Chocobo Racing

[SephYuyX]

Here is a general outline of Chocobo Racing:
- Since players use different connection speeds, racing will be controlled automatically to keep things fair.
- By selecting riders (NPCs) with their own sets of tactics, players can devise plans that best suit their chocobo's abilities.
- Your chocobo’s attributes will have an influence on the race.
- Not only does a player select a rider, they can also use items or provide equipment for a chocobo before the race to increase the chocobo’s abilities.
- There will be two different kinds of races: “public races” which will be implemented with a ranking system, and “private races” which can be enjoyed individually or as a party.
- There might be special races you can participate in when you collect enough points. (Perhaps called “Choco Points”?) However, we haven’t finalized these details yet.
- There may also be special crown races featuring famous NPCs. (Perhaps with the likes of Prince Trion or Dr. Shantotto!)

In order to prevent cheating, we have decided not to allow any timing-related controls during the race. This is a requirement, so unfortunately we can’t incorporate this no matter how exciting it might be.
Therefore, it’s important to prepare the for chocobo race before the race starts.

Also, regarding congestion issues, it’s possible we can expect some benefits from “private races.” Much like Assault, there will be numerous entrances, and if only participants are allowed to enter, we can have not only private races, but also small events.

Next are some of our impressions of your opinions and answers to your questions.
Between the different regions, some of the issues were the same and some were different, so it would be difficult to list them all here. Therefore, we’ve sorted them into major categories in order to answer as much as possible.
I’m also planning to answer questions not listed here in the near future, so please be patient until then.

How and Where Chocobo Racing Takes Place

Q: Please make Chocobo Racing available not only to high-level players but also low-level players.
A: We’ll make chocobo races available to every player no matter what their level.

Q: Does it take place at certain times like Ballista? Can we have a chocobo race anytime we want?
A: It’ll depend on the rules of the race; however we are currently planning to make Chocobo Racing enjoyable both ways.

Q: How many players and chocobos are able to participate in a race?
A: For display and performance reasons, we probably won’t be able to put too many players and chocobos in each race. In real-life horse races, we see 16 horses run in the same race, but I think it will be less than that.

Q: It might be interesting if the race continues after a player has registered their chocobo even if the player logs out.
A: I think it’s a good idea, but it might be difficult to implement.

Q: I don’t want Chocobo Racing to be like Besieged. It’s difficult to participate sometimes because of congestion. It might be great if we have to buy entry rights or establish some type of requirements so no one will be able to enter chocobo races with the same chocobo over and over.
A: We will continue to investigate congestion issues and ways to prevent them. We might implement minor limitations as a countermeasure. As I mentioned in the outline section, we might be able to create a system which can ease congestion. We’ll think about this a little more within the development team.

Q:　Where is the chocobo circuit located? Is the “Treasures of Aht Urhgan” expansion pack required?
A: Where is the Chocobo Circuit located in Vana’diel? NPCs here and there will tell you where the circuits are once Chocobo Racing is introduced. Realistically though, some dedicated racing circuits will be used, so you will need to install and register the “Treasures of Aht Urhgan” expansion.


About Chocobo Racing

Q: Since chocobos are not controllable by players during a race, is it possible to have simple commands to, for instance, accelerate our own chocobo during a race?
A: We understand the desire for player-controlled chocobos during a race. However, due to differences in network speed, use of third-party tools and other network issues which would spoil the fun of a race, it would be difficult for players to have control of their chocobo during a race.

Q: How about allowing card battle-styled chocobo controls during a race?
A: Although card battle is very different from the game’s mechanics, it may be a good idea. We might able to use this idea for the time when players prepare before the race.

Q: I really want team battles!
A: This idea is pretty interesting. We’ll look into it.

Q: Make sure that players with slower network connections aren’t at a disadvantage.
A: Yes, that’s our plan.

Q: How about races restricted only to veterans or chocobos under a certain age (for 1-year-olds, etc)?
A: Unfortunately, there is a strong possibility we won’t provide information to players such as their chocobo’s age. However, we’ll try hard to allow you to save your chocobo’s racing history.

Q: It will make races more exciting if there are factors such as disqualification, etc.
A: I see. This may cause players stress if it just ties them down, so realistically it may be difficult, but we will think about it.

Q: What do you think of survival races where monsters chase chocobos to the goal?
A: This may be possible as one of the rule sets. I’ll take note of it.

Q: I hope there will be various types of courses and races.
A: We may be able to add this in the future. However, I’d like to prepare the basic rules to “race a certain distance” first, then add variations later over time.

About Chocobo Stats

Q: Will different chocobo breeds have their own specific abilities?
A: I would like to be able to express abilities depending on breed to some degree.

Q: I would like stats such as health condition, weight, fatigue, etc. for my chocobo.
A: It may be good to reflect these elements when a chocobo has been racing without rest.

Q: I want chocobo longevity, succession, genealogy, etc.
A: Don’t worry! We have implemented similar elements into Chocobo Raising. However, please understand it will not be as detailed as an entire game based on raising a chocobo.

Q: How about having chocobos learn abilities such as “Focus” or “Self control” which can be set freely?
A: Similar to a Blue Mage setting spells, right? It’s natural for a chocobo to learn abilities, but I　think being able to freely set abilities on a chocobo treats them too much like an item. However, abilities that affect a race are a great idea and we would love to give that a try.

Well, it seems this message has become much longer than we originally intended!
I hope that you can give us your opinions on the current state of affairs after reading the material mentioned above. We continue to look forward to hearing from all of you!

As always, paying attention to the nub sites.

[Don Katsu]

Q: Since chocobos are not controllable by players during a race, is it possible to have simple commands to, for instance, accelerate our own chocobo during a race?
A: We understand the desire for player-controlled chocobos during a race. However, due to differences in network speed, use of third-party tools and other network issues which would spoil the fun of a race, it would be difficult for players to have control of their chocobo during a race.


