Esports is becoming more and more popular by the day, and it’s no longer surprising to see racing simulators becoming common. Professional racers, including Formula 1 drivers, have started to use racing simulators to practice their driving and to become familiar with the tracks. The closeness to reality provides them with practice at the comfort of their homes.
With the increased popularity, there are now professional simulator racing leagues like the F1 Esports Series. On the same note, with talented simulator racers now being drafted into the real world of racing, you might consider getting a stimulator for yourself.
Image Source: iStock
In this article, we will take a detailed look into different simulators available in the market and answer some frequently asked questions.
Things to consider before buying one
- Compatibility
Ideally, you should go for a racing simulator cockpit that is compatible with multiple platforms and accessories so you won’t have to worry about buying a system that you might not be able to use. While most of them work well with PCs and Desktops, not all work great with gaming consoles.
- Display Size
If your racing simulator comes with a screen or any other display, you should first measure the size of the area in which you plan to install the system. There would be no reason to buy a system that does not fit comfortably in your house.
- Feedback
Physical feedback is a very important aspect of racing simulators. If you are looking to get the best out of your simulator, you must get one that has a vibration option available. If it does not, you might not get the feeling of the road underneath – the essence of the simulator – which ruins the whole customer experience.
- Installation
Different simulators install differently. Most of them come at a huge pacing because of their size and aren’t so easy to assemble or install. Before buying one, make sure you’ve got access to the labor that could help you put it up in your room.
- Pc or Console
Simulator racers who play on PC typically have 2 main reasons:
- PC provides the user with more wheel/pedal support.
- It also offers a wider variety of compatible games. Some of the high-end wheels are available on PC only.
This decision is as important as the games you want to play, and whether or not you will be able to compete frequently with other simulator racers will be determined by the choice you make. Many simulator racers, including many professional racers, generally prefer iRacing due to the realistic feel it offers and the large number of active users. If you plan on frequently racing with others, then the PC-only title might be the better choice for you.
Best Brands
- Next Level
When it comes to gaming chairs, Next Level Racing offers gamers an experience like no other. Their wide range of simulator racing hardware provides such an amazing user experience that urges hardcore racing gamers to opt for it over any other.
Image Source: NextLevel
- GT Omega
GT Omega is also considered to be a highly recommended, popular gaming chair and sim racing cockpit manufacturer. They make everything from standalone gaming chairs, simulator racing rigs, wheel stands, drive wheels. In short, anything you would need to have a fantastic gaming experience is found at GT Omega.
Image Source:GTOmega
- Vivo
Vivo is another excellent brand that manufactures and stocks a wide range of products in this niche. However, their racing cockpits offer a more compact and comfortable layout for those who consider comfort to be their priority.
Games
Many popular simulator racing titles are available on Steam, the PS4 or Xbox online stores, or even Amazon. Here’s a list of some titles that are commonly used in gaming simulators:
- Project Cars 2
- Assetto Corsa
No one can deny the fact that there’s hardly a more loved simulator racing game than Assetto Corsa. Developed by a small company called Kunos Simulazioni, Assetto Corsa is considered to be the gold standard in force feedback, and driving feel for all simulator racing games.
- Gran Turismo Sport
For PlayStation 4 users, Gran Turismo Sport is probably the most popular racing game available in the market. In addition to the active user base, this popular racing game offers a large number of cars and tracks and even an online racing championship that has been sanctioned by the FIA.
- F1 2020
If you’re a Formula 1 fan, you would not want to miss out on F1 2020. This is the official video game of the 2020 FIA Formula One World Championship. This year’s title has an additional feature that sees the inclusion of F2, allowing players to complete the 2019 season and establish their reputation before stepping into the F1 Championship.
If you are thinking of buying a racing game simulator, you should know that the cost of the setup can vary widely. For the budget, you’ll be looking at between USD 1,000-1,200, while on the higher end, it might cost around USD 5,000-8,000. Some professional simulator racing rigs can even cost above USD 35,000. Whether or not you should invest in a racing setup is a matter of personal preference.
If you consider yourself to be a casual gamer, it’s probably not worth all the money. Although, if you are a hardcore racing gamer, it may just be what you need to take your gaming experience to the next level. Racing simulators have proven to enhance your immersion. By engaging your whole body and providing you with physical feedback, it makes you feel like you are actually in the race. As a hardcore racing game lover, what more could you possibly need?
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