Following years of somewhat nondescript game labels, Reiza Studios has introduced a new brand to its racing line-up: Automobilista!
Due in the first quarter of 2016, Automobilista – also known as AMS – will update and extend the content of Reiza Studios’ current Stock Car Extreme sim. As regular revisions have continued the ‘Stock Car’ line over the last few years, so Automobilista will serve to build on everything that has been achieved up to this point in SCE. The difference this year will be that the breadth built into Reiza Studios’ creations will be there on the front of the metaphorical box: Automobilista Motorsports Simulator.
Persistent themes
The Stock Car series’ variety will remain under the new name, albeit in an official 2015 guise. Reiza has already confirmed the presence of Copa Petrobras de Marcas, Formula 3 Brasil and Stock Car Extreme’s recently added Stock Car V8 and Mitsubishi Lancer Cup – each one set to be complete with every car and track of its real-world championship.
As I have explained from time to time, the Stock Car series has always been about a great deal more than its name suggests. Automobilista will continue what is a Reiza Studios tradition, if not its very foundation – building value and interest through variety and modelling the most believable car behaviour through a system that the developers know well, Image Space Incorporated’s isiMotor2 framework. Looking ahead, the machines that many of us are familiar with will remain this year in Automobilista. As SCE becomes AMS, an expanded circuit and car roster will take us away from tarmac and into the world of RallyCross through the Mitsubishi Evo X. Backing up Reiza’s taste for variety in its games, current sim racers that have encountered ramps at certain mod tracks could be happy to read that Supertruck will also arrive when Automobilista reaches our screens. There’s more on that in the image gallery near the bottom of the page!
Into the core
“AUTOMOBILISTA turns it up to a new level by adding all the new cars & tracks proposed in the SimRacing Bonanza crowdfunding campaign, new simulation features such as dynamic track conditions, advanced transmission and tire modelling, substantial upgrades to physics, graphics & audio, new game modes and much more!”
Between trailers, updates and Niels Heusinkveld‘s own teasers, we’ve known for a long time that Reiza has been doing anything but leave the physics side of its sims alone – or any component parts, come to that! Reiza compiled examples of its advanced work over a year ago in the short video above, where it demonstrated vibration, load-deforming wings, dirt pick-up, flat spots and visible tyre flex.
Even knowing that the studio now has unrestricted access to the underlying game code, it has been hard to actually imagine how much further it can go using the same base. Rather than a disparaging remark, that’s actually a recognition of Reiza’s success in every part of its software. Despite the previous programming constraints, the Stock Car Extreme of today has undergone a transformation away from the 2011 introduction of what was then called Game Stock Car. What was once all too lazily looked down on as an old software engine and ‘just rFactor’ can no longer be so ignorantly cast aside.
Already a well-rounded game package that sits at or very close to the top of the simulation class, variable track conditions, greater mechanical detail and yet more improvements on the feedback, audio and video side can only narrow any perceived gap to newer or more well-known titles.
For me, Stock Car Extreme is already one of the best. Years of development and support have led to a magnificent, mod-expandable compilation that doesn’t ‘merely’ offer an abundance of locations but also provides a fun spread of machines to race at them, each giving a convincing feel and sound that leaves those of us drawn into SCE rapt in the experience at the track. Thus, I enjoy my time racing and when away from the tarmac, keenly follow signs of Reiza Studios’ developments.
Stock Car Extreme to Automobilista
The AMS news doesn’t end at talk of a name, cars or new features. The next part of the announcement is in fact aimed at current owners of SCE.
For a limited time, Automobilista will be FREE to Steam Stock Car Extreme players.
Free.
Until January 5th, all activated copies of Stock Car Extreme will guarantee receipt of a free copy of Automobilista when it arrives later this year. Outside of this offer, AMS will be listed on Steam with a $39.99 (USD) price tag. £27 and €36 would be roughly equivalent to the suggested $40 price at the moment.
For current non-Steam players, a Steam activation can be enabled through the Steam client without installing a Steam version and whilst keeping the current standalone edition of SCE.
To enable eligibility for a free copy of AMS, request a Steam key via this link.
Note: You only need to activate the copy. That is, register the game in Steam, rather than install it.
New to Stock Car Extreme
Passing by the reasons why you don’t have Stock Car Extreme (and Formula Truck!) in your library yet, the Steam Winter Sale 2015 might provide more than a little motivation to buy. Y’know, if news of Automobilista isn’t enough!
On Steam, Stock Car Extreme is currently available for £17.24, €20.99 or $22.49 (25 percent discount).
Before you dash to Steam, hold on for a moment!
For the novelty of racing trucks and because all right-minded sim racers should have both, the Reiza Racing Simulation BUNDLE gets our recommendation. The two-game pack features both Stock Car Extreme and Formula Truck 2013 – for the tiny premium of 75 pence! Thanks to this Steam Winter Sale 2015, the best truck racer there has ever been can be bought alongside one of the finest car and kart sims for only £17.99, €22.19 or $23.99 (a 40 percent discount).
The Winter Sale 2015 ends today, January 4th at 6PM GMT (7PM CET, 10AM PST).
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