Ferrari Virtual Academy

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Ferrari Virtual Academy
DeveloperKunos Simulazioni[2]
PublisherScuderia Ferrari[2]
PlatformWindows[3]
Release9 September 2010[1]
GenreRacing simulation
ModeSingle-player

Ferrari Virtual Academy (FVA)[a] is a sim racing video game for Windows developed by Kunos Simulazioni in collaboration with Scuderia Ferrari.[5] It was released on 9 September 2010. The simulation allows the player to drive a Ferrari against the clock at a race track. There are no other vehicles to race against in real time.[6]

In January 2015, the servers (needed even for single-player gaming) were down for some time, with Ferrari ending its support for the game.[citation needed] As of February 2015, the simulation can be used, however it can no longer be purchased.[7]

Gameplay

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Fiorano Circuit (cockpit view)

The game offers two modes: Free Practice in which driving aids such as traction control, assisted braking, visible driving line and automatic transmission are permitted and the player can decide how much fuel should be in the car; and Hot Lap mode in which no driving aids are allowed, the fuel amount is fixed and reset each lap. Times set in Hot Lap mode are entered into an online leaderboard.[6]

The game is compatible with Thrustmaster's Ferrari F1 Wheel Integral T500 and Ferrari Wheel Add-On.[8]

Content

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The initial release offered only the Fiorano test track and the Ferrari F10 Formula One car.[3] Purchase of the Adrenaline Pack upgrade released in November 2011 added the Mugello and Nürburgring race circuits as well as the Ferrari 150º Italia Formula One car of the 2011 season and the Ferrari 458 sports car.[9]

Development

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The objective of the developers were to develop a home version of the simulator that is used to train Ferrari Formula One (F1) drivers. 12,000 man hours were spent developing the game.[10] It was fine-tuned by F1 drivers, Fernando Alonso, Felipe Massa, and Giancarlo Fisichella.[11][12] Technologies like laser scanning and motion capture were used in designing the circuits and the driving dynamics.[13]

The developer, Kunos Simulazioni, said the game is an evolution from their previous game, netKar Pro (2006), and noted that there is a big generational gap between Ferrari Virtual Academy and their next game, Assetto Corsa (2014).[14]

Reception

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The Games Machine liked the realistic handling model and excellent force feedback but criticized the lack of content.[2] Giochi per il mio computer called it the best Formula One simulator.[4] Level liked the quality of the simulation, car modeling, and circuit reproduction but disliked the lack of content and absence of dynamic race conditions.[15]

References

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  1. ^ also known as Ferrari Virtual Academy 2010 Season[4]
  1. ^ Visarius, Daniel (6 September 2010). "Ferrari Virtual Academy 2010 - Realistischer als F1 2010?". GameStar (in German). Webedia. Archived from the original on 3 November 2025. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d Lorenzetti, Matteo (December 2010). "Review - Ferrari Virtual Academy 2010". The Games Machine (in Italian). No. 267. Sprea Media Italy. pp. 58–59.
  3. ^ a b Kim, Calvin (17 September 2010). "Ferrari Virtual Academy". Road & Track. Hearst Digital Media. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
  4. ^ a b c Falchi, Alberto (November 2010). "Giocati per voi - Ferrari Virtual Academy 2010 Season". Giochi per il mio computer (in Italian). No. 174. Sprea Media Italy. pp. 74–75.
  5. ^ "Assetto Corsa, análisis". MeriStation (in Spanish). Diario AS. 8 May 2018. Archived from the original on 3 November 2025. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  6. ^ a b "Ferrari Virtual Academy 2010 – Mini Review". VirtualR.net. 9 September 2010. Archived from the original on 27 October 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2016.
  7. ^ "Ferrari Virtual Academy non è più disponibile" [Ferrari Virtual Academy can no longer be purchased]. FormulaPassion.it (in Italian). GEDI Gruppo Editoriale. 12 February 2015. ISSN 2531-7423. Archived from the original on 27 October 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2016.
  8. ^ Parijat, Shubhankar (28 November 2011). "Ferrari Virtual Academy Adrenaline Pack compatible with new Thrustmaster Wheels". GamingBolt. Archived from the original on 25 June 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  9. ^ Papadopoulos, John (16 November 2011). "Ferrari Virtual Academy: Complete + Adrenaline Packs Released". Dark Side of Gaming. DSOGaming. Archived from the original on 4 March 2014. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
  10. ^ "Ferrari develops F10 virtual simulator for PCs". The Engineer. Mark Allen Group. 10 September 2010. Archived from the original on 4 November 2025. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
  11. ^ Williams, David (20 September 2010). "Drive your own Ferrari F10 - virtually". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 22 September 2010. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  12. ^ Jewett, Dale (8 September 2010). "Ferrari launches virtual driving academy at Monza". Autoweek. Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  13. ^ "Drive a Ferrari F10 on three circuits". Top Gear Philippines. BBC Studios. 6 September 2010. Archived from the original on 27 September 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
  14. ^ Robinson, Martin (13 March 2018). "Assetto Corsa Competizione is the kind of racing game we haven't seen in far too long". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 5 July 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  15. ^ a b Ghinea, Marius (September 2012). "Review - Ferrari Virtual Academy". Level (in Romanian). No. 9/2012. 3D Media Communications SRL. pp. 60–65. ISSN 1582-1498.
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