I re-downloaded RF2 again on Friday. I am a ACC racer mainly, and decided to get into LMP endurance racing etc. I also downloaded AMS2 at the same time in order to compare them all - AC, ACC, IR, RF2, AMS2...the only one I don't have is Raceroom. RF2 is by far the most difficult to setup, and I took me 2 days of going through forums to discover some of the FFB effects I was feeling were crazy. Over-amplified kerb interactions that would snap the wheel from your hand, huge grainy feel on a DD2 base. A few fanatec tweaks later and a bit of JSON file editing and all is OK now, but the learning curve is just nuts. I work in software, so I am not afraid to dip into a JSON file if required...but I shouldn't have to in order to get basic FFB to work correctly.
The FFB out of the box on RF2 is pure crap. It needs tweaking (A LOT) and refinement. I had to majorly reduce JOLT. I had to then discover that the natural damper in the fanatec driver has a conflict with the FFB from RF2. Just stupid things really. Not to mention some cars FFB is too light, others will pull your arms off at the same setting. Some legacy cars look and feel crap too. The F2 2012 for example. Even the new Ligier LMP2 feels very light on the steering, although this may be down to the cars natural caster angle. I ramped up the ffb multiplier for this car, but it still lacks the feel of some others (Oreca for example).
Don't even get me started on creating an offline race or series. I only started messing with the MAS launcher yesterday. Something that is 2 or 3 clicks on every other game, is a file edit/create or re-code in RF2. Personally, I don't mind tweaking and getting my hands dirty. But the vast majority will, or won't know how to. I also find it total BS that they sell add-ons, like the Endurance pack and circuits etc, but don't offer and endurance championship (offline) through the UI. **sigh**.
I guess that is this evening's task, rather than driving and having fun playing the sim.
With the in mind, the only conclusion I can draw is that this is not a game/sim that should be rolled out to the masses.
Final thoughts:
Personally, I am OK knowing I can tweak it and get it to a working state. I am computer savvy, know my way around files and folders, and can understand some basic code concepts etc. On the cars I have edited, the FFB and driving experience has been zen like. Probably the best I have experienced in sim racing. The driving alone does not excuse the other stuff. For me, I can work around it, as can many others. But the vast majority will likely struggle and lead to the sim gathering dust in someone's steam library.