At a glance, racing games look like they only focus on flashy cars and who can drive the fastest. However, there's more to racing games. To be great at racing games, only those who understand the right skills and strategies can first cross the finish line. Whether you're new at racing games or a seasoned player looking to improve, here are some tips you must know as a racing game player.
Be One With The Controls
You should start by getting more comfortable with the controls of racing games. Not all racing game setups look the same. Know how to use the wheels, if any, what buttons to use, how the pedals work, etc.
When you're about to start, sit and feel all the controls. Mentally note them and ensure you know what to press or step on before entering the race. That way, you can focus on the race, not how to win it, because you don't know how far the steering wheel can turn.
Take Advantage of Practice Areas
If the game provides, never overlook practice areas. There are many racing game players who rarely take practice areas seriously. However, racing in practice areas mean you can learn what to do or what not to do without affecting your stats.
Once you know what to improve, or what obstacle is your biggest challenge, you can make adjustments and do another test run. You can also adjust your controls if you feel the need to. That way, once you enter the real race, you can learn from your mistakes and show improvements.
You can learn from online casino players when it comes to practicing. Many online casinos like Bety Casino provide a demo game. This is similar to practice areas, where players can test things until they're comfortable with the gameplay. Even for simple games like Bety slots, practice games can be helpful during the real rounds.
Perfect Your Steering Skills
If there's one control most challenging to master in racing games, it's the steering wheel. Tackling steering sensitivity can be difficult, especially if you're a beginner. Players driving cars in real life would usually treat the wheel as they do their vehicle.
However, these racing games primarily focus on high speed. You won't be driving as quickly as usual on your daily commute.
One of the best ways to understand the steering wheel's sensitivity better is to drive slowly along the track's edges repeatedly. Then, gradually increase your speed until you feel like you've lost reasonable control of the car.
Once that happens, lower the sensitivity, especially if you've lost control and crashed. The more you practice and learn, the more you can increase your sensitivity until you find what feels right.
Master The Acceleration and Braking
Although racing games focus on high speed, and the fastest car wins the race, it doesn't mean you must always accelerate. Mastering a racing game means knowing when to go full speed and when to ease off. This skill is related to maintaining control over balance and speed.
Don't overlook visual cues. When you see the brake lights of the cars ahead of you turning on, you'll have to slow down. On the contrary, empty roads mean you're free to floor it.
When braking, don’t ride it. Don't ride the brakes when braking. It's better to pump or tap the brakes during tight corners and let go of the accelerator accordingly in open turns. The latter doesn't require you to step on the brake. Then, go hard during slight turns.
Brake lights can be a visual cue of when to slow down, but what cues can you use to accelerate? The sound of your opponents' engine can be one. Many veteran players are showing their skills on streaming platforms. You can watch them and see how they power through tracks you're struggling with, as they often show their pedal cam footage.
Hardware Setup
Not all players own a wheel and pedals, but they're still the best setup for racing games. If you decide to get racing wheels and other items, ensure you've built the perfect setup to support your performance.
This means you should adjust the space between the pedals, the seat, and the wheel. Place the shift where it's comfortable. Depending on your hardware, the items may give you more freedom to adjust their sensitivity.
Another piece of hardware that racing game players often overlook is the screen. Adjusting your screen position can make you play more comfortably and improve your performance.
Develop Consistency
You may feel like you've driven fast when going for a lap. However, you need more than that if you'd like to go far in the racing world. One of the key aspects that improves your skill is consistency.
This means you must regularly learn the track and then practice to polish your skills. This will lead to more consistent lap times.
It may not sound like much, but consistency can save tires, give you time, and put you in the right mindset when executing strategies. It can also help you pull a gap or catch up to the cars ahead. Keep an eye on your physical and mental capacity; your consistency should feel natural and not physically or mentally draining. If you let your habits drain you, you'll be more likely to make mistakes during a race.
Maintain your pace, take your time building your skills. Many drivers push their physical and mental limits by challenging categories and difficulties above their consistent race pace. This will eventually take the fun out of racing.
Join Communities
When you join communities and meet other players, you can trade tips and learn more for free. Dig through communities and forums, see what advice you can bring home, or go forward by asking questions you need answers to.
Some racing games allow you to form teams. It's always better to bring over experienced teammates. This is because teammates bring over saved information across different race scenarios that will help you fine-tune your car for specific upcoming events.
Utilize Driver Aids
Some racing games come with driver aids. If you see some, you shouldn't let them go to waste. Activating driver aides lets you focus on what you'd like to improve. For example, use the automatic transmission and braking assist. You can also turn off dynamic weather if doing so can help you put your focus on practicing or racing without unnecessary distractions.