The popularity of virtual racing simulators has skyrocketed in recent years. In particular, drivers were increasingly resorting to Sim Racing as a form of development, practice, and sport as a consequence of the Coronavirus’s cancellation of numerous real-world racing events.
Simulator racing is a challenging and confusing sport to enter
It is common knowledge that every Formula One team uses high-tech simulations to fine-tune their drivers’ abilities and the configurations of their cars. Yet, there has been tremendous progress in the complexity and creation of consumer-grade sim rigs. You’ve seen the rise of sim racing and now you want in on the fun. Regrettably, the thought of jumping into the world of sim racing may be intimidating. Where do you even begin when there are hundreds of alternative configurations, platforms, and tournaments in which to take part?
Driver61’s intention is to provide you with the finest “guide to beginning in sim racing” possible within the confines of this post. Helping you prioritize your efforts and take the initial baby steps toward achieving your goals on the virtual fast track.
What’s better, a console or a computer?
It’s probable that you’ll find sim racing to too complicated unless you’ve paying close attention to all the sim racing channels and are familiar with Computer configurations. How do I know which game to begin with? I’m not sure whether I need a wheel or not, and if so, which one should I get. All of these are common concerns voiced by prospective online racing participants. In the end, you need to ask yourself some important questions before making the leap, and they are as follows:
It’s important to keep this in mind if you’re thinking about getting into sim racing but just as a drift hunters hobby. Again, if you want to make your venture a serious one, your strategy and any purchases you make should reflect that.
In other words, how much do I have to spend?
Investing in a simulator for a race might rather pricey. It’s THE MOST EXPENSIVE subgenre of internet gaming. If your response to that question is to take it more seriously, you’ll need to put some money into it. We will go through some of these projected expenses later in the post.
Do I have a firm grasp on the specifics?
There’s more to sim racing than merely firing up a game and hitting the gas pedal. One’s driving experience may greatly enhanced by mastering such topics as car setup, driving tactics, steering wheel settings, screen/monitor settings, game dynamics, etc. To reiterate what was said in the first question, having this level of knowledge is essential if you plan on taking sim racing seriously.
TOSS-UP: CONSOLE OR COMPUTER
There are two primary platforms on which to enjoy racing simulations. game system, such as a PS4, PS5, XBOX One, or a PC (and even gaming laptops now). Each have their advantages and disadvantages, but ultimately they’re both viable options. Almost 90% of all sim racers get their start on a console before making the switch to PC after they’ve mastered the basics of online play.
For starters, I’d want to point out that getting into racing simulations on a console is a lot simpler, cheaper, and faster than doing it on a personal computer. Both the Playstation 4 and the Xbox One can accommodate a wide variety of steering wheels and include a wide selection of racing games. As compared to PC racing simulators, console racing simulators are significantly more “plug and play,” with less settings, setups, and accessible choices to confuse the user. Although while console versions of Gran Turismo (which was included during the Tokyo Olympics) and Forza Motorsport are very popular, some debate whether or not they really qualify as “Simulators” as they are more often classified as “Arcade” games.
When it comes to racing simulation games, consoles are more suited to the arcade style, where the focus is on immersion and enjoyment rather than realism. Console sim racing may provide exciting, close-fought motor-racing for those who don’t want to construct a PC (and we don’t blame them).
How do you decide?
The issue of how seriously you intend to take this remains, though. Serious racing sim players may choose to bypass the consoles and go directly to the Computer. Many people are contemplating making the switch to PCs, but those who do so will find themselves immersed in a sea of unfamiliar terminology and intricate installation processes. Setting up a personal computer for optimal performance in video gaming requires a significant effort and financial commitment.
Nonetheless, there may be significant benefits to your efforts. It’s hard to overstate the benefits of PC gaming, which mostly lie in its speed, flexibility, quality, and variety. For starters, the PC has the most selection of games, so you can find a racing simulator for every kind of racing you’re interested in.
While playing a racing simulator, you want to feel as if you’re behind the wheel of a genuine vehicle, such as a Porsche GT3 or an old Formula One racer. That’s a goal reachable through Computer gaming. When it comes to playing games on a personal computer, the only limitation is how much money you are willing to spend.
To what extent should I take this?
Yet, you should anticipate making a time investment in addition to a monetary one. Although it’s helpful to know what a central processing unit (CPU) is and what a graphics processing unit (GPU) is while setting up a computer, those who aren’t very tech savvy may find that pre-built computers are a better option (more below). It’s also important to note the role that monitors and displays play in the entire racing experience. Nevertheless, PCs can operate on a single, dual, or triple monitor, whereas consoles can only handle single or VR at the moment.
The debate about which is superior has raged on for quite some time in online racing simulation communities. Some people may favor triple-screen setups to virtual reality, although this may more a matter of taste than of truth. The price difference between the two is another factor to think about when deciding on a system configuration. Learn more about specialized Computer configurations for racing simulators here.