How Virtual Reality is Set to Shake up the World of Racing Games

While certainly advanced for the time, these titles pale in comparison to the latest generation of platforms. Racing games or sim racing have now taken on a truly lifelike experience, and more innovations could be just around the corner. Many gaming enthusiasts believe that the next great leap forward will come in the form of virtual reality (VR).

What might this entail for racing games, and how could it lead to an even more enthralling experience? This is a special report for our Formula 1 readers interested in sim racing.

Most racing games come in two main perspectives: top-down and first-person views. However, what if there were a way to enjoy a 360-perspective?

Virtual reality promises to usher in this possibility. Not only will this provide an entirely new take on a traditional genre, but it should allow developers to craft even more immersive digital environments.

The only possible issue here is that the vast majority of VR games (at least the first few iterations) are likely to require the user to be wearing a virtual reality headset. The Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive are two examples of models currently available on the market.

However, some headsets can be cumbersome to manipulate due to their size, as well as the presence of wires that must remain attached to the console. Analysts believe that new approaches could lead to lightweight designs that employ wireless technology; a massive leap forward.

There may even come a day when this type of hardware can be purchased with a standard PlayStation card. This should attract a wider base of players, and introduce younger racing fans to the possibilities.

Although virtual reality gaming is still developing (at least at the moment), it is a foregone conclusion that these systems should be commonplace in the coming years. Still, we need to remember that cost will play an important role.

Prices must be competitive so that the systems appeal to a wide demographic. Furthermore, some players might still enjoy classic top-down games. However, there is little doubt that VR is here to stay.

This is good news for fans of F1 racing, and nearly every other genre. Offering a one-of-a-kind perspective, and providing white-knuckle action, virtual reality truly pushes the pedal to the metal when it comes to fast-paced gaming excitement.