iPad 2 and Real Racing 2 HD

2 March 2011 38 comments

Our star game on the first iPad was Real Racing HD, the top game in the charts at launch. We’ve already mentioned that we’ve been working furiously on Real Racing 2 HD – if we’d been able to release it together with Real Racing 2 for iPhone before Christmas, we definitely would have done that but there was just too much work to get both versions ready in time. Now that Apple has revealed the details of iPad 2, we know more about what’s in store for Real Racing 2 HD!

While we were not aware of the specs for iPad 2 before the keynote, we made some educated guesses about where we thought the hardware might head, so for many months now we have been developing a much more graphically intensive version of Real Racing 2 HD to take advantage of the anticipated performance improvements. Real Racing 2 HD has been significantly enhanced beyond what could work on existing devices, and our efforts have definitely given us a head start on iPad 2.

The 9x faster graphics, gyroscope and slimline form factor have us really excited. Real Racing 2 HD will absolutely shine on such powerful graphics hardware combined with our own rendering enhancements. The lighter and thinner form factor will make the iPad 2 handle even more like a steering wheel, and we’ve put a lot of effort into making it feel just right. The gyroscope will also contribute to the smooth and intuitive handling as it adds another sensor input we can check against for added precision.

All these attributes combined with our enhancements to Real Racing 2 HD will create the most precise and intuitive car racing experience on any device. The 1080p HDMI output also opens up some great possibilities.

We’re very excited about the fantastic opportunities iPad 2 will provide in the gaming space. Real Racing HD was the #1 game for the original iPad – and an awesome experience to boot – and we can’t wait to take advantage of iPad 2 with Real Racing 2 HD!

  • http://twitter.com/jakubnesetril Jakub Nesetril

    While this is all very exciting guys, I feel like it's yet again pushing back the Real Racing 2 HD release date. Meanwhile, I have already finished 100% of all levels on Real Racing 2 (non-HD) on my iPad. Unless you decide to push out new content along with refurbished effects/graphics, there will be very little additional value :(

    I really fail to see why just upping the rendering resolution for iPad screen should take so long. (Optimizing/changing the experience is another thing).

  • http://www.shasam.net Shane Lord

    Hi,

    Whilst the iPad 2 definately adds benefits over the iPad, have you guys looked into supporting the HP Touchpad when it is released? As I understand it porting an iOS game is relatively painless (according to the Angry Birds folk) and the hardware of the Touchpad offers all of the benefits of the iPad 2 just with a different OS.

    Thanks,
    Shane.

  • bennybrady

    Ipad as steering wheel to tv via hdmi? Dammmnnnnn!

  • http://www.firemint.com firemint

    You've hit the nail on the head – optimization can take a long time, that screen is biiig… we'll have some more details soon, but it doesn't look like we need to push the release date out further at this stage. Luckily we made some pretty good guesses!

  • http://www.firemint.com firemint

    Porting a game like Real Racing 2 is a big deal no matter where it goes – we have to get very close to the hardware to make it run great, there's an awful lot more involved than for 2D games. We're not a massive studio so we have to think very carefully about where we spend our time. At this point we haven't announced any platforms other than iOS.

  • http://www.firemint.com firemint

    That would be pretty cool, we'll have to wait and see ;)

  • http://www.shasam.net Shane Lord

    Thanks for the response guys – I do truly love your games and was one of the first people to buy Flight Control and Real Racing when they were launched.

    Whilst I can't speak for HP in this regard, from what I can tell they are willing to throw resources into assisting developers such as yourself to port games. If you haven't already, please have a chat with Lisa Brewster (@Adora on Twitter) who is Dev Relations in Palm.

    I'd love to see these games on WebOS – not only would it help the platform as it gains relevance, but I'm sure it would increase sales for your popular franchises too.

    Regards,
    Shane.

  • http://www.firemint.com firemint

    Hey Shane, thanks very much for your support! Our big problem is always a lack of time because we do spend so much time getting each of our games just right, and something like porting Real Racing is not something that external help advances very much – but we do listen very carefully to requests for our games on other platforms!

  • rishBoB105

    Will this game be optimized for the A5 chip on the iPad 2? Even if you can't make big changes, surely with 2X the CPU power and 9X the GPU power you can add a lot of anti-alasing and higher resolution textures.

  • rishBoB105

    Oh nevermind ignore my stupid comment. Didn't read the article and posted lol.

  • James Hall

    You mention alot about improving it and supporting the new speedier hardware in the iPad 2. How will this affect iPad 1 owners like me. Are we going to see a cut down version? Are we going to feel cheated for not having the latest hardware.

  • Jpmfan

    will we be able to run Real Racing 2 HD on an iPad 1?

  • http://twitter.com/gnomehole The Gnome

    As long as you keep putting out awesome iOS apps I will keep buying. Keep up the great work… and remember who buys apps, and who just roots their phones and steals them ;-)

  • rishBoB105

    So what kind of stuff are you adding? We don't know the RAM yet, but it's safe to assume that it is at least 512MB. So higher resolution textures? Anti-aliasing? Better lighting? Pysics? It would be nice to have a heads up on the specifics.

