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Week 9 [11.12 - 17.12.2017] All about racing simulators



I would like to tell what really racing simulators are. Firstly not every racing game is a simulator. Some racing games are just an arcade. They have little in common with real life. Especially in physics.  For example,  the very known game F1 series is an arcade game. The best known simulator nowadays is iRacing. But real world F1 drivers use rFactor simulation game to master their driving skills. It is because of software modularity. They can switch modules of physics in that game. Game developers are not eager to allow for that. Every sim racer wants to play the simulator with the most accurate physics. They don’t even care about what a game looks like. I mean graphics. The very old iRacing game was released in 2007 and still has the same visual game engine. Some people even like that, because they can play this sim using their “potato” computer.


Old iRacing graphics   https://www.pcgamesn.com/10-best-racing-games-pc

Physics in iRacing is very close to real life. But some things cannot be modeled in the virtual world. Some of them make it easier to drive sim, but others make it harder. What makes it easier is, for example, temperature of ambient??. You don’t feel scorching heat when you are driving. What makes it harder,  you don’t feel all the forces that you feel when you are driving in real life. Some companies are trying to make simracing closer to real life by offering a special chair which simulates real life gravity forces.



Chair with g-forces http://sidewicz.com/Photo/cockpit2.jpg

Even sometimes simracers wear special boots for simracing to have better feel of a gas pedal.

Simracing special shoes http://www.isrtv.com/reviews/goodyear-footwear-ori-review-best-sim-racing-shoes-for-40/

Another type of simracing is dirt racing. The best simulator was Richard Burn’s Rally from 2004 and still is. There wasn’t any better game that simulates dirt better than that game.  On 1st April iRacing announced that it started to use dirt ovals.  So there is a chance that there will be a game at least similar in physics to Richard Burn’s Rally. iRacing is about to add next week rallycross, which consists of dirt and tarmac.

1.       What do you think about simracing?
2.       Do you play racing simulators or only arcade games? If you play racing simulators then what do use to play it? Do you have  special boots or a simulating gravity force chair?
3.       Do you prefer better graphics or better modeled physics in racing games?
4.       Would you like to be a professional racing driver?

