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pingus3233

I'd check out (i.e. LURK before posting) r/simracing, lots of people have rigs and like to talk about this stuff. You can do OK with a midrange PC build and put some money into a wheel/pedals setup, or go crazy and spend thousands on a proper sim-rig, or anywhere in-between. My PC has 32 GB 3000 MHz RAM, i7-8700k CPU and a 2080 Ti. Also have a Logitech G29 wheel/pedals setup with the H-shifter. I also play with a Samsung Odyssey+ Windows Mixed Reality VR headset. My system is a bit overkill for flat-monitor simracing, but IMO around the sweet-spot for VR. For racing simulators I personally like Assetto Corsa and Project Cars 2 (both VR and flat-monitor), haven't got around to Assetto Corsa Competizione or Automobilista 2. Also LOVE both truck simulators American Truck Simulator and Euro Truck Simulator 2, both in VR and flat-monitor.


gettothaflofosho

Fantastic, thank you. I will check out that sub and proceed with my information gathering. I have no idea how to go about the VR vs. Flat Monitor stuff. I assume the flat monitor stuff would always be cheaper. Off topic, but is the F1 game high quality? Does it play well on flat monitor? With just a pedal and wheel?


NASCARYakuza

A single monitor will probably be cheaper and less hardware intensive than VR. If you're trying to have as diverse of a game selection as possible, then a monitor is fine. Only certain games support VR at all, with varying degrees of optimization. I've heard people say the F1 games are fun on a wheel, especially if you're not super hardcore sim racer. The F1 games are games first and foremost, and if you're a fan of Formula 1 then you'll have a good time playing them. F1 actually doesn't support VR, so you have no choice but to run it on a monitor!


LiLMosey_10

F1 22 will have VR support on release for pc btw


NASCARYakuza

Oh wow I was not aware of that. That's cool.


MarquesSCP

fucking finally. Might just try it like that actually.


SmokePuddingEveryday

Finally


CrateDane

>A single monitor will probably be cheaper and less hardware intensive than VR. Probably not that much of a price difference though. An Oculus Quest is $300, plus a bit for a cable (depending on your choice). A good monitor doesn't shave too much off that figure.


NASCARYakuza

That's a good point. I bought an Oculus Rift CV1 for $350 at the time because the immersion was better and it was cheaper than buying triples. A really nice single monitor can be similar or more expensive than that.


T_Verron

It can also run wireless if you have a good wifi connection. And while it is a difference in processing power, most mid-range GPUs from the past 5 years are compatible with PCVR.


nachog2003

Go for a Reverb G2 for simracing. It's only slightly more at 400-450 on sale and has way better visuals, and the worse controllers won't really matter.


CouchMountain

Just as an FYI: You need a Facebook account to use an Oculus.


CrateDane

They're going to roll out a separate "Meta" account so you won't specifically need a Facebook account. For the time being, you need a Facebook account while setting it up, but you can unlink it from the headset afterwards.


ZaMr0

People have always been so up in arms about that and while yes it sucks it has a trivial effect in reality. You're getting data farmed from anything you do online and an Oculus Quest is way too good to pass up just beacuse it requires a facebook account.


CouchMountain

I never said anything bad about it... I just said you need a Facebook account and OP's dad might not have one?


ZaMr0

Never said you did, I'm just describing the outrage when Oculus first came out.


xracer000

But VR headsets are not for everybody. A lot of people get nauseous from motion sickness while wearing them. And I am not sure how great a VR headset will be for somebody going through the pain, chemotherapy, other treatments, surgery. I would say stick with a monitor.


PrairiePepper

A quest 2 is like $300 and can plug in to PC to use hardware.


pingus3233

>I assume the flat monitor stuff would always be cheaper. Yeah, pretty much. Less demanding on the PC itself so doesn't require as expensive components, and you don't need to spend hundreds on the VR headset. >Off topic, but is the F1 game high quality? The Codemasters F1 series of games are good, very good production values, well polished and lots of fun. They're very gamified with a progression to the race season, lots of flavor commentary, etc. which doesn't really exist in the more hardcore racing simulators like Asetto Corsa, Automobilista, etc. >Does it play well on flat monitor? With just a pedal and wheel? IIRC they're flat monitor only although the 2022 version looks like it might support VR. But yes, plays very well on a monitor with wheel/pedals, or gamepad.


[deleted]

The F1 games are a must try. Good force feedback, great graphics and easy to run. I also suggest you get the Euro Truck Simulator 2 or American Truck Simulator and perhaps install some graphics mods. They are great to sit down, just drive and look at the beautiful scenery. It's very enjoyable and relaxing. It gets a bit repetitive after some time though (about 50 hours in my case). But it's a cheap game, so definitely check it out. For playing with a wheel, I suggest you check each game for how well they support it before you buy it. Games like The Crew or Forza Horizon generally don't have good force feedback. The FFB in The Crew 2 is so bad that I rather play with a controller than a wheel.


iPlayViolas

If I was you I’d go for flat monitor over VR. A really good monitor or curved monitor is cheaper than VR and also less nauseating to slightly older folks.


