RFactor

{{short description|2005 video game}} {{for|the 2013 sequel|rFactor 2}} {{refimprove|date=November 2016}} {{Lowercase title|italic=yes}} {{Infobox video game |title = ''rFactor'' |italic title = no |image = center|250px|''rFactor'' logo |developer = Image Space Incorporated |publisher = Image Space Incorporated |designer = Image Space Incorporated |engine = isiMotor2 |released = {{vgrelease|NA|August 30-31, 2005}} |genre = Racing simulation |modes = Single-player, multiplayer |platforms = Microsoft Windows }} '''''rFactor''''' is a computer racing simulator designed for hardcore simulation racers.<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine |last=Camaj |first=Gjon |date=January 2005 |title=Gjon Camaj on rFactor |url=https://autosimsport.net/issues/autosimsport_v1i1.zip |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212222743/https://autosimsport.net/issues/autosimsport_v1i1.zip |archive-date=12 December 2007 |magazine=AutoSimSport |page=8 |volume=1 |issue=1}}</ref> ''rFactor'' claimed to be the most accurate race simulator of its time.<ref name=":0" /> Released in August 2005, it competed with games like ''NASCAR Racing 2003 Season'', ''Live for Speed'', and ''GTR''.''<ref name=":0" />'' The game featured many technical advances in tire modeling, complex aerodynamics and a 15 degrees of freedom physics engine.{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}} It also featured multiplayer.''<ref name=":0" />''

''rFactor'' was developed by Image Space Incorporated (ISI), which has been developing simulators since the early 1990s for both commercial and military purposes. The isiMotor2 on which the game is based is a direct successor to the engine used in previous titles developed by ISI, most notably ''F1 Challenge '99–'02'', released through EA Sports. The isiMotor2 engine was also used in many other simulation games, and in ''rFpro''.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150131043113/http://imagespaceinc.com/software.php History of the Image Space Inc. Software Engine], at imagespaceinc.com</ref> The game was made without ISI's longtime publishing partner at the time of EA Sports,<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Manhood |first=Andy |date=September 2004 |title=rFactor: EA's Finest Racing Team Goes Independent |url=https://archive.org/details/UneditedPCGamer_marktrade/PC_Gamer_127u/page/n57/mode/2up |magazine=PCGamer |page=48 |volume=11 |issue=9}}</ref> and featured exclusively custom tracks rather than licensing real ones.''<ref name=":0" />''

== Development == {{Unreferenced section|date=July 2024}}thumb|BMW Sauber vehicle in a promotional image ''rFactor'' is an evolution of ''F1 Challenge '99–'02'', but without the licensing of Formula One circuits and teams.{{Original research inline|date=July 2024}} As such, ''rFactor'''s initial release only included four fictitious circuits (seven as of v1.087), with about a dozen layouts within these facilities and there were about six vehicle classes, including two open wheel and four sedan classes. Among its most notable features was a rich interface for creating custom game contents, which made it possible for amateurs to create additional vehicles and tracks for the game. In August 2006, ISI released the full update, with many changes and new features, including the new 2006 BMW Sauber F1 and a much requested manual. Another notable and often requested feature was driver-swapping, which allowed to change drivers during the race, enabling up to 24 hour events like Le Mans.

A feature was added to allow the AI to "learn a track", which teaches the AI the ideal way to drive a particular circuit. As of v1.150,<ref>''[https://web.archive.org/web/20110613015957/http://rfactor.net/web/2006/08/01/v1150-update-released/ v1150 Update Released!]'', 01.08.06</ref> the AI was improved, leading to notably faster driving styles. Version 1.250 was released in January 2007.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110613013045/http://rfactor.net/web/2007/01/25/rfactor-update-version-1-250/ rFactor Update Version 1.250], rfactor.net, 25.01.07 </ref> A patch was released on October 12 the same year that brought the version to 1.255 build F.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20071221005537/http://www.rfactor.net/?page=news_09-26_1255 rFactor 1255 Patch Released], 10.12.07, at rFactor newsroom, rfactor.net</ref> ''rFactor'' also advertises an advanced tire model, aiming to be much better than the Pacejka model previously used in most simulators. ''rFactor'''s tire model simulates a non-linear tire use cycle according to temperature and wear.

