SimHQ.com - Motorsports Zone - An Interview with SimBin

SimHQ recently talked with the developers of FIA GT Racing (GTR). We discussed GTR, setups and driving the FIA GT cars and we tried to get SimBin to reveal some of their future plans. After reading this, perhaps you will be a little wiser — as we were, but SimBin certainly know how to raise our curiosity by coming up with answers that pose a lot of new questions. And from the answers we received, it looks like SimBin has got a lot of exciting plans for the future.

Participating in the interview were:

MJ: Marcel Jung (PR, 10Tacle studios AG)
JR: Johan Roos (Marketing, SimBin)
HR: Henrik Roos (FIA GT driver and CEO SimBin)
IB: Ian Bell (Head of Development at SimBin)

SimHQ was represented by Alex "Zander" Keep, Doug "guod" Atkinson and myself.

SimHQ: First of all, thank you very much to 10Tacle and SimBin for taking the time to answer our questions. We really appreciate it! Fueled by the reports in the community about the reception of the German language version, a lot of SimHQ's readers are very much looking forward to the international release of GTR, so without further ado, let us move directly to the questions and answers.

Q: This is the question I have to ask first of all: Most importantly... When does the world release arrive and will it be truly "world"?

JR: We have no specific date till now because it depends on so many things — but it will be in the next few months.

Note: As we're going to print with this interview, word arrived that the European release date for GTR has been set for March 11, 2005 according to the publisher 10Tacel.

Q: I've seen the date February 24, 2005 mentioned. Is that date correct?

JR: No, unfortunately we can't confirm any date at the moment.

Q: Will there be any extra features available to the English language versions?

JR: Yes indeed, as we have been working on the product since it was released in the German territories. One feature that has been implemented upon requests is a "Save Game" feature which allows you to save your current status at ANY point in the game. Another one is the RE>>>FUEL Expansion Pack of Proximus 24 Hours of Spa with 16 more opponents, day and night racing, light effects and so on. We can also mention that there are a few more surprises to come with the release in our RE>>>FUEL section. Stuff that will for sure give added value for all GTR gamers out there.

Q: Clearly a lot of attention has been devoted to making GTR as authentic and realistic as possible. Will there eventually be a season 2004 or 2005 to download off the web site? Any plans for season updates?

JR: Hmm, who said we are not working on new technology and totally new games. ;)

Q: Will tracks in the FIA 2004 schedule (e.g. Imola, Dubai, Zhuhai) make it into GTR and if so, when?

JR: GTR is licensed for the FIA GT 2003 season only.

Q: The Motec interpreter is really heavy hard-core stuff and I love it. Is there a Motec Manual included with the game, or are there other plans for introducing newbie's to all the secrets of using this great utility?

JR: It´s mentioned in the manual that comes with the game, but you can also get support directly from Motec personnel In our forums both in FAQ and in direct questions if the answer is not to be found.

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