Real vs virtual racing in the making

[Denur]

A new company is working on a system to allow you to virtually race against real racers, even during a live racing event. Sounds quite exciting to me. 👍

Products
iOpener Enabled


Next Generation of Gaming
What can create a more optimal experience than the integration of real 'objects' into the virtual world, and the possibility of playing in real-time live against the real 'objects'? With this visionary idea, iOpener devised a new technology which is reflected and defined in its patent.

Race live against the real professionals
This innovative technological breakthrough enables gamers to join games and compare themselves with the professionals (1-on-1), and compete in real-time directly against professionals (1-to-many) when an actual live event is going on. Gamers will be able to join the excitement and suspense of the real event, and try to beat real professionals and other virtual gamers right from their own homes.

Initial focus on race games
Market reaction has been phenomenal towards this new exciting value-added feature in the gaming world, and the concept can be leveraged for all games involving real moving objects. The initial focus is on race games, though in the near future other genres will be addressed, e.g. flight simulators, and 'serious' gaming.

Applications for motorsports
Besides injecting real race cars driven by real drivers on real tracks into games, including inserting special developed algorythms for an optimal race experience, the iOpener technology is used for several applications in the motorsports industries, e.g. race/safety control, visualization, and driver training.

Source

More info can be found here.

 

[zed300]

Imagine spending Sunday afternoon driving,from your lounge, against the likes of Lewis Hamilton and giving him a whipping ........or not.
Having a a few laps or 100 at Indianapolis. Bathurst for 6 hours.
OMG this is so exciting ........I just hope it all happens.

Nice find Denur

 

[Mad94d]

Nice find!👍

Hopefully this happens, but we'll have to wait a long time for this though.

 

[Denur]

Nice find!👍

Hopefully this happens, but we'll have to wait a long time for this though.

Well, not too long actually. This Summer Real-time Racing starts, the world's first online race game based on this technology.

Now what if GT5 were to incorporate this feature also (Amar?), as the makers have been contacting race game developers all over the world.

Here is a link to a Dutch newspaper article on the subject. Feel free to translate it, as it is in Dutch.

 

[Angerdx]

Now this would be an awsome addition to GT that´s for sure, i guess only time will tell if it´ll happen.

 

[Gabkicks]

I heard about this a long time ago. So this is like racing against the ghost of real drivers? there are lots of factors that affect lap times. even in iRacing with its laser scanned tracks, and varying grip levels. the actual track itself doesn't dynamically change w/ temperature, race groove etc.

 

[Denur]

I heard about this a long time ago. So this is like racing against the ghost of real drivers? there are lots of factors that affect lap times. even in iRacing with its laser scanned tracks, and varying grip levels. the actual track itself doesn't dynamically change w/ temperature, race groove etc.

Indeed, but than in real time and the real drivers wouldn't be ghosted, but would sort of replace AI drivers. iOpener keeps track of changing weather conditions (and the like), but it is upto the games to make use of that info.

 

[tiny_timmy]

...found this on autosimsport:

First taste of iOpener Enabled: Real-time Racing Portal
AUTOSIMSPORT
Aachen – 3 March 2009
The pre-registration has now officially started for the Real-time Racing Portal at
its website of www.real-timeracing.com .This portal contains the first game with
the iOpener Enabled feature integrated. With the completion of a series of successful
test days at the race-track of Zolder in Belgium, the beta testing phase is drawing closer.
The pre-registration is aimed at satisfying the widespread interest and curiosity amongst
the people as well as further optimising the iOpener enabled feature.

 

[Denur]

That GT5 clip on the E3 press conference showed both Nascar and WRC. Now how does that combine with this article?

Latest News

World Rally Championship's next game: Racing live against rally heroes
Friday, April 24, 2009

The next generation WRC computer game will allow players to 'compete' in live rallies", states ISC chairman Neil Duncanson in the April version of SportBusiness International magazine. ISC, the global promoter of the World Rally Championship (WRC), mentions WRC's ultimate goal as building up an online gaming world championship alongside the real thing.
ISC and the computer gaming industry believe the next step in gaming is this 'live' competition between gamers and real drivers, made possible through iOpener's patented technology.
ISC CEO Simon Long says: "Now we are a global promoter, we want this to be multi-platform, multi-publisher, multi-territory."
For Long and Duncanson the new game is part of WRC's broader efforts to appeal new fans beyond the hardcore enthusiastics. FIA's chairman Max Mosley has said the virtual champion will be honoured at the WRC's annual end-of-season awards ceremony in Monaco.
Click here to read the full article.

http://www.iopenermedia.com/news/latest-news.aspx

 

[Denur]

Some footage has surfaced from a test at Zolder circuit (BE) in March. The video shows side-by-side the live footage and the one from their test game. Where the latter was rendered in real-time, using the real cars' telemetry.

