[tab:News]In my opinion, this is actually one of the coolest ideas for a racing game in quite some time. North One Sport, promoter for FIA WRC (World Rally Championship) has agreed to running a cooperative effort with Black Bean Games and iOpener Media to try to implement real-time positioning into WRC games.

Basically the premise of the concept is to allow users the ability to race their rally cars on the race track in the game as the streaming of the actual race with actual racers will be coinciding with it. In other words, players can essentially race against the actual rally car drivers on the same track, at the same time. If they could actually get it to work, it would be awesome, and a big bridge between real life and gaming. Here’s what Simon Long of North One Sport has said:

This study should take us a step closer to our goal of allowing WRC fans anywhere in the world the opportunity to become part of the action. Using the internet they would be able to compete in the rally on the same stages against some of the best drivers in the world. If this test is successful then we hope in the future to crown our first virtual rally champion.

iOpener’s CEO, Andy Lürling, also stated:

Together we aim to configure North One Sport’s systems and iOpener’s patented technology to capture high accuracy live action GPS which can then be integrated into the next generation of WRC video games. These games will allow fans to drive, co-drive, manage or simply watch the WRC from the heart of the action.

This is actually a pretty big concept. If it can come to fruition, it would definitely be something very cool. Be sure to read the entire press release in the tab!
[tab:Press Release]
26 February 2010
WRC TO BE THE SUBJECT OF INNOVATIVE VIDEO GAME CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT

North One Sport, global Promoter for the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), has agreed a technical cooperation to investigate the feasibility of real-time rally gaming. The consortium, including iOpener Media and Black Bean Games, will explore a new interactive gaming concept for the WRC based on real-time positioning data.

iOpener has been developing real-time high-accuracy positioning data in interactive applications since 2007 and, in conjunction with North One Sport, has secured the cooperation of Gulf Horizon Group. Black Bean Games, publisher of the upcoming official WRC console game, will also support the project with further technical expertise provided by their in-house production studio Milestone.

The partners will work together to collect a continuous stream of positioning and telemetry data from the cars competing on WRC rallies. This data will then be applied and tested in a step-by-step plan aiming to deliver a gaming experience that is consistent, reliable and accurate.

“This study should take us a step closer to our goal of allowing WRC fans anywhere in the world the opportunity to become part of the action,” commented Simon Long, CEO of North One Sport Ltd. “Using the internet they would be able to compete in the rally on the same stages against some of the best drivers in the world. If this test is successful then we hope in the future to crown our first virtual rally champion.”

iOpener CEO Andy Lürling added, “Together we aim to configure North One Sport’s systems and iOpener’s patented technology to capture high accuracy live action GPS which can then be integrated into the next generation of WRC video games. These games will allow fans to drive, co-drive, manage or simply watch the WRC from the heart of the action.”

“At Black Bean Games, there is always a great motivation to be at the forefront of innovation so we can change the shape of gaming. We choose revolution over evolution and believe this strategic partnership will allow us to set a new benchmark in the future of the motorsports gaming genre. We will be able to deliver a unique and realistic gaming experience featuring exclusive opportunities and a technological breakthrough. This is definitely part of our medium-term development program that could become an integral part of the WRC games,” commented Virgilio Bixio, CEO at Black Bean Games.[tab:END]