Project CARS Creator Joins Twitter and Proclaims ‘The Mad Box is Coming’ With VR Support

It’s now 2019 – if you hadn’t already noticed – and next week is the largest tech event in the world, CES. While there are usually lots of announcements and rumours, the latest to pop up on the Twittersphere is quite the oddity. CEO of Slightly Mad Studios Ian Bell – the creator behind Project CARS – has taken to the social network to announce ‘The Mad Box is coming‘.

What is this ‘Mad Box’ and when is it coming you may ask? Well in a secondary tweet Bell goes on to say: “What is the Mad Box? It’s the most powerful console ever built… It’s literally ‘Mad’… You want 4k, you want VR at 60FPS? You want a full engine for free to develop your games on it? You have it.”

Sounds intriguing, doesn’t it? Twitter users then went on to say virtual reality (VR) really only works at 90FPS, to which he responded ’60 per eye…’, going on to note: “We’re not playing around here. This is beyond next gen. For too long have subtle iterations been accepted. Time to raise the bar, substantially. :)”

So what the hell is going on? Is it the real Ian Bell? It seems unusual that someone would impersonate him, but the account has only been set up today. If this mythical ‘Mad Box’ is real, is Slightly Mad Studios planning its own VR-capable console? That would certainly be impressive, and what an opening salvo for 2019.

Slightly Mad Studios’ Project CARS and Project CARS 2 both featured VR-support so the team are already well tuned for developing immersive gaming.

Also interesting to note is the fact that the official Slightly Mad Studios twitter account retweeted Bell’s posts.

To be honest, this could all be one big joke, but it’s a bit early for April Fools. At present VRFocus has no idea what’s actually going on here. This is very much in the ‘weird rumour’ category at present, should further details arrive in the next week then VRFocus will keep you updated on this ‘Mad Box’.

Project Cars: Dieses Wochenende kostenlos für Oculus Rift erhältlich

Die Rennfahrtsimulation Project Cars – Game of the Year Edition von Entwicklerstudio Slightly Mad Studios ist dieses Wochenende vom 10. Mai bis zum 14. Mai kostenlos im Oculus Store für Oculus Rift erhältlich. Der VR-Titel bietet mehr als 120 individualisierbare Fahrzeugmodelle zur Auswahl sowie verschiedene Rennstrecken, Singleplayer- und Multiplayer-Spielmodi und Kompatibilität für Peripheriegeräte für ein authentisches Fahrerlebnis.

Project Cars – Dieses Wochenende kostenlos mit Oculus Rift spielbar

In Project Cars (2015) dürfen Spieler ihre Fähigkeiten hinter dem virtuellen Lenkrad auf 36 unterschiedlichen Fahrstrecken unter Beweis stellen. In verschiedenen Fahrzeugen können Spieler entweder online in kompetitiven Fahrten gegeneinander antreten oder in Geschwindigkeitstrennen gegen die Zeit einen Platz auf dem Leaderboard erkämpfen. Zudem kommen auch Solospieler dank eines Karrieremodus gegen KI-Gegner auf ihre Kosten.

Mit einem selbst erstellten Fahrer könnt ihr aus einer großen Auswahl aus bekannten Motorsportwagen wählen. Der VR-Titel bietet mehr als 120 verschiedene Fahrzeugmodelle sowie über 100 Track-Layouts zur Auswahl, sodass jeder Freizeitrennsportler einen fahrbaren Untersatz nach seinem Geschmack findet. Zusätzlich sorgen dynamische Wetterverhältnisse, Tag- und Nachtwechsel sowie Boxenstopps und Tuning-Möglichkeiten für ein authentischeres Spielerlebnis. Zur Steuerung unterstützt das Spiel neben Gamepad und Kombination aus Maus und Tastatur ebenso Peripheriegeräte, wie Lenkräder und Pedale.

Die bereitgestellte Version aus dem Oculus Store ist jedoch nicht mit anderen Retail-Versionen aus digitalen Stores, wie beispielsweise Steam oder physischen Versionen kompatibel. Entsprechend trefft ihr während der kostenlosen Spielperiode nur auf andere Rift-Spieler.

Project Cars – Game of the Year Edition ist vom 10. Mai bis zum 14. Mai kostenlos im Oculus Store für Oculus Rift erhältlich. Zum Download der kostenlosen Version benötigt ihr die Oculus-Desktop-App. Zudem steht die Rift-Version derzeit zum reduzierten Preis von knapp 20 Euro im Oculus Store zur Verfügung.

