Fanatec Announcements: CSW V2 Reviews Out

[amf7]

Just read a tweet by the cm physics programmer... He said the csp v2 are a big step up.

RT @TheLeeMather Just grabbed a set of Fanatec Clubsport pedals V2. Oh my, and I thought the originals were good.


Sounds positive

 

[LogiForce]

I am curious to find out more about these pedals. Can´t wait to some day try them myself.

I am sure there is always room for improvement, but we also have to consider the manufacturing/assembly costs here including any profit margins for Fanatec. So I'd say these quite a step up considering the price.
If we want any more out of pedals we'd pay almost double the price and we would get up to ECCI levels for sure. But... at that point you also have to consider if there is enough market for such a thing, and I think that will be a very niche market to be honest.

 

[bermudakid]

I would really hope the next Xbox uses standard USB tech/drivers

I would too but highly unlikely.

We should honestly start some sort of petition for future microsft consoles to use wheels like the CSW and even the G25/G27. If there were enough they would listen....

 

[bobbyknc]

Oh for sure but thats to be expected, the CSW though still doesn't have Xbox compatibility and no matter what there are more racers on console than on PC. And the next Xbox is only going to widen the gap.

I'm still not convinced that the largest group of hard-core sim racers who would and do pay this kind of money for a wheel are primarily Xbox console racers where they would choose the CSR-E over the CSW at current prices when both are available together. On top of that GT5 has outsold Forza 3 and Forza 4 but several times. So a PS3 racer is more likely to choose the CSW anyway.

I'm just not convinced Forza racers are enough to sustain a $540 wheel against the CSW when its out.

I hope I'm right so the CSR-Elite will come down in price or they'll do a really good money saving bundle with pedals with it.

 

[Aiobhill]

Just read a tweet by the cm physics programmer... He said the csp v2 are a big step up.

RT @TheLeeMather Just grabbed a set of Fanatec Clubsport pedals V2. Oh my, and I thought the originals were good.


Sounds positive

If "cm" stands for what I think "cm" might stand for, now there's an eminent authority if there ever was one.

Btw "Well, we closed 11 out without a physics programmer, which is a bit of a problem on a racing game!" is from another "cm" interview here:
http://www.videogamer.com/xbox360/f1_2012/news/interview_with_f1_2012s_steve_hood_part_1.html

 

[amf7]

If "cm" stands for what I think "cm" might stand for, now there's an eminent authority if there ever was one.

Btw "Well, we closed 11 out without a physics programmer, which is a bit of a problem on a racing game!" is from another "cm" interview here:
http://www.videogamer.com/xbox360/f1_2012/news/interview_with_f1_2012s_steve_hood_part_1.html

I know... Pretty stupid. Handling wasn't too bad though. And they of course now have a new one who tweeted easier lol 👍

 

[bobbyknc]

Just read a tweet by the cm physics programmer... He said the csp v2 are a big step up.

RT @TheLeeMather Just grabbed a set of Fanatec Clubsport pedals V2. Oh my, and I thought the originals were good.


Sounds positive

Lee Mather's Twitter page ( https://twitter.com/#!/theleemather ) lists himself as

Experienced Games Designer - Codemasters F1 Series

Not as a physics programmer.

Still its one of the first first-hand accounts of the V2's. On his twitter feed he responds to a few questions about them.

 

[amf7]

Ohh he's changed that... Still definitely in charge. If you read his tweets he talks about what he's doing with suspension and fuel effects on cars.

 

[superbike81]

I'm still not convinced that the largest group of hard-core sim racers who would and do pay this kind of money for a wheel are primarily Xbox console racers where they would choose the CSR-E over the CSW at current prices when both are available together. On top of that GT5 has outsold Forza 3 and Forza 4 but several times. So a PS3 racer is more likely to choose the CSW anyway.

This.

While I don't have any hard evidence, I think there are more PC racers who would pay $500+ for a wheel than there are Xbox 360 racers.

 

[Mayaman]

You're not understanding me. I'm not saying there aren't more PC racers that would pay more. I'm saying there are probably more casual racers period, not that they would or wouldn't pay more or care.

PC racing is super niche, even more so than console racing.

 

[superbike81]

Right, but Fanatec isn't marketing their $540 CSR-Elite to "casual racers"

Casual racers play on a game pad and think the $250 for a Logitech G27 with pedals is a lot of money.

 

[JogoAsobi]

Right, but Fanatec isn't marketing their $540 CSR-Elite to "casual racers".

What targeted marketing does Fanatec do for the CSW?