Sources:
Mostly my own experience,

Comments

Unknown said…
Whan I was a kid I loved simracing - at some simulator in game area (place where you can also find arcade games, boxing machine and others).
I played both and if it racing simulator I usually was using a motor simulator - sometimes it was hard, as I was too small and I couldn't move it, for example to turn, so I needed a help of some adult.
I think that both factors are important - one, for visual, second to gameplay.
I wouldn't like to be a professional racing driver - I'm not into it.
I think that everything that can be fun for someone and does not make any harm to other person at the same time, is a good thing. Moreover, all of this simulator can be used as a practise for professional drivers which can lead into saving life, so saying all of this - I think than simracing is nice.
I do not play race games, maybe because I'm not a huge fan of cars. I'm not sure if it's counts but I'm thinking about buying newest "Super Mario Kart" game.
In my opinion graphics is one of the most important factors, but not most important. Some game developers tend to forgetting about it and the result of it it's that there are a lot of games that looks beautiful but are not interesting, so my answer is: good graphics + good gameplay = great game, bad graphics + good gameplay = still good game, good graphics + bad gameplay = garbage.
I would not like to be professional driver - I'm good with my IT guy life ;) still if I had to choose to become pro in any of sports I would choose football or boxing.
Unknown said…
I haven't heard about game area. But it must be good to have few games in one area. I'm curious how it would be to drive that motor simulator. Nowadays as I know PC motor simulator are best to play only on gamepads, because there aren't any special controllers to play motor simulators.
Unknown said…
You are right about using simulator to practise for professional drivers. Moreover playing some simulators and being very good at it sometimes leads to drive a real car on real track. There are such cases and those best simracers are doing very good amongst other.
I searched inforamtion about Super Mario Kart. The newest can't teach about driving in real life, but some arcades can teach at least proper driving line.
Anonymous said…
Simracing could be great for people who are passionate about fast cars and driving. If I could try I would definitely play racing simulator.
In my life I've only played Test Drive 6 and Need for Speed I think, so I don't have much to say about simulators.
It's hard to choose weather I prefer graphics or well simulated physics. I think it would be great with both of them on really high level.
In my opinion I could try racing, but I wouldn't like to become a professional driver. I think it's really dangerous and I wouldn't like to race all the time. Maybe once or twice ;)
Unknown said…
Simracing is something great because it is the best way to feel almost the same feelings as on the racing track. Not everyone have opportunity to grab steering wheel of formula one but now with such simulators it is almost possible. I only play arcade games not simulators and I don’t have any simulation gadgets. I prefer to drive my own car and race sometimes from traffic lights. As for me I think that I rather prefer combination of good graphic and physics because I don’t need such a real simulation, as I said I prefer my own car. I’ve always dreamed to be professional race driver when I was young but this turned out to be bad choice as a thing to do for a living so I try to make my dreams come true and often buy fast cars.
Unknown said…
Today we have very realistic racing simulator. Once I wanted to try a real racing symulator but price was very high and I gave up. Today I'm not playing any simulator games and arcade games either. For me game physics is more important than graphics in racing games . Sometimes I like to go back to playing very good old games . Today I think that people very ofen focus only on graphics but this mistake.
To be a professional driver was one of my childerhood dreams. Last time I bought my father race in sport car and he was very happy.
Unknown said…
Yes, simracing is great for people who likes fast cars. And because it is much much cheaper than real life racing many more people can afford it. I think everybody who is good at simracing would like to at least try real life racing, even when he knows it is very dangerous. In my opinion it is not much more dangerous than driving real life car on street. It is very rare to die on race track. There are many securities to prevent you from hurting yourself.
Unknown said…
Without those simulation gadgets it is really hard to play simulation games. But sometimes you can play even on gamepad, but it is really hard. And the feeling in racing sim is close to feeling to being on race track, but you have to remember that you don't feel the gravity forces. In case you would want to feel closer to reality you would have to buy special chair.
Unknown said…
Some racing sims are not cheap. For example iRacing. It wants for every car and track about 12 dollars and moreover 12 dollars every moth. But there are cheaper simulators. You can buy one Asseto Corsa and be happy simracing driver(without any DLC). But of course you have to have a good racing wheel. And it costs much. But once you buy it you are good to go. In simulators physics is crucial if you are thinking of being a real race driver. Did your father played any racing simulator before? Did you compare his laptime with others? Maybe he would like driving gocarts? They are much cheaper that driving real life sports car.
Unknown said…
1. It's interesting form me :)
I play racing simulators because I don't like arcade games :(
Better modeled physics. Where you crashing cars and you see how part of cars flies.I prefer playing with my friend on better modeled physics. Where you crashing into cars and you see how part of cars flies, dents, skids. It's cool :)
I would not be a professional racing driver because it's dangerous.
Unknown said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said…
I recall some game where you crash cars. I think it is some edition of FlatOut. For me playing arcade games is a waste of time. It can teach a little of real world. When someone is playing racing sim he can be tough to beat at real race track, and even on gocarts.
Unknown said…
Well, I've played a lot of racing games but all of them were arcades (like Flatout 2, Need for Speed series, Burnout: Paradise City, Split/Second, Blur, etc.). And some of them had so bad physics (btw, Split/Second has the worst one) that it was even hard to play despite all the benefits that game had(yes, Split/Second, it's all about you).