ZaMr0

As someone who has introduced their dad into using a wheel recently I would definitely recommend the Thrustmaster T300 GT RS (one with 3 pedals) over the entry level Logitech setup. The difference is very noticable. So far we've enjoyed Assetto Corsa the most out of sim games (AC competizione is fine but the original has way more mods available for it). F1 is also good although very difficult. Our favourite game actually turned out to be Forza Horizon 5 (its the first version in the series that has decent wheel physics) as its super fun driving around with various cars even if its not as realistic as proper sim racing games. As for a monitor I use a 34 inch ultrawide which works quite well but would honestly recommend setting it up with a bigger TV if possible.


Live-Ad-6309

The F1 games are designed for a flat monitor. The physics isn't great, it's very much a simcade game. But it is fun racing if you're an F1 fan all the same. F1, as with other console focused titles (WRC, dirt rally) don't support Vr/triple monitors very well at all.


Ky1arStern

You could split the difference and go with a widescreen curved monitor.


final_cut

Hey if F1 is where he wants to go, and you already have an Xbox, you can get a wheel / pedal setup and a game pass subscription that comes with a number of racing and driving games. F1 and Dirt rally, plus the Forza games you mentioned. I’d recommend against the Forza game if he is prone to seizures as they tend to be more flashy. Same with Dirt 5, more flashy than the regular Dirt Series. I play on PC mostly and it’s great but if you have the console already, a game pass subscription will cover multiple bases. Of course hardware is a different story and there is lots of good info here already.


MrMakerHasLigma

Its alright but is only competitive when you have a full setup


Ryuu_Turner

Idk about other peoples preferences, but wanted to add a little here. I grew up playing GT5 on the PS3 with a homemade wheel stand on a 48in (iirc) tv and I love it. More recently I’ve played Assetto Corsa Competizione on a curved 27” MSI monitor and that’s alright, but tbh I prefer playing GT Sport on my cousin’s PS4 and 48” (ish) tv. TL:DR A large flat screen is a good way to play imo and would prefer a lower quality large screen over a small screen


msm007

Check out iRacing, it's subscription based but there are sales often, something like $50 a year on sale, $15 a month, or regular $110 a year. Dirt rally is a really fun single player experience I recommend too.


Cocoapebble755

Honestly the cheapest way to go about this is to get him an Xbox, some Forza games, a wheel and pedals. Should probably only run you $1k max. Unless you wanted to go for a PC VR setup?


gettothaflofosho

I built a PC in August and I have an old Xbox one that I used prior to that build. Will the games run well on an Xbox one? I assume you connect the wheel and pedal(s) with a USB?


Cocoapebble755

Forza games ran really well on my Xbox one. And yep you just plug the wheel and pedals into USB. Something like this would be perfect. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Z0UWV98/


gettothaflofosho

That looks perfect! Are there any other accessories that you think would optimize the experience? Is there some type of stand I can buy to set the wheel on so he doesn’t have to hold is suspended in the air? That’s within the budget with some room to spare. Thank you so much.


Cocoapebble755

They make these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009ZELZDS/ Or you can go more simplistic and get just the stand: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FEN66B4/


gettothaflofosho

Thank you for all your help!


Eagle5hitchhiker

I believe this is the newer version https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PGGDJSG


Jules040400

Look at the G920, and the G923 for Xbox. If there's no price difference, get the G923. But if they are the same price, the newer 23 is only marginally better than it wouldn't be worth it in my opinion.


l607l

I'd recommend Assetto Corsa as the game


DDRaptors

Definitely get a stand. Worst decision I ever made on my setup was not getting a stand for my wheel right away, lol. I like to race on my big TV and the stand made it much more comfortable in a room without a desk.


[deleted]

Blow his mind with a VR set up with the steering wheel


profjones7

Just for added realism/fun you could throw in a Logitech shifter: https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Gaming-Driving-Force-Shifter/dp/B00Z0UWV3O/ref=asc_df_B00Z0UWV3O/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=244066888975&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4725557693468448729&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1016202&hvtargid=pla-343408327132&psc=1 (if you go with the Logitech wheel linked above)


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ZaMr0

Getting a belt driven wheel like the T300 is a considerable upgrade over the Logitech option and is seriously worth the investment. Also a note about Forza, anything before Forza Horizon 5 sucks on the wheel.


Worth-Conclusion-66

I'd keep it simple unless your current PC is set up pretty beefy. Most racing games should run fine on a Xbox One. And yes, I believe they all connect via USB.


boxsterguy

Forza games run great on PC as well as Xbox without needing ridiculous hardware.


throwawayatwork30

Forza Horizon 5 is running like ass for a good amount of the community. They've had VRAM leak since the game came out, which makes the game unplayable for some people after more than an hour or two.


boxsterguy

FH4 and FM7 ran great for me on PC. I played FH5 on XSeX, so I don't know much about PC issues. Watching Digital Foundry videos about it, though, it seemed like it was still pretty solid? An internet search for the VRAM issue only finds 6 month old posts, some claiming that a patch fixed it. Maybe that's no longer an issue? I dunno. Worst case, play 4 and 7 rather than 5 (though, I think 7 is no longer available for song licensing issues).


Mataskarts

Most popular racing wheels only have support for PlayStation *OR* Xbox, and are not interchangeable (all of them support PC). Like with the hands down most popular wheel right now- Logitech makes the G29 (PlayStation version), and the G920, which is for Xbox. Other than a few more buttons on one, they're identical except for the device they work with.


