DRiVE | Revisiting My Pitch For a New Multi-Platform Racing Game | Making Players Feel Special Again

[@kingjimsixsix5]

Your points about booting up your game just to drive, for the experience gives me an idea. If you could use an asset like Google Street view so in the game you could drive around any city in the world with any car or take a grand tour across Europe etc and take in the real sites, while feeling the experience of driving your dream car. That would add a whole new dimension to it.

[@Slipstream179]

It won't take long. Microsoft flight simulator is the closest we're getting to it at the moment (or a milk truck flash game 15 years ago)

[@attilakalman4855]

It's funny that in recent days, i'm thinking more and and more about starting to make a racing game, even though i don't know anything about game development. I'm thinking ps1 era or anime style graphics and an interesting career mode where i try to mix gran turismo 2 and 4 with enthusia...

[@marcossonicracer]

every time i show up with the Mitsubishi GTO everyone rolls their eyes on me. but whatver. i LOVE that car to death, and it has been always my main every since i've used it in GT1. the '91 version with its pop ups and active aero is especially a guilty pleasure to me. that car is joyfull to drive stock and when tuned, a literal weapon of mass destruction. (the 900+hp 96 Twin turbo is a living proof of that) i miss the times games made stuff like this. when i tuned a gran turismo 2 car to the max, it still felt unique. heck, i'm even porpousefully did a stock engine tune of it on forza horizon 5, an S1 masterclass. but as soon as you switch the engine of a car, it is like switching the heart of it. it loses its characteristics. it may be fun having a V12 GTO for those S2 races, but i'll never use it more than my S1 with that iconic green puma super taikyu livery. you know what i mean?! tuning needs to mantain the cars unique. yeah, allow the switching of engines, but within reason. or don't at all, and let us just build up on top of a platform that alreasdy exists with its weakness and strenghts, like the fact that the GTO weighs a ton with its 4WD system (strenght and weakness on its own i might add), and its turbo kit can give it quite the turbo lag without an anti-lag system for example.

[@silverdrift2212]

This is an interesting concept I would be all for a driving game like this

[@Cyberbrickmaster1986]

I feel like there are too many sim and simcade racers that try to focus on realism rather than being fun, and not even succeeding at that for the most part. This is why I like games like GRIP, Wreckfest and Horizon Chase that focus more on being fun experiences rather than playing things safe and feeling like any other soulless racer these days. This is why I'm sceptical about the new Forza Motorsport and being cautious about my expectations about the next Test Drive (whenever that comes out.). I hope you and other dedicated racing development teams will be able to deliver on bringing a new renaissance to the genre, or at least doing just enough to bring back the glory days of when racing games were actually fun!

[@Sir_Slice]

I strongly agree with the statement of newer games focusing way too much on the newest popular car, rather than the cars that have niche yet fun appeal. I specifically remember when The Crew 2 added the Nismo GTR and the new Countach and I just didn’t care all that much. Sure, they had some brief novelty but that wore off fast. However they also added a few oddball cars, such as the Ariel Atom, and I fell in love with them because they’re something different, something bold. Niche appeal is something I find to be incredibly underrated in games as a whole. Seeing the best stuff all the time gets boring fast, but seeing someone use a vehicle or character that you rarely ever see makes me respect them so much more because it’s clear that they’re doing it just to have some fun. That’s what games were always meant to be in my opinion, fun.

[@lordmegatron65]

Awesome ideas and concept! Love the ideas and creativity! Thanks for sharing this! 😊

[@SUBZERO8K]

This Sophy race song was a banger.

[@ollycollie]