(Quellen: Road to VR | Slightly Mad Studios | Video: Project Cars Youtube)

Der Beitrag Project Cars: Dieses Wochenende kostenlos für Oculus Rift erhältlich zuerst gesehen auf VR∙Nerds. VR·Nerds am Werk!

Project CARS Available For Free This Weekend

If you are an Oculus Rift user who is looking for something fast-paced to play this weekend, then you are fortunate, since The Game of the Year edition of Project CARS is available to play for free over the coming weekend.

Boasting a large roster of over 120 carefully detailed cars and over 100 track layouts, Project CARS lets players create a driver, pick from a range of different motorsports and shift into gear.

Developer Slightly Mad Studios described the title on release as: “The most authentic, beautiful, intense, and technically-advanced racing game in the sim racing genre.” Though in many ways the title has been overtaken by its sequel, Project CARS 2, the original is still considered a worthy entry to the VR racing sin genre.

Since the free version on offer is the Game of the Year Edition, users will get access to some special exclusives, such as the Nurburgring Combined Nordschieife and GP Circuit tracks as well as two Pagani supercars, the Zonda Revolucion and Huayra BC.

Racing fans can also pick from a range of liveries as sported by famous teams and drivers as they race to match the Historic Goals as achieved by renowned drivers from history in order to enter the Hall of Fame. Players can also test their skills online to try and get to the top of the leaderboard.

The free weekend will last from 10th May at 6pm BST until 14th May, 8am BST. In order to participate in the free weekend, users will need to download Project CARS – Game of the Year Edition from the Oculus desktop app.

The Oculus Store version of Project CARS does not support cross play with versions bought through other online stores such as Steam. Further information can be found on the Oculus Store page. VRFocus will continue to bring you news of deals and offers on VR content.

Something For The Weekend: Big Sales On Oculus Rift Videogames

The weekend is here and you need something to get you back into the virtual world, right? We understand that need, and that’s why we always pull together the best virtual reality (VR) videogames and experiences for you. This week, here are all the best videogames to get you back into your Oculus Rift.

X Rebirth VR

We know what you want. You want to explore the universe in VR, seeing alien worlds and walking aboard incredible spacecrafts. Of course you do. Step into the shoes of Ren Otani as you rebuild your ship and trade, fight, build and think your way to victory.

X Rebirth VR is now £14.99.

The Wizards

Get ready for adventure in a fantasy land with The Wizards. You’ll be conjuring magic and destroying enemies while competing for high scores. The Oculus Touch controllers give an extra level of immersion as you wave your arms and cast spells in real time.

The Wizards is now only £7.99.

Projects CARS – Game of the Year Edition

One of the most authentic and realistic racing videogames available, Project CARS offers 120+ cars, 100+ track layouts and much much more. This is one of the best VR racing experiences available.

Project CARS – Game of the Year Edition is now only £18.99.

Shooty Fruity

SHOOTY FRUITY PREVIEW SCREENSHOT_13

Five a day? Who needs it. In Shooty Fruity you’ll be showing those pesky fruits the door – and a barrel of a gun. One minute you’ll be a normal supermarket cashier, and then the fruits will suddenly attack. Get ready and get armed.

Shooty Fruity is now only £10.99.

End Space

End-Space-Oculus-Screenshot-7

End Space is another romp through the galaxy, this time you’ll pilot a United Trade Consortium starfighter, and battle for control of the Tartarus sector. Unlock new weapons and missions as you blast through enemies in the galaxy.

End Space is now only £10.99.

Neon

If you’ve ever wished you were in the movie Tron, well, this might be the next best thing. Neon takes you to a colourful and neon lit world where you’ll shoot down obstacles and collect power ups in a unique action shooter, all to prevent solar flares, somehow.

Neon is now just £6.79.

Elite Dangerous: Commander Deluxe Edition

The original space exploration is bigger and better than ever, especially in VR. Explore the universe and boldly make your own mark on the galaxy in Elite Dangerous.

Elite Dangerous: Commander Deluxe Edition is now only £13.49.

A Handful of Keflings

handful of keflings

Visit a tiny, magical world where the Keflings live, and help them build their homes and turn their civilisation into a cultured metropolis. It’s slow paced so you can your time in this fun management sim.

A Handful of Keflings is now only £10.99.

Drop Dead

Someone needs to stop Dr. Monday and save the world, and only you can do it. Shred through zombies and get high scores with great VR arcade action. Oculus Touch only makes the experience more immersive.

Drop Dead is now £4.49.

