Video game development is rarely about one man, but if it was, then Terence Groening should certainly get a mention for his contributions to the genre as the man responsible for the physics of Sportscar GT, EA’s PC F1 and NASCAR games of the early 2000’s, rFactor, rFactor 2 and every title and rFpro simulator that spawned from ISI’s engine.
This interview with RSC details his early life and career, through to him joining iRacing in 2021.
Originally working in military simulator design, this Michigan-based studio developed Zone Raiders for Virgin Interactive before moving to Electronic Arts for publishing their second PC title, Sports Car GT, when Westwood Studios (their SCGT development partner) was acquired by the software giant.
Known primarily for their mod-friendly SCGT and rFactor racing platforms, ISI also developed Formula One and NASCAR titles on PC for Electronic Arts, but perhaps their lasting contribution to the genre was the licensing of the isiMotor engine that allowed studios such as 2Pez, Blimey! Games, KW Studios, Motorsport Games, Reiza Studios, SIMBIN Studios, Slightly Mad Studios, The Sim Factory, Tiburon and rFactor 2‘s ongoing developer Studio 397 to begin with or release on an evolution of their software.
Another fork of the isiMotor engine, rFpro, continues to be developed and is used by a wide array of automotive companies for both road and motorsport simulation.
Join Jon Denton, Tim Wheatley, Simon Croft and guest(s) as they discuss sim racing and racing games past, present and future.
Studio 397 today announced that the Ligier JS P320 LMP3 will be coming to rFactor 2 February 7, 2022, joining the Norma M30 that is also said to be receiving an update (according to a Facebook reply).
Technical Specifications:
Length: 4605mm
Width: 1900mm
Wheelbase: 2860mm
Engine: Nissan VK56, V8
Capacity: 5.6 litres
Output: 460 hp
Transmission: 6-speed sequential gearbox Xtrac 1152 with aluminium casing
Screenshots:
Trailer:
View this video on YouTube. Please consider subscribing to RSC’s channel.
rF2 is a simulation designed to simulate any type of multi-wheeled vehicle of any era, supports modding directly, and features an advanced physics, suspension, and tire model.