Real-time virtual racing against live professionals coming soon
Gaming systems like the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 have advanced graphics capabilities that make racing games look almost like you're doing the real thing. While today's games are everything we've ever hoped for, iOpener Media appears ready to take the next step by letting gamers actually participate in race day. The Netherlands-based company has created a way of utilizing GPS signals of professional drivers from a live event to let gamers go head to head with the world's best on their TVs. Sweet! This technology could very soon give you the ability to participate virtually in a real race, provided that iOpener Media has set up track-side servers to communicate car positioning over the Internet and into your gaming console. The system is so accurate, it can determine the location of every vehicle in the race to within 30 cm. iOpener Media doesn't intend to build the actual games, but it will offer its technology to game developers. It will also provide virtual reality software that blends real and virtual worlds by creating on-the-fly, real-looking crashes and take-over maneuvers that simulate the interaction between real and fake cars.
While such a game would give you a much better experience of racing in a real event, it isn't perfect. For example, Lewis Hamilton will never see you, so he won't react to your every move. Also, any real drivers that run into your virtual open wheel will go on untouched while you fly into a cement barrier. But it's still a new take on driving games, and if it provides enough real-life experience, hard-core gamers will love it. And the best part is that the technology has already been tested with an F1 car, and it could very well be a reality in time for the next Christmas shopping season. Thanks for the tip, Patrick!
[Source: BBC News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
BLS 6:41PM (6/18/2008)
My mind is offially blown. Very cool. Too bad I suck at racing games.
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hashiryu 7:31PM (6/18/2008)
Tell me about. This just has truckloads of Epic Win written all over it.
pmiddle5 6:46PM (6/18/2008)
This would be cool if the cars REACTED to you. Otherwise I mean, kinda neat, but I couldnt be bothered.
Live For Speed is an awesome simulator. Not very realistic looking but amazing dynamics and you play real people. Real racing! Check it out if you want a really fun game
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pmiddle5 6:47PM (6/18/2008)
Scratch that, I would love just seeing how they take their lines.
MachinaDC5 6:52PM (6/18/2008)
Just another step toward training gamers to become Gundam pilots.
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Eric Liberatore 6:55PM (6/18/2008)
I have dreamed of this but never thought it would be created. I'm sure whoever buys this will charge outrageous fees to use it. Whatever it is I'll pay!
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To Brag 9:45PM (6/18/2008)
Makes two of us! Thats brilliant.
joe 6:56PM (6/18/2008)
i really like the idea. that could make race day much more of an event. but, i imagine a game maker would have alot to think about to make a good game based on this technology; e.g., if you crash, is it that you can't play anymore, or do you restart and play thru all the laps again, but now in tivo-ish mode...or, do you just start down the track on the current lap, where you could never catch up to the race leader?
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AkulaX1 7:04PM (6/18/2008)
This is officially th most retarded thing I ever heard of. Give people to prove them selfs in real race cars. Just because you're good in video game doesn't mean anythinggggg.
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Jrejre 7:06PM (6/18/2008)
Uh. . . what? I don't think you read the article.
Jaskanwal Pawar 7:53PM (6/18/2008)
I do believe he did. He made a good point also.
I've known some good friends who were great in karts and smaller formula series, they would obviously need to develop their skills, but they were very capable of being good in an F1 car.
Sadly to enter Formula 1 you have get millions of dollars and rub people's asses with it. You have to be a good driver as well, but that's less important.
Golfa 11:01PM (6/18/2008)
yeah you're clearly missing the point. go back to your hole.
komamura 7:33PM (6/18/2008)
Awwsome Idea, But kinda unfair to the drivers, Since there a disparity in risk VS reward between the driver and the gamer.
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Mr.K 9:17PM (6/18/2008)
True, however, there are limits to simulations. Unless you want to bolt a knife to the steering wheel that stabs you in the eyeball when you crash =/. That's an upgrade I probably won't be paying the extra money for!
This is a GREAT idea though.
arturo 7:44PM (6/18/2008)
this would be really nice. to be playing a game like grand turismo and whenever there is a race in real life you can take your car and try to keep up with the real drivers, that would be really nice i must say.
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Golfa 11:00PM (6/18/2008)
wow. mind mind is also totally blown. sign me up ASAP! I'd pay so much $ for this it's not even funny.
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Brent 11:12PM (6/18/2008)
I plan on getting sponsored for this game! haha!
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bduddy 11:14PM (6/18/2008)
I remember NASCAR doing this a couple years ago. I don't think it lasted long or made much of a splash, so it can't have been very good... or am I the only one that remembers this? Does anyone else know what I'm talking about?
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tankd0g 11:33PM (6/18/2008)
Getting lapped by pro drivers in real time on my very own TV. I'm sure that won't get old.. This could be much more useful as an interactive virtual spectator and I hope some company develops that. Want to know what Kubica is doing but the director is focusing on Kimi? Let's fly on over and follow him for a while.
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Random Task 1:36AM (6/19/2008)
Isn't this just racing a live ghost car? Why couldn't you just record drivers' historic runs at the tracks and compete against them- I mean it's nice to have it happening in real time, but it's not that different from racing a ghost.
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