I'm going to try to focus on a few elements of racing games this week. I never try to devote any one week to a certain thing, but I'll try for this one.
--- The Grand Prix Circuit Explained ---
In a proper circuit-racing game, I would describe the Grand Prix course as an intimidating and imposing race course. I would consider the requirements for such tracks as follows:
* a signature, game-defining, closed-circuit race track
* permanent race course (some exceptions if the best one is a street course)
* for some games, a FICTIONAL race course
* long or even very long (x > 2 miles, or x > 3.22 km for most games)
* great layout and rewarding to race on
* at least be moderately difficult
* makes a great test track
* utilized fully by various racing series in a game or in various championships
* a track that just looks like it could host a Grand Prix event. This can consist of massive grandstands, a nicely-appointed race course with great facilities, etc.
Since I do a lot of Gran Turismo videos and posts, the true Grand Prix course in GT is Grand Valley Speedway. Why this course? It's a no-brainer. Grand Valley Speedway is Gran Turismo. Grand Valley has been in every major GT game including Tourist Trophy. While a fictional course, if it were a real track, it could easily be a candidate for a Formula One Grand Prix event for its complexity and challenge. The track is long with some very interesting corners. It's courses like these that make for great racing.
I also think that Apricot Hill is a great Grand Prix-style course, though it's much shorter than Grand Valley. The layout of this course suggests a Grand Prix-style racing facility. Grand Valley is king, but Apricot Hill is just as intense to race.
--- What Are Some Other Examples in Other Games? ---
Löwenseering (Enthusia Professional Racing). Löwenseering is a great example of a Grand Prix-style race course. The course seems to be a mixture of various other circuits. Its layout is amazing, and the challenge it provides is unlike any other- including the Nürburgring Nordschleife. It's the most formidable and rewarding circuit in Enthusia.
Alpine Ring Raceway (Forza Motorsport). I like to think of Alpine Ring as a course that defines Forza just for the amount of challenge it provides.
Solid Circuit (Sega GT). Sega GT's track lack any character or personality. However, if you had to nominate any one track to be a great Grand Prix-style racing course, it's Solid Circuit. Solid Circuit is neither long nor imposing. However, it provides a great challenge for a PERMANENT race course.
Peach Circuit (Mario Kart 64). Weird of me to include a track from an ARCADE racing game. Even for a childish and fun game like Mario Kart 64, the track itself is laid out like a very good Grand Prix course. It's long with plenty of challenging corners.
Essington Park and Orchard Park - Road Course (rFactor). Essington Park has a layout that really has a Grand Prix feel to it. I included Orchard Park's road course because the track flows nicely and isn't too difficult. To be honest, I use Orchard Park's road course as my test track in rFactor.
Training (MotoGP 4). Every other track in this game are real except Training. It is a track that you could probably play on an arcade machine because of its look and feel.
Can you name some from games you've played?
--- [Some Of] Grand Prix Courses in Action! ---
Check out these YouTube videos I've found to see these courses in action!
^ Grand Valley Speedway, Gran Turismo 4
^ Löwenseering, Enthusia Professional Racing (forgive the music)
^ Alpine Ring Raceway, Forza Motorsport 1
^ Solid Circuit, Sega GT (HD Available)
^ Essington Park, rFactor (may need to turn the volume up)
^ Royal Raceway, Mario Kart 64
--- Overall... ---
These courses are among some of the most rewarding to race and most rewarding to win on. Every proper circuit-racing game needs that one or two+ circuits that really defines racing in a given game. These are the courses that have a character all their own and are imposing in their own ways. Whether they are graphically-impressive, rewarding to race, too good to be real, or whatever... these comprise a wonderful kind of race course for racing games.
This concludes this blog entry. Thank you for reading.
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