rFactor available on Steam

rFactor available on Steam

As announced, Image Space Incorporated made the original rFactor Simulator software available on the Steam digital distribution platform. Even though rFactor 1 is about ten years old and already has a follow-up in the form of rFactor2,  it is still a viable simulation platform with a very loyal fanbase.

The man behind the rFactor Steam release is the software developer and avid sim racer Marcel Offermans. Many community members will without a doubt have raced the friendly Dutch Apache software guru. A few months ago, ISI contacted Marcel with the request of bringing rFactor 1 to he Steam platform. As a huge fan of the sim, Marcel gladly accepted, and as a result we can now enjoy the fruits of his labor with a fully Steam integrated version of rFactor.

With features such as the Steam friends system, achievements, matchmaker, Music Player and more, Marcel has a reason to be proud. On his personal blog he published a nice article explaining us the work needed to get the job done.

Make sure you check it out at www.planetmarrs.net

With a 15% release reduction price, the Steam version of rFactor retails for €19,54€ instead of the regular €22,99.

Existing rFactor members can convert their regular to a Steam version by requesting a Steam Key at the dedicated rFactor Steam Key webpage.

rFactor Listed Features

Physics

• Updated 15 degrees of freedom physics engine
• Advanced tire modeling
• Support for 4-link rear suspension
• Engine boost modeling
• Complex aerodynamics
• Head physics, cockpit vibrations, detailed bump modeling
• All-new track-specific terrain data file system

Graphics/Sound

• DX9 advanced graphics engine
• Real-time day/night transitions
• Projected headlights for nighttime driving
• Adjust player and opponent volume ratio
• See the apex with the Look Ahead slider
• Adjust your seat and mirror while in the driver’s seat
• Updating real-time scoring towers
• Expanded and enhanced gauge and LCD features for vehicle cockpits
• Improved loading times
• Updated sound engine
• Changing engine sounds based on upgraded vehicle performance

Gameplay

• Career mode with upgrades that affect the vehicle’s appearance, performance, and sound
• Define AI opponent types, strength and aggression
• Races can be lap based, time based or both
• Vehicle upgrade system
• Vehicle economy including mileage
• Ambient and track temperature changes throughout the race
• More configurable keys than you can shake a stick at
• Multiple Racing Series with vehicle and circuit filters
• Grid editing

Camera/Replays

• Full screen monitor and ability to rewind
• Freely move camera from any position including the ever famous exclusive ISI Swingman
• Spectator mode
• Greatly enhanced replay system including clip splicing
• Move, duplicate or delete replay clips while assigning camera movements to each
• Export replays to AVI files defining compression and size options

Multiplayer

• Completely new multiplayer engine
• Built in race statistics reporting to web based RaceCast system
• Built in friends list
• Server bookmarks
• Dedicated server, including single click option
• Native voting system
• Add AI to multiplayer games
• Built in IRC chat
• Boot and ban player lists that can be passed around
• Security checks to combat potential cheating

Open Architecture

• Extensive support for modders
• Easy to use customizable multi-language support
• Define a league schedule
• Rules to simulate different types of racing
• Completely customize your controller
• Drop in new vehicle liveries

Vehicles

• 2006 Formula IS – High-Performance Open Wheel (Video)
• 2005 Hammer – Full Bodied GT
• 2005 Howston – Full Bodied GT
• National Stock Car – Stock Car
• Panoz – Full Bodied GT
• 2005 Rayzor – Rally Turbo
• 2006 rF3 – Quick and Nimble Open Wheel
• 2005 Rhez – Small FWD Sport Compact
• 2006 Rhez – Small FWD Sport Compact
• 2005 rTrainer – Low-Speed Open Wheel
• 2005 Venom – Rally
• 2005 ZR – Affordable High-Performance Sedan

Circuits

• Barcelona – Permanent Road Course
• Brianza – Permanent Road Course
• Essington Park – Permanent Road Course
• Jacksonville Speedway – High Banked Superspeedway
• Jiading – Permanent Road Course
• Joesville Speedway – Paved Short Track
• Lienz Festival – Country Roads (Video)
• Mills Metropark – Permanent Road Course with two layouts
• Montreal – Permanent Road Course
• Northamptonshire – Permanent Road Course
• Nuerburg – Permanent Road Course
• Orchard Lake – Banked Tri-Oval with Infield Road Course
• Sardian Heights – Street Circuit with two layouts
• Toban Raceway Park – Permanent Road Course with four layouts

Runs Best With

• 3.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo or 3.0 GHz AMD Athlon II x2 or better
• 4GB RAM or more
• nVidia 250 GTS or ATI/AMD 4870 or better
• 512MB Video Memory or more
• Microsoft Windows Vista 64bit, Windows 7 64bit
• DirectX 9.0c (included with installer)
• 2008 C++ SP1 Runtimes (included with the installer)
• 4GB Hard Drive Space or more
• Internet Connection
• Steering wheel and pedals

System Requirements

• 1.4 GHz processor
• PC Windows 98 SE, ME, 2000, XP, XP 64-bit, Vista, 7 (will NOT run in Windows 95 or Windows 98 first edition)
• 512 MB RAM
• Geforce4 4200 or Radeon 9200
• 128 MB video RAM
• DirectX 9.0c
• 2.0 GB of hard drive space for installation
• Internet connection required for system activation, enabled network adapter required for gameplay

Official Webpage – http://rfactor.net/