Although it’s made a name for itself in the automotive world as a pioneer for sports electric vehicles, the Tesla Roadster has also become an icon in video games. Microsoft Game Studios have reportedly employed the Roadster as the new sound effects generator for forthcoming racing games.
This might at first seem strange given the fact that the all-electric Roadster is completely devoid of any exhaust note, but it makes perfect sense to use a silent vehicle to record other noises that would be the norm at race pace, such as tyre squeal and wind noise.
Last month Microsoft’s video game developers borrowed a random Roadster (number 203), from Sports Car Club of America member Tom Burt, for the exercise. Sound engineers used seven car-mounted microphones to record high-speed sweeps, power slides and stops from speeds as high as 200 km/h. The sound effects were also recorded on a multitude of different surfaces to ensure that the game experience is as authentic as possible.
According to leftlanenews, Burt reported that his Roadster “held up well to the full day of abuse” but due to the nature of the exercise noted that the sophisticated computer limited power on two occasions due to the motor overheating. Apparently a few minutes were all that was needed before it was up and running again.
It is believed that Microsoft will use the recorded noises for all vehicles that feature in its racing games, which include titles like Project Gotham Racing and Forza Motorsport. Of course, real engine noises and exhausts notes will be laid over the recordings to display the required audio depth expected of modern racing games.
