Gaming

As Sony and Microsoft both continue to challenge the idea of traditional console experiences, Turn 10 has released the latest batch of info in the latter’s campaign. Forza Motorsport 6: Apex (first officially announced last month) is a cut-down, “curated” version of the expansive Xbox One title launched last year. As it turns out, those looking to get a taste of the game have only one more week to wait, as it will be launching in Open Beta status next Thursday, May 5.

What does a croissant have in common with Brands Hatch Indy, the clipped version of the historic circuit? Well, they both share the same, gentle crescent-shaped figure and digestibility. As far as video games are concerned, digestible content equals popular content, with a number of users continuously returning for another tasty snack. I’m quite positive anyone could confirm that the track in question fits that description.

UPDATE: The ESRB have now removed the separate Driveclub VR listing. Did we stumble upon something we weren’t supposed to?

The new monthly update for NFS is due to go live tomorrow bringing all-new competitive multiplayer playlists, ‘Prestige Events’ and the return of the Speedwall Speed Run/Drift Corners seen in Need for Speed: Most Wanted 2012 for all 3 platforms.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uz8BM0yfdw

To say things have been a little wild as of late would be to sell the entire scenario short by a considerable margin. Not only are things beginning to heat up with the heavily rumored and all-but-confirmed PlayStation 4K (or is it Neo?), now it may very well appear that Gran Turismo Sport is still on track for a 2016 release window, if a recent revelation is to be believed.

In my review of DiRT Rally I praised the game heavily in many areas. One such area I would like to explore a bit deeper and make a point of is just how good the locations are within the game. This is the first of three articles that showcase all six countries represented in DiRT Rally. The format will be simple: each country will get one showcase track that I will drive in a car I either haven’t driven at all or one I haven’t driven much, in order to give a good look at how each track feels to a regular driver as opposed to an ‘expert’. All runs are also made against the ‘community delta’ for those curious as to what time I’m comparing to. So, let’s begin, shall we?

While we put the finishing touches on the TOTW 27 video – coming at you soon – it’s that time again: voting time. Who will win the title of GTPlanet’s Track of the Week this time?

New seasonal events are now available in Gran Turismo 6. This week’s events are the usual fare, a combination of super lap and drift trial challenges featuring non-race cars and race cars alike, whether they’re from Britian or of the front-engine rear-wheel drive variety.

The emotional investment toward Assetto Corsa now that we’re just over a month away from the console release is almost palpable, and with good reason: console-goers have plenty to look forward as many of those currently enjoying the game on PC will surely attest.

There’s no such thing as “too many tracks”. Any sim racer will tell you that. Of course, just like the available garage that ships with a new title, the track roster is always going to be limited by time. Developers have to walk a fine line, including tracks that (hopefully) please as much of the player base as possible. Some, as it turns out, will end up more popular than others.

Over the past month there have been whispers of a more powerful and better equipped upgrade to the PlayStation 4, commonly referred to as the PlayStation 4.5 or PlayStation 4K. Keeping up the momentum of the first two reports, yet another story has emerged, and the refreshed console may offer a little more promise than originally assumed.

New patents filed by Microsoft seem to indicate that the much-rumored hardware revisions for Xbox could become a reality, with signs pointing toward a slimmer model and possibly an upgraded model. Picked up by NeoGAF user Mike R, the first patent known as ‘Part 1683’ has strong ties to the existing Xbox One’s WLAN Module filings that were registered when the first console was unveiled. These ties are a user manual of the exact same size and the designated model number of “1525” indicates a user manual that is not yet available – practically guaranteeing some sort of new Xbox model will be on the way very soon. Crucially to speculation, the NDA for this patent officially expires on the 25th of June – Just after E3 closes its doors.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOYRkQRdl7k&feature=youtu.be

In the words of R. Kelly, it’s the freakin’ weekend! Here in Toronto, the snow has finally disappeared and temperatures look to be holding in the double digits. Spring has truly sprung.

As revealed late last week, the sonorous Mercedes-AMG GT3 joins Project CARS, further expanding the title’s impressive list of GT3 class racing machinery, and is available to everyone at no additional cost.

After the challenge of trying to perfectly land all the jumps at Oakhill Road, the 25th GTP TOTW, it’s with a slight sigh of relief that we arrive at this week’s featured track. Crafted – as many replicas are – on Eifel Flat, we’re at the lush Yas Marina Circuit, care of member Cole Morgan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_FJ1_nX7IM

Prominent accessory manufacturer Thrustmaster is back in the spotlight with another interesting product – the TMX Force Feedback racing wheel, with highly adaptive force feedback effect. The new steering wheel has been officially designed for Xbox One, but the manufacturer ensures full compatibility on Windows platform PC’s as well.

A recent trend in new rally games is to include some form of Rallycross, as the discipline enjoys an explosion in popularity. Two of 2016’s major rally releases (DiRT Rally and Sebastien Loeb Rally Evo) both represent the sport, with the former having official FIA certification. SLRE counters with 5 circuits whereas DiRT has 3, so from a track perspective SLRE has the edge. Even more so if we include SLRE’s latest DLC pack which includes ‘Hell’ in Norway.