GRID Autosport Strips Down to its Racing Roots

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If you’ve ever traded paint, tore up the blacktop, burned rubber, put the pedal to the metal, or participated in any other racing game clichés, you’ve probably got Codemasters to thank. From Colin McRae Rally and DiRT to GRID and F1, the British developer’s been making motorsports titles for the better part of two decades.

So how does such a prolific studio keep things fresh for their next tire-screeching entry? According to GRID Autosport’s executive producer, Clive Moody, it’s as simple as returning to their roots: “We’re trying to bring back the best of Codemasters racing…back to the core experience.” While generally well received by critics, GRID 2 and DiRT Showdown apparently left some longtime Codemasters fans pining for what Moody calls the “distilled essence of the sport.”

Uncovering that core means stripping away any fat the studio’s games gained over the years and laser-focusing on five disciplines—Endurance, Street, Open-Wheel, Touring Car, and Tuner races. Casual genre fans may not be familiar with the specifics of all those modes, but that’s sort of the point, as Autosport is squarely aimed at enthusiasts. That’s not to say GRID’s latest lap around the track is a strict simulation; while Moody promises authenticity, he and his team are also pushing for an experience that’s as dramatic and exciting as it is accurate. “At the end of the day, it’s still got to be entertaining,” he says.

Discovering the sweet spot between serious sim and arcade-y racer will, to some degree, be determined by each individual player’s style and preference. Rather than forcing fans down a specific, set path, Autosport’s career mode is all about granting them the freedom to choose their focus. Strategic drivers, for example, might gravitate toward Endurance racing; in addition to these competitions being longer and taking place at night, they also require players to monitor the condition of their tires. While it might lack the depth of the Endurance category, Street racing has adrenaline to spare; unfolding in iconic cities, such as San Francisco, these aggressive competitions take place on tight, packed roads, where drivers aren’t afraid to get cozy with each other.

Veteran speedsters are certainly welcome to master all five disciplines, satisfying sponsors along the way, but that gauntlet—dubbed the GRID Legend Series—will require at least a 20-hour investment. Whether you stick to drifting and time attack challenges in Tuner competitions or focus on the precision racing of the Open-Wheel category, Autosport’s got plenty of tricks under the hood to keep fans immersed in the speed limit-breaking fun. On top of enjoying a detail-drenched cockpit view, they can rewind time with the returning Flashback feature, and request dynamic info—like how other competitors are progressing—from the pit. Enhanced physics, better tire models, and improved handling also promise to put players on the blacktop like never before.

Of course, forging your own career path behind the wheel is only the beginning, as Autosport promises to really hit its stride online. Featuring the nuance, depth, and long-term progression of a solo campaign, online racing, according to Moody, allows players to “create relationships with their cars” [Editor’s note: Hopefully not like this.] by maintaining and building a garage full of rides; vehicles will earn XP, performance boosts, and tuning options as they’re driven, but putting too many miles on them will also subject them to wear and tear. A double-edged sword of sorts, this online dynamic should create a tricky balance between driving your coolest cars the most and paying to keep them in top condition.

While the most obsessive online gearheads can level their rides—to a 99 cap—within each of the five disciplines, those looking to quickly satisfy their need for speed can hop into a local split-screen competition with a friend. Those craving a bit more social interaction—beyond just trying to run their friends off the road—can also join Codemasters’ RaceNet community, where clubs can enter events, earn xp, and share liveries. Moody says this is just the first of many social features, but he’s keeping additional details locked in the garage for now.

At a time when publishers are looking to appeal to everyone and their Call of Duty-playing grandmothers, it’s refreshing to see a title that’s not simply aiming for the lowest common denominator in an attempt to sell more units. While GRID Autosport will certainly include all the tutorials and optional assists necessary to ease newcomers into its high-speed action, it’s on track to be, as Moody’s quick to remind me before my demo concludes, “A game for fans.”

http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/04/22/grid-autosport-strips-down-to-its-racing-roots