Virtual reality is considered to be the next step forward in gaming. Innovative technologies are being developed all the time to improve the experience of all gamers. One of the area’s leading the way in VR technology is racing simulators, with many games now supporting its use.
VR racing simulator centres are popping up across Europe as the trend catches on, and we are lucky enough that the first in the UK, Glasgow VR Simulators, opened a few weeks ago just five minutes from GCU. A few friends and I went to check it out days after its launch.
To be completely honest, we were a bit sceptical about the place at first – but all our doubts were immediately quashed as we stepped inside. The centre looked amazing, with ten VR racing simulators set up around the room, a motorsport fan’s wildest dreams. There was even a podium!
We chose to do the grand prix package, which included a 20 minute practice, 15-minute qualifying and ten minute race. So overall, were looking at around 45 minutes of racing for £35, which turned out to be a great deal.
We were instantly taken to our simulators, which were each personalised to best suit us and our driving style. There were plenty of cars and tracks to choose from, with variable conditions and challenging force feedback. The pedals, wheel and seat all responded to what the car was doing on track, making it a fully immersive experience.
It’s difficult to describe the sensation of those first few laps, it was like nothing I have ever experienced. The fact that you could look around the car and feel every jolt and bump was simply breath-taking. One personal highlight was flipping the car towards the end of the race, with the simulator pulling no punches, proceeding to throw me around in the seat like a rag doll.
The racing was competitive, with plenty of overtaking and crashes (for me anyway). We could talk to each other through our VR headsets, with plenty of insults being thrown, which only served to make the whole experience more enjoyable and competitive. By the end of the session, we were all exhausted from the sheer realism that the simulators afforded us, which we were certainly not expecting when we went in.
In all my years of playing racing games, nothing has ever given me a thrill quite like this did. Going to VR simulators isn’t just for a bit of fun, it’s an experience like no other. Don’t just take my word for it… racing driver John Munro raced alongside me and said:
“Virtual reality is the way forward in simulator racing, it’s the next step in pushing real life racing and the virtual world closer together.”
Whether you are new to virtual reality, or you have had some experience in the past, it is something that is not to be missed. A must for all fans of motorsport, or those just looking to try something a bit different!