Definitely a good call.

[BRP]

Hmm, no mention of turtle shells nailing other racers? disappointed.

[Vedder]

Is this from Zam? 1up?

[SephYuyX]

Is this from Zam? 1up?

Warcry RSS feed.

[Coephoros]

No gambling? Wtf?

[Khamsin]

- Not only does a player select a rider, they can also use items or provide equipment for a chocobo before the race to increase the chocobo’s abilities.

I'm going to get my chocobo some lancelot-brand w.legs and striders.

Q: It will make races more exciting if there are factors such as disqualification, etc.
A: I see. This may cause players stress if it just ties them down, so realistically it may be difficult, but we will think about it.

YES!! My chocobo got disqualified! Isn't this so exiciting?!

Q: What do you think of survival races where monsters chase chocobos to the goal?
A: This may be possible as one of the rule sets. I’ll take note of it.

And the chocobos that lose never make it back to your stables?

[Norelco]

No gambling? Wtf?

That's what I would have liked to see. Bet on a fast chocobo and win gil and/or items.

[Faranim]

In order to prevent cheating, we could have implemented a secure client-server model which prevents the client from affecting the outcome of the race, but instead we have decided not to allow any timing-related controls during the race. This is a requirement, so unfortunately we can’t incorporate this no matter how exciting it might be.
Therefore, it’s important to prepare the for chocobo race before the race starts.

Fixed.

[Vinen]

In order to prevent cheating, we could have implemented a secure client-server model which prevents the client from affecting the outcome of the race, but instead we have decided not to allow any timing-related controls during the race. This is a requirement, so unfortunately we can’t incorporate this no matter how exciting it might be.
Therefore, it’s important to prepare the for chocobo race before the race starts.

Fixed.

The more secure a connection is the more overhead there which leads to there being more data sent back and forth between the server which = BAD. Considering some players are still on 56k (I was until a few months ago), this does not sound like a feasable option.

HAY GUYZ LETZ PUT MORE OV3RHED INTO TEH GAMZ

[Kitha]

Q: Since chocobos are not controllable by players during a race, is it possible to have simple commands to, for instance, accelerate our own chocobo during a race?
A: We understand the desire for player-controlled chocobos during a race. However, due to differences in network speed, use of third-party tools and other network issues which would spoil the fun of a race, it would be difficult for players to have control of their chocobo during a race.

Talk about throwing the baby out with the bathwater -_-

Faranim hit it on the head.

[Sonomaa]

HAY GUYZ LETZ COD3Z TEH GAEM RITE IN TEH FURST PRACE

fixed.

[Khamsin]

It'll be like fish ranking, but flashier. The winner will be determined not by ilms and ponz, but by strength and endurance.

Imagine that each time you trade in a fish for ranking, you are treated to a CS of the various entries getting weighed and measured. This is your chocobo racing.

[Faranim]

In order to prevent cheating, we could have implemented a secure client-server model which prevents the client from affecting the outcome of the race, but instead we have decided not to allow any timing-related controls during the race. This is a requirement, so unfortunately we can’t incorporate this no matter how exciting it might be.
Therefore, it’s important to prepare the for chocobo race before the race starts.

Fixed.

The more secure a connection is the more overhead there which leads to there being more data sent back and forth between the server which = BAD. Considering some players are still on 56k (I was until a few months ago), this does not sound like a feasable option.

HAY GUYZ LETZ PUT MORE OV3RHED INTO TEH GAMZ

It's not a matter of network overhead at all. It's a matter of software design. Allowing the client to modify sensitive data (for example, your XYZ position in a zone or your movement speed) without any sort of server-side checks in place is the most retarted design I've ever seen.

[BRP]

It'll be like fish ranking, but flashier. The winner will be determined not by ilms and ponz, but by strength and endurance.

Imagine that each time you trade in a fish for ranking, you are treated to a CS of the various entries getting weighed and measured. This is your chocobo racing.

Except no, not really. You don't breed fishermen.

[Khamsin]

It'll be like fish ranking, but flashier. The winner will be determined not by ilms and ponz, but by strength and endurance.

Imagine that each time you trade in a fish for ranking, you are treated to a CS of the various entries getting weighed and measured. This is your chocobo racing.

Except no, not really. You don't breed fishermen.

Well, obviously, chicken and fish are different animals (but equally tasty). The method of obtaining fish and chocobos are different, but the racing aspect, I fear, will be like fish ranking. i.e. there is little that will affect the outcome other than the stats stamped on your chocobo at the time of entry. It's not like fish ranking is affected by much other than the ilms and ponz on the fish, and it feels like chocobo racing will be much the same.

[Siatdiat]

The developers are strongly influenced by the popular game pachinko.

[Jeryhn]

Chicken and fish are different animals (but equally tasty).

This statement is incorrect. Chicken > Fish by a landslide.

[BRP]

From what it seems, there will be some tactical play in racing... more so then hitting an arrow key in the opposite direction then the fish is going. Assuming Chocobo Racing isn't done poorly, its very possible that it will be funner in the tactical sense than just manual racing. I don't know about you... but riding on a chocobo isn't too exciting. Telling your chocobo what to do in a race has potential... I only hope there is grief tactics, I want to be the Su-bal-ba(totally murdered that) of Vana'diel.

This statement is incorrect. Chicken > Fish by a landslide.

You are incorrect.

[Hyjynx]

They wont allow us realtime control of our chocos because of connection speed and cheating... but why not allow it in some private race mode when its just against your friends for nothing more than bragging rights?

Sounds very typical, they identify a problem and instead of thinking to work around it, they allow themselves to be crippled by it.