Motor Authority - blog Tag: games

For the driving simulator fan, the Need for Speed series holds a certain nostalgia as one of the first really fun and engaging car games. For the past 15 years the franchise has expanded on that theme, evolving to a level of realistic graphics and fun-focused gameplay that everyone can get on board with. The latest chapter in the series, Need for Speed: Shift, promises to deliver on the fun while upping the reality factor.

Now with the release of the latest instalment in the series, 'Need for Speed: SHIFT', the franchise is set to become more driver focused, in the same vein as Forza and the GT series. If that wasn't enough to get you... For the driving simulator fan, the Need for Speed series holds a certain nostalgia as one of the first really fun and engaging car games. For the past 15 years the franchise has expanded on that theme, evolving to a level of realistic graphics and fun-focused gameplay that everyone can get on board with. The latest chapter in the series, Need for Speed: Shift, promises to deliver on the fun while upping the reality factor. Now with the release of the latest instalment in the series, 'Need for Speed: SHIFT', the franchise is set to become more driver focused, in the same vein as Forza and the GT series. If that wasn't enough to get you excited, then the contents of a full track and car list for the game has been revealed with some cars and tracks that we are definitely looking forward to testing out. This includes favored testing track, the Nordschleife Nurburgring as well as other race tracks such as Laguna Seca, Road America, Silverstone, and Brands Hatch. Drivers can also race in London and Tokyo, as well as other cities. Developed in conjunction with Slightly Mad Studios, which also worked on the GT Legends and the insanely hardcore GTR2 simulators, the Electronic Arts game will focus on real on-track racing rather than street racing or tuner mods like some previous NFS titles. To help immerse the driver in the game, fully modeled interiors and highly detailed exteriors give a sense of actually being in the car and wheel-to-wheel with the competition. As these screenshots show, the motion blur and lighting are also top-notch. EA has previously announced that the game will be released for sale in the U.S. on September 22, while European fans will be able to buy it five days earlier. Until it hits store shelves, however, we'll have to get by on these still screen shots. Track List Autopolis International Racing Course Ambush Canyon Brands Hatch Dakota Ebisu Circuit Glendale Hazyview Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca London Miytomi Nordschleife Road America Rustle Creek Silverstone Circuit de Spa Francorchamps Tokyo Willow Springs Car List 2006 Aston Martin DBR9 2009 Audi R8 LMS 2008 Audi R8 2008 Audi RS 4 2007 Audi S3 2007 Audi TT 3.2 quattro 2006 Audi S4 BMW M3 E36 BMW M3 E46 BMW M3 E92 2008 BMW 135i Coupé 2009 BMW M3 GT2 2007 BMW Z4 M Coupé 2008 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 2006 Dodge Challenger Concept 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 Vaughn Gittin Jr's 2010 Falken Tire Ford Mustang GT 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 2007 Ford Focus ST 2006 Ford GT 2006 Need For Speed Shelby Terlingua 1996 Ford Escort RS Cosworth 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt SS 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 2006 Honda Civic Si 2000 Honda S2000 2006 Koenigsegg CCX 2008 Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 2007 Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 2007 Lamborghini Reventón 2006 Lotus Elise 111R 2007 Lotus Exige S 2005 Maserati MC12 GT1 2008 Mazda MX-5 2006 Mazda RX-8 1995 Mazda RX-7 1994 McLaren F1 2007 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition 2007 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer EVOLUTION 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer EVOLUTION IX MR-edition 2003 Infiniti G35 (V35) 1997 Nissan 200SX (S14) 2009 Nissan 370Z (Z34) 2006 Nissan 350Z (Z33) 2009 Nissan GT-R SpecV (R35) 2008 Nissan GT-R (R35) 2000 Nissan Silvia (S15) spec.R AERO 1999 Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) 1972 Nissan Skyline 2000GT-R 1992 Nissan 240SX (S13) 2006 Pagani Zonda F 2010 Pagani Zonda R 2008 Porsche 911 GT2 2009 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR 2006 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 2004 Porsche Carrera GT 2007 Porsche Cayman S 2008 Renault Mégane RS 2007 SEAT Leon CUPRA 2006 Subaru Impreza WRX STi 2007 Lexus LF-A Concept 2008 SCION tC 1986 Toyota Corolla GTS (A86) 2008 Volkswagen Scirocco 2006 Volkswagen Golf GTINeed for Speed: Shift screenshots Read More

Many carmakers have ventured into the field of video games, from the Gran Turismo and Need for Speed series to one-off games made for the iPhone and other platforms. Volvo is now joining those ranks with a new game to promote the S60 Concept as well as its racing efforts.

