In an online race, if you’ve never overtaken an off-sounding XF GTI with a slipping clutch can you even call yourself a true sim fan?! How a tyre model feels to drive is entirely subjective, but from a technical horsepower standpoint, it’s difficult to argue that LFS trumps the likes of rF2 nowadays.īeamNG.drive is seen as a pioneer in sim vehicle damage-modelling, but before it even existed you could overheat your clutch, drop a cylinder or even pop a damper in LFS. Modern sims like rFactor 2 (rf2) and iRacing have since caught up and arguably have more complicated and satisfying tyre models now, but LFS felt satisfyingly realistic from day one. All sorts of paint schemes and mod cars can be seen in public servers Tyre wall deformation was a notable highlight.
LFS’ tyre model was ground-breaking at the time of initial release too, with subsequent iterations adding dynamic flat spots, hot spots, dirt and wear features. Thanks to the in-game map editor, players could even create their own autocross courses, covering a little-known motorsport discipline in the process. From an early stage, the sim featured road cars, race cars, rally cars, drift cars, open-wheelers and autocross. One of the platform’s strong points is its diversity. As a result, sim racing communities rallied around the excitingly realistic handling model. However, it can also be argued that it showed great foresight on the developers’ part, as LFS was immediately at the apex of the online PC racing scene. In 2002, when home internet was slowly transitioning from dial-up to faster, more stable broadband connections, this was a bold strategy. One of the core aims of LFS was to get players racing online within two clicks of starting the game. The Caterham-style kit cars are pure oversteer machines Click and connect
With hindsight, and given Molyneux’s subsequent fall from grace, the decision to forge their own path – with sound designer van Vlaardingen – was the correct one. Molyneux was also responsible for heading up legendary ‘90s developer Bullfrog, makers of the incredible Theme Park, Theme Hospital and Syndicate.Īfter completing work on ambitious god simulator Black & White, Roberts and Bailey were able to focus on Live for Speed development, eventually leaving Lionhead. Lionhead Studios was co-founded by the eccentric Peter Molyneux. The idea of an online racing simulator was mooted between the pair of racing game enthusiasts, eventually blossoming into a beta of Live for Speed. The project began while Roberts and Bailey worked together at Lionhead Studios in 2001.
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