Where to get it

Steam

2005 · Image Space Incorporated · NASCAR · Racing

RFactor

rFactor is a computer racing simulator, designed with the ability to run any type of four-wheeled vehicle from street cars to open wheel cars of any era. rFactor aimed to be the most accurate race simulator of its time. Released in November 2005, rFactor did not have much competition in this market; however it featured many technical advances in tire modeling, complex aerodynamics and a 15 degrees of freedom physics engine.

Released: 31 August 2005
Platforms: Windows
Genres: NASCAR Racing Simulation Sports
Developers: Image Space Incorporated
Publishers: Image Space Incorporated
Series: rFactor
Modes: Multiplayer Single-player
Perspective: First person Third person
Country: United States
Age ratings: ESRB E
Languages: Czech, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish (Spain)

About

rFactor is a computer racing simulator designed for hardcore simulation racers. rFactor claimed to be the most accurate race simulator of its time. Released in August 2005, it competed with games like NASCAR Racing 2003 Season, Live for Speed, and GTR. The game featured many technical advances in tire modeling, complex aerodynamics and a 15 degrees of freedom physics engine. It also featured multiplayer.

rFactor was developed by Image Space Incorporated (ISI), which has been developing simulators since the early 1990s for both commercial and military purposes. The isiMotor2 on which the game is based is a direct successor to the engine used in previous titles developed by ISI, most notably F1 Challenge '99–'02, released through EA Sports. The isiMotor2 engine was also used in many other simulation games, and in rFpro. The game was made without ISI's longtime publishing partner at the time of EA Sports, and featured exclusively custom tracks rather than licensing real ones.

Players say

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Development

rFactor is an evolution of F1 Challenge '99–'02, but without the licensing of Formula One circuits and teams. As such, rFactor's initial release only included four fictitious circuits (seven as of v1.087), with about a dozen layouts within these facilities and there were about six vehicle classes, including two open wheel and four sedan classes. Among its most notable features was a rich interface for creating custom game contents, which made it possible for amateurs to create additional vehicles and tracks for the game. In August 2006, ISI released the full update, with many changes and new features, including the new 2006 BMW Sauber F1 and a much requested manual. Another notable and often requested feature was driver-swapping, which allowed to change drivers during the race, enabling up to 24 hour events like Le Mans.

A feature was added to allow the AI to "learn a track", which teaches the AI the ideal way to drive a particular circuit. 150, the AI was improved, leading to notably faster driving styles. 250 was released in January 2007. 255 build F.

Reception

In an early review of an rFactor preview, published on AutoSimSport, Jon Denton said: "What the tire model in rFactor does very well is that it models the relationship between slip angle, self aligning torque and cornering force - and it does this better than anything that has come before".

Writing on HonestGamers, Paul Josua concluded: "It's a little unfair to hold rFactor's lack of accessibility against it as it has clearly set out to be a simulation racer. It does a fine job of that, but those who don't demand flawless simulation are better served looking elsewhere".