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Simraceway was an online racing simulation that hosted live, multiplayer racing events. The race environment was developed by Ignite Game Technologies, Inc. The service used a client-server software model similar to popular online games such as World of Warcraft allowing the racing environment to be continually updated.
| Simraceway | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Ignite Game Technologies |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows |
| Genre(s) | Racing |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, online multiplayer, multiplayer |
Simraceway allowed racers to compete online for free or prize-based competitions monitored by professional race marshals who encouraged fair, competitive racing. The service was free to join and went into full release in November 2011. The servers were shut down on August 14, 2016.
Gameplay
editSimraceway offered multiplayer auto racing over the internet and used laser scanned tracks for millimeter accuracy of the racing surface to provide a realistic experience. The environment also used unique skill quantification technology to enable highly accurate player skill matching. The platform was designed for both amateur and professional racing drivers.
Professional consultants
editTwo individuals with experience in autosport racing were consultants in developing the game in 2011. In August, two-time Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon signed on to the Simraceway team to help design the gameplay experience and develop the physics engine.[1] In October, Dario Franchitti signed on to the Simraceway team to help with the design of the tracks, cars and overall gameplay experience.[2]
Tracks
editIn addition to original blueprints of many tracks, developers used laser scanning technology to achieve millimeter-accurate precision track recreations.[citation needed] Simraceway featured 30 laser scanned and fictional circuits, such as Mid-Ohio, Daytona International Speedway, Brno and more.[3]
Licensing
editIgnite Game Technologies signed deals to include modern and historic licensed content from a variety of car and racing brands including Bentley, Bugatti, Ford, Mitsubishi, Saleen and Volkswagen. Models included F1, Indycar & GT race cars as well as various street cars. In November 2011 Simraceway licensed the entire catalogue (60) of McLaren group vehicles (both F1 and automotive divisions). For realism, vehicles were laser scanned and custom sound recorded.[4]
Peripherals
editIn November 2011 SteelSeries and Simraceway formed a partnership to release the "SteelSeries Simraceway SRW-S1" steering wheel,[5] an officially branded, motion sensing steering wheel.
Racing facility
edit
In August 2011, Simraceway teamed up with Jim Russell driving school and opened a 30,000 square-foot performance driving facility at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif.[6] It offers 70 vehicles ranging from Karts to the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution to a fleet of custom-built Lola-engineered Formula Three racing cars and is the largest single user of Infineon Raceway.
References
edit- ^ Wheldon to Help Develop New Online Racing Sim. http://www.crash.net/indycar/news/172028/1/wheldon_to_help_develop_new_online_racing_sim.html
- ^ Simraceway Adds Champion Dario Franchitti to Development Team. "Simraceway Adds Champion Dario Franchitti to Development Team". Archived from the original on 2011-10-18. Retrieved 2011-10-30.
- ^ "Simraceway". www.simraceway.com. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
- ^ Simraceway, McLaren team up for free multiplayer video game http://www.autoweek.com/article/20111103/CARNEWS/111109926
- ^ Who needs feet? SteelSeries Simraceway SRW-S1 steering wheel puts pedals at your fingertips https://www.engadget.com/2011/11/18/who-needs-feet-steelseries-simraceway-srw-s1-steering-wheel-put/
- ^ Simraceway Establishes Real World Racing Facility at Infineon Raceway http://www.formula1blog.com/2011/08/30/simraceway%E2%84%A2-establishes-real-world-racing-facility-at-infineon-raceway/