 

[motzkopf]

I signed up for the beta. I can't wait!

There will also likely be historical data, to race on-demand against real race data from past races.

The beta survey included console games, could this be in the next GT5P update before the GT5 release???

 

[Denur]

A nice article where Andy Lurling recaps the capabilities, but cannot (yet) unveil any details on iOpener Enabled in combination with the WRC. Flip to page 71.

 

[Denur]

Real-time Racing tests during Zolder FIA GT weekend
Wednesday, October 07, 2009


During the coming weekend of October 24th and 25th the Circuit of Zolder hosts the final round of the FIA GT Championship 2009. In many ways this weekend will be the venue of groundbreaking news.

First of all the closure of this season will be also the closure of the FIA GT championship in its current form. In 2010 FIA GT will become an official FIA World Championship, showcasing new GT1 specification race cars only. The FIA GT1 World Championship will join the current illustrious list of FIA World Championships, namely F1, WTCC and the WRC.

The second breaking news will astonish the gaming as well as the motorsport world! On Saturday 24 October 5,000 beta testers will be racing from behind their computers at home in real-time live against FIA GT driver Bas Leinders in his Matech Ford GT 40 during the FIA GT practice session. FIA GT Championship organizer SRO stated they are happy to facilitate this trial event for RTR, the first iOpener Enabled game.

source

Btw, I was not invited as a beta tester.

 

[Nicko]

This would be awesome! I really hope I get to try it one day.

 

[Mad94d]

Did anyone else get invited to be a BETA tester for this? I have reserved my spot for the 24th of October, lets just hope everything works on my PC etc so I can try it out.

 

[L_Hamilton]

Did anyone else get invited to be a BETA tester for this? I have reserved my spot for the 24th of October, lets just hope everything works on my PC etc so I can try it out.

Lucky you.

 

[Mad94d]

Well just had a go at it....And the gameplay is Fantastic I think! It is a bit easier than rFactor, but still harder than GT, it has a good mix of both. The sounds are great as well, graphics are good, a bit better than rFactor. But yeah, i've done one lap so far, but i'll post more later.

 

[Nicko]

Did anyone else get invited to be a BETA tester for this? I have reserved my spot for the 24th of October, lets just hope everything works on my PC etc so I can try it out.

You did?! I've heard nothing about it. What exactly are you racing?

 

[Mad94d]

You did?! I've heard nothing about it. What exactly are you racing?

You can still sign up and if you're lucky they will send you a BETA key.

I'm just racing in single player with a Marcos (you can choose it in 4 different skins) around Zolder (the only track). Heavy rain is fun to drive in, what I like about this game is that it's not too hard, it's sort of fun and relaxing to drive. Whereas rFactor is constant 100% concentration, this game you can sort of powerslide around corners, Very good fun in the wet.

 

[Nicko]

Okay, I might leave it anyway, I don't think my PC would be able to handle such a game.

 

[MarcoM]

I actually had to chance to do 1,5 lap at the Fia GT race held last sunday 25 th October at the Zolder circuit. They had 2 setups running G25's and 3 monitors. Stunning experience.

I really need a new pc for this

 

[Blitz187]

Found this today... I think it has to do with the same thing...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/click_online/8333340.stm

Its coming soon !!

 

[MarcoM]

^^ According to Dutch site gamer.nl it is something different. But they could be wrong. One is called Real time race the other Real time racing.

http://www.gamer.nl/doc/54713/Live-meeracen-met-televisieuitzending-binnenkort-mogelijk

 

[Denur]

I got my key last week and installed the game today. I was too late to participate in this weekend's live event and when trying to race in one of the saved games, I got an in-game blue screen as soon as the race started (or rather the qualifying sessions).

