So as the host for tonight, I need to explain how I saw the events unfold. An observative piece with a hint of analytical opinion follows:
I didn't open up the room in a timely manner, as I had just downloaded the latest patch that the news section showed to be from February 26th. Highly probable that this fact caused some synchronisation issues, as I then wanted to immediately check out the valiant return of Midfield Raceway.
Room opened at 5 to 7 (AEST), and within seconds a number of people had filed in. From what I remember, there was about 6 or so people in that first room. Zero problems. I was then notified that the 'Room Full' standard glitch was taking place, so I remade the room. On past occasions (when I was host), that has solved the issue, but this time it didn't; the same people who joined the first room once again immediately joined within seconds and practised without a hitch, though the same people who couldn't join before still could not.
Noteworthy here is that I also cleared cache on both occurances; I reset my router, and remade the room (third room). Within seconds, the number of people who could not join either of the first two rooms were immediately in. However, as soon as the first few drivers from the original group (who had zero problems getting in before) started joining, they would either lose connection, or could not view drivers on track. Only following a reset themselves could they gain access.
Once this long and painful process was over (everyone was in deemably), I reset the track from standard Spa (no time and weather) to timed and weathered Spa. Amicable protests over this ensued, to which my response was that it was okay; being a legal formalist, I choose to follow official directions ONLY because this ensures a predictability as well as validation of process. Thus, when a number of people cite Stu as saying that only the non-timed, non-weather track could be used, I simply said that I was not aware of this, and that I follow the regulations as laid out here:
http://raceonoz.com/forums/index.php?threads/gt6-gtloz-lounge-settings-procedures.194/
In accordance with this, anything the room captain says is my official direction, and S_Close did a great job in dictating courses of action. No room captains raised an issue with the track- S_Close called for a vote (which did not happen - of mention) and in the end, validated.
So qualifying began. I then realised quite quickly that I could only see S_Close on track, and once he had rejoined the room, I could no longer see anyone. Hence, noone else was on track during my qualifying. I believe other drivers had some similar issues, but not to my extent. Regardless, qualifying time ended, at which point another textual raucous eventuated to begin the race in the form the lobby was in. Among that, FloodSim was also vocal to start the race, and in accordance with my role, I started the race.
Race started from my perspective with only me on track, and it stayed that way until lap 11, when I eventually pitted. My pit stop went fine, and I continued. 2 laps later, all other drivers said they were stuck in the pits, to which I was the only one to have not been stuck. The race informally ended as everyone save WTFMAN and me exited the room. Congrats on S_Close's child, btw!!
So in the end, I finished to see in what state the replay and results was, and it's just replica of what I recorded with my PVR live.
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That's how the race played out on my end. I was incredibly eager to race throughout, and believe that someone who joined by the third group was not compatible with the majority of drivers. Having not reset once this person joined the third room, my connection as host compromised the rest of the race.
So in conclusion, I tried my utmost to host well (having every driver on my friends list as well- something I ignorantly didn't do in past seasons hosting), and wished to follow all procedures.
I can show how it played out with my recording if need be, and I can also grab a screenshot of my connection speed on PSN if need be. With best interests at heart, it is possible that someone may be a faster 'second backup' host. I run 35Mb download and 1Mb upload.
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