Ever since Atari released Gran Trek 10 in 1974, gamers and car enthusiasts have been dreaming of the day when they can experience the thrill and excitement of driving their dream car on an immersive virtual platform.
Today, games like Codemaster’s F1 series and Polyphony Digital’s Gran Turismo provide gamers with a sim-like experience at a fraction of the cost of a track day. Players can do everything from managing tire temperatures to upgrading crankshafts and engine specs. But, these games are usually limited in scope and only allow players to drive within the confines of tracks and circuits.
However, there’s a new trend in driving games: non-racing sims. It sounds odd, but games like Euro Truck Simulator and Bus Driver are massively popular on Steam and players have racked up thousands of hours while obeying the rules of the road.
While these kinds of games have previously been reserved for a special niche of geek, the metaverse might be about to change that paradigm.
Advancements in metaverse tech — like the ability to create immersive, tactical experiences — could be about to shake up the video game industry, replace Driver’s Ed, and enhance the automotive industry.
So, here’s how car video games, the metaverse, and driving IRL may intersect in the future.
Simulators and the Metaverse
The metaverse is yet to emerge as a mainstream platform of entertainment and virtual experience. However, those in the know are aware of the massive potential a virtual world might hold for regular joes and gamer geeks alike.
Racing simulators are already highly sophisticated and widely adopted by high-performance racers. Almost all Formula One and Indy Car drivers log hundreds of hours on virtual sims before they take to real circuits. These sims give the drivers feedback on everything from weather conditions to tire temperatures and are invaluable for new drivers who are still getting up to speed.
Currently, these high-spec sims are expensive and reserved for competitive racers. But, it’s not hard to imagine a future where the metaverse utilizes sim-like tech as part of its appeal. Most people will never have the opportunity to step into a Lamborghini or Ferrari, but in the metaverse, that dream can be realized. Manufacturers are sure to see the appeal of creating metaverse-appropriate rides that improve their brand image and give would-be buyers a chance to try out their dream cars with immersive gaming tech.
It’s also worth noting that the metaverse isn’t just for gaming — it’s also a marketplace that bridges the gap between reality and virtual experiences. Instead of heading to a dealer or seller in a physical location, metaverse adopters will be able to virtually experience the car they’re thinking of purchasing. This will change the landscape of car sales and is sure to have a knock-on effect on car design.
IoT, Design, and Games
The metaverse is built on Web 3.0 which, in turn, uses the internet of things (IoT) to create a new relationship between users, digital ownership, and physical goods like cars. This all sounds rather futuristic, but, in reality, this interrelation of tech and the auto industry is already part of today’s car market.
Cutting-edge car designers know how to spin a web of tech that leverages the IoT, metaverse, and deep learning programs to provide buyers with a safer, more engaging driving experience. Recent developments in self-driving cars and EVs are making driving cool again and have reignited a spark in the auto industry where tech-savvy designers are “pushing the envelope in design, technology, and capabilities.”
Of course, some folks are hesitant and lack enthusiasm when it comes to EVs — after all, few driving experiences compare to the sound and feel of the V8-powered sports car of yesteryear. But, drivers who adopt the future of automotive design can expect to get the best of both worlds, as sports-oriented brands like Porsche and Lotus are due to release a fleet of electric-powered, high-performance road vehicles that will outperform gas-powered equivalents on the road and the track.
Overcoming Challenges
Realizing a futuristic interrelation between car video games, the metaverse, and driving in real life is exciting — but it’s not without its challenges.
While crashing a car in the metaverse doesn’t have any real-life consequences, automotive brands and metaverse designers have to deal with other safety concerns: addiction and misuse.
Early adopters of proto-metaverses can easily get sucked into the immersive virtual experience, and younger users are at real risk of developing an unhealthy relationship with VR platforms. Additionally, the metaverse is widely un-regulated at the moment, meaning children who falsify their age can easily come into contact with inappropriate content while driving about in a proto-metaverse. They may also gain access to metaverse marketplaces, which creates host privacy concerns.
The metaverse will likely receive tighter regulation in the coming years — particularly for younger folks. In the meantime, parents can keep kids safe in VR realms by getting involved in their new favorite pastime and by maintaining tight parental controls which ensure children can only gain access to ESRB-rated content.
Conclusion
The metaverse has real potential for gamers, car enthusiasts, and car designers alike. Gamers can experience their favorite cars in increasingly realistic settings, and car enthusiasts may be able to swap track-days for sim-days soon. Car designers can also draw inspiration from the metaverse and IoT, and create EVs which cater to the desires of would-be buyers who want to check their new car out in proto-metaverses.
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