The Tesla Roadster is the ideal vehicle for any environmentally-conscious driving enthusiast, but the EV is also proving to be a perfect fit for the video game world. Thanks to its silent operation, Microsoft Game Studios has selected the Roadster as its sound effects generator of choice.
Although it might seem slightly strange that Microsoft selected a completely silent vehicle to create sound effects for games like Forza and Project Gotham Racing, but the Roadster’s whisper quiet operation makes it ideal for recording tire squeals and high-speed fly bys. The Roadster is just about the only vehicle on the market capable of high speed maneuvers without an audible exhaust note.
This past October, Microsoft Games Studios used Roadster #203 – owned by avid SCCA racer Tom Burt – to lay down a base track of sounds you’d expect to hear in a top-end racing game. With Burt at the wheel, Microsoft sound engineers recorded a plethora of sounds – using seven different car-mounted microphones – including high-speed sweepers, power slides and full-speed (from 119mph!) stops. The sound effects were also recorded over number of different track surfaces.
Burt reports that Roadster #203 held up well to the full day of abuse, but the onboard computer did limit power twice due to an overheating motor. However, with a few minutes of rest, the Roadster was back up and running. Brake fade wasn’t an issue, but Burt did comment that he got some “good color in the rotors”.
Microsoft plans to use the sound effects for all vehicles in its racing games, not just Tesla-specific applications. However, real engine sounds will be laid over the recordings provided by Burt’s Roadster, giving the audio depth we have come to expect from modern racing games.
11/20, 12:12 PM
posted by:
KarLoveBoy88
……….okay……………..
11/20, 12:14 PM
posted by:
cocksterS
That looks like a healthy amount of body roll
11/20, 12:19 PM
posted by:
Borat
At 1 G, of course.
11/20, 12:24 PM
posted by:
Special K
I saw a Tesla this summer at autocross. Very weird seeing a car manuver around cones and driving a course without any noise what so ever. Contrary to popular belief these things can not handle a day of beating on a national level course. The one I saw died mid-way thru the day. Had to recharge. I guess at high speeds all the electrons get used up faster. Maybe it should be rated in Miles Per Electron since the old school Miles per Gallon does not exactally work. Good choice by microsoft, but it must be a slow news day if this is news.
11/20, 12:36 PM
posted by:
DenverGuy217
Jeep should OEM Tesla’s onboard computer to help detect their overheating oil issue
11/20, 1:08 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
That must be someone’s definition of hell… riding in a Tesla with a mime in the other seat.
11/20, 1:51 PM
posted by:
vvmasterdrfan
games have been doing this for a long time…and have found similar ways to achieve those recordings.. why is this news?
11/20, 2:24 PM
posted by:
leftwingagenda
why comment?
11/20, 2:40 PM
posted by:
The Stig
Later you’ll get “General Car Fault” followed by a blue-screen and some malware.
11/20, 3:07 PM
posted by:
05Z88Path
Kind of pointless too if you think about how different tires sound differently. I bet Tesla is running some kind of low-rolling resistance tire as well, while most sports cars have stickier tires. Not a bad idea though!
11/20, 4:01 PM
posted by:
mat128
Why would the Tesla run low-rolling resistance tire? This is a sports car!
11/20, 4:30 PM
posted by:
928dreamer
Game manufacturers have gone to great lengths do build realism into this latest generation of driving games. Forza 3 and the upcoming gran turismo 5 look to be incredible.
Many professional racers have tried these games and come away impressed with how they compare to their multimillion dollar Sims that use in training. Often turning laps within a few tenths of a second from their usual lap times in actual cars, when set up with the same configuration. I can’t wait to pick up GT in march and “hit the track”.
11/20, 5:00 PM
posted by:
Beefcake
Tesla’s website reports:
Wheels
Type Forged Light alloy
Size – front 6J x 16
Size – rear 7.5J x 17
Tires
Type Yokohama Neova AD07 LTS
Size – front 175/55 R16
Size – rear 225/45 R17
I bet with some beefed up suspension components (sway bars in particular), wider wheels and stickier tires this could handle fairly well considering its curb weight of about 2700 lbs.
Unfortunately battery technology is still too in-effecient to get enough out of them. In my opinion electric cars, including this one, are just as much of a joke as the Toyota Prius… in terms of energy used just to make the batteries for the cars. A standard petrol powered car is still better to the environment during its creation.
11/20, 6:12 PM
posted by:
reedfast
for anybody who’s wondering, i have played forza 3 and it is quite the game, definitely recommend it if you have an xbox, i’ve also been to a tesla dealership and seen them driven in person, they’re pretty cool.
11/21, 12:30 AM
posted by:
Cardemon04
I went to a track day earlier this year and someone brought a Tesla. They’re deceptively fast because the only think you hear is tire noise as it flys by you at 90mph. However, a track car it is not. He was having so much fun he ran the battery almost dead in about 10 laps(about 18 miles at this track). He had to charge it off someone’s generator so he could limp home. Still a cool little car though.
11/21, 2:30 PM
posted by:
928dreamer
If you are going to track the Tesla, you better being along a couple of extra precharged battery packs.
11/22, 6:50 PM
posted by:
Pazzo Canguri
lol @ johnny….
could think of anything worse than driving around in a silent sports car….even though that pos isnt a sports car….the enviro nazis will make certain on this in the very very near future…