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 rotorsâ€.
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.