As for me simracing is a kind of hardcore racing game, but I think that actually this is a way to train your driving skills without going outside(especially if you have driving chair, steering wheel and pedals).
No, I don't want to be a professional driving racer, but of course I want to participate in a real racing at least one time :)
Magdalena Popek said…
I think if you're passionate about racing games simracing can take the game to the next level. Physics applied in such simulators can make a game more challenging than a regular game.
I played Richard Burn's Rally a few times when I was a child but since then I've been playing only arcade games.
As an arcade game player I don't require any oh-my-gosh-so-real phycics. Graphics is quite important to me.
I love driving, especially when it's a long trip, but I wouldn't like to be a professional driver. It's really dangerous and you have to completely devote yourself to it.
Andrzej Gulak said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said…
I don't enjoy racing simulators maybe it's because I've never had a proper racing setup at my house. Paying thousands of zlotych only for a steering wheel controller is a little bit too much for me. And you need special a seat and so on, and so on.
You can blame me, but I used to like games like Need For Speed Carbon or NFS Most Wanted in which you were chasing by the police etc.
In racing games I'm looking for both, graphics and physics. If game is well written, present GPUs and CPUs can handle all the calculations. Unfortunately I haven't yet found any game in which engine and exhaust sounds are satisfactory.
I don't want to be a racing driver however I'd like to know how to race just for fun.
Unknown said…
I onced played ardace Need for Speed 2016. It had completely unrealisic physics and way of driving. But I liked fun which it gave me. I could turn 90 degrees by car at almost full speed.
Unknown said…
The Richard Burn's Rally from 2004 is still best simulator of rally. But lately iRacing also implemented rallycross and dirt ovals and in my opinion it is very close to real.
This comment has been removed by the author.
Honestly,i have never tried simracing, but i want to do it. I used to play a lot of interesting games on SEGA,DENDI and computer games. As i remember, also i used to try play machines in shopping malls, but i didn't have a satisfaction of it.
Hard to choose, but i prefer both: better graphics AND better modeled physics in racing games.
No way, i prefer driving car instead. Realistic games are more suitable and interesting for me.
Marcin Górski said…
Simracing is very interesting because people can feel like professional drivers. It can be good option to spend time and money :) I've heard conversation where one guy said that he paid a lot of money for the simracing accessories! Three monitors, special kind of armchair etc..
Car racing is not my kind of computer games but I've played Need for Speed series.
I can't choose only option! I think that both are important. I love to watch beautiful graphics and realistic modeled physics.
It's to late for being professional racing driver for me :) I would like to be programmer and it's my plan! Car driving is my hobby but nothing more.
Vladlen Kyselov said…
I enjoy playing good racing simulators. But I prefer street racing over some legal kinds of car competition. The best race simulator game that I`ve ever played was Dirt 3. At that time when I have played that game I have even bought a game racing pedals and steering wheel to feel that racing atmosphere as much as it was possible. If I would have an opportunity to drive sport car even for 5 minute I will never ever miss such an opportunity. I even have a dream to buy in future sport car tune it a little and enjoy driving every moment of my entire life.
Tomasz Morawski said…
I've never been into racing simulators. It's kind of boring genre for me - I prefer something less realistic and I'm not really into cars.
I believe most of the fans of simracing prefers physics over graphics, but to be honest it's probably both - you won't be able to immerse into a game if its graphics is garbage.
I don't think I'd like to be professional racing driver. I'm not a big fan of cars and it' too dangerous for me.
Zygmunt Z said…
I've always loved any type of racing, when I was a child I used to play almost every race game that was on the market- both simulators and arcade versions such as Need for Speed. Right now, I don't play very often but when I do, then it has to be the one and only Forza Motorsport, I guess it is the only game that I play. But I don't have any special footwear or gravity force chair, all I need is a game pad. I had a steering wheel but I sold it. When it comes to graphics or physics - I guess the combination of both is the perfect scenario but if I had to choose then it would be physics. And finally, if I could I would do anything to become a racecar driver but right now I guess it is too late, the only option is any amateur league or you have to be Lance Stroll whose father pays aorund 30 million dollars to Williams so that his son can race in their team
Unknown said…
I would like to try play any racing simulator but unfortunetely I didn't have occasion to try it. I feel that it would be really exciting feeling. I think that we should expect also good graphic which can let you feel realism and also good modeled physics. I wouldn't like to be a professional racing driver. It is exciting but I don't feel that it would be the best option for my career. :)
Unknown said…
Racing simulators are my favourite game genre, even though I do like some more arcade-y racing games as well. Usually I play Assetto Corsa and Dirt Rally, but also Forza Motorsport 6 and Forza Horizon 3 (Horizon is more of an arcade game but it's just so much fun!). Apart from Horizon 3, which I play with my gamepad (lazy couchgaming mode on), I play all the games on a Thrustmaster TX with Ferrari 599 Alcantara wheel, T3PA (3-pedal setup) and TH8A (manual gearbox with 7 gears + reverse). Once I move out to my own apartament I'll most probably get a racing seat to match the set. I do not use boots nor a gravity force chair, I reckon these are things you get when racing in real life. I did some racing back when I lived in Sweden and I plan on taking it up as soon as I'm done with my studies. Right now I sadly don't have enough time to combine it with my studies and work.

