Games

SteelSeries creates a pedal-free controller for PC racing games

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Steelseries SRW-S1 racing controller
What the SRW-S1 wheel may lack in a realistic feel, it more than makes up for in customization and control
Steelseries SRW-S1 racing controller
Steelseries SRW-S1 racing controller
The SRW-S1 features 15 buttons, three dials, a directional pad, and LED shift indicators
View gallery - 4 images

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.

The SRW-S1 features 15 buttons, three dials, a directional pad, and LED shift indicators

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

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1 comment
johnweythek
the only mariokart i didn\'t LOVE was the one for the wii because you just sit there with the wheel in your hand with no feedback. steering a car with gyroscopes is so hard to train your brain to do, just put it on a rotating stick with a desk mount atleast or i\'ll struggle to hold it up in the air the whole race too. i mean, any of you, just put your arms out in front of you without resting them on anything, tell me how long that is comfortable. i got a budget steering wheel and pedals for just around 100 bucks from logitech (ignore their top of the line model, it\'s just more metallic) and it\'s been the BEST purchase for gaming peripherals i\'ve ever made. it works on all my pc, ps3, AND even (with some glitches at high speeds) old ps2 games. but my opinion is biased because if something on my desk isn\'t made by logitech it\'s because they don\'t make a replacement.