Great video, I really like the ideas you propose, and would just wish to add a few thoughts of my own. Firstly, the one point where I do differ significantly, that of the graphics. As a pensioner, whose eyes aren't quite so good as they were, due to a couple of medical conditions with them, the modern 4k graphics really do make a massive difference to the ease of playing games. I still get out my PS2, the first console I bought, on occasion, and I really struggle to see where I'm going on some tracks. I can have problems racing in the dark even on my newer consoles, I hate that so many GT7 races end in darkness because I have to ensure I build a sufficient lead early enough that I can back off as the light fades to avoid going into the gravel every other corner. The issue is exacerbated by the fact that, unlike in my real car, wearing my glasses to look at the screen really affects perspective, and makes judging distances harder. The better graphics do make things a little less awkward for me. I don't have the latest generation consoles yet, and I'm hoping when I do the improvements will assist further. The usual reason I get out my PS2 is to play Enthusia, the one-off racing game by Konami. I still hope for a follow-up, even now. It's probably helped me improve more than any other game, due to the analysis available after each race. One can go through the race lap by lap, and check on the circuit map sector times, where one went off circuit or clipped the barrier, impacts with other cars, and how each of these affected times for the sector and the lap. It also had a clever method of acquiring cars by beating them in races, and a few interesting cars not in other games, at least not then. I think your points about car choices for games is one of the strongest you made. There isn't any intent shown by studios to make their game stand out by offering a unique selection of vehicles. I still peruse the car lists for new games hoping that someone may include a Triumph 2500 PI or a Rover SD1, or even a Volvo 960 or smart forfour Brabus like I have on my drive. I think from what I've read that some PC games may offer a wider choice, but the only PC game I've played was GT Legends, which was brilliant, but it was for my XP computer, and whenever I've tried it on later Windows versions it has crashed them to the extent that I've had to reinstall the OS to get them back up and running. I did notice earlier this year it'a available on Steam, so I've bought some cabling to run up the wall from my PC and across the ceiling to my telly, where my wheel is, but I haven't installed it yet. On the subject of modders introducing circuits, back when GT5, I think it was, had a circuit creator, where one could pick a location and select from a list of parameters to make a circuit to race on, I recall reading in one of the Playstation magazines that there were plans to enable players to make circuits based on their favourite real-life roads somewhere down the line. Obviously, that never happened, but someone at least thought about whether it could be done. I'm definitely with you on the notion of DLC. I've never minded paying for additions which genuinely add something to a game which felt like it was finished when originally launched. I don't feel compelled to buy the extra content, it's a choice I've made willingly. What's diferent is when, as you describe, the content appears to hav been held back to bleed some more quids out of the players. That's why I think that most of the DLC should be new cars, which have come to market or hit the track after the game was launched. Yes of course some older cars can be added, but I think that any car which was in a previous version of the game should be there at launch, if it's going to be included in the roster for the new game, or at very least added later at no charge. Paid DLC should be cars which weren't available at launch, and some classics added for the first time by popular demand. I'd also like to see the reversal of the trend towards cutting the lower end cars. The latest versions of the major games have fewer of the basic road cars available, yet these are just as much fun to drive and, arguably, even more of a challenge to get round the track in the least possible time than the thousand horsepower racing cars. They are also more likely to be the kind of cars we drive in real life, and the scope for exploring their limits on the road is ever more limited by speed cameras, sleeping policemen, and the sheer volume of traffic at more or less all hours of the day. Finally, a word about fun. I agree wholeheartedly that that is why we have these games, not to become a professional racer. I bought The Crew 2 a while after it came out, but after my first go I decided I wasn't actually going to play it as a game. I still just have the Audi TT I got as my first car in the game, and due to its huge size as an environment, I use it occasionally as an afternoon out for a drive. It's a lot cheaper than the petrol I couldn't afford at the time, and I just spend a few hours driving randomly around the map, largely at legal road speeds and stopping at traffic lights, et cetera, as if i were on real roads. Not being American my knowledge of the geography isn't perfect, so I sometimes go the wrong way and end up somewhere I wasn't intending, but that's a bit like life too, in a way. It's a different experience, and if something else with a huge map like that comes out, I may switch to that and begin to play this game as a game, we'll see. I hope that somebody with the know-how, the time, and indeed the fat wallet, to put your ideas into practice takes up your offer, it would be a fine addition to the selection of games currently out there.

[@driverslineocsz4418]

You know now that I think of it games like Automodelista, Tokyo Extreme Racer and Enthusia should get a remake. However, I blend of the two would be a good twist. How is it linked - in the means of the fun factor that they delivered both in tuning and the joy for driving. If DriveClub returned but had a few tweaks it’ll do so many things right. As a game that was far ahead of its time, making a return or a game that takes off the mold of it whilst being transparent it’ll be a good work. The only sad part is that the new age that cries way to much or just want to pay for their way becomes a long brown mile. Like GT3 cars are nice, damage physics are nice but how many of those actually drive, understand or even know cars? I get it everyone needs to make money and they want to be relevant - if one doesn’t listen to the actual core, those who genuinely play it because of their love for cars (not for the means of comparing Forza GT any PC racer (because it’s the main thing happening) it’ll go towards a good path imo. Am I the only one that thinks it’s weird that others go to another game to complain that’s not what they like? In that sense I’m not surprised why the companies don’t care as they are making money off of Stockholm syndrome and the core fan base is dragged in. The days of being able to drive in real world roads and inspired tracks lives on in all of us. I do agree that the Sport Races on GT7 caters a different demographic vs the core fan base - I know someone is going to be faster than me that’s just how life works. Now being able to get new any track you want is a good take whilst it’s in a dlc pack variant (there will be those to complain about why it wasn’t there to begin with or something). Being able to build your actual car from the ground up (but you’ll have those that want the TUNE to be the FASTEST) I’d like that. The one thing I have not seen replicated from NFSU2 in any modern racing game is Dyno tuning surprisingly. Brilliant vid apologies for this term paper if layered here 😂.

[@isellcrack3537]

Lobbies where you can race for pink slips with your friends! Team racing in lobbies (what`s the point of being in a team/clan anyway?). Exotic/exclusive tuner shops! A.I mechanics for tuning/setups!