I have seen Fanatec's forum postings/threads on both console and PC sim-related forums, and Fanatec's product promotional videos on youtube.

Where is the targeted marketing occurring?

 

[Mayaman]

Well I guess the CSR E is doomed to failure. LOL

Seriously it isn't difficult. The CSR E is for people that race all three. Like me.

 

[superbike81]

What targeted marketing does Fanatec do for the CSW?

I have seen Fanatec's forum postings/threads on both console and PC sim-related forums, and Fanatec's product promotional videos on youtube.

Where is the targeted marketing occurring?

When we are talking about such a niche product, the CSW is absolutely being targeted towards hardcore PC racers. A few PS3 only racers will buy it as well, but not nearly as many as PC. When people paid $300 for their console and $50 for GT5, it's much harder to swallow spending ~$1000 on a wheel/pedal setup. When we've got PC racers who tend to spend much more, it's easier to see why they are the target audience.

 

[bobbyknc]

The marketing they do is social media. It's the community reviews they are doing. Presence in various forums and up until late last year, even before Darin went to work for them, they had a big presence on ISR. A smart tactic flooding a webcast viewed by a lot of core sim racers with Fanatec equipment that was going to be seen in some capacity on every show.

Now they are doing all these community reviews and getting early hardware out so word is spread in the forums and YouTube videos. They are sending hardware out to other webcasts and websites to get the word out.

That is marketing to the hardcore. They aren't marketing to casual Forza players.

My point is at the price point of the CSR-Elite & CSW, I don't think there is enough hard-core Forza players to sustain the CSR-Elite. Forza 4 is the worst selling Forza game since the first Forza. It's barely done half of Forza 2 and not even half of Forza 3 sales. To many games to close together if you ask me.

I think the hardcore that spend this kind of money, $500+ on a wheel alone along with money on rigs and wheels and good pedals, sim race on the PC as their primary platform but probably also some with Forza or GT5. Given the choice and the $90 price difference in the wheels when you figure the CSW + Formula rim, I think 99% of PC sim racers would chose the CSW. PS3 GT5 racers to if you throw them in.

I don't think the CSR-Elite is going to suddenly die, but the CSR-Elite could have a good life after the CSW at a bit of a lower price or at the same price it is now but bundled with CSR-Elite pedals. That would give them a product to go against the T500RS package on price point.

 

[JogoAsobi]

...the CSW is absolutely being targeted towards hardcore PC racers.

I fail to understand the "targeted", I see a shotgun blast leveled at forums frequented by both PC and console racers, and scattershot across the www via YouTube.

...and if a pellet finds its mark, its probably disposable income/wallet-related.

...I guess one could argue that those with disposable income sufficient to afford the CSW statistically are more likely to be hard-core PC racers.

...but I see no targeted marketing campaign.

 

[bobbyknc]

Well I guess the CSR E is doomed to failure. LOL

Seriously it isn't difficult. The CSR E is for people that race all three. Like me.

I don't think the choice will be that cut and dry for others when both wheels are readily available. I play on all 3 platforms to and really like Forza, but if I had the money to invest in one of those wheels, I'd go with the CSW.

I'm not to sure about the future of Forza anyway given how its tanked in sales with #4 and Microsoft's propensity for disposing of internal studios this generation.

But I respect your opinion and I'm not trying to be augmentative with you about it. Just expressing mine.

 

[JogoAsobi]

I don't think the choice will be that cut and dry for others when both wheels are readily available.

That's my point as well, I know of more than a few PS3 owners chomping on the bit for the CSW, and F1 wheel. Same type of folks who already have a T500 with F1 Wheel for PS3 use because its ok with their wallet.

 

[lemansfanatic]

Maybe i can tell you how i fit the niche for an elite and a CSW at the same time. i started the bug with 360 and Forza and controller. Then Forza 2 came out and I knew I wanted more...so I bought a Microsoft wireless racing wheel with Ffb, mounted to a homemade wheelstand. That decision REALLY got the snowball rolling. Next Forza 3 comes out and I wanted more still, so I built a complete cockpit out of wood and painted it in Ferrari red, added cupholders So last year Forza 4 comes out and how do you think I feel? I WANT MORE-AGAIN!! So, to continue with my tradition I upgrade to a CSR-ELITE and pedals, upgrade my rig with a butkicker (oooh tactile!) and begin to play. You would think thats the end... But thats where my story goes from casual gamer to sim racer. In truth I was totally underwhelmed with Forza 4 ffb on the Elite. so rather than simply switching to PC racing, i am redoing everything. I just sold my Elite last week, i am selling my Xbox 360, and am currently shopping for: a new iRacing PC, a CSW, CSS, Epson 3010 1080p 3Dprojector, 1-2 more buttkickers (mini LFEs), and I am going to rebuild my cocpit into a complete F1 style rig. In summary, this month after religiously following Forza 1,2,3,4 -im done, consoles are not enough. I will get into iRacing and do it right, finally! I will document my efforts in the coming months.
Sorry for all the backstory, but thats LeMansfanatic in a snapshot, Casual controller gamer brought into sim racing via consoles, and graduating to the next step. "Boldly going where"-ok thats enough you get the picture.

