‘GTA V’ On A $100,000 Motion Simulator, Plus Virtual Reality
What can get more real than experiencing Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V) on a top-of-the-line motion simulator? Add virtual reality gear on the mix, and it’s just crazy.
Kotaku reported last week that motion simulator manufacturer Force Dynamics tested out their top-of-the-line 401cr motion simulator with a GTA V game and the results were pure, unadulterated, and crazy fun.
The 401cr hydraulic motion platform is a product by Force Dynamics, which is able to simulate the workings, the movement, and the experience of riding any vehicle—from a harmless (or not totally, if we’re talking GTA V) four-wheel drive, an acrobatic airplane ride (read: GTA V liquid gold plane), to an exciting GTA V roller coaster ride.
Those at Force Dynamics took out the new 401cr for a ride by rigging it to GTA V, and watching the video documentation of the GTA V test run will make you want to try it yourself. Who needs to go to an arcade store or even an amusement park if you have this crazy motion simulator to fix all your adrenaline needs?
The first test was made with a GTA V car, simulating the rough drive plus a high-flying car stunt. We’ll give the driver’s landing a 9 out of 10. The second was a roller coaster ride in Los Santos, and looking at the person trying out the 401cr in the video, it seems he’s having the time of his life! No more need to actually go to Disneyland for some crazy roller coaster fun with this. The car chase and the pedestrian murders in GTA V are made a lot more fun, too, with all the haptic and the vibrations that the 401cr delivers. If you can’t afford a yacht, then simulating a GTA V boat ride with the 401cr could be your best bet. You can also simulate the ultimate cockpit experience with this motion simulator, since GTA V gives you the chance to fly your own plane. It’s like getting to drive all these vehicles, on land, water, or air, with just one machine. How wicked is that?
If you’ve watched the video demonstrating the simulation of GTA V with the 401cr above, then you may notice that there are some extreme zinging noise. Force Dynamics explain in their YouTube post that the camera is positioned directly behind the speakers that’s why it’s taking up all the sounds.
“Part of that is because the camera is hard-mounted to the rear strut, so the noise transmits directly up to it; you don’t hear it that much in the simulator. And second, the camera’s behind the speakers, whereas when you’re inside you get the full surround sound and don’t notice the zinging as much.”
The Force Dynamics employee in the GTA V x 401cr test video notes.
“It’s waaaay more fun than I expected, and hats off to Rockstar for the super-detailed physics. It’s brilliant stuff!”
The 401cr specs read as follows.
“It’s a motion platform that tilts and rotates to simulate the experience of being in a car, plane, or pretty much any other vehicle. It comes ready-to-go, with an on-board computer, monitors, a 900 watt surround sound system, and the most powerful force feedback wheel in the business. Essentially, it can do two things no other simulator can: It can provide a perfect one-to-one ratio between vehicle rotation and simulator rotation, and it can do so without washouts or any inverse forces.”
So, how do you move forward from this kind of awesomeness? People who’ve seen GTA V rigged on the 401cr clamors for an addition of Oculus support. Adding virtual reality gear to an otherwise perfect motion simulator machine is just like sitting in and experiencing the real thing. Force Dynamics, in reply, asks for patience from the GTA V fans and shares they are already working on Oculus support–meaning we’re looking at an Oculus Rift addition in the near future. Stay tuned!
If you’re worried about safety, what with the crazy array of stunts available to try in GTA V,Force Dynamics reassures that there are lexan panels that will prevent your arms from getting pinched inside the machine, and opening the door or unlatching the seat belts will automatically shut down the machine, which means you can’t get “Wasted” like in GTA V if you’re doing all kinds of stunts.
The 401cr is already actually up for sale at the Force Dynamics website, and prices start at $85,000.
Force Dynamics is a family-owned business in New York that has already shipped more than 100 motion systems to customers around the world. They have previously tested the 401cr not only on GTA V, but on Dirt Rally, as well.
[Image via Force Dynamics]
