Goodyear provides tyre expertise to rFactor 2

As first reported in December, players of the rFactor 2 motorsport simulation will benefit from a partnership between Studio 397 and Goodyear. The tyre maker is helping the Studio 397 physics team understand the very deep and complex construction and reactions of racing tyres. The Netherlands-based video game developer says it has benefitted from “an exceptional collaboration and sharing of data and insight of late.”

This data, says Studio 397, has “gone some way towards rFactor 2 yet further enhancing the already advanced tyre model within the simulation.” At the same time, Goodyear has expanded its own virtual tyre modelling capabilities.

Tailored tyres to match real-world counterparts

“As a leading motorsport simulation product, rFactor 2 has to dig deeply into the advanced world of automotive physics in order to accurately portray many varied characteristics of real-world driving and racing dynamics,” comments Studio 397. “In order to recreate real-world behaviours in a simulation environment, the rFactor 2 software has to undertake a mind-boggling array of calculations from many varied aspects of the car, road surface, ambient conditions and more in order to present a precise and accurate experience to the end user.

“Of these multiple calculations and dependencies undertaken at any given time, one of the key areas to ensuring a robust driving experience comes from the way the physics engineers at Studio 397 interpret tyre data and behaviour characteristics within the simulation,” the video game specialist continues. “More than simply bolting a standard set of behaviours onto the tyres within the simulation across the full spectrum of cars, each set of tyres has been tailor-made to match their real-world counterparts, both in terms of behaviour, but also construction, interaction with the car and surface, and of course how tyres react throughout a range of different potential situations and stress factors on track.”

Studio 397 believes that working together with Goodyear has presented it “with a fantastic opportunity to uplift the racing experience for all our players,” adding that it “cannot wait for you to fully experience out on the track!”