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From: Mike <"user name"@here.com>
Subject: Re: NASCAR REVOLUTION!!!!
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Well, here's my somewhat subjective take on the "is it a sim, or is it a
game" issue.

A sim by definition is not reality (and of course neither is a "game"). 
So what's the difference?  To my mind a simulation, using the best
available technology attempts, through as many observations of the real
world (i.e., in the case of racing simulations, real world physics), to
"simulate" reality.  A game, OTOH, only tries to "mimic" reality.  As
in, if a car attempts to take a corner faster than the "game" developer
thinks is feasible he/she programs in a routine that "mimics" what the
programer thinks should happen.  And probably can only use a limited
number of "canned routines".  A simulation uses the observations (real
world physics) and the results are the results, and sometimes seem
infinite in number of possibilities.  Which is why I think GPL is very
difficult for some (most?).  It's hard to get a handle on what's going
to happen the next time I enter/exit a particular corner (depending on
weight shift, braking, line, suspension suppleness, etc).  

Throw in a few "TOCA-like" cheats and it becomes easier and easier for
me to tell the difference.  I'm not even crazy about so-called career
modes (they seem kind of limited).

I'm not sure whether anyone going from a game/sim to real world
participation has anything to do with it.

P.S.  A little off topic, but I've always liked Hemingway's rule to
determine if it's a game or sport.  I don't have the exact quote but it
goes something like:  If the participants are risking their lives it's
sport, everything else is a game.  Car racing is sport, football is a
game.  In 1967 car racing was more sport than it is today.

-Mike

The Rodster wrote:
> 
> But there's a difference with aiding a real driver in developing his or hers
> skills, and becoming a real driver like Earnhardt Jr. by playing these
> games.
> 
> Gary Silverman wrote in message ...
> >
> >Although nobody from sim-racing has gotten ride with a major racing series,
> >that does not mean that they do not do any "real" racing. Serveral
> >sim-racers now drive street stocks, legends cars, and late models at their
> >local short tracks because of their love for racing in general. The NASCAR
> >Busch Series Champion Dale Earnhardt Jr. has raced hundreds of times on TEN
> >and he has said himself that it helps him in real life.
> >
> >Gary243
> >
> >
