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Board » Sailonline Yacht Club » Comparing SailingOnLine with VirtualRegatta

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Posted by
Incognito


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2008-12-06 13:43:52
2010-02-22 11:06:38 - Re: Comparing SailingOnLine with VirtualRegatta
Registered once to Virtual Regatta while I was searching for a new online sailing game. I found the race engine so poor (wind the same in big squares for example) that I could not bring myself to participate in a single race.

Whether a specific race such as Cyclades Volcano Run proves interesting or not depends largely on the winds. Race committee experience shows that it is largely unpredictable to know even 1 week in advance which races will be fun and which ones not. I had good fun on the Cyclades in the last 3 hours. Moved from #66 at the waypoint back to #143 and ended up at #7. ;)

Francois

--- Last Edited by Incognito at 2010-02-22 11:08:08 ---
Posted by
Spookie


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2008-12-24 17:00:08
2010-02-22 14:37:27 - Re: Comparing SailingOnLine with VirtualRegatta
I raced several legs in the VOR, and while I found the wind squares irritating and artificial, what really bothered me was that you had to spend money to be competitive. On SOL, everyone gets to set delayed course changes, everyone gets the same sails, and so on. So when I (routinely) get clobbered by a bunch of people, it's because they are better than me (or sleep less than I do!), not just more free-spending.

Posted by
Doc Häagen-Dazs


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2010-02-16 03:01:09
2010-02-22 15:34:04 - Re: Comparing SailingOnLine with VirtualRegatta
Good points. In the Cyclades Volcano Run, I was well under 60 and gaining until I dozed at the keyboard and missed the turn. Just wasn't ready for the quickness of short races after my experience in the VORG. There is something to be said for short races as many people have jobs and lives AFK!
Posted by
Doc Häagen-Dazs


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2010-02-16 03:01:09
2010-02-22 15:37:13 - Re: Comparing SailingOnLine with VirtualRegatta
A possible negative to SOL is that sail changes are performed by the hidden hand of AI. That's a major detail to distance sailing. Perhaps it's "democratic". Levels the playing field between sailors and non-sailors?
Posted by
A2


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2009-10-26 00:39:42
2010-02-22 17:03:45 - Re: Comparing SailingOnLine with VirtualRegatta
Apples & Oranges Doc,

The boats here are governed by a "Composite" polar. Once you familiarize yourself with the intent of the SOL experience you will find that it is clearly defined as a Sailboat Routing exercise. That is the raison d'être of those who offer this free environment for our enjoyment.
None so blind
Posted by
Jeroen


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2007-08-15 09:17:47
2010-02-22 19:09:23 - Re: Comparing SailingOnLine with VirtualRegatta
Great posts all, we try to read them all and see how we can learn from it.
It also a great way to explain why we chose to do things the way we have in the game.

--- Last Edited by Jeroen Tiel at 2010-02-22 19:11:00 ---
I am a ex-admin of SOL who joins in from time to time.
Posted by
Doc Häagen-Dazs


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2010-02-23 03:21:51 - Re: Comparing SailingOnLine with VirtualRegatta
Many thanks to all for the responses to my honest question. I thank Aethereal, especially, because he drew for us a distinction with a difference.

I look forward to my next SOL experience.
Posted by
Doc Häagen-Dazs


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2010-02-16 03:01:09
2010-02-23 16:06:39 - Re: Comparing SailingOnLine with VirtualRegatta
I do have to credit the SailingOnLine Forum with more cred than Virtual Regatta's Forum. In the latter case, my topic was just frozen. Some questions are not to be asked over there? Is it professional courtesy? Whatever! SOL Forums win by an horizon job!
Posted by
jakob


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2007-09-04 10:05:30
2010-02-23 21:03:17 - Re: Comparing SailingOnLine with VirtualRegatta
Thanks :-)
...one of the guys behind the game...
Posted by
Hirilondë


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2010-02-22 12:50:31
2010-02-24 13:11:40 - Re: Comparing SailingOnLine with VirtualRegatta
The Caribbean Sprint is my first race here at Sailonline. I have done several in Virtual Regatta. I am finding that I like both and that some details of each have their place. At this point I am thinking that VR is more friendly to sleeping during long races, which is something to consider. Being able to plan out a 12 hour wind period, then set a program makes going to work or sleeping through the night while staying competitive possible. The fluid wind changes and weather progression here is certainly more realistic.

I am still learning this game and formulating my opinion. I must say that the quick response to my rounding issue last night speaks well of Sailonline.

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