Some of the other vehicles players can choose from include the C30 hatch that's currently competing in the STCC, the previous S60 saloon that also competed in the STCC, the S40 that notched up many notable successes in the BTCC (the British Touring Car Championship), the 850 estate car that became a legend in the BTCC - and finally a true racing classic from the past, a... Many carmakers have ventured into the field of video games, from the Gran Turismo and Need for Speed series to one-off games made for the iPhone and other platforms. Volvo is now joining those ranks with a new game to promote the S60 Concept as well as its racing efforts. Some of the other vehicles players can choose from include the C30 hatch that's currently competing in the STCC, the previous S60 saloon that also competed in the STCC, the S40 that notched up many notable successes in the BTCC (the British Touring Car Championship), the 850 estate car that became a legend in the BTCC - and finally a true racing classic from the past, a 240 Turbo Group A. Made in collaboration with SimBin, producers of some of the world's most realistic and highly-regarded racing simulators, "Volvo - The Game", as it's entitled, offers some legitimate playability in addition to an engaging marketing package. It's an interesting move for Volvo, which as a brand isn't known for its on-track exploits. "When Volvo Cars asked us if we were able to develop a Volvo racing game for PC, suitable for a wide audience and including the new S60 Concept car, we picked up on the challenge straight away, says Henrik Roos, SimBin Studios CEO. "Especially since it was Volvo Cars located in Sweden that was asking. Two Swedish brands that join forces sounded like a perfect match to us." The emphasis being on a wider market than SimBin's typical enthusiast-driven simulator audience hopefully won't strip away the viscerally tactile feeling behind the virtual wheel common to their work. Competition will be a definite element of the game with Volvo publishing an online leaderboard with prizes for the winners. Click here to download it now.Volvo - The Game featuring the S60 ConceptVolvo: The Game second trailer Read More

In an unusually high-tech concept, Mitsubishi is promoting its new Colt with a sort of Internet scavenger hunt. The first user to find and download all the parts of the car, scattered around various BitTorrent sites, will win a free car.

There are 30 parts in total, and the process is centered on the timing of the Barcelona Motor Show, starting May 8. The contest does appear to be limited to Spain, however, so be prepared to travel if you win from another location.

It's definitely a novel concept and an interesting way to get a younger audience interested in the car. Once those techies are hooked, however, Mitsubishi will have to follow... In an unusually high-tech concept, Mitsubishi is promoting its new Colt with a sort of Internet scavenger hunt. The first user to find and download all the parts of the car, scattered around various BitTorrent sites, will win a free car. There are 30 parts in total, and the process is centered on the timing of the Barcelona Motor Show, starting May 8. The contest does appear to be limited to Spain, however, so be prepared to travel if you win from another location. It's definitely a novel concept and an interesting way to get a younger audience interested in the car. Once those techies are hooked, however, Mitsubishi will have to follow through with a properly gadget-friendly vehicle. The little Colt hatch is definitely forward-looking with its diminutive size and 45mpg (5.2L/100km) combined-cycle efficiency rating, but the Internet hardcore that will be seeking this prize out may find its rather Spartan selection of electronics lacking. On the other hand, people that use BitTorrent are definitely fans of free fun, so the Colt could be just what they're after. At any rate, it's a surprisingly fresh idea in the world of car promotion. If you want that Colt, however, you'd better get started - the search is already underway, with 44% of the parts found. Next up is a speedometer. Via: TorrentFreak2009 Mitsubishi Colt officially revealedMitsubishi's 'Download a Colt for Free' game trailer Read More

Imagine going wheel-to-wheel with the champion of the most elite road racing series on earth. Well, that's exactly what Mobil 1 and team Vodafone McLaren Mercedes are looking to do with their latest online challenge.

