Volvo \u2013 The Game from SimBin is being released today and features not only the very latest S60 Concept but also a blast from the past with some rare and iconic racing legends.<\/p>\n
Just download the game and make your car selection among the historic beasts like
the 240 Turbo Group A next to the very latest Volvo cars like the C30 and S60 Concept and test your driving skills on the two included real world circuits. <\/p>\n
One person who definitely will play Volvo \u2013 The Game is Swedish racing star Robert Dahlgren. He has achieved immense success for Volvo in STCC \u2013 the Swedish Touring Car Championship \u2013 since 2004 and is currently competing in a Volvo C30.<\/p>\n
Like many other professional race drivers, Robert Dahlgren uses virtual racing games to practice between real life races.<\/p>\n
Playing racing games helps me train my ability to concentrate and to maintain my level of concentration over many laps,\u201d says Robert Dahlgren.<\/p>\n
Volvo \u2013 The Game features six different cars and the race is run on two authentically reproduced racing tracks. <\/p>\n
The six racing cars are the stars. The lead roles are played by the Volvo S60 Concept, the Volvo C30 that is currently competing in the STCC, the previous Volvo S60 that also competed in the STCC, the Volvo S40 that notched up many notable successes in the BTCC (the British Touring Car Championship), the Volvo 850\u2013 the estate car that became a legend in the BTCC \u2013 and finally a true racing classic from the past, a Volvo 240 Turbo Group A.<\/p>\n
Gothenburg Eco Drive Arena in G\u00f6teborg, Sweden and Chayka outside Kiev in the Ukraine. <\/p>\n
Volvo \u2013 The Game is the only virtual racing game in the world to feature the Ukrainian racing track.<\/p>\n
In order to recreate the older cars\u2019 interiors as authentically as possible, SimBin\u2019s art team visited the Volvo Museum to study the former racing legends. \u201cIn terms of audio quality we\u2019re also remarkably close to reality. One example is the S40.<\/p>\n
For that car we pulled one of the race cars out of hibernation last autumn and gave it a thorough full-speed workout, recording the engine sound straight from the racing track,\u201d explains Magnus Ling Executive Vice President at SimBin.<\/p>\n
The two racing tracks have been reproduced with faithful detail and immense precision. It takes about 1000 hours to create a virtual racing track. Even the kerbs alongside the track have to be of exactly the right height. <\/p>\n
Many of the people playing the game are experts \u2013 and they are very particular about the tiniest details.<\/p>\n
Robert Dahlgren is convinced that his own Volvo C30 will be the best car in the game. But he will of course be testing them all, and one of the contenders seems to be exerting a particular attraction. \u201cHow cool is it going to be to race the Volvo 240 on the Gothenburg track! When I was growing up, all my friends were driving 240\u2019s. But not me. I was out competing.<\/p>\n
Now I finally get the chance,\u201d says an eager Robert Dahlgren.<\/p>\n
The goal from SimBin and Volvo is to reach out to a broader public than usual for simulation type games. <\/p>\n
This approach to the development means anyone can have fun with it and for more serious gamers and racers there is still plenty of challenge to be found in the game\u2019s many advanced features.<\/p>\n
For the most authentic feel, Volvo \u2013 The Game should be played with a steering wheel and pedals connected to the computer.<\/p>\n
However, it is also possible to operate the car via the PC\u2019s keyboard or with a game-pad. <\/p>\n
The game offers a choice of skill levels: “novice\u201d with all the driver assistance technology activated such as ABS brakes, “semi-pro”, and finally “pro” where there is no assistance whatsoever.<\/p>\n
It is possible to select the Volvo of your choice, compete against your own best times and have the track all to yourself. <\/p>\n
Or you can compete against up to eleven computer-controlled competitors. There are several alternative settings for graphics and sound. <\/p>\n
For instance, the star, the Volvo S60 Concept, will be available in two versions \u2013 \u201dnatural\u201d and racing. <\/p>\n
Get The Game today and start shaving off the tenths from your lap times to stay ahead.<\/p>\n
Footnote: Volvo \u2013 The Game can be downloaded free of charge to your own PC. Go to www.volvocars.com\/game<\/p>\n