The Evolution of Sim Racing Part 2: Milestone Titles for Consoles

The 1990s saw a significant boost in console gaming research, leading to the release of iconic and groundbreaking titles. One of the most influential was the PlayStation 1 (1994). With over 100 million units sold, the PlayStation 1 established Sony as a dominant force in the gaming industry, paving the way for future PlayStation consoles. It marked a turning point that transformed gaming into a global phenomenon.

The PS1 abandoned cartridges in favor of CD-ROMs, which offered significantly more storage (700 MB compared to the limited megabytes of cartridges). This enabled the development of more complex games with advanced 3D graphics, orchestral soundtracks, and full-motion video sequences.

For racing simulation enthusiasts, the PS1 became home to one of the most defining games in the genre: Gran Turismo.

Developed by Polyphony Digital, Gran Turismo was released in 1997 in Japan and 1998 in Europe and North America. This title revolutionized racing simulations with features that had never been seen before on consoles:

• Unprecedented car physics simulation.
• Realistic differences in weight, traction, acceleration, and braking for each vehicle.
• Ability to tune car setups, including suspension, gear ratios, brakes, and more.
• Over 140 licensed cars from brands like Aston Martin, Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mitsubishi, Subaru, and Chevrolet.
• Faithful representation of both street and racing cars, not just concept models or supercars.
• Introduction of driving licenses, a mandatory challenge to unlock advanced races.

The 3D car models were highly detailed for PS1 standards, and the game featured realistic circuits with lighting effects and reflections on the cars, adding depth and dynamism to the driving experience. Enhancing the immersion, Gran Turismo boasted an epic soundtrack, featuring rock and electronic tracks from The Chemical Brothers, Manic Street Preachers, and Feeder.

Gran Turismo inspired several rival franchises, with Forza Motorsport being the most notable.

Developed by Microsoft exclusively for Xbox, Forza Motorsport was released in 2005. The original Xbox, launched in 2001, aimed to compete directly with Sony’s PlayStation. Four years later, alongside the release of Gran Turismo 4, Microsoft introduced Forza Motorsport. With its blend of realism, advanced tuning, and visible car damage, it quickly became a benchmark for console racing simulations.

Key Features:

• A detailed physics engine simulating realistic traction, acceleration, and braking behavior.
• Tire wear and fuel consumption mechanics, crucial for longer races.
• Visible car damage affecting gameplay, a feature missing in Gran Turismo.
• Over 230 licensed cars from brands like Ferrari, Porsche, BMW, Honda, and Chevrolet.
• Each car had a unique physics model, affecting its handling on the road.
• Extensive tuning system, allowing upgrades to the engine, brakes, suspension, turbo, and aerodynamics.
• A livery editor for custom paint jobs and designs, which became a signature feature of the series.

Forza Motorsport was one of the first racing games with a stable online multiplayer mode via Xbox Live. It supported online races for up to eight players, with global leaderboards and dedicated tournaments. This online feature established Forza as a highly competitive platform in the racing simulation genre.

Both Gran Turismo and Forza Motorsport played pivotal roles in shaping modern racing simulations. While Gran Turismo set the foundation for realistic driving experiences on PlayStation, Forza Motorsport pushed the envelope with car damage, deep customization, and robust online multiplayer on Xbox. This rivalry has continued for decades and still persists today, driving innovation and raising the standards of the racing game genre.