Home Entertainment Project CARS aims to replace bits and bytes with true character

Project CARS aims to replace bits and bytes with true character

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Project VROOM

Racing is probably one of my least played game genres. I enjoyed the Need for Speed franchise a while back, but I’ve never been one for the more hardcore side of things. If you are though, you have probably been keeping a firm eye on Project CARS. We caught up with Stephen Viljoen, the game’s director, and picked his brain on the upcoming racing simulator.

I asked Stephen about the game in general, their connection with the professional racing scene, as well as the game’s community. Do excuse my verbal diarrhoea. I like, say like a lot.

For those who can’t watch, I’ll give you a brief overview. Project CARS is a Racing game with its flag firmly planted on  the simulation side of things. Slightly Mad Studios want to provide a level of realism that has never been experienced before. Stephen says that racing is organic, and thus, a racing game should be more than just a bunch of bits and bytes. They are building in a level of character into each aspect of the game. For example, in the real world, there may be a hot track. This in turn will affect the grip of the tyres. Project CARS attempts to encapsulate that sort of realism into its engine.

There are some big racing names helping with development too. For example, Ben Collins, who has not only been a professional driver for years, but has taken the role of Top Gears’ ‘The Stig’ several times. There are also other drivers not affiliated with the development, but that enjoy the game so much that they use it as a form of practice for their races in real life.

The game has been developed with community involvement first and foremost, and would not exist without their constant involvement. The name in itself is a giveaway, as CARS stands for Community Assisted Racing Simulator. Stephen told me how normally, games are developed to the point that they are somewhat playable before developers get the community involved for feedback. This is not the case with Project CARS, which has involved the community from day 1, and had over 80 000 people giving feedback right from the get go. The game is designed by gamers, for gamers.

There is no official release date just yet, as the publishers want to make sure the timing is perfect. The game will be landing on every current gen platform, even the Wii U, which I think is rather nice as Nintendo’s console tends to get little love these days.

As a non petrol head, I can honestly say that I am intrigued. This may be the game that racing fans have been waiting for. It certainly looks and sounds spectacular.

Last Updated: October 14, 2014

25 Comments

  1. Why is the guy with no interest in cars or racing games doing to the interview with the biggest racing game that is up and coming?

    Reply

    • Ceyber, Hans

      October 14, 2014 at 19:07

      It’s nice to hear an outside and therefore fresh perspective. Racing games have unfortunately become a dying breed recently and Project Cars looks to change that.

      Nice article monsieur chou 😉

      Reply

    • Gavin Mannion

      October 15, 2014 at 15:26

      Because our go to car person wasn’t available

      Reply

      • SauRoN

        October 15, 2014 at 15:45

        Oh would that be Ognipode mucking about in Durban? I see the problem yes.

        Reply

  2. Michael Harmse

    October 14, 2014 at 17:49

    This looks super promising. I am a real life racing fan, but I haven’t seriously played any racing sims in the last decade. For me at least, I find most racing games to be retread of what came before with better graphics and more cars. Incremental improvements and generally samey. This does look truly next level. The lengths they’ve gone to to do this right is extremely impressive. I’m definitely gonna buy it.

    Reply

  3. Texas Racing

    October 14, 2014 at 17:56

    Project cars is out on xbox one ps4 and pc Nov 18 in US and Nov 21 in Europe ad SA. Cant wait for this its gonna be awsome.
    Ps Is Mr Viljoen South African?

    Reply

    • Dark

      October 14, 2014 at 18:40

      Yeap from the little town of Hermanus.

      Reply

    • SauRoN

      October 14, 2014 at 20:54

      Also wondering about that as he stated there is no release date yet…but it’s been announced ages ago.

      Reply

  4. Maxiviper117

    October 14, 2014 at 18:43

    Tried out Project CARS at RAGE, this past weekend using a seat and steering wheel setup up, suffice to say, I was more than impressed, drove a 2 lap race in a pack of Prosche GT3 RSR’s on a wet rack. Uber simulation right there, felt every bump, slip, rattle and slide through the wheel, coming out the corners full throttle had to fight the steering wheel to keep the car straight in the wet. impressed. too bad the good racing wheels are hella expensive

    Reply

    • ElimiNathan

      October 14, 2014 at 18:56

      Thats cool to hear dude, what system did you play it on and what wheel were you using ?

