News Team VVV Racing Game of the Year Awards 2018: the nominations
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It's fair to say we were absolutely spoiled with racing games in 2017, in what was a landmark year for the genre. In the space of just one month, we witnessed three contenders from major franchises jostle for position in a spectacular race to the finish line. After a long four year wait, Gran Turismo made its belated debut on PS4 with the release of the online eSports-focused Gran Turismo Sport, but it faced stiff competition from its Xbox rival franchise. Forza Motorsport 7 boasted the most comprehensive car selection of any racing game released this generation, as well as crisp 4K graphics and a new, more engrossing career mode.
Taking on these two racing game goliaths was Slightly Mad Studios’ racing simulation Project CARS 2. As the least established IP, Project CARS 2 was the ambitious underdog with huge potential, promising to be most authentic racing simulation ever made with a diverse variety of racing disciplines, an innovative dynamic weather system, and an unrivalled track selection. Annual licensed games such as MXGP 3, MotoGP 17, WRC 7, and F1 2017 also all saw significant improvements that elevated them above typical incremental updates, while futuristic racing fans were treated to the long-awaited comeback of the WipEout series with the release of WipEout: Omega Collection.
Team VVV is the only publication that celebrates achievements in the racing game genre with our annual Racing Game of the Year awards. This year, we’ve introduced several new categories including Best Automotive ESport, Best Handheld Game, and Best Post-Release Support, but what which game will be crowned Racing Game of the Year for 2018 in what was an exceptionally competitive year?
Throughout March, we’ll be discussing each award category in detail and revealing the winner in a series of special podcasts which will be posted on the website. The first award will be published on Monday March 12th, with subsequent awards following every day until the Racing Game of the Year winner is announced at the end of the month.
Until then, here are all the nominations for the Team VVV Racing Game Awards 2018. Let the debate begin.
Best Surprise
- MXGP 3
- WRC 7
- Mario Kart 8: Deluxe
- WipEout: Omega Collection
- Motorsport Manager Mobile 2
Best Graphics
- WRC 7
- F1 2017
- Gran Turismo Sport
- Forza Motorsport 7
- Project CARS 2
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Best Audio
- Forza Motorsport 7
- MotoGP 17
- Project CARS 2
- DiRT 4
- Gran Turismo Sport
- MXGP 3
Best Automotive eSport
- F1 eSports
- WRC 7 eSports
- McLaren World’s Fastest Gamer
- MotoGP 17 eSports
Best Post-Release Support
- Gran Turismo Sport
- Assetto Corsa
- RaceRoom Racing Experience
- iRacing
- Rfactor 2
Best DLC
- Redout – Back to Earth Pack
- DiRT Rally – PSVR
- Forza Horizon 3 – Hot Wheels
- Project CARS 2 – Fun Pack
- Assetto Corsa – Ferrrari 70th Anniversary Pack
Best Environment Selection
- Project CARS 2
- Forza Motorsport 7
- Gran Turismo Sport
- WRC 7
- MXGP 3
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Best Vehicle Selection
- Project CARS 2
- DiRT 4
- MotoGP 17
- Forza Motorsport 7
- Gran Turismo Sport
Best Handling
- MXGP 3
- MotoGP 17
- Project CARS 2
- Gran Turismo Sport
- WRC 7
- F1 2017
Best Online Multiplayer
- WRC 7
- Forza Motorsport 7
- Gran Turismo Sport
- F1 2017
- Project CARS 2
- Rocket League
Best Indie Game
- Redout – Lightspeed Edition
- Tiny Trax
- Baja Edge of Control HD
- Urban Trial Freestyle 2
- Mantis Burn Racing – Nintendo Switch
Best Handheld Game
- Mantis Burn Racing
- Gear Club Unlimited
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
- Rocket League
- FAST RMX
Best Off-Road Game
- MXGP 3
- Baja Edge of Control HD
- WRC 7
- DiRT 4
Best Bike Game
- MotoGP 17
- Urban Trial Freestyle 2
- MXGP 3
Racing Game of the year 2018
- F1 2017
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
- Forza Motorsport 7
- Project CARS 2
- GT Sport
- WRC 7
- DiRT 4
Note: to be eligible for an award, each game must have been supplied to Team VVV for review purposes.
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