  • John Wood

    When do you plan to update the itouch version of real racing 2 next and what will be in the new update

  • Jim Kane

    I will buy an iPad 2 on March 11, and planned to buy Real Racing HD to enjoy and demo. If I do so, is there an upgrade path to Real Racing 2 HD? …or is it a re-purchase?

  • http://www.firemint.com firemint

    We will support both iPad 1 and iPad 2 with the one app – it will detect which hardware it's running on, and optimize accordingly for the best experience.

  • Digital_Guy

    I've had RR (1) for the iPhone 3GS for about a year. Overall, I think it is the best racing on Apple's iOS devices (with the one exception of the AI being a little TOO aggressive). I just installed RR (2), and I am anxious to start it. Now, if someone would only make a QUALITY off-road rally title for iOS. Keep up the good work, FireMint.

    (From Digital_Guy@Hotmail.com)

  • http://www.firemint.com firemint

    Hi James, we've spent a lot of time optimizing Real Racing 2 HD on iPad 1, but the iPad 2 is more powerful so it's capable of some effects and things that the iPad 1 doesn't support. Still, I hope you won't feel cheated because we're putting in a lot of effort to do something awesome, no matter which one you have!

  • Jordi

    I just got an iPad 1 since januari does mean that RR2 HD is iPad 2 only? And not for the iPad 1?

  • http://www.firemint.com firemint

    Yes :)

  • http://www.firemint.com firemint

    Real Racing 2 HD will support both iPads.

  • Lijunchen333

    Really hope the mac version!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • http://twitter.com/colin_obrien Colin O’Brien

    What happened with the graphics on the iPad 1? It almost looks like a pixel-doubled iPhone version. Will there be any further optimizations for the first-generation device?

  • http://www.firemint.com firemint

    Hi Colin,

    We are investigating the issues some iPad1 users have reported, please see this thread on our support site:
    http://getsatisfaction.com/firemint/topics/real_racing_2_hd_for_ipad_1_graphics_performance_issue

    Thanks.

  • Digital_Guy

    Is there any way that the aggressiveness of the AI in both RR1 and RR2 could be softened a little? I really, really think that the AI is tooooo aggressive in both RR1 and RR2. Also .. is there any way that a “replay” feature could be added to RR1? As a racing game fan, I know that I especially, really like to look at the replays .. for the most part, because it finally gives me a chance to look around at the scenery. I am not able to pay as close attention to the scenery as I would like during gameplay because of the concentration required for gameplay. I feel that both of these issues are important (AI aggressiveness and “replay” feature for RR1).

    In advance, thank you.

    From: Digital_Guy@Hotmail.com
    Located in: West Virginia, USA

  • FJD

    All I'm reading here is a cop-out. You are saying that you simply cannot get RR2 to work well enough on an iPad, so ditch your iPad and buy an iPad 2.

    Also what has changed SO dramatically that you suddenly rush the game out after three months of saying you can't?

    I think the feedback for Real Racing 2 HD so far on the app store says it all. You set the bar high and delivered underwhelmingly. Sorry but I'm demanding a refund.

  • Berg59

    I can't sing in in real rwacing 2 how I do this?
    Thanks

  • Sjobs

    Yeah.
    And they deleted my comment.

    So I'm definitely pressing the refund button on iTunes!

  • Gregfehler

    That's all very well but I have the iPad one and your game keeps throwing me out when I win ( very frustrating ) I will not purchase your products again !
    gregfehler@ aol.com

  • Gregfehler

    Please sort this out on iPad , I am really not happy , why bother playing the game when it chucks you out !

  • Nguydangquang70

    It better if you can control the speed accelerate and you can't choose the car that you want

  • Gregz0r1

    I have this game on my iPad 2, but it's running the iPad 1 graphics(low polygon models, no anti-aliasing, low res textures). Is there anything I'm not doing here?

  • http://www.firemint.com firemint

    Hi Greg,

    Looks like you might have stumbled upon the following problem:
    http://www.ipadcreative.com/bl…
    This can be fixed by deleting the game from your iPad2 and redownloading it from the App Store. We hope to resolve the issue in the next update. Please visit our support site if you have any further issues:
    http://www.firemint.com/suppor…

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  • Daleinscoe

    Please email me have accomplish all tracks that it has let me on BUT lot of tracks say can enter /. Requirement car must be 77hp/88hp. 80p/88p. 84p/94p and so on how can I tell what my car is only place I se this is on the track try to access can you tell me were it is at modified car took off part after part playing on ipad2 very frustrated thanks for the help if you could please daleinscoe@yahoo.com

  • http://www.firemint.com firemint

    You can view your current car’s P rating at the top right corner of the screen, or in the Pitlane>My Cars menu.

  • Chris

    Real racing2 HD will not load on my ipad 2. Running 5.0.1 firmware. Downloaded from iTunes. Could you please advice ? Tried reinstalling, & turning iPad off and on. Regards Chris ( UK ). Ps is there a possible link to patch game if available ?

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