Extract from "How can Forza 3 even be classified as a racing simulator? - System Wars
"You guys are all nuts. Can't believe you're all still arguing over the genre of two (maybe 3 if I've missed one) of the greatest racing series in history. Ok, so I'm going to try and sort this out for everyone. Just don't start turning your obviously evident intensity towards me.
Ok, the word "simulation", according to the dictionary, states the following:
- Imitation or enactment, as of something anticipated or in testing
- The act or process of pretending; feigning.
- An assumption or imitation of a particular appearance or form; counterfeit, sham.
- The representation of the behaviour or characteristics of one system through the use of another system, especially a computer program designed for the purpose.
Ok, now if you need to, I'll clarify that for everyone. "Simulation" basically means pretending something is actually something else. In this case, we're pretending that the act of racing a car on a video game is equivalent to being out on the track. However, even though there are a heap of petrol heads out there (myself included), not everyone can become a race car driver. This is the reason why they make racing games. Forza 3 and Gran Turismo 5 are designed to be as realistic as possible with the current technology available.
Obviously, the current technology we posess is not enough to 100% faithfully and accurately, and, even though there's new technology every day, I still can't see anything developing that's more advanced (for this genre) than a steering wheel controller. Shooting games also somewhat account for this. While they're not simulations as such, with enhanced blood and violence, people will still play them, many of whom are unprepared to join the military services.
A simulation doesn't even need to be 100% realistic, either. Have a look at all of the greatest simulation games released, racing or not, and tell me which one cannot possibly be more faithful to what its real-life activity counterpart. Odds are none of them will be. Here's a list that I came up with, if you can add more (to either agree or disagree), that'll be great. Also, try not to add sequels, as they will follow the same formula.
- The Sims - Human Development
- Sim City 2000 - Monopolisation
- Most flight simulators
- Most tycoon-based games
- Gran Turismo and Forza Motorsport - Racing Simulator
Bottom line is, Gran Turismo 5 and Forza 3 check all the boxes that we, with our available technology, can successfully maintain and promote. They're as realistic as we can currently get them to go. We can't exactly create a full size car model to use as a peripheral, because, while that would be awesome, is not feasible in this day. Maybe within 20 years, maybe within 10, but we just have to slug it out with Gran Turismo 5 and Forza 3. I'm more than happy for that, why isn't everyone else?
But I digress. Most of the arguments here are directed at the driving aids in the game, and the inability to completely turn off these features. I can't speak much for Forza 3, as that's a complete game, but in regards to GT5: Prologue, it's basically an extended demo, and some of these features may have been added as a demonstration of optional features available in the full game. They may be turned off by default. We'll just have to wait and see.
In regards to the rewind function in Forza 3, remind yourself what button it is assigned to on the controller. The 'back' button. Keep that in mind. It's easily the least used button on the controller, which means that the rewind feature is not designed to be used often, even if the game tells you to rewind even if you're off the track by an inch.
What about the other games I mentioned? They have their sources of problems even though they're still simulators. Money cheats, free items, whatever it may be; in real life (regarding The Sims), you can't just enter a code to get your next paycheck, or unlock clothing items and better houses. Because that would be known as theft, which is illegal. Real no-brainer there.
Has anyone seen the movie "Gamer" starring Gerard Butler? Great movie. Here's an overview. *SPOILER-FREE*
Kable (Gerard Butler) is a criminal who is competing in the Slayers tournament, a virtual reality-type game that plays basically like Call of Duty online. All people competing are criminals who have volunteered to participate rather than serve their sentence. If they can spend 30 sessions alive, they are released from prison. The player takes the role of a human participating in the tournament. It's a brilliant movie, but that's all I can say without ruining anything. I highly recommend you watch it, as this is where gaming could end up in the next x amount of years.
Anyway, think what you want about Gran Turismo and Forza. You don't have to consider them to be simulations. Just remember that they meet "simulator criteria", and that they deserve to be heralded as such."