Commentary

F1 excitement fuels ‘simrace’ innovation in social entertainment

Encouraged by the continuing popularity of motorsports races, simracing developers continue to introduce amusement offerings targeting younger consumers.

Image: Adobe Stock

January 22, 2024 by Kevin Williams

One important aspect of today's competitive social element is that of competition between players in tournaments. One aspect of the e-sports scene that has seen the greatest growth has been that of digital motorsports, defined as "simracing."

Bridging the gap between gaming and motorsports, the popularity of this racing format was recently reflected in the U.K. with the launch of the second F1 Arcade venue in Birmingham following the 2022 launch of the first London flagship site.

The 11,000-square-foot venue is reported to have over 40 "V-Zero RaceRigs" developed by partners Vesaro, running a specially reconfigured version of rFactor 2 arcade racing experience.

The F1 Arcade has since revealed ambitious plans to roll out some 30 venues globally in the next few years, owned by Kindred Concepts, after securing a £30 million ($38.11 million) investment.

Speaking of F1, the launch of the first F1 Drive experience was also recently announced for the U.K. This is a go-karting experience based on the IP from the motorsport championship. The latest entertainment venue employing the branding is set to open in London at Tottenham Hotspur stadium in a fully electric karting experience, supporting the F1 partnership with its sponsors.

It is expected this will be rolled out across other venues in coming months. This is the latest aspect of the F1 brand being licensed for deployment in the location based entertainment scene.

Innovation continues

Meanwhile, encouraged by the continuing popularity of motorsports races, simracing developers continue to introduce amusement offerings targeting younger consumers.

But before exploring some of the new entrants to this dynamic vector, it is important to remember the impact of some of the early leaders in shaping the later consumer network racing. several of which continue to support the scene with new innovations.

Early players worth mentioning include Namco's "Pole Position" in 1982, Konami "WEC Le mans" in 1986, Atari "Hard Drivin" in 1988, Sega "Virtua Formula" in 1992, Namco "Ridge Racer" in 1993 and Atari "San Francisco Rush 2049" in 1999 as well as the "NASCAR CyberSpeedway" attraction and café at Sahara Casino in Las Vegas during 2004, which finally closed in 2011.

Las Vegas has once again emerged as a home of simracing investment, however, as seen with the opening of the Base Performance Systems sims opening at Area 15 along with plans for the CompSoc F1 Arcade venue.

In the amusement sector, the simrace platform has largely moved towards a venue management system, running multiple connected race sims — even operational from kiosk mode and emulating much of what was seen with the turnkey amusement sim racing approach.

Competitive socializing drives growth

Recent developments in the space include:

Base Performance Simulators has introduced its "Phoenix" platform, partnering with Biz Karts to support FEC and competitive socializing venues.
CXC Simulation has introduced a racing simulator with full 6DoF motion and themed design that supports the "Motion Pro II" platform as well as race sim rigs.
Amega Entertainment has presented its "E-Racing Container" comprising four 2DOF VR rally simulators, supported by spectator screens and café-bar installation, all in a pop-up container unit, able to be deployed easily to offer racing simulation anywhere.
D-BOX Technologies' actuator-based systems are utilized by most simracing developers, has introduced haptic floor systems that a number of racing simulators are already using.

Simracing also continues to inspire race-based amusement games.

Raw Thrills has entered the DX street racer scene with its "Fast & Furious Arcade" DX, having started an arms race in the big DX motion racers scene.

Sega Amusements International launched "Apex Rebels DX" — a game developed in partnership with 3MindWave, offering a four-driving cab on motion-bases with a large 65'-inch main screen and a LED video billboard style marquee. This is cut from the same cloth as that seen with Raw Thrills, Bandai Namco and Adrenaline Amusement equivalents.

LAI Games recently released the final version of "Asphalt 9 Legends Arcade VR," an immersive take on the street racer that includes a "hunted mode" that challenges guests to outrun the authorities hot on their trail.

"Asphalt Moto Blitz," also based on the IP, further builds on the brand, a twin motorbike "ride-on" deluxe cabinet with wind effects and motion.

Speaking of the motor bike theme, Amusement Source International has introduced its "Parkour Motor 2" developed by ACE Amusement — a twin motorbike street racer ride-on racing game that includes a motion platform for the riders.

The full impact of simracing on the more traditional amusement space remains to be seen.

(Editor's note: Extracts from this blog are from recent coverage in The Stinger Report, published by Spider Entertainment and its director, Kevin Williams, the leading interactive out-of-home entertainment news service covering the immersive frontier and beyond.)

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About Kevin Williams

Along with advisory positions with other entrants into the market he is founder and publisher of the Stinger Report, “a-must-read” e-zine for those working or investing in the amusement, attractions and entertainment industry. He is a prolific writer and provides regular news columns for main trade publications. He also travels the globe as a keynote speaker, moderator and panelist at numerous industry conferences and events. Author of “The Out-of-Home Immersive Entertainment Frontier: Expanding Interactive Boundaries in Leisure Facilities,” the only book on this aspect of the market, with the second edition scheduled for a 2023 release.

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