I don't know how they'll consider service disruptions in subsequent reviews, and I don't envy those editorial choices. But I'm out.
There's no fucking reason for this. Maybe I'll come back when they change this setup so specifically single-player content doesn't need that online handshake, or they flesh out the content to feel like a real game. What's here is thin already, and there's no reasonable way I would suggest this experience to people around me for the sort of social gaming we've done with GT in the past. I'm the last in my group to finally feel this way, but I can't just pretend this is fine. This blows.
This isn't an experience worth my free time, and that's happening for arbitrary reasons, and there's no excuse given the wait. I'll play something better.