Racing games have been around for years. Just like casino games date back thousands of years, racing games have constantly transformed the gaming industry for more than a century. Back in the 1970s, we can find the first origins of arcade races, and nowadays, we can witness real-life racing simulators.
So, we decided to delve deeper into the evolution of racing games and see how we got from arcade races to realistic simulators. Let’s learn more about this!
Arcade Races: Origins
Before we go into more detail about arcade races, you should be aware of arcade video gaming. Basically, arcade video games take your input from specialized controllers, process it through computer devices, and display the game on a monitor in front of you.
From here, arcade races are all racing video games that are coin-operated or offer different payment methods that are held in an arcade cabinet. These games are usually located in unique amusement arcades. Due to this innovative approach, arcade video games were the most advanced segment of the video game industry until the beginning of the 2000s.
As many online casinos, like the Roulette77 site, developed over the years, so did arcade races. The first games were launched somewhere in the 1970s but had pretty limited and simple gameplay and graphics. There were only a few buttons, but they still became pretty popular among gamers.
More precisely, the first arcade racing game was Gran Tak 10, which Atari launched in 1974. Basically, this game enables you to race a simple car on a straightforward track. However, the most unique approach is that it was also one of the first video games that utilized a steering wheel as the controller.
Despite its simplicity and basic gameplay, this game set the foundation for the development of car racing games, as well as the whole car racing genre.
Further Evolution of Car Racing Games
A few years later, around the 80s and 90s, computer-based racing games entered the market. The first game was Grand Prix Circuit, which intertwined the Formula 1 racing experience in a video game. After this game, many others came out, such as:
- IndyCar Racing
- Nascar Racing
- Formula One Grand Prix
While not the most perfect ones, these games contributed to the advancement of future racing games. As a result, Sega Rally is one of the games that had the biggest influence on the arcade racing games. Basically, it allowed players to just sit down and drive in front of a computer monitor.
It was developed in 1995 and features realistic driving physics and responsive controls. This served as an inspiration for the development of similar games, boosting the growth of the racing genre.
Realistic Racing Simulators
As years went by, the overall gaming industry changed. We’ve seen numerous ApplePay online casinos, implementation of cryptocurrencies, and realistic gaming simulators. One of the first games that had a significant impact on this innovation was Gran Turismo.
It was released in 1997 and provided players with a real-life racing experience. Basically, there was accurate vehicle physics, detailed graphics, and numerous licensed vehicles and tracks that you could choose from.
So, it didn’t take a while for this game to become one of the most popular ones, which is why it contributed to the launch of various spin-off games and sequels. As a result, Gran Turismo became one of the most famous racing franchises worldwide.
However, this game didn’t only affect racing simulations. It also affected other gaming aspects, which is why it has held its place in the gaming industry as a one-of-a-kind game. But this was only the first step toward realistic simulators.
Once the internet started developing, these realistic racing games started to form whole communities. In other words, players could compete against each other online and have even more engaging entertainment.
Also, the simulators changed their appearance. The games had more realistic graphics, enhanced driving controls, advanced physics engines, and became more sophisticated. In 2008, iRacing entered the market and transformed the racing experience into a more realistic one.
A few years later, Assetto Corsa came with even better and more accurate driving physics, graphics, and tracks. So, the overall racing adventure was completely immersive. Due to this, Assetto Corsa entered many competitions and leagues, allowing players to engage more in the realistic racing community.
Final Words
Nowadays, the overall gaming industry is getting a totally different shape. Racing games are part of a thriving industry that is currently counting millions of players, from casual gamers to professional racing drivers.
Thanks to VR advancements, you can now feel like you’re really a racing driver. You can even sit in your home and feel like you’re in a racing car with full equipment. So, the future of racing games is very bright, and who knows how it will change a few years from now.