Indeed, big successful titles with one unique developper is not a common story, this is the point.
As you read me, I pointed out that, for the price asked, the necessary features (a flawless wheel support and the AI implementation) require to hire someone. A one person project doesn't mean the development is allowed to lack profesionnalism : selling a 36€ sim, compared to other sims on the market (as an example for 30€ you can currently get PCars2 including the season pass ; I'm sure on sale Assetto Corsa doesn't cost much more, maybe less, with all its DLCs), with neverending development, is not profesional.
As a developper, it is for sure an achievement, but as a game producer (2 different jobs) it is a failure. A project with such ambition, being the best kart sim, can't be done by one single person, the state of the sim after years of development makes that statement obvious. I respect the job done, but it is time to make a step further.
Producing a full game requires taking risks by supporting costs ; what was acceptable at the beginning (before sales) is not acceptable anymore (copies have been sold). The thing is that the developper said there won't be any AI, which means he won't invest on external programming ressources for further development of the game (or that something in its coding has been done really wrong, which I do not hope). It's a question of business choice, but it can't be seen as a good signal for patience.
Don't get me wrong, I respect what has been done, but if it was only for passion, the title would be free. Any job has to be paid, the job has been well done but lacks many things. When you start to sell a 36€ product, unfinished, in a (supposed) niche market, it is time to consider to hire people, or working with company who can make your title shine, completing your full initial vision.
I would not dare say Codemasters does it only for money, I'm sure many people are passionnate by their job there. Passion should not be measured by the money you make or not make, some have to eat and make compromises, for example by working for a company (which indeed has to make money to pay these same people and those who paid for the initial risks), others just lose themselves in their passion by making not any compromise and never achieve their dream.
Having a vision and a project, and the technical skills to do it is a gift. Having the ability to lead a project to make it 100% complete (in a reasonable time) and to sell it are 2 other gifts and jobs.
I'm not saying the developper should make a deal with a publisher, after having creating a production team, but at least he should consider paying someone (temporarly) to help him to make a new step in the development of the sim (sales should finance that cost). Or he may be too proud for that, something I hope not because i that case nothing would happen for this game... Getting involved on the PC gaming market alone is not the right way to succeed, that's why we don't hear a lot about successful one man development teams since the beginning of the 90's.
The bad wheel support is a good example of a bad production decision : I would not risk to pay 36€ for the game just for that. Selling a 36€ racing sim, without any strong IP and any strong marketing campaign, with such an issue (still not solved it seems), is a sucidal business decision.
Anyway, although I sound negative, I hope this sim will make a new step, it really seems promising. Steam is full of early access games which never make the next step they need ; technical skills, vision, passion and good intentions have nothing to do with it ; management has something to do with it. I believe in the vision of this sim and will keep having an eye on its development, hoping for the best. I hope one day I'll be a proud owner and user of a copy.