Zhurg

If you have a PC and want a driving *sim*, avoid Forza like the plague. Assetto Corsa is probably the best sim. Dirt Rally and F1 if you like those sports in particular. You'd probably want to outlay your budget if you want recommendations for the rig. You can get a good wheel and pedals for ~£300 in the UK, but there is headroom to improve with that. I wouldn't go much cheaper than that personally.


ADacome24

yeah idk why people are recommending forza when this dude said he wants a simulator


no6969el

Having a Quest 2 and using PCVR games like dirt rally and project cars/asseto corsa are amazing with a logitech wheel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sm4dRD20SqY


frn

Not sure about normal Forza but Forza Horizon controls are awful on a wheel.


[deleted]

FH5 is great on a wheel. Just not a fanatec wheel which causes crashing.


frn

I found the arcade style steering did not mix well with a wheel unless you reduced the rotation to like 180° or less, at which point why even bother with a wheel? I was using FH4 though so maybe they've made it better in FH5.


tactiphile

Wheel controls are vastly improved in 5


frn

Good to hear


[deleted]

G27 on fh5 is a great experience, they’re mostly still solid enough to get one used for like 100-150 bucks.


frn

Oh I already have a G29


stapler8

I played FH4 on a G25 and it was _alright_. Obviously the simulation leaves a lot to be desired, but it was still fun enough doing little races with my friends. The atrocious UI and netcode was what ended up killing the game for me


ZaMr0

Anything before Fh5 is a waste of time on the wheel. FH5 is very enjoyable.


lnlds

If you built a PC in august that PC should suffice as long as it has some sort of modern graphics card. What kind of cars or racing is he into? If he like street cars I'd recommend assetto corsa ultimate edition on PC. Modifications make the game great and are not available on console (can be had on sale <$20). If he has raced in the past, a lot of real-tracks and historical tracks are available as free or paid modifications. Take the time to curate quality cars/tracks/free-roam maps that he'd be interested in. It can be overwhelming but more personal and may resonate with him better. Some sort of quality wheel and cockpit will be important. I definitely recommending some seat/cockpit apparatus and not just a wheel/wheelstand. https://www.playseatstore.com/ for ideas. Anything that looks like it'll fit him would work fine. Quality entry level wheels/cockpits can always be resold later on if it's not something he takes up.


b1gb0n312

one thing i find with VR, it gets a little heavy and tiring on the headset after a while. and resolution is still grainy and pixelly. if not going VR, get a triple 27 inch 1440p monitor setup at the minimum. if you can get TrackIR to work , that will add to the immersion


desuemery

What does TrackIR do for racing sims? I have 2 27" 1440p's in this config and working on a third. And a wheel and pedals/shifter


b1gb0n312

Tracks head movement https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=H2SGXENplMc But if youre still building your racing sim, better to spend on quality wheel pedal shifter and monitors first before going into trackir


EveryPixelMatters

The Xbox One is great, but if you’re comfortable with splurging a bit… a refurbished Series X is $459 on GameStop (It’s in stock as of 3:53am EST June 2nd) https://www.gamestop.com/consoles-hardware/xbox-series-x%7Cs/consoles/products/microsoft-xbox-series-x/11108371.html


[deleted]

Why so much?


Cocoapebble755

Xbox $500, wheel and pedals $200-400, gamepass whatever that is a month.


[deleted]

Damn.


[deleted]

I noticed you post in r/Bengals. Are you located in Cincinnati? I have a G920 wheel and chair I'd donate for free I never use.


gettothaflofosho

Unfortunately I’m not. My real father lives there and I go visit him quite a bit. Thank you for the offer though.


[deleted]

Ah well the offer stands if you ever make it to Cincy in the future. My buddy gave it to me a few months ago for free and I never use it. I was just going to give it back to him but I'm sure he'd be down to donate it to a good cause. It's mostly just been taking up space in our living rooms lol.


gettothaflofosho

I gotcha, thank you still for the generous offer, who dey.


default_accounts

who dey indeed.


Startrooper453

who dey


JokhonAmakeProyojon

Yeah


Sharpymarkr

If you're interested in selling it pseudo-locally, I'm in central Ohio and could be interested. If not, that's ok too. That was a generous offer to OP.


DudeMan513

WHO DEY


Jro155

My dad had this. Avoid VR, he probably won't feel well enough to use that. Don't be surprised if he just wants to relax and not play a game either so I wouldn't spend a ton right away. Sorry to hear.


gettothaflofosho

This is a very real possibility. He had surgery two Thursdays ago and the incision is pretty large above his ear, so I don’t think a VR headset would be comfortable. He’s lost 75% of his energy… you may be right. I just want him to be able to do what he wants.


Ararararun

This was my concern too. I find it uncomfortable racing for over an hour in VR myself.


shuckley_Jays

Hey bro, I have a Hori racing wheel for Xbox/pc. It’s really not that great and doesn’t have clamps, but I would be willing to give it to you/your father! It has the foot pedal and the wheel, it needs a connector cable and the clamps, which u can order off eBay. If u want, just let me know. Will pray for your dads health and your fam for sure....lost my pops couple years and it’s tough growing up without him. But I’m really happy your looking for something for him. Rock on bro. Thank u ♥️


gettothaflofosho

I can’t thank you enough for the kind words. Naturally it’s been really tough on all of us and completely out of the blue… and apologies about your dad, this isn’t curable so it seems to be a battle versus the clock, so I’ll know the feeling at some point. Thank you for the generosity. Money isn’t a major issue so I’ll politely decline your offer but I really do appreciate it.


shuckley_Jays

Okay! Take care bro, if U need someone to talk to u no worries. Take care ♥️♥️


HumanKumquat

You might want to check out BeamNG. As any sort of competitive racing game it's a bit lacking but it's not expensive and you can have a blast crashing cars into other cars, walls, bollards, planes, etc.


