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An Overview of Racing Games, Simulation & Simulators.
Driving Games

Racing games have grown in two directions.  Console based, such as PS3 and Xbox 360 or PC based with Microsoft Windows.

Car and race games have been about since the first consumer level graphics appeared in the 70’s.  The original car race game history is covered in Wikipedia.  Since then companies such as Papyrus Software produced iconic games Indianapolis 500: The Simulation. This race game set a bench mark for what were consider driving games.

Simulation and simulator hardware has progressed so professional level tools, such as VisionRacer, are affordable to gamers and professional race drivers. rFactor software for instance is both an entry level racing game and also used by professional car racing teams. SimRoom has clients who use the VisionRacer VR3 hardware and rFactor for race set up testing. On the Playstation 3 by Sony, the premier car race game or simulator game is Gran Turismo 5 software or GT5 for short.  Over 60 million copies of Playstation's Gran Turismo 5 have been sold.   Electronic Art’s produce the race game series Need for Speed. The series has sold in excess of 100 million copies.  Shift 2 Unleashed was positioned as a cross over to more simulation based handling.

Gran Turismo 5 is described by Polyphony Digital as; "the driving game simulator".  The term game simulator is a cross over technology from traditional large platform industrial rigs. The 1080P HD 3D capable graphics output makes the racing game immersive.  Add this software to quality hardware and the sensation is described as fully engaging.
What is a simulator?

A simulator is a combination of software and hardware.  The PlayStation or Xbox hand controllers do not give the same feel as a Logitech, Fanatec or Thrustmaster wheel and pedals.  Supporting hardware technology with chassis motion from companies like D-BOX Products are now making home based car racing accessible and affordable.   Steering wheel force feedback is now standard in race games and simulator software.  The wheels react to the road or track undulations and forces applied to the wheel.  Each element adds incrementally to the simulation of the real world.

The handling models fidelity defines a race game from a simulation.

Race Drivers  The ability to develop real world skill from a racing game or better described as a simulation is now proven. Read Jordan Williams or Dean Cockerton Race Driver account of what a VisionRacer system has done for their race careers.
Online Racing

The online driving game genre has been about since the 90’s with limitations of the number of cars and display graphics.

An online race, using the latest games simulation software, has racing cars of today and yesteryear match in realistically large fields.   The tracks of a modern online race are lazer scanned and precisely produced.

Gran Turismo has had an active online racing facility.  Most companies are using the Internet to link players.  Some titles also support network or LAN play.

iRacing is a US based racing game which is truly the racers game and available as free game download. This video explains iRacings validity of their physic's handling model.



New companies like Ignite in San Francisco are building new community based online racing platforms. This is via a revived site called Simraceway. There is a growing number of online racing leagues.  Various genres and classes are contested.   One example is supporte by VisionRacer is the Trans Tasman series.  The cars are clothed in team liveries.
Racing Games or Software

Software to operate the console or PC hardware comes traditionally on CD disks or as file downloads.

Corporations such as Sony, Electronic Arts ("EA"), Codemasters, Ubisoft, Atari and Microsoft have produced high volume selling titles. Studio's are formed much like movies production houses for the productions.

Sony Entertainments Gran Turismo series has sold in excess of 60m units across versions. Only PlayStation has been supported. Poliphony Digital are based in Japan and are legendary for their innovation and dedication. PlayStation has embraced wheel technologies as part of their "real simulator" approach.

EA has produced the Need for Speed series. Sales have claimed to exceed 100m.   The 15 titles have been seen as "Archade" or more "gaming" versus simulation. Need for Speed: Shift 2 is claimed to be a simulation. X BOX, PS3 and PC are supported.

Codemasters have a long history in leading software titles. The rally title DiRT has been a hit since its release in 2007.   Sales units have passed 2m for the franchise.   Codemasters physics engine is also used in F1 2010 and the next version, F1 2011. X BOX, PS3 and PC are supported.

Microsoft has one contended with Forza Motorsport. Sales exceed 4m. units for both Forza 2 & 3. The next version Forza Motosport 4 is a direct competitor to GT5. The Turn 10 studio produces the product for the X BOX only.   Microsoft has enabled the Kinnect technology with Forza. Wheel technology has been the weakness of the titles.   Companies such Fanatec have brought out wheels which support and enhance the Microsoft based experience.