When it comes to the graphics vs physics debate - I do love beautiful games, therefore do I play both Assetto Corsa, which isn't very beautiful but very realistic, as well as the Forza series, which are georgeous (Horizon 3 and Motorsport 7 do both support 4K natively, so they are true eye-candies. If I really had to choose, I'd say graphics, because I can always get into a real car if I want really true physics :)
I literlly has zero experience with simracing. I heard a story (not sure if it's 100% true) about young Robert Kubica who participated in some kind of racing game tournament. The fun part about this story is the fact that he trained for it about 2 weeks before the tournament and the rest of his opponents were playing this game for years. The last racing game i played was famous Need For Speed Most Wanted many years ago and i didn't have any special equipment except keyboard and mouse.
Unknown said…
1. I consider simracing as a versatile product. It addresses needs of different groups of consumers. Simulators are widely used by professional racing teams to improve or maintain racing skills of their drivers during and after the season. Those teams can save a lot of money by using simulators instead of organizing training sessions on track. Racing simulators are also very helpful for drivers recovering after serious accidents and let them to practice in friendly environment when their physical condition does not allow them to drive real cars. I think that was the case of Robert Kubica when he was recovering after his accident in 2011 and was trying to come back to professional racing. Another target group are racing fans who want to feel like professional racing drivers and often it is the only way for them to drive racing or rally car.
2. When I was a kid I loved all the games related to cars. I‘ve played pure arcade games like “Destruction Derby” and great “Need for Speed: Porsche”. I’ve also played great “Colin McRae 2.0” which can be treated as half-simulator as the physics there was quite realistic. I have never played a pure simracing game but I would like to try it in the future.
3. Of course I prefer better physics over better graphics as this what all the racing and rally games are all about for me.
4. It was my child’s dream to become racing or rally driver but dreams not always come true. However, I am still hoping I can afford a sport car and visit race track like Nurburgring during open trackdays.
Unknown said…
What do you think about simracing?
I very like that kind of games. I thin the better the more realistic it is.
Do you play racing simulators or only arcade games? If you play racing simulators then what do use to play it? Do you have  special boots or a simulating gravity force chair?
Lastly I used to play Gran Turismo Sport, but some days I also played Forza motosport. But I also like to play arcade racing games like NFS etc. I almost every time play on simple game controller. I think that would be fun to play in gravity force chair, but I had no chance to do that, yet.
Do you prefer better graphics or better modeled physics in racing games?
In racing games I prefer physic model. Graphics is a cherry on top of that game.
Would you like to be a professional racing driver?
I think it is a dream of many people and for me too, but in my case I sometimes spend some recreational time on the track.
Foodocado said…
Simracing is a great thing, people can feel like professional drivers. It can improve our driving skills either. Friend of mine owned the steering wheel. Once I played with it and next day I bought one for myself. It's not the cheapest but it's worth the price. Usually I play Project Cars. I think good graphics doesn't exclude good modeled physics. I would love to try simracing using VR.
Jakub Lisicki said…
I think that simracing is a great thing both in terms of an entertainment and practice. I loved both arcade and simracing games when I was a kid. I didn't have a setup which allowed me for an accuarate simracing, but I had much fun anyway.
I don't really play any racing games anymore. I think I would still find it entertaining, but it costs too much now to have a real fun and get a real experience. I can still play it with gamepad or keyboard alone, but in this case I prefer to play FPS or RPG games.
I think that I'm one of the people who enjoy the graphics more than the reality experience. That's because I don't have the right environment to benefit from games that put so much pressure on making the game as real as possible. What I wouldn't mind is an average quality (in terms of graphics) VR game. I think I would have fun anyway, as long as my eyes wouldn't hurt from that.
I would like to try real life racing. Not as a professional, but I would surely like to drive a sports car on some professional racetrack.
Unknown said…
I have never tried simracing. Well, maybe once, it was a VR simulator and for me it was very hard, although I am a good driver, I failed with that simulation. Whether it was really hard, or just my skills are to low for rally driving, but I couldn't control the wheel. But I would have such simulator at home, I will spend lot's of time playing it, because I like the idea. For me - physics are more important than graphics, but it would be great to have both:)
I used to be a fan of NFS, it is another kind of fun, but I played with my friends and that was the moments, when you don't really think about physics, but about the competition. But it would be great to try it on simulator.
Some of my friends are racing drivers, so I am very into that kind of hobby, but I have never tried that myself. Maybe one day when I will be older and have more time I will give it a try, I would love to.
Unknown said…
It's a grea thing! You can really improve your driving skills etc. My roommate own one driving set(pedals, steeringwheel and shifter) and we're playing a lot. In my opinion simulators are a lot better, it's more natural.
I prefer better modeled physics. We're always playing Assetto Corsa.
Maybe not a professional racing driver, but I'd love to have some drift car ;).