Cosmic Trip

Defend yourself on an alien planet full of hostiles. Build an army of robots to bring under your command and defend you, as you gather resources and emerge victories. This striking VR shooter will have you building and shooting for hours.

Cosmic Trip is now only £10.99.

We’re sure you’ve already found something to waste your weekend with. Make sure to check back next week for all of the latest sales and featured VR videogames and experiences, we’ll always have the news and features you need on VRFocus.

Something for the Weekend: Oculus Store Price Drops Galore

The new year is here finally, and we’re kicking off 2018 by highlighting a bunch of deals and price drops you can find on the Oculus Store, just in case you got a fancy new Oculus Rift or Gear VR head-mounted display this Christmas.

We’ve got a bunch of titles here for you to peruse, from strategy titles, racing videogames, minigame collections and much more. Great for your new HMD, or to just add another videogame to your library to show off and play with friends.

Project CARS

The only way to make a modern, realistic driving simulator even more immersive is playing it in virtual reality (VR), and that’s exactly what Project CARS is for. The graphics, dynamic time of day and weather, and a host of different tuning mechanics for car nerds is sure to satisfy driving fans.

Project CARS – Game of the Year Edition is now £10.99 (GBP) on the Oculus Store, down from £39.99.

Nature Treks VR

Ever fancied being a God? Well, we don’t exactly have a VR deity simulator here, but Nature Treks VR comes pretty close in the moments where you can command the weather and set the sun. Nature Treks VR has even more content and environments since the latest update, making it a better deal than ever.

Nature Treks VR is only £4.49 (GBP), down from £7.99.

Loco Dojo

LocoDojo Screenshot 1_Guru

In Loco Dojo, you’ll go up against a variety of bizarre challenges against your friends, such as hooking pigs, shooting targets, knocking out teeth and more. It makes great use of the Oculus Touch controllers, and is a great way to introduce people to VR.

Loco Dojo is down to £7.99 (GBP) from £14.99.

Tethered

Tethered - Screenshot18

In this title from Secret Sorcery, The Peeps have given up hope, and as the Spirit Guardian, it’s up to you to restore life and balance to the world. The Peeps will fight for you, build for you, and lay down their lives on your orders. There are thirteen islands waiting for your help in this VR strategy, and there’s never been a better time to try it.

Tethered is down to £8.79 from £18.99.

Just In Time Incorporated

Just In Time Incorporated screenshot 3

Have you ever wanted to die? No? Well then you need Death Prevention Insurance, and that’s exactly what Just In Time Incorporated provides. You’ll be slowing down time, saving people jumping from buildings, protect them from explosions, or even take a chainsaw to them once you get sick of their attitude. Lovely.

Just In Time Incorporated is now £7.25 (GBP), down from £10.99.

Detached

Detached Race Mode

It’s a race against time. Your oxygen supply is low, your crew is missing, and for some reason every airlock requires solving a puzzle to open. Maddening. But such is the design of the spacecrafts of the future, and in Detached it’s up to you navigate in zero gravity and save your crew.

Detached is now £10.99 (GBP), previously £18.99.

Hidden Temple VR Adventure

hiddentemple3

If you’ve ever wanted to feel like Indiana Jones, but wanted to gracefully skirt around copyright issues, then Hidden Temple VR Adventure might be the perfect experience for you. Essentially a point-and-click for Gear VR, you’ll explore an ancient temple, solve puzzles, collect treasure and – hopefully – survive.

Hidden Temple VR Adventure is now £1.99 (GBP), previously £3.99.

Shufflepuck Cantina Deluxe

Travelling through space and billions of miles per hour, your vessel is sucked into a wormhole, and you awaken on an alien desert planet. A bit like Jakku, really. There’s nothing around but desert, and one large building. A casino. Where everyone plays air hockey. Yes. And you’ll play air hockey. This is basically an air hockey videogame, is what I’m trying to get at.

Shufflepuck Cantina Deluxe is now only £2.29 (GBP), down from £7.99.

Augmented Empire

Augmented_Empire_Screenshot_3

In Augmented Empire you’ll take control of six wacky characters and guide them through an “augmented reality” world. Climb the Citizen Grade System, and become much more than just a low-tier thug.

Augmented Empire is now £3.99 (GBP), down from £7.99.

In Car Racing VR

Oh yes, perhaps even better than Project CARS, here In Car Racing VR puts you in a car. And you race it. In VR. How can thing get better, you ask? Well, there’s easy controls, multiple sceneries, and multiple camera modes, of course. You can even set what kind of traffic you like. Amazing.

