rFactor racing sim coming soon

Imagespace Inc (ISI) has been developing racing sims for quite a while. They have produced several of EA’s very popular titles, including the very poplular F1 Challenge and Nascar Thunder series. Now ISI has, they say, compiled all of the lessons learned in a new product entitled rFactor.

Check out the features:

http://www.rfactor.net/index.php?page=features

And some screenshots:

http://www.rfactor.net/index.php?page=wip

ISI has an rFactor “multiplayer test” available on their site which was used both as a preview to generate enthusiasm in the race sim community, and also to stress test the online engine. I spent a few weeks getting to “know” the demo’s Taban racetrack and its small sedans (there are three classes), and it was by far the most enjoyable race sim experience I have had since I started with Ferrari GP on my Mac SE30.

Every sim will have its critics, but I really believe that most of the “it doesnt feel real” claims for most sims come from not working to find steering ratios and steering linearity, and total steering lock settings that match an individual’s hardware and driving style. It takes work, much like testing racecar setups, and is only gratifying once you get it right. I was reading Tune to Win (one of several “To Win” books by legendary race engineer Carroll Smith) in the middle of my rFactor demo “phase”, and was reading about differential settings. How I had the differential set in rFactor was somewhat contrary to what I had read, so I booted the game, made the change according to the book and went 1/2 second a lap faster immediately. Coincidence? I honestly don’t think so.

rFactor is being built with mod makers in mind (see “Open Architecture” section of the features list), which is why you see screen shots of both sedans and open wheel cars. Unlike many other sims that have been modded by third parties, I gather that ISI is more interesting in giving users the right tools to control the performance envelope of the mods they choose to allow in their online races, rather than building barriers to editing that have never historically retained their resiliency. The great “Grand Prix Legends” sim of 1998 ultimately was ultimately ruined as an online sim when the modders began enabling cheating in the name of creativity.

ISI is distributing this one direct via internet and you can prepay for your unlock code via Paypal. I like this as I do not have to shake my head at the EBGames guy when he asks if I want to buy the disk warranty.