I think simulation racing is very interesting and I love it myself. I played on all kinds of simulators, unfortunately never on professional. I love car racing, and their combination with simulators gives a lot more fun. A brilliant solution would be to build a simulator that would give the effect of driving in a real car. It would be possible to test various types of maneuvers and teach drivers. I would like to be a professional driver, unfortunately I don't have time for that.
Unknown said…
1.Not good for me for a long drive butfor few laps it's okay.
2.I rarely play any racing games as i prefer RPG's and FPS's.
3.Both are equally important for me.
4.I could give it a shot but i'm not all fired up for it.
Unknown said…
The good thing about Need For Speed is that it doesn't require wheel and even gamepad to play. You can just play it with your keyboard and have fun. I think 2 weeks is enough to get used to track and car. But he must have some experience with driving before. Almost every very good driver starts with gocars, and I think Robert also started from gocarts.
Unknown said…
We all have our hobbies and the most liked genres of games. But you have little chance on survival on war by playing FPS.(Much more if you play "Sniper Elite"). Many people started their careers at real race tracks after training at simulators. For me it is pleasure to know that I have the ability to go on race track and after few laps get used to it and have a good time.
Unknown said…
Glad that somebody is playing simulators here:). Only few here. I recommend you to try also Euro Track Simulator 2. I play it also. You can learn to to drive truck, and how to park it properly. I play it also. In Trucks and Trailers you can take part in competition and park truck on time. I am really into simulators and very like them.
Unknown said…
When I started simracing I also couldn't know how to drive. I was one of the worst. Rear wheels kept spinning and I couldn't take control of the car. But I practiced a lot and now I have decent times in time attack. But I neglected my racecraft and I am still very poor driver at racing with others.
Unknown said…
I think that simracing is fantastic, propably you can feel like professional driver. Unfortunelly I was not able to test it. I'm just playing arcade games. If you are asking me about graphic or physic would choose physics. Acually today I'm not professional driver but maybe some day I give it a try, who knows.
I'm not a competitive person, so I prefer games I can relax with. There are however plenty of people who do enjoy competing with others, and what they want is a kind of game described as "easy to learn, hard to master". A game with really low entry skill required, so you can easily get into it, but with no real skill ceiling, meaning there is no limit to how good you can get at playing it. One of such games is StarCraft, a game with so much depth, it basically became the national sport of choice in South Korea.