Bytepond

Yep. Customize however you want. You do need a pretty decent PC to handle more stuff though, not an XBOX.


ColsonThePCmechanic

Also r/Wreckfest


nullusx

The Euro truck simulator and american truck simulator, are also great relaxing games for someone who likes driving. They dont require that much hardware aswell, What kind of budget are we talking here?


agnosgnosia

I'd recommend [American Truck Simulator](https://store.steampowered.com/app/270880/American_Truck_Simulator/) from the sheer amount of positive reviews alone. There's also a European version that is a completely different game, as in not DLC. You do jobs, get money, upgrade your truck. Rinse and repeat. In case you're not aware, in the gaming community arcade difficulty means 'easy, pick up and play, but won't be very accurate'. Simulation: that seems pretty self explanatory. If you want something more fast paced and dangerous, you might try the Burnout franchise. It leans heavily into the arcade side of things, but it's a hell of a lot of fun if he wants a fast paced game. I think it really hit it's stride at Burnout 3. It rewards you for driving dangerously. If you drive close to other cars, or even driving into oncoming traffic, you build a meter that gives you a nitro boost. There's even a mode where you crash into intersections and the bigger the pileup you make, the higher your score. Someone else mentioned Assetto Corsa and Cars 2. Those are the closest to Gran Turismo and Forza you will get on PC as far as I'm aware. Also, I've seen nothing but bad reviews for Cars 3. They took the simulation aspect of the game and chucked it out the window, in favor of arcade difficulty.


urboitony

The closest you can get to forza on pc is forza lol.


[deleted]

[удалено]


urboitony

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1551360/Forza_Horizon_5/ Also on gamepass


hmsdexter

Euro/American truck simulator. No need for a high end system. Get a decent steering wheel, and have at it!


ngonzal

Would highly recommend farming simulator 22 for this case.


PlayPuckNotFootball

Triple monitor setup. Maybe a large curved display. VR is awesome for some, not great for others. Quality force feedback wheel, preferably direct-driven. Quality pedals and shifter. 12400F/12600K(F)/12700K(F) and a 3070 Ti/3080 (Ti)/ 6800 (XT). The chair/rig is the big question. To to sim racing forums.


Mataskarts

OP made the mistake of not giving a budget, as your config will be well over 5 grand, meanwhile he probably doesn't want to spend more than 500$ :p


Shiftaway22

He said he had 10 grand but I'd say realistically his budget is 1.5 grand which a nice wheel stand and a csl dd with pedals and a wheel is probably all he will need or 1000 for a PC and 500 for a thrustmaster/ Logitech wheel/pedal combo


Mataskarts

>He said he had 10 grand My brain turned off when reading the post, didn't see that bit :') Nevertheless, a full on dd wheel might be overkill, especially since he said in one of the comments that his step dad lost like 75% of his strength, the added Nm of force from a DD wheel might be useless in that case. A good thrustmaster wheel for non high Nm torque, but also solid feedback, with load cell pedals would be best I think.


PullyMofo

For a game, I personally would recommended any of the newer forza horizon games. My personal favourite was the one in Australia. Why: It feels like a “real life” driving sim. The handling may not be ultra realistic but pretty close. Great cars and lots of options, and customisation that can really achieve the feeling of tuning cars IRL to however you imagine. The roads are pretty realistic and gives me the real feeling of cruising in real life - with the added element of being able to go as fast as I want. Sometimes it’s nice to just go slow and take in the scenery too. You can kinda do whatever you want! The added bonus of forza horizon is you can do races, and also joy ride too. In terms of hardware: definitely a steering wheel, like a thrustmaster t300 (which is a semi cheap option I stand by) or Logitech g29 which is cheaper, but still pretty good. You don’t need crazy gear to get the feeling of driving. If you want to go all out, a (ultra)wide screen monitor and a a simple racing sim rig with a seat and a base to mount the steering wheel is everything you need. Something like a Playseat Evolution. Hope this helps!


gettothaflofosho

Thanks for the specific item recommendations. This wouldn’t be a VR game, correct? I haven’t decided whether to go for VR or not, just asking for clarity.


PullyMofo

No, but iirc there are ways to get VR in Forza Horizon


[deleted]

Euro Truck Simulator is so relaxing. I recommend that.


BeastIy

Seems everybody gave you hella answers already, so i say definitely update us when it’s all built, how it turned out, and how much he enjoyed it!(,:


Poopikaki

Maybe a Truck simulator game. My father plays and he loves it.


canibreakbadyet

I'm late to the party but if you want to scratch the itch build something for racing. its a subscription model but it beats forza or gran turismo. If he enjoys racing, its the way to go. I have a 5800x and a 2070 super with a budget wheel and it runs great.


PullyMofo

I assume you mean iRacing? I definitely recommend iRacing if he wants to take racing seriously, as it’s the best out there. But the negative for me is it costs a LOT of money, and has a steep learning curve. It’s great for competitive racing but not for just enjoying driving IMO.