But, but, I was able to do practice sessions, with my G25, on the only available track (Zolder, in Belgium). And I am impressed, very much so. Simbin have created a game (albeit only a beta version) that has me hooked right from the start. This is the first race game that gives me the feeling of actually being in the car while racing, and I've played quite a few race games. Never did I have this feeling with GT4 or GT5p and I think it is because of the in-cockpit view they have created. With this view, in RTR you get bounced all over the place when taking a bump or even just when braking. It just feels right! 👍

I never got the same feeling with the cockpit views in GT5p.

If you subscribed for the beta game and have gotten the key, try it, and you'll love it.

 

[MarcoM]

Good stuff. Hopefully I will get a beta key someday.

Zolder is a nice track.

 

[Vince_Fiero]

I did the iOpener Enabled SimBin demo on the Zolder stand at the European Motor Show Brussels 2010.

The demo is a recorded "Mini Cup" at Zolder, from what I could see only 2 "real" cars in there.
I could keep up with the first car, kept changing positions, so might have missed the back field. Only did 2 rounds and enjoyed it, recommend it.👍

From my conversation (the people were speaking German, it was more easy to hear them out since I could relate better to them then most others there):
* Not clear on pricing model, even considering: Free download with examples, only paying for real races. Certainly not an iRacing, monthly fee pricing model.
* Want to be in all simulators, SimBin is just the start. GT5, Forza, Supercar challenge, rFactor (2), .... just need to agree with the producers that they integrate the iOpener Enabled technology.

My experience:
* The SimBin really determines how you drive, I was lucky here since it is quite forgiving to let you out of the sand. I missed some chicanes.
* The "real" cars do feel good on it, they are manipulated by some AI so they do not just drive through you, but go around you. I was told your car is stopped if you try to drive through the "real" cars, did not try this though.
* Sidewards contact was not really realistic, no movement, no sound. But that contact is against GTP rules, so should only happen accidentally.

 

[MarcoM]

iOpener has signed a deal with WRC

http://www.facebook.com/pages/iOpener-Enabled/101498326185?ref=mf

iOpener Enabled Contract signed with WRC today...press release about cooperation will go out next week…
January 27 at 4:52am via TweetDeck · Get TweetDeck

Wait a minute. GT5 has the WRC license. Could this mean that GT5 will be iOpener enabled? 💡

 

[MagpieRacer]

I reckon its more likely to be implemented into the new WRCgame being made by black bean due out in the fall.

 

[MarcoM]

I think you are right on that one.

 

[Denur]

I think you are right on that one.

I think so too:

WRC TO BE THE SUBJECT OF INNOVATIVE VIDEO GAME CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT



North One Sport, global Promoter for the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), has agreed a technical cooperation to investigate the feasibility of real-time rally gaming. The consortium, including iOpener Media and Black Bean Games, will explore a new interactive gaming concept for the WRC based on real-time positioning data.



iOpener has been developing real-time high-accuracy positioning data in interactive applications since 2007 and, in conjunction with North One Sport, has secured the cooperation of Gulf Horizon Group, chaired by Mr. Saeed Mohammed Saeed Al Badi. Black Bean Games, publisher of the upcoming official WRC console game, will also support the project with further technical expertise provided by their in-house production studio Milestone.



The partners will work together to collect a continuous stream of positioning and telemetry data from the cars competing on WRC rallies. This data will then be applied and tested in a step-by-step plan aiming to deliver a gaming experience that is consistent, reliable and accurate.



"This study should take us a step closer to our goal of allowing WRC fans anywhere in the world the opportunity to become part of the action," commented Simon Long, CEO of North One Sport Ltd. "Using the internet they would be able to compete in the rally on the same stages against some of the best drivers in the world. If this test is successful then we hope in the future to crown our first virtual rally champion."



iOpener CEO Andy Lürling added, "Together we aim to configure North One Sport's systems and iOpener's patented technology to capture high accuracy live action GPS which can then be integrated into the next generation of WRC video games. These games will allow fans to drive, co-drive, manage or simply watch the WRC from the heart of the action."



"At Black Bean Games, there is always a great motivation to be at the forefront of innovation so we can change the shape of gaming. We choose revolution over evolution and believe this strategic partnership will allow us to set a new benchmark in the future of the motorsports gaming genre. We will be able to deliver a unique and realistic gaming experience featuring exclusive opportunities and a technological breakthrough. This is definitely part of our medium-term development program that could become an integral part of the WRC games," commented Virgilio Bixio, CEO at Black Bean Games.

Source