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.
RSC contains a database of 153 developers, 467 software titles, 374 cars, 42 bikes, 242 tracks and more...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.
RSC Podcast Episode 7 – Management Simulations, F1 Managers, Always Used To Be Better?Join Jon Denton, Tim Wheatley, Simon Croft and guest(s) as they discuss sim racing and racing games past, present and future.
RSC contains a database of news items. Our #OnThisDay page shows current day and current week of years past...
RSC contains a database of videos back to the 1980s catalogued as intros, laps, trailers, unboxings and more...
RSC contains a database of emulated software you can play in your browser...
SMS have announced licensing from Pagani that will bring the Pagani Zonda R, Zonda Cinque and the all-new Huayra to Project Cars.
Press release:
Slightly Mad Studios & Pagani Announce Partnership
Three Pagani Sports Cars To Be Featured in Project CARSLondon, April 11, 2012: Slightly Mad Studios and world-renowned sports car manufacturer Pagani Automobili S.p.A. are proud to announce a partnership which will see three of the manufacturer’s cars featuring in Project CARS. The companies have pledged to work closely together to perfect the ultimate digital representation of the cars, breaking new boundaries in terms of visual representation, true to life handling and audio fidelity.
Players will be able to experience virtual versions of the Pagani Zonda R, the Zonda Cinque and the all-new Huayra, giving gamers access to both road-going hypercars and thoroughbred racing machinery. Passionate racers will love the Zonda R, the last and most extreme version of Pagani’s popular Zonda model. Powered by a six-litre V12 DOHC engine built by Mercedes-AMG, the 750bhp track-bred monster sprints from 0-100 in an almost unbelievable 2.7 seconds. Drivers who don’t want to be confined to race tracks will love the Zonda Cinque, the pinnacle of the road-going Zondas. And the line-up is completed by the all-new Huayra, Pagani’s latest addition to its stable. Utilising the first turbocharged engine to power a Pagani, it puts out 730bhp and features a revolutionary active aerodynamics concept in a bold new design.
Ian Bell, Head of Studio at Slightly Mad Studios said “We’re delighted to be working so closely with one of the world’s leading supercar manufacturers. Pagani and Slightly Mad Studios both share a core interest in creating class-leading products for enthusiasts, and pushing boundaries to their extremes. As such, we are dedicated to producing the most accurate representation of Pagani’s amazing cars ever seen in a game. We look forward to doing the cars justice.”
Horacio Pagani, founder and chief designer at Pagani Automobili said “A simulation like Project CARS will give enthusiasts all over the world the opportunity to experience the unique driving feel of a Pagani. With the support of our technical partners Mercedes-AMG, Brembo and Pirelli , our engineers are working closely with the physics engine developers to create the most realistic experience possible.”
All three cars will be available to drive in Project CARS later this year. WMD members will be able to take a virtual test drive once first versions of the car have been completed by using the regular development builds of Project CARS. As well as featuring in the full version of Project CARS, players will be able to experience the Paganis for themselves via a free download at Pagani’s website later on this year.
About Slightly Mad Studios Ltd
Slightly Mad Studios is an independent, award-winning developer known most recently for its work on Electronic Arts’ Need For Speed franchise with the successful SHIFT series. The company has a core studio located near Tower Bridge, London but predominantly uses a unique distributed development system that allows the team to attract worldwide talent, be cost-effective and ultra-efficient.
