see the score is 1-1.
In walks Gazza an hour later to the quizzical looks from the blokes. "Gazza...what the hell happened man...you were 1-0 up in a minute. We switched the telly off thinking it was a cake walk...but a draw???"
"I'm sorry lads" says Gazza "I let yeez doon mun."
"What happened?"
Gazza replied "I wiz sent aff in the 2nd minute"
Sorry...please feel free to continue... ;D
despite being left handed and left eye dominant I prefer faces with more left turns.
and dont disregard that fact out of hand.
all it means is that my groupings are more artistic and smiley prone.
Slick, there's nothing stopping you qualifying for the race now. Just do practice, qualifying 1 and 2, then race strategy, then you'll automatically be entered in the race. In fact you can't do anything during the race except watch it and chat to other players. :)