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RACE 07: Official WTCC Game

A Little History Lesson - (No Dozing Off!)

SimBim are far more than a professional modding team, however; think of them as you would any game engine licensee, with access to the underlying engine code as well as asset-creation tools. For the pedantic, here's the breakdown of technologies in the series: GTR and GT Legends use the same graphics engine, the ISI-developed gMotor 1.0. The physics engine in GT Legends is a modified version of the GTR physics engine, which in turn in a modified version of Image Space Incorporated's iMotor 1.0 physics engine. With GTR 2, SimBim (er, Blimey! Games) switched to version 2.0 of the gMotor rendering engine, and opted to continue to use their in-house physics code (again, a descendent of the iMotor 1.0 physics engine).

RACE and RACE 07 use the same technologies as GTR 2, though SimBin now has complete access to the graphics code as per their license with Image Space Incorporated. If you're head is spinning with the details (or if you're dozing off), just remember this: RACE 07 is powered by some of the most advanced auto racing simulation technology available on the PC today.

Subtle track details, such as differences in depth and three-dimensional track features, enhance the realism

The simulation can be adjust from easy to unforgiving via the realism settings, with plenty of options for customization

More Than a Yearly Re-Skin

Veterans of last year's RACE will find the game very familiar - from the interface to game modes, little has changed. Of course, most obvious is the addition of tracks, drivers and cars from the 2007 edition of the WTCC circuit (a few non-WTCC car classes make the cut as well). More subtle are the claimed improvements in game mechanics, implemented to enhance the believability of the simulation experience. Damage modeling is now more detailed, and single-player AI has been tweaked (thankfully, AI drivers can now be used to fill up empty slots in online multiplayer).

Weather effects (read: rain and wind) can now dynamically change during a race session, and the associated rain drops and debris, such as rocks and bugs) will dirty up the windscreen or visor. Back-end improvements include an optional real-time performance monitor that suggests visual settings adjustments to keep the framerate within a user-defined window, and improved handling code for those using gamepads.

The game ships with 14 unique courses from the 2006 and 2007 WTCC series

Open-wheel Formula cars have some obvious weak spots

So, RACE 07 has some new features and an established pedigree (just to be clear: there will not be a quiz on the development history of SimBin titles). But how does it play? The heart of the game remains the Race Weekend, which takes drivers through a full weekend of practice, setup and racing. While race options are mostly configurable at any point in the game, sticking with the default setup yields a true-to-life format. Two time-limited open practice sessions offer time to learn the track and set up the car, and a qualifying session follows which determines seeding for the rolling start.

On race day, a warm-up period is allowed, followed by two 13-lap race sessions. Points are awarded (starting with 10 for the winner, then cascading down), and the most points takes the race weekend. Championship mode follows either the 2006 or 2007 WTCC schedules (or a custom, user-created schedule), stringing together race weekends as the traveling circus trots the globe from track to track. Points are tallied cumulatively, and the highest score takes the championship. As in the real WTCC, weight handicaps are assessed to consistently better-performing drivers in the name of evening out the field.

Page 1: IntroductionPage 2: What's New?Page 3: GameplayPage 4: Controls, Replays and MultiplayerPage 5: Graphics and HardwarePage 6: Summary and Scores

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