Live For Speed

Live for Speed (LFS) is a racing simulator developed by a three-person team comprising Scawen Roberts, Eric Bailey, and Victor van Vlaardingen. The main focus is to provide a realistic racing experience for the online multiplayer game and to allow single player races against AI cars.

Released: 13 July 2003
Platforms: Windows
Genres: Indie Racing Sim racing Simulation Sports
Developers: —
Publishers: —
Modes: Multiplayer Single-player
Perspective: First person Third person Virtual Reality
Country: United Kingdom
Languages: Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, English (UK), Finnish, French, German, Hungarian, Italian and 12 more
Time to beat: 2hmain story3hwith extras1hcompletionist

About

Live for Speed (LFS) is a racing simulator developed by a three-person team comprising Scawen Roberts, Eric Bailey, and Victor van Vlaardingen with its latest release in 2025. The main focus is to provide a realistic racing experience for the online multiplayer game and to allow single player races against AI cars. Users can set personal bests which can then be uploaded to LFSWorld in hotlap mode, and take driving lessons in 'training' mode.

LFS is entirely distributed via the Internet. It can be downloaded and installed for free from the official website, but unlocking all of the content (and some features) requires purchasing a license. Without a license it functions as a content-limited demo without time restrictions, with only one track and three cars available.

Keywords

cars
racing simulator
online multiplayer
race cars
motorsports
polygonal 3d
realism
mod support
sports cars

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

LFS features input support for steering wheels, mice, keyboards, joysticks, and gamepads. It supports output to 2D and 3D including virtual reality headsets since June 2014.

Races can either be set to end at a certain number of laps, or be set to run for a certain length of time, as seen in endurance racing. There is support for refueling and tire changes in pit stops and mid-race adjustment of pit strategy. Pit lane speed limits of 80 km/h (50 mph) are enforced by penalties similar to those seen in real motorsport, including drive-through, stop and go, or time penalties. Starting grids can be determined at random, from the finishing positions in the previous race, or from the results in a qualifying period before the race.

Reception

The original Live for Speed was a nominee for PC Gamer US's 2003 "Best Racing Game" award, which ultimately went to NASCAR Racing 2003 Season. A writer for the magazine called Live for Speed evidence that "accurate driving physics and fun, accessible racing action can co-exist in the same game".

PC Gameworld's 2003 review of Live for Speed S1 by Walter Hurdle scored 89% and said: "A very strong simulation that offers fun and a high level of realism."