Racer Free Car Simulation
Stecki's CLK at Loops of Fury.
Developer(s)	Ruud van Gaal
Publisher(s)	Ruud van Gaal
Designer(s)	Ruud van Gaal
Engine	OpenGL
Release date(s)	29 August 2000
Genre(s)	Racing, Simulation
Mode(s)	Single player, Multiplayer
Platform(s)	Windows, Linux, Mac OS X
Media	Internet (free download)
System requirements	PC with a 500 MHz processor or comparable Mac, 3D graphics card with OpenGL support
Input	Wheel, mouse, gamepad, joystick or keyboard

See RACER system for the knowledge representation system. For the snake, see Racer (snake)

Racer (in full: Racer Free Car Simulation) is a free racing simulator that runs on Microsoft Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X. Image File history File links Steckis CLK at Loops of Fury. ... Image File history File links Steckis CLK at Loops of Fury. ... A video game developer is a software developer (a business or an individual) that creates computer or video games. ... Video game publishers are companies that publish video games that they have either developed internally or have had developed by a video game developer. ... A game designer is a person who designs games. ... A game engine is the core software component of a video game. ... OpenGL official logo OpenGL (Open Graphics Library) is a specification defining a cross-language cross-platform API for writing applications that produce 3D computer graphics (and 2D computer graphics as well). ... This is a listing of computer and video game genres with brief descriptions and examples from each genre. ... This is a listing of computer and video game genres with brief descriptions and examples from each genre. ... This is a listing of computer and video game genres with brief descriptions and examples from each genre. ... In computer games and video games, single-player refers to the variant of a particular game where input from only one player is expected throughout the course of the gaming session. ... Online gaming redirects here. ... This article is about computer and video games. ... This article may be too technical for most readers to understand. ... Coluber constrictor, Baltimore Racer is the name of a group of harmless, fast-moving snakes of the United States. ... Sim (simulated) racing is the collective term for computer racing games which attempt to accurately simulate race driving, as opposed to arcade driving games such as the Need For Speed series. ... Windows redirects here. ... Tux the penguin, based on an image created by Larry Ewing in 1996, is the logo and mascot of Linux. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Although Racer started out as a driving simulator, it also has features that are usually seen in racing games, such as racing against AI cars, or against human opponents in multiplayer mode. Among its strong points are a very realistic physics engine (also used in a commercial racing simulator), and good graphics. The great graphics come from an advanced shader system, allowing live reflections and other effects. Its weak points, when compared with commercial racing games, is the absence of wear/damage physics or a career mode. Game AI refers to techniques used in computer and video games to produce the illusion of intelligence in the behavior of non-player characters (NPCs). ... Online gaming redirects here. ...

'Japan Versus the Rest of the World', a lineup of cars on the Fernstone track

An important characteristic of Racer is its openness. The software itself is maintained exclusively by the creator (Ruud van Gaal), but the formats for cars, tracks and other data are documented. Furthermore, tools to aid in car and track creation are part of the release. As a result, a large number of cars has been created and published, in a large variety: Formula 1, GT, vintage, trucks, daily drivers, luxury sedans ... even a shopping trolley has been modelled. Likewise, tracks are available in various types, from true racing circuits to drag strips, mountain roads, and even a car park. ImageMetadata File history File links JapanVsWorld. ... ImageMetadata File history File links JapanVsWorld. ... Formula One, abbreviated to F1 and also known as Grand Prix racing, is the highest class of single-seat open-wheel auto racing. ... Gran Turismo is Italian for grand touring or grand tourisme. These terms are used to describe long distance or endurance races like 24 hours of Le Mans, Mille Miglia, Targa Florio, Carrera Panamericana and the high-powered sportscars which compete there. ...

Racer was first released in August 2000, and has been continuously updated up to the present day. Over the years, a community has grown around Racer. The main forum for Racer is at Race Sim Central Forums

The Racer software is free, in the sense of freeware (for non-commercial users). While the source code of an older version is available, it is not under an open source license. The cars and tracks have various forms of license, but can all be downloaded for free. Freeware is computer software which is made available free of charge, as opposed to payware where the user is required to pay. ... Open source refers to projects that are open to the public and which draw on other projects that are freely available to the general public. ...

Whilst one of the strengths of Racer is its open files formats - perhaps one of its weaknesses is its closed source stance and development team. Whilst the Racer community contributes to testing and suggesting features that should be added - the development side of Racer is very much based on the amount of time the developers have to contribute towards it. This translates to infrequent updates of varying quality - but updates that are often very feature rich and which inspire a new burst of energy into the development and modification of cars and tracks.

Racing Simulators that use the Racer Engine

D1RGP D1 Racer Grand Prix (D1RGP) is a Drift Racing Car Simulation based upon the D1 Grand Prix and built upon the immensly popular Racer engine with real car physics, actual tracks and actual D1 Cars. ...

See also

• NetKar Pro, professional online racing simulator

netKar Pro (also nKPro) is a professional online racing simulator, also inspired by the philosophy of flight simulators. ...

External links

• Official Site
• Race Sim Central forum Official forum, has tracks, cars and the latest beta version
• Racer-Xtreme A community created track and car database
• Category at ODP
• D1 Racer Grand Prix
• GTapex.com endo's homepage hosting his own cars, and a selection of addon parts
• Iroker.com Iroker's homepage, hosting his own cars, and a comprehensive car/track database from other authors
• RacerWiki A Wiki for Racer