''F1 Challenge'' proved to be popular for online racing over the Internet through GameSpy, which allowed any player to find available games. ''rFactor'' has extended this in several ways. The central server is handled by ISI themselves, so finding other games is effectively the same, but the central server will show all races and practice sessions over a web interface known as Racecast. There are also career statistics available for registered drivers. The game server can be run from a dedicated program, free from the need to render graphics. It can run mixtures of human and computer controlled (AI) vehicles.

In an evolution from ''F1 Challenge'', the circuits now include all layouts at a particular facility, which greatly reduces the need to duplicate track geometry. The game can easily accommodate different sorts of vehicles and games between multiple classes of vehicles are possible. ''rFactor'' also has a plugin-interface for third-party addons to hook in, which allows for features like screen-overlays or radio chatter.

== Reception == {{Video game reviews <!-- Aggregators. --> |GR=86%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/925183-rfactor/index.html|title=rFactor for PC - GameRankings|publisher=GameRankings|accessdate=December 2, 2016}}</ref> |rev1=''HonestGamers'' |rev1Score=8/10<ref name="honestgamers">{{cite web|url=http://www.honestgamers.com/6501/pc/rfactor/review.html|title=rFactor (PC) review|work=honestgamers.com|publisher=HonestGamers|first=Paul|last=Josua|date=November 20, 2007|accessdate=December 2, 2016}}</ref> }} In an early review of an ''rFactor'' preview, published on ''AutoSimSport'', Jon Denton said: "What the tire model in ''rFactor'' does very well is that it models the relationship between slip angle, self aligning torque and cornering force - and it does this better than anything that has come before".<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Denton |first=John |last2=SmokinBob |date=August 2005 |title=rFactor RC0973 Review |url=https://autosimsport.net/issues/autosimsport_v1i8.zip |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212222743/https://autosimsport.net/issues/autosimsport_v1i8.zip |archive-date=12 December 2007 |magazine=AutoSimSport |page=8 |volume=1 |issue=8}}</ref>

Writing on ''HonestGamers'', Paul Josua concluded: "It's a little unfair to hold ''rFactor'''s lack of accessibility against it as it has clearly set out to be a simulation racer. It does a fine job of that, but those who don't demand flawless simulation are better served looking elsewhere".<ref name="honestgamers"/>

''rFactor'' was a finalist for ''PC Gamer US'''s "Best Racing Game 2005" award, which ultimately went to ''GTR: FIA GT Racing''.<ref name=pcgamerusawards2005>{{cite journal|date=March 2006|title=The Twelfth Annual ''PC Gamer'' Awards|volume=13|number=3|pages=33–36, 38, 40–42, 44|journal=PC Gamer US}}</ref>

== Sequel == ISI developed ''rFactor 2'', which includes weather effects, reflections and accurate shadows on a variety of textures. It was released on March 28, 2013.

== See also == * ''ARCA Sim Racing '08'' * ''GT Legends'' * ''GTR 2 – FIA GT Racing Game'' * ''NASCAR Racing 2003 Season'' * ''rFactor 2'' * ''Simraceway''

== References == {{reflist}}

== External links == * {{Official|1=http://www.rfactor.net/}} * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iel7fOuZh0 Interview with ''rFactor'' developer Gjon Camaj of ISI], Inside Sim Racing, Feb 29, 2008

{{Image Space Incorporated games}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rfactor}} Category:2005 video games Category:Racing simulators Category:Racing video games Category:Video games developed in the United States Category:Windows games Category:Windows-only games Category:Image Space Incorporated games Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games