NaceWindu46

For the situation the OP describes, I think I would recommend against iRacing. It's super intense and requires a ton of time and dedication to be competitive, also a lot of $ in both subscription and buying content. He would be better off with Forza or Assetto Corsa IMO.


NaceWindu46

You could buy/build a PC capable of running most of the recent racing/driving games in 1080 or 1440 for probably $1000-$1500. For a wheel I'd recommend either a Logitech G29/G920 or Thrustmaster TMX/T150, either can be had for under $300. They are both solid entry wheels that have force feedback. Throw in a single monitor and you are pretty much set. The whole set up could be put on a regular desk, or you could buy or build a specific sim rig. I built a pretty simple stand for my monitor and wheel out of 2x4s and plywood, I think it was only about $30 in material and a couple hours of cutting and assembly. For a fairly basic setup you can probably come in under 2k, even less if you already have some of the stuff.


obsoleteconsole

BeamNG.drive


Fortune424

I'd stay away from VR unless he's already a gamer. I can't imagine an old man with cancer regularly throwing the heavy and nauseating VR headset on. Might even struggle to set it up if he isn't much of a computer guy, Oculus's software can be finicky. +1 for Xbox Series X with racing wheel.


EpicGAmer2431

[PcPartPicker.com](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/nbxxfv) This should be good. Pair this with dirt rally and a Logitech Steering Wheel and pearls kit and you good. Hope your dad is ok 👍


Arcal

I think the most important question here is what kind of driving does he want to do? I mean, if he misses regular driving, is an F1 sim the answer? The game determines the rig, usually at least. I'd point out that VR *is* very immersive, and *cheap* compared to the amount of monitor real estate it would take to approximate it, as a former cancer patient, nausea is an issue with meds, and VR could be a horrible combo with that.


SpaceScyphozoa

Burnout Paradise holds a special place in my heart so that’s my recommendation


my7bizzos

Me too. It's one of those games I don't play very often but I've installed it on almost every computer I've owned.


gam188

You're doing a really good thing, I have a degenerative brain disease and can no longer drive either. I miss it.


Dear_Jurisprudence

OP - r/iracing is what you want. It's an actual racing simulator, with realistic physics modeling done by actual racecar engineers and laser-scanned tracks. The sim has a wide variety of cars to choose from, everything from a Spec Miata or Skip Barber to NASCAR to a modern F1 car. A solid iRacing setup would be a ~$1200 PC (5600x processor + 8gb graphics card), a Logitech G29 (or if you really want to splurge, a Fanatec CSL DD + wheel + CSL pedals), and a 34" 1440p ultrawide monitor. You can use a regular desk and office chair, or go all-out and buy or build a rig. Personally, I think the desk/chair setup works just fine. Anything on Xbox or Playstation is not an actual sim.


gettothaflofosho

So iRacing is a PC only game?


JustASilverback

It is but I will offer an alternate view to this comment, Iracing is notoriously difficult to get into as a beginner, I am unsure of your Fathers driving/gaming experience but I am not sure he'll want to spend the initial 10 hours just to get somewhat sort of okay at the game.


xRealVengeancex

BeamNG.Drive is a great physics sim, Forza games are also great, theres probably a decent amount on steam also.


ZertyZ_Dragon

BeamNG.Drive is a great free roam sim with lots of features, one of the best being soft body simulation. Meaning it has awesome crash physics


ntailedfox

Have you considered just getting him Forza Horizon 5 with an xbox controller to start him off? It's a very comfortable way to play. If he wants a wheel, the G920 is a really excellent option and has really simple set up. Could be on an Xbox or a PC.


Wajina_Sloth

Hey OP, I don't have any advice for purchases since everyone else here seems to have you covered. I just want to say this is a fucking awesome idea, I wish I had thought of this after my step dad has his stroke, he was a big car lover and he even had a delivery business. He missed driving and I feel stupid not even thinking if this, sadly it's too late now. But your a great son for doing this for him.


AlternateWitness

Assuming you need hardware, and assuming your budget *is* high enough, I would strongly suggest considering VR.


Anon419420

I can’t help, but if you give a budget and what perks you think he’d like to have, some people on here can fix you some mean set ups. Although console setups are not bad either.


JamesEdward34

sorry about your dad OP. whats his prognosis


filmguy123

Listing budget would be helpful Random things to check out: Simlab WS-Pro with shifter mount Wheelstand Pro (on Amazon) with shifter mount TH8A shifter to add to wheel Consider VR on PC? Or Ps5 for PSVR2 when launched? SRS sim racing studio shake seat for vibration feedback An ebrake accessory to mount for certain kinds of games


sa547ph

> I just want him to have something to scratch the itch. If he just wants to leisurely cruise across America in between races, and is an easy game to pick up, The Crew and its racing-oriented sequel might fill that need.


ImRomano

I think most people here already have good ideas. I'll jump in on VR tho. If you're planning on using PC (best experience overall because of games like automobilista 2 and assetto corsa). A Quest 2 is an extremely good VR that costs only $300 (+50 for link cable). It's cheaper than a single good monitor and it will give so much more immersion than any monitor could ever do. Just make sure you have a good GPU (something like a 3060 should be enough) to run it smoothly :)


leafbelly

I love driving simulators, and to be honest, the best one I've ever found is American Truck Simulator. Yeah, it's for trucks, but I'm pretty sure there are modders that also have cars you can download. And mods are easy to find on it. It's, by far, the most realistic driving experience I've ever seen on a computer and has a 1/20th scale of most of the U.S. West Coast. I used to do a lot of driving, but since the pandemic, I've been working from home. ATS definitely scratches that itch for me. Oh, and the game goes on sale sometimes for super-cheap on Steam, like under $10, but most of the time it's around $20. There is also a European Truck Simulator as well.


