Rockstar bridges reality gap with new game

A new computer racing game by the makers of Grand Theft Auto, Rockstar Games, is aiming to bridge the gap between real and simulated car design when it launches next month.

Midnight Club: LA, a game based around street racing and customising cars, aims to replicate the work of car modification specialists, such as US company Saleen. Players will be able to manipulate aesthetic details, including paint type and colour, interior detailing, materials and finish, as well as engineering details and panelling.

Car manufactures including, Lamborghini, Audi and Aston Martin have licensed the use of their cars in the game, which uses the same graphics engine as Grand Theft Auto 4.

The breadth of the design options in the game, launching on 10 October, is said to be a response to gamers’ demand for accuracy and marks car designers’ willingness to act as consultants in the virtual world