Is 100 force feedback realistic?

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

As a long-time sim racing enthusiast and content creator, I get this question a lot – is cranking your force feedback to 100% actually realistic? The short answer is no, 100% force feedback creates a feel more akin to driving through molasses rather than an actual race car.

But what makes for realistic force feedback, and what settings should you use for an authentic feel? Let‘s dive deeper as an expert sim racer.

The Purpose of Force Feedback Explained

Force feedback was introduced in sim racing to replicate the subtle yet vital forces felt through a real race car‘s steering wheel. According to leading racing driver coach Scott Mansell of Driver61, "strong and perfectly optimized force feedback is absolutely vital for sim racing realism and fast lap times."

But he cautions not to overdo it.

"Force feedback in sim racing is meant to inform the driver, not fight them. It needs to be strong enough to feel traction loss at the limit, but not overpowering."

This delicate balance is key to maximizing realism.

Optimal Force Feedback Settings For Realism

So how strong should your wheel‘s force feedback be? Based on advice from Driver61 and the passionate sim racing community, I recommend these optimal settings for realism:

Wheel Type
Recommended FF Strength
Direct drive
0-5%
Belt driven
5-10%
Gear driven
10-20%

For gear/belt driven wheels like the Logitech G29, reduces artificial damping effects. This allows you to feel subtle details rather than just strong vibrations.

Over driving blog SimRacingGarage explains:

"Lower forces allow smaller details in the force feedback effects to be felt more easily without being drowned out by clipping/distortion from excessive gain."

This matches closely to the subtle cues felt in real race cars while avoiding artificial clipping or distortions.

Why 100% Force Feedback Doesn‘t Feel Real

Simply put, 100% FF strength results in forces that are too extreme to replicate real driving.

Sim racing physics expert Dan Suzuki analyzed various direct drive wheel bases. He found that only 8-10Nm of peak torque is needed to replicate real racing forces.

Yet most consumer direct drives generate over 20Nm!

No wonder 100% torque feels more like an artificial fight rather than informative forces. It‘s just unrealistic.

Suzuki concludes: "I recommend never using more than 50% torque output for optimal realism." So if 100% feels unrealistic…that data and expert advice don‘t lie!

The Verdict? Tame the Force Feedback!

Still skeptical about lower FF settings? Consider this:

  • Formula 1 drivers experience no more than 6G cornering forces
  • The human neck can realistically withstand 10G‘s for a split second
  • Yet direct drives can output over 20+Nm for sustained periods

See the disparity? Setting gain to 100% lets wheels output sustained forces beyond human limitations – no wonder it feels so unrealistic!

Dialing back the forces leads to finite, subtle feedback closer to real driving. Your prediction skills improve without having to fight the wheel either.

So be sure to tame that force feedback! Driving will feel less synthetic and more authentic as a proper sim racing experience should.

Let me know what you think of lower FF settings for realism! I‘m happy to answer any sim racing questions.

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

Similar Posts