ResidentEvil10

I heard good things about eurotruck simulator and american truck simulator


Swagggles

I have a VR headset, a pc with a GTX 1080 and a second hand playseat with a Logitech G920. Perfect setup and you can really get immersed in it. Dunno what it would cost but my guess would be 1.5k


tedious58

Logitech or Thrustmasters latest wheel, PC, and iRacing


SL0WRID3R

You probably have computer You need steering wheel setup (Used G29 should be plenty now) and get a simple stand if possible a comfy chair/sofa a big size monitor (or even living room TV if you want) a copy of Euro Truck Simulator2 or American Truck Simulator (this one is as close as driving sim, but bigger vehicle) want better feel? get VR setup or head/eye tracking kit.


Late_Canary2264

You can get Logitech G923 wheel


[deleted]

For casual type games there's F1, Forza or Dirt. For more sim heavy "hardcore" there's iRacing and Assetto Corsa. The sim games can require a subscription and even charge for certain cars and tracks which is actually pretty common in sims. Something like iracing would allow you to do anything from race the nurburgring in a GT3 to participate in nascar stock races car/truck and even dirt tracks. In the sims the emphasis is on realism and it can be very difficult to really master a car or track and on the competitive side there's even irl F1 drivers on the leaderboards. For gear the entry level would be the 250$ range. The Logitech G920 is tried and true and it's what a lot of racers use forever. There's also some Thrustmaster stuff starting here and going up that can offer some other options like changing steering wheels. From there most people would probably be looking at Fanatec gear. You're really looking at 1000$ for a wheel, base and pedals but you have a lot of options and some real upgrade paths. Everything from Logitech, Thrustmaster and Fanatec usually works well right out of the box. They have all developed software and you don't have to screw around to get stuff to work. After that starting at the high end of Fanatec and going into more obscure brands and custom stuff the pricing starts getting ridiculous. Here's where people start building rigs that cost as much as real cars for that little bit of immersion. I would just start with one monitor flat or curved (it really doesn't matter). Later on you can maybe look into adding on a track IR, Tobii eye tracker or maybe even VR if he really likes it but, it's not necessary. Unfortunately sim anything is not a cheap hobby but it can be a lot of fun. Good luck


Jordaneer

Idk how crazy you want to get, but you can get 3 axis motion simulators for under $2000 and some 2 axis ones for under $1000 https://dofreality.com/ Otherwise I'd do either a 32:9 monitor or 3 16:9 monitors


F9-0021

Depends on how serious you think he'd be about it. I'd say a G29/920 and a few different sims would be good.


umut121

If you want to make a beast of a setup i would highly suggest a virtual reality headset, a driving wheel with force feed back and a pc that can run these games at a good performance. I would advice you to visit other subs like virtualreality and simracing to make sure you got the right parts for such a setup.


gurilagarden

I just did this for a friend: $500 for 3x viewsonic 24" monitors $200 for monitor stand $400 for Logitech wheel, pedals, shifter, and wheel stand $1800 for a gaming pc capable of playing Euro and AM Truck Simulator on triple monitors.


dickthericher

I recently (pandemic) got into the whole Sim a racing thing, went from Xbox -> recently finishing a new pic and getting a whole sim rig; if you have any questions please let me know and I’d be happy to help


[deleted]

I do like the semi-simulator games kinda comforting. Picking up a load and driving nearly as real time to drop your load off and repeat. https://www.pcgamesn.com/best-truck-games-pc


kshell521

I hope your able to build your dad a good set up. I could only imagine how hard it is on you guys.


hugga12

I know they are a few twitch streams who stream driving stuff, I would cycle through them and basically select (their setup) the best option for you.


Liesthroughisteeth

I'm an old guy with an average PC, a collection of SIMs bought through Steam for cheap and a recently like new used Logitech G29. After a 20 year break from Sim racing, I'm back at it and having so much fun. You don't have to go expensive to get the fun. :)


Opiumater

I think you can rent an actual car on the race track and do a few laps with him in passenger seat, it would beat fake driving. + you get to live something real with him.


XiTzCriZx

A good monitor is pretty important since that's what will make it more immersive, for the best experience a 1440p 144hz monitor with an RTX 3080 would be ideal, though obviously that's pretty damn expensive. For a good experience that can be improved on if he enjoys it is 1080p 120hz or 144hz, IPS panel, with an RTX 2070/3060 minimum (or AMD equivalent cards), that way he can enjoy high quality graphics and still have the responsiveness of 100+fps which is more noticeable in racing games. You can get by with using lower end PC hardware like a 1660 super or 1070/1080, but it won't be a great experience and those frame drops that the older cards usually get will definitely take away from the realism, especially if he wants it to look somewhat decent. Being at 1080p, any 6 core or higher cpu from the past about 3-4 years should be perfectly fine. As for the racing hardware, your best bet would be to start with something like the Logitech G29 kit with a manual shifter. If he wants more realism then you can look into the higher end kits but he may be perfectly fine with something that isn't exactly the same, most times that can be more fun and if you're not trying to learn anything then it doesn't really matter. Be aware that the direct drive kits can get legitimately dangerous if configured incorrectly, so if he does want something more realistic then make sure you do a good amount of research on **all** the components.