In Car Racing VR is only £0.79 (GBP), down from £2.29.

Something for the Weekend: Oculus Store Price Drops Galore

The new year is here finally, and we’re kicking off 2018 by highlighting a bunch of deals and price drops you can find on the Oculus Store, just in case you got a fancy new Oculus Rift or Gear VR head-mounted display this Christmas.

We’ve got a bunch of titles here for you to peruse, from strategy titles, racing videogames, minigame collections and much more. Great for your new HMD, or to just add another videogame to your library to show off and play with friends.

Project CARS

The only way to make a modern, realistic driving simulator even more immersive is playing it in virtual reality (VR), and that’s exactly what Project CARS is for. The graphics, dynamic time of day and weather, and a host of different tuning mechanics for car nerds is sure to satisfy driving fans.

Project CARS – Game of the Year Edition is now £10.99 (GBP) on the Oculus Store, down from £39.99.

Nature Treks VR

Ever fancied being a God? Well, we don’t exactly have a VR deity simulator here, but Nature Treks VR comes pretty close in the moments where you can command the weather and set the sun. Nature Treks VR has even more content and environments since the latest update, making it a better deal than ever.

Nature Treks VR is only £4.49 (GBP), down from £7.99.

Loco Dojo

LocoDojo Screenshot 1_Guru

In Loco Dojo, you’ll go up against a variety of bizarre challenges against your friends, such as hooking pigs, shooting targets, knocking out teeth and more. It makes great use of the Oculus Touch controllers, and is a great way to introduce people to VR.

Loco Dojo is down to £7.99 (GBP) from £14.99.

Tethered

Tethered - Screenshot18

In this title from Secret Sorcery, The Peeps have given up hope, and as the Spirit Guardian, it’s up to you to restore life and balance to the world. The Peeps will fight for you, build for you, and lay down their lives on your orders. There are thirteen islands waiting for your help in this VR strategy, and there’s never been a better time to try it.

Tethered is down to £8.79 from £18.99.

Just In Time Incorporated

Just In Time Incorporated screenshot 3

Have you ever wanted to die? No? Well then you need Death Prevention Insurance, and that’s exactly what Just In Time Incorporated provides. You’ll be slowing down time, saving people jumping from buildings, protect them from explosions, or even take a chainsaw to them once you get sick of their attitude. Lovely.

Just In Time Incorporated is now £7.25 (GBP), down from £10.99.

Detached

Detached Race Mode

It’s a race against time. Your oxygen supply is low, your crew is missing, and for some reason every airlock requires solving a puzzle to open. Maddening. But such is the design of the spacecrafts of the future, and in Detached it’s up to you navigate in zero gravity and save your crew.

Detached is now £10.99 (GBP), previously £18.99.

Hidden Temple VR Adventure

hiddentemple3

If you’ve ever wanted to feel like Indiana Jones, but wanted to gracefully skirt around copyright issues, then Hidden Temple VR Adventure might be the perfect experience for you. Essentially a point-and-click for Gear VR, you’ll explore an ancient temple, solve puzzles, collect treasure and – hopefully – survive.

Hidden Temple VR Adventure is now £1.99 (GBP), previously £3.99.

Shufflepuck Cantina Deluxe

Travelling through space and billions of miles per hour, your vessel is sucked into a wormhole, and you awaken on an alien desert planet. A bit like Jakku, really. There’s nothing around but desert, and one large building. A casino. Where everyone plays air hockey. Yes. And you’ll play air hockey. This is basically an air hockey videogame, is what I’m trying to get at.

Shufflepuck Cantina Deluxe is now only £2.29 (GBP), down from £7.99.

Augmented Empire

Augmented_Empire_Screenshot_3

In Augmented Empire you’ll take control of six wacky characters and guide them through an “augmented reality” world. Climb the Citizen Grade System, and become much more than just a low-tier thug.

Augmented Empire is now £3.99 (GBP), down from £7.99.

In Car Racing VR

Oh yes, perhaps even better than Project CARS, here In Car Racing VR puts you in a car. And you race it. In VR. How can thing get better, you ask? Well, there’s easy controls, multiple sceneries, and multiple camera modes, of course. You can even set what kind of traffic you like. Amazing.

In Car Racing VR is only £0.79 (GBP), down from £2.29.

