ComputerSpaceFan Posted March 20, 2017 Share Posted March 20, 2017 At a guess, what percentage of gamers use steering wheels? I was chatting with a coworker about VR headsets and whether or not that will become the new gaming standard. If VR doesn't die off as a fad, it might at least settle into an established corner of gaming like people who use steering wheels for racing games. So that made me then wonder, roughly how big of the gaming community is that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akator Posted March 20, 2017 Share Posted March 20, 2017 I suspect the percentage is very low. Ownership of steering controllers is probably less than 5% of the install base even when a racing game is a hot item, and even then most users won't continue using the steering controller more than a few weeks. Even with "killer apps" like Gran Turismo and Forza, steering controllers never seem to have caught on with the general gaming public. I know a far more people with plastic VR headsets for their smartphones than have ever owned a steering controller. Even people who don't have a console and aren't into PC gaming seem to have one. But I also suspect most of them stopped using it frequently within a month. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhd Posted March 20, 2017 Share Posted March 20, 2017 I do not care for racing games as a genre, but I have never used a steering wheel because I tend to play games sitting on the edge of my bed (or couch); there is nowhere to mount the controller. I never owned a Wii, but the steering controller for that system (basically a plastic holder for a Wiimote) would work for my set-up. There was also a small steering controller for the PlayStation modeled after an RC car remote that looks intriguing. Steering wheel controllers seem to be very common at thrift shops. As akator observed, presumably people dump them after a short trial. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flojomojo Posted March 20, 2017 Share Posted March 20, 2017 Probably a very small of group, taken very seriously by their fans. Some people only play Forza or Gran Turismo and nothing else. Kinda like flight simulators. Or people who just play their pet MOBA or MMO. How many person-hours played? would be a fun question to ask as wel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newsdee Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 I always wanted one and got a Logitech one some years ago. Expectation: Daytona USA arcade at home! Reality: sits in a box, can't be bothered to give it permanent desk space. To be fair I'm not that much into serious racers, which is what it is for. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spacecadet Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 I would say 1% of people who actually play racing games, which is probably only about 10% of the total gaming population. So 1% of 10%, or .1% of the total. Even that sounds a little optimistic. I did use a wheel with the Dreamcast because it was pretty cheap. Most wheels are intended for really hardcore gamers and are a lot more expensive. I'd use one all the time if they were $40 or so. I think I paid $30 for my Dreamcast wheel, and it's the official wheel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flojomojo Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 I seem to remember the Yu Suzuki Ferrari game having some crazy feature set like supporting ultra wide screen that could be split across three monitors, to replicate the arcade version. Whatever they did almost 20 years ago likely seems really simple/lame today. .1% is probably wildly optimistic! Hey did the PS4 Gran Turismo ever come out, and if not, where is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trebor Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 I haven't owned a gaming steering wheel since the Dreamcast. When I did, it was all about San Francisco Rush 2049 and the Mad Catz MC2 Racing Wheel. In total, I owned four MC2 steering wheels. Purchase two of them brand new at a huge discount - Think they were $5-10 each. One broke, and I believe another one I never even touched. It was left new in box. The game and steering wheel(s) were regularly played with friends and family. I absolutely loved it. This was throughout ~2000-2003. Wow, it's been about 15 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HammR25 Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 Several companies make high end racing wheels and seem to survive, however they all use parts that have other uses in the real world so the barrier to entry is much lower. I'd guess an $800 steering wheel has a much higher contribution margin than the Rift or Vive. Everyone raves about VR for racing games so hopefully it survives for that and flight sims. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flojomojo Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 Remember when the Coleco Turbo expansion pack seemed incredibly cool? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flojomojo Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 Everyone raves about VR for racing games so hopefully it survives for that and flight sims. Whoa ... when did VR jump the shark from "this is the new hot thing and everything will be VR" to "I hope it survives?" I don't disagree, just wondering when that became something that people said! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newsdee Posted March 22, 2017 Share Posted March 22, 2017 (edited) Whoa ... when did VR jump the shark from "this is the new hot thing and everything will be VR" to "I hope it survives?" Has 3D or VR ever worked? They care mostly about pushing new hardware than making durable standards. The Nintendo 3DS is a nice exception, but it might fold if the Switch starts eating into their mobile market. Edited March 22, 2017 by Newsdee 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flojomojo Posted March 22, 2017 Share Posted March 22, 2017 I would have been perfectly happy with a 2D-only folding 3DS. Many of the latest (final?) games on 3DS like Pokémon Sun/Moon and Dragon Quest VIII don't even support 3D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spacecadet Posted March 22, 2017 Share Posted March 22, 2017 Whoa ... when did VR jump the shark from "this is the new hot thing and everything will be VR" to "I hope it survives?" It's been simultaneously both for approximately the last 40 years. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mulletino Posted March 22, 2017 Share Posted March 22, 2017 For people seriously into racing games it's a pretty big market I think, not so much for the casual racer though, unless the price is right. I picked up a small PS2 steering wheel the other month for a couple of bucks, it looks like it can emulate the d-pad and sticks of a PS2 controller so will be interesting to see how it goes with the Arcade Compilations etc on my PS2, when I eventually get to test it. For my PS3 I have a cheap wireless effort with the accelerator/brake on the paddles as it has no pedals, is good fun for Sega rally, Daytona, GTI Club etc. That's it for me though, nothing expensive and am not a huge racing fan, but that logitech did a good job of emulating the arcade experience at home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juansolo Posted March 22, 2017 Share Posted March 22, 2017 I love racing games and a long, long time ago I had a steering wheel controller. I just can't be arsed these days. It's too inconvenient, so racing games have to play well on a gamepad or I don't consider them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atariboy Posted March 22, 2017 Share Posted March 22, 2017 When you use one at a computer desk like they're intended for, they're pretty convenient. Not an accessory meant for living room use at the family couch. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punisher5.0 Posted March 22, 2017 Share Posted March 22, 2017 This is what I want: Has to have a clutch and 6 speed shifter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spacecadet Posted March 23, 2017 Share Posted March 23, 2017 This is what I want: That looks awesome mechnically, but it's almost comical how small that TV is compared to the surroundings that don't move and that you're supposed to somehow ignore. I'd find it really distracting seeing the room move all over the place in my peripheral vision. I'd almost rather have a non-moving chair and wheel where at least you *can* ignore the surroundings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+nurmix Posted March 24, 2017 Share Posted March 24, 2017 I picked up a couple Logitech Driving Force GT wheels with pedals at a Goodwill a while back dirt cheap. They work really well with Gran Turismo 3 and 4 on my PS2. I built a small wooden stand for the wheel, and I have a dedicated gaming space in my garage - arcade cabinets, and a variety of consoles - so it's not a problem to leave it up all the time. My 7 year old son loves it, and I enjoy using it as well. It's not ideal for every driving game though; things like GTA Vice City / San Andreas support it, but who wants to switch back and forth between controller and wheel every few minutes? And with a game like Burnout 3 Takedown, it's better to use the regular controller, since the wheel gets uncomfortable after a short while with all the crashing, bumping and twisting, plus you constantly need to use R1 for thrust which is difficult when trying to turn while fighting against the force feedback motors. I wish it worked with Pole Position on the Namco Museum collection, and some other retro driving games though. Bottom line, it makes some PS2 driving games more fun, but takes away the fun from others. Over all, worth having though, especially given the price I paid. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Professor Gull Posted March 24, 2017 Share Posted March 24, 2017 Ok so let me add some Data here. I have 2 Steering wheels one is the Concept 8 for the Dreamcast the other is none other than the Sega Saturn Wheel. I don't count the Wii steering wheels cause its just plastic for the wii mote. So Dreamcast wheel I use mostly for the games below. Crazi Taxi 90% of the time. I mean really it works great for this one. Daytona USA 100% of the time. It was just natural for that game. MSR 50%. The wheel has response issues but it might just be the game as well but I find going between the 2. Tokyo Extreme Racer 75% of the time. If I want to play quick I will use the controller but for longer stints the Wheel is used. Now Sega Saturn 100% for all those below and more to come it seems Daytona USA Impact Racing Hardcore 4X4 Andretti Racing Panzer Dragoon Panzer Dragoon 2 Virtua Fighter 2 Fighting Vipers Die Hard Arcade NBA Jam Extreme Dragon Force and more to come Anything can be played with the wheel so long as you don't need the shoulder buttons. I find that both fascinating and fun. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+FujiSkunk Posted March 24, 2017 Share Posted March 24, 2017 I own a few steering wheels, including the first-party force-feedback wheel for the XBox 360. That one is particularly nice, but I rarely use any of them because I just don't have the set-up for them. A steering wheel pretty much requires a permanent installation, or at least some way to easily attach it to a good, sturdy desk or other piece of furniture that won't move. The best I can do is a TV tray in front of the living room TV, and that is definitely not sturdy. Maybe Someday I'll have the means to use a steering wheel more often, but it ain't today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flojomojo Posted March 24, 2017 Share Posted March 24, 2017 Anything can be played with the wheel so long as you don't need the shoulder buttons. I find that both fascinating and fun. How do you play a fast-twitch fighter like VF2 with a steering wheel? Does it have a D-pad on the wheel, or what? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Professor Gull Posted March 24, 2017 Share Posted March 24, 2017 How do you play a fast-twitch fighter like VF2 with a steering wheel? Does it have a D-pad on the wheel, or what? Nope but the wheel is mapped Left is Left Right is Right. Left shifter is up and right shifter is down. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Eb3YPaRJIY Watch the end of this for evidence and fun to be had. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flojomojo Posted March 24, 2017 Share Posted March 24, 2017 LOL u crazy though you have reminded me that Daytona USA is now working on the XBOX One, so I'm gonna take a little break and do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
AtariAge on Instagram
Watch us on YouTube
Chat on Discord
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.