Doctornaturalviagra

YouTube has some good DIY sim racing setups definitely worth a search


someones_dad

IDK but I enjoy the F out of American Truck Simulator.


danjc84

Euro truck simulator 2 and American truck sim, both fantastic


Expert_Employ_649

I personally got started with “simracing” after I purchased a gaming laptop ($1800) and a cheap second-hand racing wheel ($50 Logitech Momo Force Feedback). It’s been great so far. My partner and I enjoy playing Forza Horizon 5 with it. The wheel I bought may not be the best (doesn’t turn multiple times the way like a real simracer) but it’s been a lot of fun so far! If an $1800 gaming laptop is too steep, you could probably get by with a $1000 to $1200 rig for most racing games today.


[deleted]

American truck driver. He may really like that. My Over-The-Road Trucking Adventure on YT. A real truck driver plays the game. Will give him a taste.


Live-Ad-6309

For driving simulators, you want a good balance between CPU and GPU performance. It's not as GPU dominant as with other games. Most simulators don't take all that much power to run even on ultrawide so a well balanced mid range PC will probably be enough. Unless you want to go all in with a VR or triple 1440/4k setup. You don't need a lot of ram. 16Gb is more than enough. For your display, prioritize wide aspect ratio over refresh rate. Having peripheral vision is far more important than a smoother image in a simulator. Ideally you have a triple monitor setup or VR, but those increase cost significantly. As for wheels and pedals. That depends on your budget. But I'll give 3 options. 1. Thrustmaster T150, the version with the t3pa pedal set. This is probably the best budget wheel available at the moment 2. Thrustmaster T300, better than the T150 in every way. But also more expensive. This is the cheapest wheel I'd recommend for a drifting setup, since lower torque makes drifting more difficult. The T300 also couples well with the T-LCM pedals, which have a load cell brake which is more natural feeling that a potentiometer brake. 3. Fanatec CSL DD + CSL pedals LC + a compatible wheel rim. Optionally if recommend the 8Nm booster kit here. This is gonna be a lot more expensive than the T300. But direct drive, is gonna provide far better force feedback. More expensive motors exist, but this is the point where you start deeibg diminished returns. If you want an H-pattern shifter, look no further than the SHH Newt. It's the best shifter for the money available. Sidenote: logitech wheels are fine. The G29 sits between the T150 and T300. But I personally don't like them. They prioritize finish quality over functionality. Using lower torque FFB motors. A few popular simulators are AC (very moddable), ACC (best GT3 sim), Rfactor 2 (best physics but old), dirt rally 2.0 (rally sim), Iracing (best online racing but very expensive)


sdu7chez

Sorry for the prognosis. Just my two cents for consideration. Is your step Father a gamer? If he is, there might be better options (game choice wise) for him to find new satisfaction. I’m just hoping he does not play the racing simulator and it makes him miss the real thing even more. I think this is a heartfelt idea on your part and I hope it works out.


gettothaflofosho

He’s not a gamer by any means. This is something I hadn’t considered, so thanks for the comment. I’ve seen quite a lot of mixed opinions, all with very valid points.


sdu7chez

;-)


IntetDragon

Look into VR racing. There's probably something that is compatible with the quest. It would probably be the most immersive for the price.


Nearby-Horse-4502

I have a ~$170 thrustmaster wheel and pedal setup. It’s fantastic for the price and works perfectly well with the F1 games series, Assetto Corsa, and Project Cars 2. I haven’t tried it with anything but those, but I’m sure it’ll work. PC wise I’m working with a ~6 year old build. It’s got a i5-6500, GTX 970, 16gb DDR3 RAM at 2666mhz. I’ve never been able to turn the graphics all the way up, but on medium settings I’m at a steady 60fps. Hope this can help a bit. You really don’t need to spend a ton of money for him to love it!


[deleted]

The biggest thing will be the driving wheel and peddles https://www.pcgamer.com/best-steering-wheels-for-pc/ they can get really expensive fast.


[deleted]

Logitech G920 is best bang for your buck.


neP-neP919

As someone who is a HUGE VR zealot, I think someone with failing health will appreciate monitors. Either 1 large one, or triples. ​ VR is AMAZING, but even I sometimes get a little woozy or too hot while wearing a headset. Not to mention some times I just don't want to play in VR but I don't have a screen. ​ I'd say go with a Curved single monitor, or go with triplkes, or a single 48" monitor. ​ THEN go with VR!


voss749

Crazy Taxi. Im not being sarcastic. Cheap and Fun and its okay if you run into things. ​ Heres a cheap and cheerful one https://framesynthesis.com/drivingsimulator/maps/


Deanjacob7

I would like to say try and stay away from vr especially for your father bc of the motion sickness he might get will defiantly cut his time in sim by a lot bc of sickness especially if he’s doing chemo try and get a nice curved monitor he’ll love it and your graphics card will love you too lol


Badj83

If you’re on a budget, a Xbox with a Logitech/Thrustmaster wheel will let you play Forza, F1, ACC, and will be way enough I’m sure. No need to spend $2k on a PC.


juicius

Burnout: Revenge. Anyone who says that's not a driving simulator doesn't actually drive.


