When it comes to hardcore racing games, the trend seems to rest more on authenticity than portability, with controls ranging from a separate wheel and pedals to one arcade game in Japan that is literally a full-sized car. Hoping to offer a more compact alternative, SteelSeries has teamed up with game developer, Ignite Technologies, to create the Simraceway SRW-S1 Steering Wheel.
Originally developed for Ignite's own game, Simraceway, the SRW-S1 Steering Wheel solves the bulky controller problem by fitting all the controls in one self-contained wheel.
"For decades now, racing game players have been faced with the unenviable choice of spending a huge amount of money on a wheel-and-pedal set that is tricky to set up, store and transport or settling for a binary joypad that simply isn't fit-for-purpose," says Jonathan Haswell, CEO of Ignite. "It soon became clear that the only solution was to produce something completely new and unique."
Ignite got together with SteelSeries to produce a more manageable racing wheel that could still handle the intricacies of a complex racing sim. What the SRW-S1 wheel may lack in a realistic feel, it more than makes up for in customization and control. Built-in motion sensors handle the steering, with the brake and throttle pedals located on the back to make it more travel-friendly. It also features 15 buttons, three dials, a directional pad, and LED shift indicators; all of which can be adjusted to suit your driving style. That may all sound complicated but according to SteelSeries, the SRW-S1 has been tested and approved by both professional racing gamers and Indy 500 champions.
While the steering wheel may have been designed for Simraceway, it is still compatible with most current-gen PC racing titles. SteelSeries is selling the SRW-S1 Steering Wheel right now from their online store for US$119.99.
Sources: SteelSeries via Kotaku