‘Project CARS 2’ Leaked Footage Shows Progress on Sequel to VR-capable Racing Sim

New footage from upcoming racing simulator Project CARS 2 for PC, PS4 and Xbox One has surfaced on YouTube. Slightly Mad Studios’ new game is expected to launch later this year with support for virtual reality like its predecessor, and hopes to address the criticisms of the 2015 original.

We’ve known about Project CARS 2 since its controversial early announcement in June 2015, just a few weeks after the launch of the first game, which arrived in a state of inconsistent quality. Visually stunning, with an interesting career mode and plenty of content, it hoped to bridge the gap between PC and console racing sims. It received mainly positive reviews, but drew criticism from enthusiasts due to its bugs and questionable physics.

Although Slightly Mad Studios improved the game over the following months with several major patches, it never really reached its full potential as a sim, but eventual support for the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and OSVR headsets was very welcome, and well-implemented.

If you have suitably high-end hardware to match its demanding engine, it remains one of the most visually-impressive VR titles available.

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Project CARS 2 is expected to enhance VR support on PC, but a potential PSVR mode for the PS4 version has not been confirmed at this stage. The original game was once due to support the headset, but the chances of it happening diminished over time.

Once again, Slightly Mad Studios had used their crowdfunding platform to assist the development of the sequel, meaning that leaks are inevitable, despite the more secretive development process this time around. A ‘trailer’ (above) recently surfaced on YouTube, which revealed a chunk of new, in-game footage. This turned out to be a placeholder intro for the game used for internal presentations, and does not represent the final quality of the game, according to the developers, evidenced by the variable framerate and placehold user of music from Pirates of the Caribbean.

project cars 2 vr (1) project cars 2 vr (2)

However, it does include some interesting looks at new cars, such as the Ferrari 288 GTO, Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo, Porsche 935/80, and Jaguar XJ220S (manufacturers that were absent from the first game), along with footage of new tracks like Long Beach, the rallycross track in Hell, Norway and a Canadian ice track. It also demonstrates some of the upgraded technology, with a significantly-improved dynamic time of day and weather system. With all of this footage coming from out-of-date builds, the final product should look even more spectacular.

project cars 2 vr (5) project cars 2 vr (3)

Slightly Mad Studios CEO Ian Bell recently hinted at a September 2017 release date, and while it could slip like the first game, it sounds like they’re readying a marketing push very soon, with the real trailer due early this month. Bell has boldly stated that the title, which is still in development, has already ‘raised the bar for simulation’, with new rendering, physics, force feedback, drivetrain, differential and tyre modelling systems. Fingers crossed it can deliver, and continues with support for multiple VR headsets.

The post ‘Project CARS 2’ Leaked Footage Shows Progress on Sequel to VR-capable Racing Sim appeared first on Road to VR.

Leaked Project CARS 2 Trailer Shows a Glimpse of the Future of Racing Simulators

Leaked Project CARS 2 Trailer Shows a Glimpse of the Future of Racing Simulators

The original Project CARS from Slightly Mad Studios was a crowdfunded project that aimed to provide hardcore racing fans an authentic and comprehensive racing experience. It executed on multiple levels, eventually providing over 100 unique tracks and 125 cars across multiple racing disciplines and platforms over the course of its release.

Eventually, virtual reality capability for the Rift, Vive, and OSVR was unveiled last year and it quickly became one of the definitive immersive racing experiences. Via unknown means, the trailer for Slightly Mad Studio’s forthcoming sequel, Project CARS 2, has leaked and it looks like they’re taking the incredible attention to detail of the original game to the next level.

The trailer was spotted by TrustedReviews and is the only video on the RaceDriver YouTube channel thus far. In the trailer itself, the cars and tracks are as beautiful as ever. We’re treated early to a snow covered track with piles of white powder that truly look like they can be scattered if you veer too far off the track and we wouldn’t be surprised if that were the case in the final game.

The focus in this trailer is on the more dynamic changes these tracks can undergo as we’re shown shots of the weather and time of day changing rapidly and how the racing venues reflect that. We even witness what appears to be water pooling up on the sides of the tracks as rain continued to pour down.

Slightly Mad Studios is really looking to solidify their Project CARS racing franchise as a premier experience across platforms. With a planned track roster of over 200, 8 racing disciplines including rallycross, eSports functionality mixed into their online matchmaking, and the visual fidelity shown in this trailer, it doesn’t look like they will have too much of a problem. It remains to be seen if the game will launch with VR capability, but it is very likely considering the previous game’s compatibility with HTC Vive and Oculus Rift. Maybe even the PS VR will be included this time around?

Project CARS 2 is currently planned to be released on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.

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