      Reply

      • Maxiviper117

        October 14, 2014 at 19:09

        At the show they were running it on a pretty beefy PC, the graphics were crisp. I didnt really take note of the steering wheel, was to focused on driving that Porsche in the wet haha, I think was a Logitech or might of been a thrust master but had some wicked force feedback and paddles.

        Reply

  5. Jaded_Reprobate

    October 15, 2014 at 08:36

    does any1 know if my logitech g27 wheel will ever be compatible with the ps4?

    from what i can read, it’s a no…..

    Reply

    • Robin van Merch

      October 15, 2014 at 09:30

      @ Jaded, its a definitive NO.
      The wheel they used at Rage on Project Cars was a Thrust Master.

      Must add that the competition was was by a GT6 gamer. ex GT academy finalist that went to Silver stone. His verdict on the game was that its a must buy.

      At this stage a Thrust Master is way too expensive thus will I continue to play on my PS3 and leave the PS4 for other games.

      There is a Logitech online petition going around for supporting it on PS4. best sign up

      Reply

      • ElimiNathan

        October 15, 2014 at 09:39

        Ye this really sucks, otherwise will be hooking up PC to the TV

        Reply

      • Jaded_Reprobate

        October 15, 2014 at 10:01

        thanx dude. I did see the petition, will defos sign up…. this is rather annoying, my g27 is a yr old, and it’s maybe been used like 6 times…. don’t want that awesome wheel to go to waste

        Reply

    • WitWolfy

      October 15, 2014 at 12:07

      It is one of the most wanted features on the PSblog. But I doubt it though.

      Reply

      • Jaded_Reprobate

        October 15, 2014 at 12:30

        Just another way Sony is showing how they actually don’t give a fuck about gamers

        Reply

        • Rendor

          October 15, 2014 at 13:37

          Not quite. This is actually more Logitech’s issue. Each Logitech wheel has a security chip in it that can only be countered via drivers on the system. Logitech dont seem keen to play ball with Sony (unless for a large amount of money) and therefore its only sensible for Sony as a business to work with Thrustmaster. The Thrustmaster wheels are awesome but expensive, but if you own a G25 or G27, chances are you were willing to spend money in the first place.

          Reply

          • Jaded_Reprobate

            October 15, 2014 at 15:28

            from what i can read, the ps4 needs said security chip, and logitech doesn’t have it…
            http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-10-01-sony-confirms-wheels-that-work-with-ps4-racer-driveclub

            so yes i think it is sony that is causing kak… if the ps3 was able to handle my g27, i don’t see any decent reason as to why the ps4 can’t… except maybe that Sony as signed some sort of exclusivity deal with Thrustmaster.

            and yes, i have a g27 that however doesn’t mean i have the money to just go out and buy a thrustmaster… if it was that easy, i wouldn’t be so annoyed by this

  6. Sageville

    October 15, 2014 at 09:26

    I split racing games into 2 categories:

    1.) Racing around a track (e.g. Silverstone etc)
    2.) Racing around a map.(e.g. Routes through a city or countryside)

    Which one is Project Cars?

    Reply

    • ElimiNathan

      October 15, 2014 at 09:39

      No 1

      Reply

      • Sageville

        October 15, 2014 at 10:08

        Thanks, I’ll pass then.

        Reply

    • konfab aka derp

      October 15, 2014 at 10:58

      Erm?
      Gran Turismo has both.

      Reply

      • Sageville

        October 15, 2014 at 11:13

        Hmmm, I’m thinking along my likes or dislikes.

        I can’t stand track racing, but I love racing like NFS Underground. But that’s me, personally I put GT under type 1.

        Reply

        • konfab aka derp

          October 15, 2014 at 11:29

          I see, I was getting a bit confused as GT has city tracks..

          Reply

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