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In a nutshell: Developers are always pushing for more realism in sim racing, but it’s not just about bigger displays or higher resolutions. Sure, accessories like steering wheels and gear shifters can sell the illusion of being behind the wheel. But sometimes immersion comes from nailing the tiny details like feeling the rumble of tires pounding the pavement – or catching that rush of wind if you’re cruising in an open-cockpit racer. That’s likely what accessory maker Nitro Concepts had in mind when it decided to modify its E-Racer simulator setup.
The company added a set of blowers on either side of the racing wheel to generate directional airflow during drives. It then showcased the setup at CES 2025, where the folks at PC Gamer stumbled upon it and delivered an illuminating hands-on impression. Initially, they were skeptical that small fans could convincingly simulate the sensation of speed. However, once they started tearing around tracks like Spa-Francorchamps in a racing game, those doubts disappeared.
“Something in my inner brain is better tricked into feeling like I’m traveling at high speed with the ‘wind’ hitting my face,” noted Jacob Ridley from the publication gleefully. Contributing to that feeling of realism was the fact that the fans intelligently ramped up and down their intensity to match the on-screen vehicle’s velocity.
The sense of speed is a much-discussed factor in racing games. It’s why driving along the open roads of Los Santos in GTA V can feel exhilaratingly fast, even though most vehicles are capped at just 125 mph. As it turns out, replicating that thrilling sensation comes down to several elements: field of view, motion blur, sound effects, and camera shake.
Now, it seems we can add wind to the equation, too.
PC Gamer noted that while wind simulation might not be entirely realistic for closed-cockpit cars, it still heightened the sense of direction and enhanced the overall experience.
Beyond immersion, the report suggested that wind could also help reduce nausea for VR racers. The directional airflow may trick the brain into more accurately registering perceived motion, alleviating the disconnect that often causes motion sickness. Oh, and let’s not forget one of the most practical benefits – those fans should help ensure you don’t end up smelling like you haven’t showered in days after a racing marathon.
If you’re eager to get your hands on one of these wind sims, you might have to wait. Details on its availability are still under wraps. However, Nitro Concepts’ LED controller and haptic cushions are already available on the company’s website for $50 and $1,000, respectively.
When the rig does hit the market, maybe pairing it with GameScent automated scent atomizer will really seal the deal – bringing the aroma of burning rubber or exhaust fumes along.
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