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Live for Speed (LFS) is an online racing simulator developed by a small team comprised of Scawen Roberts, Eric Bailey, and Victor van Vlaardingen. Its main focus is providing a realistic online multiplayer racing experience. However, it does contain single player support, where one may race against AI cars, try to set lap records, or take driving skills tests.
Releases
The game is intended to be released in three parts, S1 (Stage 1), S2, and S3. Each stage will feature improvements in many areas, such as physics model, graphics and sound. Technical improvements introduced in each new stage become available for previous stages as well, with the main difference between stages being additional cars and tracks, as well as the maximum number of players in a server. Owners of each stage are also able to access servers for previous stages and demo servers.
A fully working, commercial, alpha version of LFS S2 was released on June 24, 2005. Patch S2 T was released on April 21, 2006 and includes several physics and track updates, as well as the addition of a new car, the BMW Sauber F1.
The latest patch is S2 U, launched on the 29th of April, which added a small number of features like separate dashboard colours for each of the single seater cars.
Gameplay
LFS, like most car simulators, requires smooth, controlled movements on the steering, throttle, and brakes in order to get the fastest speed through a lap. There is support for wheel, mouse, keyboard, joystick, or gamepad steering control. LFS is relatively unique among racing simulators in offering FPS-style mouse steering, which fills in the gap for racers who don't own racing wheels but would like more precise control than using keyboard steering.
The S2 release offers a total of 19 different vehicles. They range from beginner-friendly models to cars more suited for players with more experience. There is a broad power spectrum compared to most racing games, from under 100 horsepower (75 kW) to over 700 hp (500 kW) in the high performance race cars.
The current version features seven separate racing areas, each containing several layouts of different distances. Altogether, there are 54 unique configurations. Additionally, users can create their own custom layouts using cones and other objects with the in-game autocross editor; the car park environments in the game are ideal for creating such layouts.
Races can be from one to hundreds of laps or be set to run for a certain length of time, as is seen in endurance racing. There is support for refueling and tire changes in pit stops and mid-race adjustment of pit strategy. During an online race driver changes between two real drivers are possible. Pit lane speed limits of 80 km/h are enforced by penalties similar to those seen in real motorsport. These include drive-through, stop and go, or time penalty. Starting grids can be set by random chance, finishing positions in the previous race, or a qualifying period before the race.
A training mode is included as a driving school to help new drivers acquaint themselves with basic driving skills and the handling characteristics of each car. The lessons cover subjects such as cornering, throttle and brake control, and negotiating traffic. To pass, they have to be completed within a certain time without touching any obstacles or other vehicles. They are arranged as in sets, one for each car and ordered from slowest to fastest. Each set must be completed before moving to the lessons for the next car. However, completing them is not necessary to unlock cars, as all are available for racing from the beginning.
Cars
S1
| S1 cars | ||||||
| Model | Abbrev | Layout | Drive | Engine | Output | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XF GTI | XFG | FF hatchback | FWD | 1.3 L inline-4 | 115 hp (86 kW) | 2073 lb (940 kg) |
| XR GT | XRG | FR coupe | RWD | 1.8 L inline-4 | 140 hp (104 kW) | 2536 lb (1150 kg) |
| XR GT Turbo | XRT | FR coupe | RWD | 2.0 L turbo inline-4 | 247 hp (184 kW) | 2695 lb (1223 kg) |
| RB4 GT | RB4 | 4WD coupe | AWD | 2.0 L turbo inline-4 | 243 hp (181 kW) | 2707 lb (1228 kg) |
| FXO Turbo | FXO | FF coupe | FWD | 1.9 L turbo flat-4 | 234 hp (175 kW) | 2512 lb (1140 kg) |
| LX4 | LX4 | FR roadster | RWD | 1.3 L inline-4 | 140 hp (105 kW) | 1101 lb (499 kg) |