Assessing technical knowledge, memory, reaction time and driving skill - after a fashion - the online test lets you compare your score to Lewis Hamilton's 10,147 points. According to the champ himself, “Formula One is a sport that demands high performance from its drivers through the ultimate mental and physical tests. It is only by collaborating with partners such as Mobil 1 that we can deliver peak performance on the... Imagine going wheel-to-wheel with the champion of the most elite road racing series on earth. Well, that's exactly what Mobil 1 and team Vodafone McLaren Mercedes are looking to do with their latest online challenge. Assessing technical knowledge, memory, reaction time and driving skill - after a fashion - the online test lets you compare your score to Lewis Hamilton's 10,147 points. According to the champ himself, “Formula One is a sport that demands high performance from its drivers through the ultimate mental and physical tests. It is only by collaborating with partners such as Mobil 1 that we can deliver peak performance on the track, race after race.” Clearly meeting sponsor priorities is also a central part of being a professional racing driver. Promotional pit stops aside, the challenge does offer some abstract way to compare your skills - as unrelated to actual driving as they are - to those of one of the top athletes in the world, and that's worth something in itself. But beyond the simple satisfaction of a job well done, the person atop the leaderboard come 11:59.59pm June 4th will win "an exclusive trophy containing Mobil 1 oil from the very Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-23 car that helped Lewis Hamilton secure fifth place at the Brazilian GP and win the 2008 World Championship." That's right, one lucky gamer will walk away with a trophy full of used motor oil. The four tests include: Technical knowledge, which tests users’ knowledge of a Mercedes-Benz engine; Memory, which challenges competitors to recall race tracks from around the world; Reactions, where the player drives a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes off the grid when the lights go green; and of course a Driving Challenge where players get to drive the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-24 on Lewis Hamilton’s Mobil 1 Supercircuit – a selection of Lewis’ favourite corners from around the world. Each test is then added together to arrive at a total score. To see how you stack up against the F1 World Champ, head on over to the site and test your skills. Read More

Carmakers are increasingly becoming aware of the influence video games are starting to have on the buying habits of new car buyers. In fact, according to a new report, video games have become as culturally pervasive as movies. More importantly, the report also claims that being able to race with a particular car in a game will have a stronger affect on an individual’s desire to purchase that car than if they simply watched a television advertisement for it.

The Financial Post has reported on an experiment conducted at Carleton University in Canada. The experiment involved comparing two groups of people: one group to play a racing game... Carmakers are increasingly becoming aware of the influence video games are starting to have on the buying habits of new car buyers. In fact, according to a new report, video games have become as culturally pervasive as movies. More importantly, the report also claims that being able to race with a particular car in a game will have a stronger affect on an individual’s desire to purchase that car than if they simply watched a television advertisement for it. The Financial Post has reported on an experiment conducted at Carleton University in Canada. The experiment involved comparing two groups of people: one group to play a racing game on an Xbox360 and another to watch the game being played from a second room (similar to watching an extended ad for the car). The researchers found that playing the game significantly increased a player's attitude toward the brand of car they were driving relative to the watchers. That is, driving the virtual car in the video game increased how much players liked that brand of car in the real world. The results were the same for newcomers to the game, who constantly crashed their cars, as well as hardcore gamers that play all the time. While the research doesn’t prove that racing with one particular car will make someone want to buy a vehicle from the same brand, it does demonstrate that interactivity is a powerful way to connect customers to brands. Read More

Video games get a lot of blame for social effects they may or may not deserve, but a new pilot program with insurance company Allstate hopes to prove video games can enhance reflexes and improving driving safety. Targeted at drivers aged 50-75, the program could result in reduced rates for drivers that play the video games.

Allstate is conducting the pilot program to find out for certain, and once the data is collected, it will compare accident rates of drivers that did play the video games to those that did not. It may sound like a teenager's fantasy, but it's pure reality. Unfortunately for those already inclined toward day-long sessions... Video games get a lot of blame for social effects they may or may not deserve, but a new pilot program with insurance company Allstate hopes to prove video games can enhance reflexes and improving driving safety. Targeted at drivers aged 50-75, the program could result in reduced rates for drivers that play the video games. Allstate is conducting the pilot program to find out for certain, and once the data is collected, it will compare accident rates of drivers that did play the video games to those that did not. It may sound like a teenager's fantasy, but it's pure reality. Unfortunately for those already inclined toward day-long sessions at the computer or video game console, the benefits, and therefore the discounts, won't likely be headed to teenagers' policies any time soon. The mental benefits of video game playing postulated by the program - enhanced acuity and reversal of age-related cognitive decline - are of primary concern to aging drivers, reports CNN. To gain the benefits, Allstate recommends participants complete a minimum of 10 hours of video-game training. The program is being offered for free to 100,000 drivers in Pennsylvania. Early results show the mental gains, like the games played, are not necessarily specific to driving, though they do enhance drivers' ability to safely maneuver their car in complex situations. One of the games being used in the program includes a variation on the classic hidden object game known as Three Card Monte - not driving related at all, but designed to improve mental and visual attention faculties as players track a red jewel's location on the screen. The ultimate goal of the program is to save lives, not money, according to the company, though the encouragement of lower rates is what will likely draw participants in, at least initially. Read More