I’d prefer to see the AI not try to “leave a space” around/behind me.
I mean, I can see why an AI design like this has a place in an arcade or simcade type design. Especially in the Forza Horizon games. By leaving a gap around/behind the player (falling off into the distance after I pass them), it allows the player to make a mistake without losing “progression” and perhaps making it impossible for the player to catch up.
But on the “Motorsport” side of things, I far away would prefer each AI to drive their own consistent lap pace. Some AI are quicker, some are slower. Nevermind where I am, or any other AI car, for that matter. If an AI can advance ahead of another car while working within it’s own “pace”… they do it without hesitation.
I run my best pace and work traffic up or down, as it happens.
I am satisfied to fall back down the field. It happens when mistakes are made. That’s the way it goes. When I race AC or ACC (and even FM) and fall back, my expectations for finish readjust to just trying to recover what places I can.
Not hard to imagine, however, that there are certainly some players or age groups that might find this impossibly frustrating (maybe they prefer instantly quit when they fall back). And thus why the “gap” design exists in the first place.
Above all, though I’d like the AI to avoid collisions. No diving into corners and bowling into other cars (and/or completely leaving the track!). No deliberately turning into another car as it tries to pass. When inevitable contact happens, no 'digging in" and grinding against the other car.
An AI design that has each car with it’s own consistent pace and avoids contact is what allows me to drive close and drive more confidently in other racing games. The excitement of chasing the car ahead, the pressure from the car behind.
But I’m not sure both of these AI designs can co-exist. Maybe like switching between “Normal” and “Simulation” steering, there could also be an option to choose different AI types.
Just my own thoughts, of course.