| LX6 | LX6 | FR roadster | RWD | 1.8 L inline-6 | 190 hp (142 kW) | 1188 lb (539 kg) |
| MRT5 | MRT | MR kart | RWD | 600 cc turbo inline-4 | 64 hp (48 kW) | 486 lb (221 kg) |
- XF GTI (XFG) - Front-wheel drive hatchback, similar to European hatchbacks such as the Peugeot 106 and Golf GTI
- XR GT (XRG) - Rear-wheel drive, front engined coupe, similar to a Porsche 944, Mazda RX-7 FC, or Mitsubishi Starion
- XR GT Turbo (XRT) - XR GT with increased power
- RB4 GT (RB4) - Four-wheel drive, front-engined coupe, similar to a Toyota Celica GT4
- FXO Turbo (FXO) - Front-wheel drive, front-engined coupe, similar to the Vauxhall/Opel Astra Coupe
- LX4 - Front-engined rear-wheel drive lightweight roadster, similar to a Lotus Seven or a Caterham
- LX6 - Heavier, more powerful version of the LX4
- MRT5 (MRT) - Small open-wheel race car somewhat larger than a kart, based on the real MRT5 built by the McGill Racing Team to compete in the Formula SAE championship
S2
| S2 cars | ||||||
| Model | Abbrev | Layout | Drive | Engine | Output | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UF 1000 | UF1 | FF hatchback | FWD | 1.0 L inline-4 | 55 hp (41 kW) | 1322 lb (600 kg) |
| Raceabout | RAC | MR convertible | RWD | 2.0 L turbo inline-4 | 245 hp (183 kW) | 1763 lb (800 kg) |
| FZ50 | FZ5 | RR coupe | RWD | 3.6 L flat-6 | 360 hp (269 kW) | 3042 lb (1380 kg) |
| XF GTR | XFR | FF race car | FWD | 2.0 L inline-4 | 230 hp (172 kW) | 1851 lb (840 kg) |
| UF GTR | UFR | FF race car | FWD | 1.4 L inline-4 | 180 hp (134 kW) | 1323 lb (600 kg) |
| Formula XR | FOX | MR formula | RWD | 2.0 L inline-4 | 190 hp (142 kW) | 1079 lb (490 kg) |
| Formula V8 | FO8 | MR formula | RWD | 3.0 L V8 | 450 hp (335 kW) | 1324 lb (600 kg) |
| BMW Sauber | BF1 | MR formula | RWD | 2.4 L V8 | 720 hp (537 kW) | 1169 lb (530 kg) |
| FXO GTR | FXR | FR race car | AWD | 2.0 L turbo flat-4 | 490 hp (365 kW) | 2470 lb (1120 kg) |
| XR GTR | XRR | FR race car | RWD | 2.0 L turbo inline-4 | 490 hp (365 kW) | 2426 lb (1100 kg) |
| FZ50 GTR | FZR | RR race car | RWD | 3.6 L flat-6 | 490 hp (365 kW) | 2424 lb (1100 kg) |
- UF 1000 (UF1) - Small front-wheel drive car, similar to a Mini
- Raceabout (RAC) - Rear-wheel drive mid-engined open-top sports car, based on the real Raceabout built by Finnish university students
- FZ50 (FZ5) - Rear-wheel drive, rear-engined sports car, similar to a Porsche 911.
- XF GTR (XFR) - Lighter, higher-powered racing version of the XF GTI with slick tires
- UF GTR (UFR) - Higher-powered version of UF 1000 with wider track and slick tires
- Formula XR (FOX) - Small open-wheel race car, similar to a Formula Renault car
- Formula V8 (FO8) - Open-wheel race car, similar to a Formula 3000 car
- BMW Sauber (BF1) - A recreation of the Formula One car
- FXO GTR (FXR) - Four-wheel drive racing version of the FXO Turbo with 490 hp, a rear wing, and slick tires
- XR GTR (XRR) - Lighter racing version of the XR GT Turbo with 490 hp, a rear wing, and slick tires
- FZ50 GTR (FZR) - Lighter racing version of the FZ50 with 490 hp, a rear wing, and slick tires
Tracks
S1
| S1 tracks | |||
| Track | Circuit | Abbrev | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blackwood | GP Track | BL1 | 2.1 mi (3.4 km) |
| Rallycross | BL2 | 1.2 mi (2.0 km) | |
| Car Park | BL3 | 0.2 mi (0.3 km) | |
| South City | Classic | SO1 | 1.3 mi (2.1 km) |
| Sprint Track 1 | SO2 | 1.3 mi (2.0 km) | |
| Sprint Track 2 | SO3 | 0.8 mi (1.3 km) | |
| City Long | SO4 | 2.5 mi (4.0 km) | |
| Town Course | SO5 | 2.0 mi (3.1 km) | |
| Fern Bay | Club | FE1 | 1.0 mi (1.6 km) |
| Green Track | FE2 | 1.9 mi (3.1 km) | |
| Gold Track | FE3 | 2.2 mi (3.5 km) | |
| Black Track | FE4 | 4.1 mi (6.6 km) | |
| Rallycross | FE5 | 1.3 mi (2.0 km) | |
| RallyX Green | FE6 | 0.5 mi (0.7 km) | |
| Autocross | Autocross | AU1 | 0.3 mi (0.5 km) |
| Skid Pad | AU2 | 0.1 mi (0.1 km) | |
| Drag Strip | AU3 | 0.7 mi (1.1 km) | |
| Eight Lane Drag | AU4 | 0.7 mi (1.1 km) |
- Blackwood - Located in the English countryside, the Blackwood circuit, characterized by a long back straight, is the environment available in the demo. It contains one road and one rallycross configuration, plus reverse for each, and a rectangular parking lot for autocross.
- South City - Mimicking a city environment, the South City track is distinguished by tight turns and Armcos, and is the most popular S1 track. It contains five road configurations, plus reverse.
