RiMS and Brembo

7/27/2021

The most realistic motorcycle video game in the world.

Console and PCs that are more and more powerful and have increasingly better graphics cards continue to improve the realism coefficient of video games, lightyears from the eighties-era titles that were all the rage. However, it takes more than just technology to provide a fun and long-lasting product if it doesn’t spring from a great idea.

This is the philosophy that has guided programmers from RaceWard Studio, the well known Italian developer who has designed RiMS Racing, the motorcycle videogame eagerly awaited by enthusiasts worldwide. It came out on 19 August and is available for all platforms , i.e. PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, XBoxOne, Nintendo Switch and also PC.

The project stems from a desire to offer a 360° simulation, not limited to riding dynamics like others are, but also involving the preparation and tuning of the bike, guaranteeing a painstaking level of detail as well.

This is the transposition of what happens in real life where the enthusiast, restricted by available budget, decides to replace one or more parts and then has the thrill of testing it on the track or on the street. Sometimes the result is extremely satisfying, but in some cases, the change proves to be counterproductive.

In fact, in RiMS Racing, which stands for Rider Motorbike Simulator, players can entirely disassemble the bikes they have in their garage, which they have earned in the career mode. Specifically, there are 45 components that can be modified, from the tires to the suspension, from the exhaust to the fairings and saddle, and of course, the entire braking system.

The brakes represent the most varied part of the video game, with 12 different components that can be modified: front and calipers, front and rear discs, front and rear pads, brake lever, brake master cylinder, rear thumb brake, lines, brake fluid and relative reservoir.

Just like in real life, there are various alternatives for these parts, each with different prices, performance and compatibility.. In fact, the unique thing about RiMS is the exclusive use of components that actually exist both for original equipment and as upgrades. This is possible thanks to collaboration with manufacturers from all over the world, including Brembo, the undisputed leader in motorized two-wheeled competitions, which provided its catalog.

For each part, the shape, size, and performance are accurately reproduced. For every element, a description is provided, as well as the weight, diameter, type, and condition. As with the other parts, the brake components in RiMS are also subject to wear, connected to the mileage traveled, as well as to riding style and the number of accidents sustained.

By comparing notes with track and Brembo product engineers, the programmers built up knowledge on each of the brake components and their functional qualities. In turn, they interact with the game engine and therefore have an impact on the dynamics of the bike. For example, a Brembo T-Drive disc, which is lighter than the OEM disc, lets you improve the bike’s responsiveness in direction changes and increases its acceleration, in addition to affecting the braking, thanks to the use of eight T-pins in the coupling between the braking band and the housing.

There are also eight bikes available for players - all the latest generation supersport models: the Aprilia RSV4 1110 Factory, the Ducati Panigale V4R, the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR, the MVAgusta F4 RC and the Suzuki GSX-R1000R already come from the factory with Brembo brake components, so in RiMS they also have this configuration.

However, for these bikes and for the others, players can change suppliers to see the quality of Brembo components for themselves as compared to the competition on one of the various available tracks: some are permanent tracks (such as Silverstone, Laguna Seca, Suzuka, Nürburgring, Paul Ricard and more), whereas others are road tracks such as the San Marco Pass, that can be tackled with any type of weather conditions.

This is a dream come true for those riders who, for example, would love to try an RCS Corsa Corta master cylinder or a GP4-MS caliper on their own bikes. With RiMS, they can do it for free, seeing how the bike reacts and perhaps being convinced to make that purchase they’ve been putting off for so long.

A large part of the fun for players also comes from replacing parts, because these are also characterized by maximum realism. In fact, every change requires the same sequence of operations that a mechanic would normally perform to achieve that replacement, without the risk of getting your hands dirty or messing up your chassis architecture.

Of course, the assembly and disassembly procedures may be different on different bikes because each one follows its own construction philosophy. And all this without any frustration because the screens which explain each step help players work through the procedure using the game pad or keyboard.

RiMS, motorcycling game play has never been so realistic.