 

[Mayaman]

Well Forza has sold over 2 million copies which isn't chump numbers. Of course GT is going to have more sold, its been a franchise since the mid 90s.

 

[bobbyknc]

Forza 4 has had a steep drop off from Forza 3 and even Forza 2. Biggest hit is here in the US for Forza 4. I for one have console fatigue and Forza 4 only seemed like a slight upgrade from Forza 3 to me. I haven't bought any new games at all for the consoles lately let alone racing games. They need to a console cycle soon to get the pot boiling again.

 

[Mayaman]

Forza 4 has had a steep drop off from Forza 3 and even Forza 2. Biggest hit is here in the US for Forza 4. I for one have console fatigue and Forza 4 only seemed like a slight upgrade from Forza 3 to me. I haven't bought any new games at all for the consoles lately let alone racing games. They need to a console cycle soon to get the pot boiling again.

Yeah I agree, we need a new console gen. We've been on this on for years and years. Supposedly the next Xbox supports multiple displays from one console. finally!

 

[superbike81]

LeMansFanatic: that's a great story, I just have one comment.

Do not limit yourself to iRacing. rFactor has one of the best LeMans leagues out there, and unlike iRacing it actually includes all the different classes along with multiple makes and models. PC racing is a step (or two) above console racing so don't limit yourself to one game. I'm sure they will be porting the LMS mods to rFactor2 as well. Also we've got GTR3, Assetto Corsa, as well as a couple other games on the horizon. iRacing is excellent, I love it, but it's not your only option.

 

[superbike81]

Oh and want some proof this wheel is being pushed harder to PC users?

GTPlanet community has 200,000+ members and got one community tester (Mayaman)

iRacing community has 30,000 members and got three community testers selected.

 

[bobbyknc]

Oh and want some proof this wheel is being pushed harder to PC users?

GTPlanet community has 200,000+ members and got one community tester (Mayaman)

iRacing community has 30,000 members and got three community testers selected.

8500 members on ISR forums and they got 3 CSW testers. While ISR caters to all platforms of racing games they are more PC centric.

 

[Mayaman]

Wow

 

[superbike81]

Exactly. The CSW is designed for PC racers. Some console racers will buy it of course, but the majority of sales will likely be primarily PC racers.

 

[lemansfanatic]

LeMansFanatic: that's a great story, I just have one comment.

Do not limit yourself to iRacing. rFactor has one of the best LeMans leagues out there, and unlike iRacing it actually includes all the different classes along with multiple makes and models. PC racing is a step (or two) above console racing so don't limit yourself to one game. I'm sure they will be porting the LMS mods to rFactor2 as well. Also we've got GTR3, Assetto Corsa, as well as a couple other games on the horizon. iRacing is excellent, I love it, but it's not your only option.

Good point, I am going to get a good look at all these, I am especially curious about Assetto Corsa for sure. Not sure about what physics engine they are using but any game that pairs DirectX 11 graphics with laser track mapping = YES!!
Edit: As long as they include ALMS/LMS series cars (Or I wouldnt be LeMansfantic)

 

[fatkrakr]

I wonder if a couple pictures of the CSW in production could bring this thread back on topic. 💡 Hey Thomas tell Mr T we would like to speak to him.

 

[bobbyknc]

Good point, I am going to get a good look at all these, I am especially curious about Assetto Corsa for sure. Not sure about what physics engine they are using but any game that pairs DirectX 11 graphics with laser track mapping = YES!!
Edit: As long as they include ALMS/LMS series cars (Or I wouldnt be LeMansfantic)

There is a good write up about Assetto Corsa in AutoSimSport e-magazine. There is a link to download the pdf on the page I'm linking to. Its their last free issue before they go to a subscription service. They do some really good in depth articles and interviews. Its good stuff.

Ironically enough there is a picture of Thomas in the article driving the game with ........ a CSR-Elite lol.

http://www.autosimsport.net/