For the most part, auto-related computer games follow what you might call the Hollywood Rules of Physics. For the most part, auto-related computer games follow what you might call the Hollywood Rules of Physics.
In these rules, every action does not have an equal and opposite reaction. In these rules, every action scene has a direct affect on how many people pay to see the film so they can watch -- to provide a classic example -- the bus fly over the gap in the elevated freeway and still be going 50 mph when it lands on the other side.
There's nothing wrong with this in movies or video games, of course, but with games there's also an opportunity to use today's incredible technology levels to provide a more realistic automotive universe, one that closely matches the one we drive in.
This is what Microsoft has done with the Forza Motorsport driving simulator for its Xbox system, which debuts on May 3 for a suggested retail price of $64.99.
According to Microsoft, for that modest sum (assuming you already own the Xbox console) you will be able to experience an amazingly accurate feel (and sound) of what it's like to drive over 200 different models from past and present in a variety of locations (famous tracks and modern cities) and in an online competition with other players from around the world, using a pre-packaged setup or something that you customize yourself with aftermarket parts and different tuning.
The chief competition for this is Gran Turismo 4, Microsoft says, but Forza Motorsport will be more accomplished than the existing game and can be played online with up to seven other gamers.
Because it's a simulator rather than a racing game, Forza Motorsport has a realistic damage and wear and tear component, so if you crash or break the car you will absolutely feel it on the road.
Putting aside for a moment the opportunity to customize a special favourite from a panoply of famous cars from over 40 years and still get your racing helmet handed to you by a 12-year-old from Bangkok in an online contest, the basic simulator component of Forza Motorsport is very compelling.
What car geek wouldn't warm to the idea of knowing what it feels like to manhandle some great classic roadster around the Nurburgring Nordschleife, or thread a modern rocket through the streets of Manhattan while thousands of spectators cheered, or vice versa?
The list of vehicles that can be replicated by Forza Motorsports seems extremely comprehensive to me (from 1961 Jaguar S1 E-type 3.8 to a 1969 Ferrari Dino 246 GT to a 2003 Chevrolet #3 Corvette Racing C5-R with excursions to exotica like the 1999 Pagani Zonda C12 and more than 200 other garages), but there will undoubtedly be some petrol head who's gutted because the 1966 MGB GT in British Racing Green is missing.
All of the cars on Forza Motorsports exhibit ''authentic handling and damage physics'' as well as ''lifelike graphics,'' but if that's not enough for you there's also ''realistic tuning options.'' This means you can't just order up, say, the powertrain from the 2005 Cadillac STS-V and drop it into a Datsun 240Z.
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There's nothing wrong with this in movies or video games, of course, but with games there's also an opportunity to use today's incredible technology levels to provide a more realistic automotive universe, one that closely matches the one we drive in.
This is what Microsoft has done with the Forza Motorsport driving simulator for its Xbox system, which debuts on May 3 for a suggested retail price of $64.99.
According to Microsoft, for that modest sum (assuming you already own the Xbox console) you will be able to experience an amazingly accurate feel (and sound) of what it's like to drive over 200 different models from past and present in a variety of locations (famous tracks and modern cities) and in an online competition with other players from around the world, using a pre-packaged setup or something that you customize yourself with aftermarket parts and different tuning.
The chief competition for this is Gran Turismo 4, Microsoft says, but Forza Motorsport will be more accomplished than the existing game and can be played online with up to seven other gamers.
Because it's a simulator rather than a racing game, Forza Motorsport has a realistic damage and wear and tear component, so if you crash or break the car you will absolutely feel it on the road.
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What car geek wouldn't warm to the idea of knowing what it feels like to manhandle some great classic roadster around the Nurburgring Nordschleife, or thread a modern rocket through the streets of Manhattan while thousands of spectators cheered, or vice versa?
The list of vehicles that can be replicated by Forza Motorsports seems extremely comprehensive to me (from 1961 Jaguar S1 E-type 3.8 to a 1969 Ferrari Dino 246 GT to a 2003 Chevrolet #3 Corvette Racing C5-R with excursions to exotica like the 1999 Pagani Zonda C12 and more than 200 other garages), but there will undoubtedly be some petrol head who's gutted because the 1966 MGB GT in British Racing Green is missing.
All of the cars on Forza Motorsports exhibit ''authentic handling and damage physics'' as well as ''lifelike graphics,'' but if that's not enough for you there's also ''realistic tuning options.'' This means you can't just order up, say, the powertrain from the 2005 Cadillac STS-V and drop it into a Datsun 240Z.