An in-game ACC multiplayer server launcher would've changed the game. Am I right?
If we had an in-game way for any person, with no technical expertise, to launch their own cloud-based race servers, I think we would have even more leagues, communities, endurance events, and populated public lobbies than we already enjoy. There is so much flexibility to the dedicated server we have. I'm thankful so many out there are still putting time, money, and effort in to provide races for us. I just think if we had a Kunos-official way to host a server, that was affordable and automatic, then there'd be no limit for anyone to organize their races, on their own terms, and form the communities they want.
I can't put it in-game, I wish I could. But, I am a software engineer, so I built what I wanted on the web.
About a year ago, I launched Racetrim to configure and launch my own "NOT SPA OR MONZA! TRY IT!" servers. It was a start, not excellent, but a discord grew up around those servers anyway. We have formed friendships that span the globe, and people are still showing up. I honestly want other people to be able to build groups like that without being tech wizards. Over the last 7-months, I changed almost everything about how an ACC server can be launched affordably and without hassle on Racetrim. You can run a server in moments, all from your browser, with all the lap data and results being stored, visualized, and reviewable.
There's 10 hours FREE when you sign-up, because I want you to try it! I need more feedback to make it better. Beyond those 10 hours, I'm covering my costs by charging $0.05 / hr to run the standard size servers. You can start and stop them whenever you want, move them from one side of the world to the other, and you only pay when they're on.
I think this is how game servers should work; no connection or "slot" limits, no forced monthly rental where you pay for the server to go mostly unused. ACC is my proving ground, I'd like to extend to other games. If enough people will use it, I can get an understanding of whether I can actually break even on the costs to run it, which is the ultimate goal.
Thank you! I hope you will try it! Find out more about the ACC offering and how trial and pricing work.