[@Denes2005]

I turned on fh5 the other day, and got the new car for that week (didn’t even do championships, because they just take longer)… now what… nothing, you can do boring races, aimless car upgrades…

[@vyasrushi5177]

I got the 3rd fastest car in FH5 through Roulette within 2 hours in the game 😂

[@Driff97]

You know what I truly miss these days? PS1 styled graphics. Or rather distinctive art styles for racing games but in particular, Gran Turismo 1 and 2 to this day still have exceptionally well made models that still look accurate to the real vehicle while still having their own charm. I would kill for a Lamborghini Aventador or Mclaren 720S with those kinds of graphics. In seriousness though, I do support this pitch and I hope that at least someone will produce a racing game that dares to be different from the norm.

[@karlsmith8113]

This reminded me of that Auto Modelista for the PS2 back in 2003 (i think) More games like that would be cool

[@vyasrushi5177]

The reason why those unique cars in GT7 doesn't feel the same as they used to in older GT games is because of serious lack of events that forces or encourages you to try those unique cars out I can finish those sardegna race events fastest in Madza and Nissan, so why should I waste tuning up a classic car just to win same race but 2-3 minutes late and for exact same credits??? That type of mindset is a result of horrible in game economy balance and lack of memorable events that require you to use these unique cars

[@HSGAutomotive]

Exactly, and no events like even GT4 had with classic or manufacturer specific series to make them feel special

[@corsaandy94]

Some great ideas there.

[@witkacysracy]

I was thinking about making my own racing game for a long time, too - exactly because none of the new ones are worth my time. I have a lot of ideas I won't find anywhere else, but I want to make a game I would play - as a car lover. Not a new copy of a NFS.

[@arinb.756]

I hope you like physics. Even arcade models will require you to have a good understanding of vehicle dynamics. I don't mean to discourage you, but rather, just to make you aware because I tried the same thing and ultimately could not justify the time needed to develop it with my resources.

[@revolverocelot3741]

The Crew Motorfest is surprisingly the game i will now boot up just to drive. It's well made the sounds, cockpit animation and the driving model itself. But the game lacks personality it's a weird blend between tdu and forza horizon. I wish there was a game that would actually have the balls to try something new.

[@ProTuneHD]

Wouldn't beamNG/Automation basically tick a lot of the boxes? The only obvious one being it's not on console.

[@HSGAutomotive]

Possibly, I haven’t actually played it as yet

[@arinb.756]

​@@HSGAutomotive you'd have a lot of fun with both games especially Automation. They are going to overhaul a lot of the gameplay soon so it's worth checking out.

[@ProTuneHD]

@HSGAutomotive I haven't played it, but it seems like a lot of fun. Very driver oriented and many mods from race tracks to GTA maps. The Automation link allows you to design your own car and drive it. It is also not licensed so its like GTA cars which are based on bits of real cars.

[@arinb.756]

@@ProTuneHD I have both games. Having Automation kind of ruins the fun of Beam because you then never get into the sim parts as much. But I still highly recommend it. The exporter is mega jank though.

[@ProdriveGT]

Do you not love gt3?😢

[@HSGAutomotive]

Not my favourite GT no, not bad but something about it never took me in like the rest, when it came out or now

[@Driff97]

I'm starting to think Mike's feelings towards GT3 is somewhat similar to mine on GT4. Despite being the first GT game I managed to go through GT Mode by myself, I never connected with that game the same way everyone else did. Only difference is instead of not caring for GT3 due to lack of content or reason to go back to, my conflicted feelings towards GT4 is actually more to due with many of the design choices, in part thanks to the large content. For the record I still love GT3 as well.

[@andreasmoller9798]

I loved gt3 but i think gt4 was even better

[@Natsun195]

I really missed the good ol days of NFS Underground 1&2 and Test Drive Unlimited in Hawaii...now racing games chasing trends and crap makes it unbearable to play. Especially crew motorfest as they shoehorn in Boats and Planes, it's ridiculous...as if Crew 2 had never done it the same. Also I don't like forced multiplayer either, the ability to drive and enjoy the view is ruined by multiplayer griefer especially in The Crew (good thing Forza Horizon you can play offline)

[@andreasmoller9798]

I agree about single player in racing games is not what it use to be, and this is just not gt7 in general the new forza motorsport is the same maybe even worse becouse the new career events there will be time limited, there is however still good single player games out there resident evil 4 remake released this year is fantastic for single player content, As for tuning gt7 is the best in the franshise by miles, if anything i think the cars has more character than they ever did in the older games, upgrades has much more effect now on how it looks and sounds, and the reason why i have 1000+ hours on gt7 is becouse how i really enjoy driving of the cars that simply the older gran turismo games cant match, car sounds has major improvment to the likes of gt5 and gt6, Gt7 has the pontential to be the gretest racing game ever made, its just shame that they didin’t do single player justice more overhouled economy, i think many games want to push esports and multiplayer like you said in the video, but the future could still be good we have vr now witch is incrediable in every way a gamechanger and i will like to see this keep going for future titles, sophy ai witch i think will be great for future to, i dont think they would pushed this so much if they didin’t plan to have better career mode in future maybe in gt8, many of cars added is also road cars witch proves they still care about the car culture,