I have never been able to close the gap between PC simulators, like AC, and console games like Forza/GT. While I may have some gripes about certain aspects of this game, I am very pleased with how the cars behave this time around - especially how tires flex under load. Previous titles never got that right. In fact, I’d say the new Forza does a lot of things better than AC - and falls short in other aspects. They each have their pros/cons. As a seasoned competitive driver for many years, I find most simulators to be underwhelming - but it can fun to play around.
Underneath all the issues many are facing in this game since launch is a very capable driving model, and I hope the rest of the game can eventually catch up to that level of quality.
I don’t think the gap is too big either. Essentially both Forza and AC simulate 4 wheels on a car, going around a track, I mean how far apart can they be.
As your examples show you have done pretty identical lap times in both.
And I was a SIM nerd once. I think the biggest advancements on a SIM pc side, is the amount of options to fine tune your wheel and ffb. I think this gives extra feel.
I think, or feel may be a better word, the heart and soul of the Sim side of Forza (regardless of how I feel about FM23 in general) rests in the player. And how the player approaches the game. You can play Forza like an arcade game slicing through corners, jamming gears for your brakes, and using other arcady tricks to get to the tops of the leaderboards. Or you can treat it like a real car, taking proper corners, usings brakes and gears like they were designed, driving with tire wear in mind even though the game doesn’t. As the driver, you can make it more of a Sim, even though it isn’t and even if you’re stuck having to use a controller.
FM8, or 23 or whatever it’s supposed to be called (the most nondescript game ever) isn’t a real good game. But it isn’t a completely horrible game either. It can be what you make of it. Just hopefully T10 will make something much better of it over time.
I think what separates AC from FM (insert number here) is the mod side of AC. Base game to base game, they aren’t that far apart. Strip out the mods, AC is just as barren as FM.
BUUUUUT, once you include some of the best mods I’ve seen in many years of sim racing, it’s a no brainer which is a step ahead.
I actually got an email from one of the mod teams I had downloaded stuff from (DRM mod) letting me know there was an update to download. That’s 100% more communication than I’ve had from T-10.
Ah I remember those mods I used in AC. Sol weather mod was amazing, and there was a whole new UI mod I used a lot could set up races all the way down to the tiny details (forgot it’s name) and I bought some mod cars from race studio or SIM studio or something, but those cars were generally as good as anything in game!!!
I also remember trying to mod race07 AI files to make them better ha !!
There are definitely pros and cons when it comes to the mods. With each car, you are effectively driving someone’s “interpretation” of what that specific car should perform like. Many of the classic/historic mods struggle with how grippy the tires should (or shouldn’t) be. Sets the tone for the rest of the experience with said mod.
I remember going through race departments download section. Not sure if it’s still there.
Could literally spend a whole evening downloading and trying cars and tracks!
But yea some of them were total garbage. !!
It did get to a point on pc that I was messing with gfx, ffb and mods settings more than actually driving cars. Part reason why I came to console, that and the constant addiction to upgrading my pc hardware and wheel!!!
I’ve driven, and worked on, quite a few 917/10’s, including a pair of 917/30’s.
The 917/30 in AC is pretty neat, but it doesn’t quite drive like the actual car. The braking performance is also rather lousy - but that has more to do with how AC handles braking in general, which is all over the place.
I don’t think I find any of these sims to be convincing, but they do surprise me at times. I used Assetto Corsa as an example since it is a very beloved game in the PC racing community.
I have played every Forza up until now, and quite frankly was never really impressed with how cars drove. This is the first time I was plessently surprised by the driving in this game and I just wanted to juxtapose the driving with a well known and respected simulator.
I don’t know about others, I may be a lone voice in the wilderness. But personally I don’t think chase camera and sim or simcade belong in the same page, let alone in the same sentence. If you’re going for a sim of some kind (or simcade) you should at least be going for a driver or cockpit view.
I’ve only used chase cam on horizon as I do treat that’s as a full arcade game. But in all my time even on console wheel pov is the only true view point, the rest is cheating.
Used to compete a lot, now I work in mostly supporting roles. I also do driver coaching and other jobs when appropriate. ‘Those who can’t do…’, as the expression goes.
RE: the 917/X’s, I was working with Canepa’s Motorsport team in Scott’s Valley, CA. I have worked with Bruce’s team many times over the years. They tend to go through staff very quickly, but there’s a handful of usual suspects still around and it’s always nice to see them again.
