Car FYI

Photo Credit: NASCAR Heat Mobile/704Games After a 15-year absence, the NASCAR Heat brand was revived late last year as Monster Games returned as a developer for Dusenberry Martin Racing’s (now named 704Games) official video game based on the major league stock car racing series. NASCAR Heat Evolution was released this past September for Xbox One, Sony Playstation 4 as well as Windows OS computers. While the realistic driving mode and learning curve of racing in professional stock cars were appreciated by devoted fans, NASCAR Heat Evolution gained a lukewarm reception when it was released. On Metacritic, NASCAR Heat Evolution received a Metascore of 66 with a less impressive User Score of 4.6 out of 10 based on 21 reviewers. Some complaints centred on graphics while others were underwhelmed by the experience delivered for the game’s price. The game is currently priced at $32.99 on Steam  When it comes to games for major consoles such as the Xbox One or Playstation 4, people e...

Photo Credit: Real Racing 3/EA Earlier this month, there was an uproar over the virtual racing app Real Racing 3 as the publisher made some controversial changes during a recent update. Many users complained on social media that aspects relating to the vehicle handling has been altered drastically. As someone who plays Real Racing 3, I concur with the comments there were noticeable changes to the driving dynamics in the game namely more aggressive brake assist and more contentious AI of competitors. Last week, a video link was added to Real Racing 3 related to what is called the R3 Version 4.7 McLaren update.  In the message, a producer for Real Racing 3 described the changes to the game as unintentional saying it was meant to be limited to a specific component of the racing experience that leaked into updated game. Although the producer's comment on the vehicle controls has not been consistent with what is currently experienced, he did acknowledge a change in the AI. Within...

Photo Credit: Image from Real Racing 3/Electronic Arts A recent update of Real Racing 3 has spawned some good and bad traits for the popular racing app. Starting with the good news, Real Racing 3 is currently offering players to gain access to new McLaren-branded vehicles. Production-based 570GT and 675LT have been added alongside a radical concept racer. The most stunning ride introduced to the app racing game, the McLaren MP4-X was concocted as an extreme example of a Formula 1 car matched with the limits of real-world technology. Sculpted as an advanced hybrid race car last year as an exercise of McLaren Applied Technologies, the MP4-X's electrical power system consists of generation through typical means such as braking as well as through solar cells. Electrical power is stored in thin batteries orchestrated around the vehicle for weight optimization. Although Formula 1 is already exploiting hybrid race car technology, the McLaren MP4-X's application is beyond th...