While many of us will look at some of the most coveted cars in the world and simply drool, there’s still opportunities for us to get behind the wheel. I am of course referring to simulations like Forza Motorsport 6. Even if you’re not someone who plays video games, you will be wowed by this year’s upcoming version of this long celebrated racing simulator. All of the
All of the best cars and tracks in the world are realistic modeled in this game for you to take out on a test spin. With how powerful the Xbox One game console is, you’ll really feel like you’re sitting in the driver’s seat. It’s an experience unlike any other.
Today, we’ll preview the recent announcement of the sixth game in the series which debuted at the E3 video game expo on June 15, 2015 with a release date in the fall.
Living Out Your Car Fantasies
Picture this: You just drove a Ferrari GTO at night, in the rain, at the Brand Hatch and you managed to total it. Your bill? A cool $36 million. Lucky for you, it wasn’t real. You can just hit the reset button and try again as if the crash never happened.
When it comes to video games, there are fast-paced arcade type racers, and then there are games like Forza Motorsport that strive for total realism in every aspect of the experience. This series, along with the Sony produced Gran Turismo, provide some of the most realistic racing simulations in the world.
The people responsible are the folks at Turn 10 Studios, a Microsoft owned company. “It’s the most beautiful most technically advanced, biggest game we’ve ever built,” said Dan Greenawalt, the creative director of Turn 10 Studios.
What does this come down to? Well, there are 26 different tracks in the game, each one carefully replicated after their real world counterparts. In addition to this, there are also 450 total cars, 24 of which can race each other at any given time.
Each of the cars have working doors and cockpits. When they are damaged during a race, you’ll see realistic dents and scrapes on the vehicles. You can customize each of the vehicles from the ground up, changing and tweaking anything you like.
Total there are also 148 different track materials that allow for various levels of grip ranging from web grass, to puddles on the tracks. Everything is shown to you in 1080p HD resolution and 60 frames per second speed. Truly it must be seen to be believed.
Feeling the Realism
One hands-on preview from Autoweek described a drive through Brands Hatch at night, during a rainstorm. The game had puddles gathering on the track that would cause you to spin out if you hit them at full speed. In addition the windshield wipers work with realistic accuracy.
“The feeling of claustrophobia you get doing 240 mph just by your headlights. In traditional racing games nighttime looks like a dark day. That’s not what it feels like. Here there’s just those headlights and you’re living by them,” Greenawalt said.
The announcement of the game at Microsoft’s press conference had a real Ford GT concept on stage, along with Henry Ford III to promote the game. On stage, he spoke about the quality of the game “You may not be able to drive a Ford GT at Le Mans, but you can do it in Forza, and I think that’s pretty close.”
The Technology Under the Hood
Simply looking at Forza on the Xbox One, you’ll have to take a second glance to make sure it’s not a real photo. Beyond the high resolution and smooth speed, there’s a lot under the hood that makes everything look and feel so real.
Since Turn 10 is a Seattle based studio, they have a lot of experience with rain and hydroplaning. “Dan hates it when I say this, but we live in Seattle, we know what driving in rain and hydroplaning is like. So when we started getting it right, people would say, ‘yep, this is it,’ it’s not just making the entire track 15 percent more slippery. It’s about picking your line, worry about puddles.”
The developers are looking at how the the visuals and physics of the experience work hand-in-hand to create the ultimate experience that drivers both advanced and novice in level will be able to navigate and feel that realism.
While Forza Motorsport 6 is an incredible racing simulation, it has some competition in the form of Project CARS and Gran Turismo 6. As always though, this kind of competition breeds innovation that ultimately benefits car fans everywhere. Whether you play video games or not, these simulations are the real deal.