- Fern Bay - The Fern Bay circuit is situated on the Jamaican coast and is a tight and twisty track. It has four road and two rallycross configurations, plus reverse, including the longest S1 road configuation at 4.1 miles (6.6 km).
- Test Area - A group of non-circuit environments that include:
S2
| S2 tracks | |||
| Track | Circuit | Abbrev | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kyoto Ring | Oval | KY1 | 1.9 mi (3.0 km) |
| National | KY2 | 3.2 mi (5.1 km) | |
| GP Long | KY3 | 4.6 mi (7.4 km) | |
| Westhill | International | WE1 | 3.2 mi (5.2 km) |
| Aston | Cadet | AS1 | 1.2 mi (1.9 km) |
| Club | AS2 | 1.9 mi (3.1 km) | |
| National | AS3 | 3.5 mi (5.6 km) | |
| Historic | AS4 | 5.0 mi (8.1 km) | |
| Grand Prix | AS5 | 5.5 mi (8.8 km) | |
| Grand Touring | AS6 | 5.0 mi (8.0 km) | |
| North | AS7 | 3.2 mi (5.2 km) |
- Kyoto Ring - In this Japanese environment, the atmosphere is set by the tri-oval, the "ring", which links together all configurations. It has one oval and two road configurations, plus reverse.
- Westhill - The sweeping Westhill circuit, situated in a farming area, provides fast and wide turns. It contains one road configuration so far, plus reverse.
- Aston - The Aston race track has several long and short configurations within a setting patterned after the English countryside, full of forest and small hills, and it is the most popular S2 circuit. The seven road configurations, plus reverse for each, include the longest in S2 at 5.5 miles (8.8 km). Fast and slow turns, some altitude changes and a fast chicane are the main ingredients to this race track.
Car setup
LFS allows racers to make custom setups for each car and to share setups with other racers in-game. Since S2, body, steering, suspension, and engine damage (from overreving) are implemented, as well tire temperature and wear. The latter two variables mean that setups usually have to make a tradeoff between speed and tire preservation. Below are car setup parameters that are modifiable on LFS cars (some parameters pertain to particular cars only, such as the center differential in AWD cars).
| Car setup parameters | ||||||
| Brakes | Suspension | Steering | Final drive | Tires | Downforce 4 | Traction Control 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
- Notes
- 1 Adjustable front and rear
- 2 Adjustable front, rear, and center
- 3 Adjustable front left, front right, rear left and rear right
- 4 Only available on Formula XR, Formula V8, BMW Sauber, FXO GTR, XR GTR and FZ50 GTR
- 5 Only available on the BMW Sauber and FZ50
- 6 Available on LX4, LX6, Raceabout, MRT5, Formula XR, Formula V8, BMW Sauber, FXO GTR, XR GTR and FZ50 GTR
- 7 The driver may adjust this setting while driving
- 8 The driver may adjust this setting when in going into the pits during a race
LFSWorld
LFS integrates with LFSWorld.net, a real-time comprehensive statistics website and database. Each racer's online race statistics are updated, including per-lap personal bests, lap counts, distance traveled, fuel burnt, among others, and users can view other racers stats, as well. Additionally, an official world record lap time chart, where racers can upload hotlaps, is maintained for each track configuration and car combination, and other racers can download hotlaps to be viewed in-game. Users may also upload custom car skins to the website, from where the skins then downloaded in-game to other racers.
Reviews and awards
Justin Kranzl of APC magazine called the S1 release of LFS "the best PC racing simulator ever." APC magazine review of LFS S1 (Nov 10, 2003) A Bytesector 2005 review of LFS's S2 release said "nothing short of going to a track actually compares to the experience. Live for Speed is, by far, the most intense and demanding game I've ever played." [http://www.bytesector.com/data/bs-article.asp?id=528 Bytesector review of LFS S2 (Aug 10, 2005)
In 2005, AutoSimSport magazine gave LFS their "Best simulation" award, AutoSimSport magazine award (2005) and Blackhole Motorsports readers voted to give LFS the following awards: [http://www.bhmotorsports.com/awards/4/winners Blackhole Motorsports awards (2005)
- BHM "Game of the year" award
- BHM "Best multiplayer" award
- BHM "Best physics" award
Trivia
- Some of the in-game track sponsor billboards are fictional, such as Cromo Tyres and GripMaxx, but some are real, such as ATL Racing Fuel Cells, Castrol Motor Oil, Petronas, BMW, Credit Suisse, Intel and Michelin.
- One of the fictional sponsors, Scavier Solutions, is actually a pun on the developers' names, Scawen, Victor, Eric. Scavier is also a name used collectively for all three members of the development team. *
Notes
See also
External links
Official sites
Official Team Sites
Resource sites
- LFS keyboard commands
- LFS wiki manual
- LFS news site
- LFS car setup downloads
- The real Raceabout
- The real MRT5
- The real BMW Sauber F1 team
2006 computer and video games | Racing simulators | Windows games | Online games
"Live for Speed"