Real Time Race promises to let you race against the pros, in real time
By Donald Melanson 
posted Nov 2nd 2009 3:31PM
posted Nov 2nd 2009 3:31PM
There's certainly no shortage of impressive augmented reality games around these days, but it doesn't look like the folks behind the so-called Real Time Race will have any trouble turning a few heads with theirs, at least if they can actually deliver as promised. Their basic idea is to make use of some Google Street View-like technology to create a virtual reproduction of an actual race track, and pair it with some real-time data as the race is happening to let anyone that wants to take part in the race from the comfort of their home. While the current state of things still seemingly leaves a bit to be desired (check the video at the link below), the folks behind the game say they could be ready to hold their first race sometime next year -- assuming they're able to line up all the necessary rights and broadcast issues, that is. In the meantime, you can take the non-real time demo version for a spin.
[Thanks, Bryce D]
[Thanks, Bryce D]
This is a good idea!
Maybe they could implement this in the NFL. I'd like to try returning a kickoff against the Jets in real time. Doesn't appear to be too difficult.
I lol'd
haha yeah, I can't wait for the pats to play them again. such a bullshit loss
implement it into COD:MW2
Into Forza 3! :D
GT5.
God of War ftw
and when your augment reality car crashes to send someone else off course.
you realize that something has gone horribly wrong.
any gamer will tell you this looks incredibly stupid. You didnt even say what platform this game is on, so its pretty certain this game will be some insignificant pos flash game that is horrible
As a gamer I disagree. The concept is fantastic. Image how big a deal it would be if they'd broadcast the live telemetry of every car on the track during a nascar race and allowed you to race alongside the rest. It's a HUGE sport, with a pretty major sim following.
I'm not saying they're going to pull it off, but the technology alone that they're using it for is worth the try. 2nd and 3rd generations of this stuff and it's going to replace google maps with a fully 3d realized dataset for google earth.
It said "standard xbox controller" in the video, showing an xbox360 controller and a tv screen. so you can INFER that he's using an xbox360.
but when you have sharks with lasers, he was probably using a PC.
Shows a lot of promise for photo-realistic gaming.
Ummm anyone else remember all the shitty 'CD' console games that came out originally? This is going to be balls to play.
Smart, except for the fact that they did it on an xbox.
If you were racing against the "real" drivers then surely it would be similar to ghost data or there would have to be a slight delay on the live feed as the computer/console works out the dimensions/positioning of the car so you would bounce off. This does look awesome though, imagine watching a grand prix from the middle of the pack as you work your way forward.
Did anyone else notice the blue bar at the top of the screen on the video? Last time I checked, a 'standard Xbox console' doesn't come with XP installed
"but the special thing is this wizzy thing on the back" man the BBC sure gets technical sometimes.
The Sega CD lives!!!
its for the pc, you can get the demo here http://www.realtimerace.com/
"Jenson Button is running head to head with L337_HaX_N00b" "OH no, he's lagging everywhere, Jenson's caught up in the mess!!"
...I'm assuming the real time game mode is a one-way thing only, or have we just made F1 alot more of a spectator sport?
I would pay big sums of money just to hear Murray Walker say the quoted sentences, especially the "L337_HaX_N00b" part.
We actually ran the beta of this on our full-motion simulators. It's a really intriguing idea. I can't wait to see the full version.
I tried the demo. Is a bit hard to see and the controls are like a good webgame (not very good by PC racing game standards), but is interesting for a few minutes. It would be better if it were possible to get higher resolutions for the tracks, very hard to see.
I see dead people coming off the wall
another crappy game idea gimick to get investors money. Bah humbug. It will never make to "Live" status.
Perhaps I can answer some of the more constructive comments:-
Doesnt work with first person shootem up or field sports.
There was a lot going on at the time of the filming. It was running on a Laptop with a X Box Game Controller.
The car interaction is not on a ghost basis. Its a proprietary AI algorithm which copes with apparent impossible situations.
In general, the data is one way. There is a back channel for security but its small and latency doesn't matter.
We are looking at voice synthesis so a commentator sentence would refer to the drivers name and position in the race. I do think we would get a BSOD with L337_HaX_N00b though.
It will make it to live status. It already has..... but I have to agree that investors do seem interested in the gimmick.