A question of graphics is an interesting one. At a competitive level you want to play the game with highest possible draw distance (how far away can you see), but with minimal possible graphics settings. The reasons for this are twofold. One, it let's you easily spot enemies hiding in bushes and such, and two, it makes the game run much faster and smoother, which is often the difference between victory and loss in split second gunfire exchanges.

On the other hand you want the game to look good enough for people to want to watch it, so what some competitive games allow you to do is to record matches. This way you can play a match with low graphics, and record the whole thing not as a video but as a game replay. Later you can use the game to replay such game with high graphics, which by then doesn't affect the game outcome. Most such games also include additional tools for people to be able to pause, rewind, display additional statistics, and generally commentate the match better and easier.
I think that simulating something in virtual reality is magic. And those simulations that we use for games are only a small part of them. Already now they are used for training and various tests. perhaps in the future, they will capture the world.

I do not play racing simulators. unfortunately, not really like race as a game. I think my hands are crooked. I just do not get to play them. I always come last and bump into every house on my way.

I prefer beautiful computer graphics. If the game is interesting but ugly, I can not long to play it. But if on the contrary, the game is soft but completely dull. Then I also will not play for long. I'm terribly afraid of driving cars. I prefer to be a passenger, so I will never become a rider.
Patryk Pohnke said…
I am very happy that such titles are available on the market even though I haven't played it.
I play only arcade games, simply because I don't have a steering wheel. Playing simulators using keyboard arrows is just total misunderstanding.
I like both, but if I have to choose I prefer better physics.
Most probably I will not be a professional racing driver, but I definitely could be one. I love to drive fast and feel the adrenaline, but on the public roads you can't really push the limits.
There are people out there in the world who love racing so much they cant get enough of it and invest into expensive gear to do so. But hey we all have that one thing we love so much.
Im more of a arcade racing guy when it comes to racing games although i have tried Project Cars title in VR and it was really enjoyable - not my kind of thing though.
U cannot make racing game without decent in game physics nowadays i prefer good graphics, although i still enjoy older titles like Burnout series.
If i wanted to become professional racer i wouldn't have gotten into PJATK :) although it crossed my mind once or twice.

Unknown said…
Simracing is for people who want's to truly feel the car, the track. It's a simulation, so it is as close to reality as it can. Compared to arcade style where it's purely for fun, the Simracing is much more demanding but at the same time much more rewarding.
Oh my, I love RichardBurnsRally! I've played it many times, I even had a driving wheel especially for this game. Best ever game in terms of rally racing/driving. Mastering the rally drivin school with a professional driver Richard Burns (may he rest in peace) teaching you every detail of controlling your car, just awesome. I haven't tried any simracing game since that. Im more into dirt, wrc style than formula one or racing on asphalt in regualr race tracks which most of simracing games are about I guess. In case of a simrace I would value modeled physics more than better graphics but in the end graphics can't scare off. I'd like to be a professional racing driver, sure. The thing about simracing is that you can learn skills and reactions you could apply in a real world situations. The basic ones at least. Kinda cool.
I don’t really like or play racing games, mostly because I really suck at them. However if I played it I would prefer better modeled physics in game than better graphics. Of course graphics are important but in my opinions in racing games, physics are just the most important thing. Would I like to be a professional racing driver? Of course I would!!
Unknown said…
Although I have spent a good part of my childhood with racing simulators - the most popular ones - I do not consider myself a person who's keen on racing. I would not buy special shoes or costumes for racing. I think this is a form of entertainment only.
I actually like arcade style of racing. It's probably because I like games more than just driving a car itself, but I can totally understand appeal of real-life simulation, after all not everybody has opportunity to just race in real life, in fact, barely anyone has.
Wojtek Kania said…
What do you think about simracing?
I like simracing. When I have more free time I used to play on many racing simulators. I have only steering wheel and pedals. I like games that you have spend a lot of time with friends. I wouldn't like to be a proffesional racing driver. I am a IT guy and I like it :)
Unknown said…
Well i tried to ride in simulators but when i finish race i have to stop myself to not vomit. I have a headache and i feel very dizzy so i really prefer race on live.
Like i said i prefer live race so i can feel all physics interaction with me. I feel force chair when i was in simulator but its not comfortable for me
I prefer better graphics because when i race i want to feel like in the real race and in graphics is a lot of to do
Well i think i dont have enoguh skill to do this but they earn a lot of money so why not ;)
Bartosz Łyżwa said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Bartosz Łyżwa said…
Personally I love driving and the same as I love playing games like Euro Truck Simulator :D. I really like simracing and I've tried it few times and every time it was a great feeling. I think it's a great way to experience fast driving, feel slipping car, etc. I used to play Euro Truck Simulator 2 and I've used to play on steering wheel. I prefer better physics rather than graphics.

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