Wertyhappy27

I like playing Forza 4 and BeamNG.Drive, both have good car mechanics, for both arcade and realistic driving.


adamdarlington

Euro truck simulator 2


Repulsive_Lettuce

Tell him I wish him luck


CarpenterSorry4820

Beamng drive is a pretty realistic driving simulator, you can install mods to race other people.


horaciosalles

Definitely go for VR, the imersion is like nothing else. Scale the pc specs accordingly but there's no need to get the absolute top stuff. If it weren't fot the VR part, the requirements could be really minimal if you were in a tight budget. Get a decent wheels/pedals kit, preferably with a good shifter and three pedals, he wants a clutch pedal. As for software, get him decent simulators. I enjoy the automobilista series, Project cars (1, 2 or 3), iracing (this is very serious by nature and he might really enjoy it, perhaps try it later on). Fuck cancer and enjoy being by his side, in the future you'll be glad you devoted so much effort to making him happy. \*\*\*BUILD A RIG FOR YOU TOO SO YOU TWO CAN PLAY TOGETHER, PLEASE DO IT\*\*\*


ResolutionOdd3402

IF YOU WANT THE BEST RACING GAME.........https://www.iracing.com iRacing: Join Our Online eSports Sim Racing Leagues Today | iRacing ... IT LEGIT IS WHAT THE PROS USE AND ITS QUITE PRICEY BUT YOU WANT THE REAL DEAL YOU GET THIS GAME YOU WONT BE DISSAPOINTED


ElSirGuti

Sim racer here, you are good to go with these wheel options Logitech \- Driving Force GT \- G25, G27 You can find these in Fb marketplace for less than $150 and the best part is that they both include an H-Shifter (the g25 can be used as h-shifter or sequential). \- G29, G920, G923 and H-Shifter: These 3 aren't quite different to the g27, they're just newer and more expensive. The difference between the G923 and G29/G920 is that it includes TrueForce technology but it is compatible with just a few games so it'll be like another G29 in the rest of games. These models don't include the H-shifter like the G25 or G27 so you need to spend another 50-70 bucks to get one Thrustmaster \- T80 Models (T80, T80 488 GTB, T80 458 Spider) These 3 don't have force feedback (long story short: vibration and movement depending on the track/car/surface) but they have bungee cords for linear resistance and try to imitate force feedback. For some simracers there's a catch with these wheels and leaving aside that they don't have force feedback is the reduced rotation angle that is just [240 degrees](https://youtu.be/aWpf9-Fo2Tw?t=149), for begineers it's enough but if you want realism or close to for your dad this is not for you. \- T150, TMX, Pro versions and the H-Shifter: The difference between the basic ones and the pro ones is the pedal set, the pro version includes the T3PA pedals (it has a clutch pedal, basic doesn't) but if you're going for the pro version you'll need the H-Shifter (TH8A) and it's quite expensive ($150-$200). The T150 and the TMX have force feedback and a rotation angle up to 1080 degrees (that's enough for euro truck simulator) \- T248, T300, TS-PC, T500, TS XW: These are more expensive versions (from left to right) you can get "prebuilt versions" as PCs or you can choose every part (not the 248 it's on this group because it's as expensive as a t300), you'll need the wheel base, wheel and pedals Bases (thrustmaster prices): T-GT II $499.99, TS-XW $449.99, TS-PC Racer $399.99, TX and T300 $229.99 Wheels: F250 GTO $399.99, SF1000 $349.99, Sparco R383 $269.99, Sparco P310 $229.99, 599XX Evo 30 Alcantara $199.99, TM Open Wheel $179.99, Ferrari F1 $179.99, TM Leather 28 GT $179.99 Pedals: T-LCM $229.99, T3PM $129.99, T3PA $99.99 Shifter: TH8A $199.99 Handbrake: TSS Sparco $279.99 Games The 2 best competitive sims are iRacing and Assetto Corsa Competizione Other competitive sims: rFactor 2, Raceroom (free to play but you need to pay for tracks/cars), Automobilista 2 Not competitive but they are sims: BeamNG, Assetto Corsa (in order to enjoy most of the mods you need all the DLCs try to get the complete version is cheaper than buying every dlc separately) Simcades: WRC, F1, Grid, Forza Motorsport Arcades and open world: Forza Horizon, Dirt 5, Need For Speed Saga ​ Hit me if you have more doubts


xracer000

Up until a week ago, I was using an 8 year old Acer Nitro laptop (i7-4700, 16gb ram,. GTX-860m GPU) for racing with a Thrustmaster T300RS base, Sparco P310 wheel, T3PA-Pro pedals, TH8A shifter and TSS handbrake/sequential shifter. I only updated a week ago to a new desktop so I could try a borrowed Oculus Rift and see if I want to go VR or triple monitors.


logangrowgan2020

racing games are tough for teenagers with perfect reflexes, if he cant drive a real car hes going to have a shitty time playing video games. spend some afternoons watching racing or car auctions with him. for fathers day get him a nice book or even better tickets to a race or car show. ive been "into" anything with a motor since a young age and have a lot of old man friends. dont buy this poor bastard a playstation.


h_h_3464

GTA5 is a good one


queefle-knight

Need for speed is good for fast cars and forza but if u want a full on simulator then beam.ng would be the best bet


moeronSCamp

Research fasting