Interview with Original Fire Games, Creator of Circuit Superstars


We had the chance recently to sit down with the Original Fire team, developers of the popular Circuit Superstars game.

Below is my interview with the Original Fire Games team. Carolina, Carlos and Alberto were kind enough to take some time out of their busy schedules as indie game developers to share their respective stories about developing the Circuit Superstars game.

Being a smaller studio means around the clock work, and the Original Fire team is now seeing the payoff from that work, as Circuit Superstars has been met with praise from both reviewers and fans. Our own Yannik Haustein shared his review of Circuit Superstars for RaceDepartment earlier this month, and spoke highly of the top-down racing title’s fusion of a cartoonish, gaming aesthetic with realistic motorsport details.

Circuit Superstars also recently got the backing of some big names from the world of sim racing, including Lando Norris, Jamie Chadwick, Jimmy Broadbent, among Romain Grosjean among others. These personalities came to the game through a Top Gear initiative, something the Original Fire Games team talks about with great excitement and awe.

Be sure to check back with RaceDepartment frequently, as we intend to grow an RD community around Circuit Superstars in the coming months, and we might even have some giveaways to announce soon.

Have you tried Circuit Superstars yet? Be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments below, and give us a like and a sub on the video if you enjoyed watching it.
About author
Mike Smith
I have been obsessed with sim racing and racing games since the 1980's. My first taste of live auto racing was in 1988, and I couldn't get enough ever since. Lead writer for RaceDepartment, and owner of SimRacing604 and its YouTube channel. Favourite sims include Assetto Corsa Competizione, Assetto Corsa, rFactor 2, Automobilista 2, DiRT Rally 2 - On Twitter as @simracing604

Comments

"Have you tried Circuit Superstars yet?"
I have to admit I did not, I am more a SIM enthusiast type of guy. Not playing Mario Kart either, but if I change my game focus, I might! Particularly if it is recommended by some big names from the world of sim racing, including Lando Norris, Jamie Chadwick, Jimmy Broadbent, among Romain Grosjean among others.
They must know what they are talking about. :D
 
Been playing the game for a few months now on and off. Gonna watch the video later tonight but what bugs me is the fact that you can't have private lobbies. You can queue with friends but no private lobbies and that's quite silly if you consider that they wanna be seen as a SIM of some sorts.
 
The game is good, but the track editor is missing! If implemented - in-game or as a toolkit for Unity3D - it will be great!

This is what Project Cars 3 should be like :)
 
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Premium
Bought this the other day so not played it much, first thing I've noticed is (unless I'm doing something wrong) no quick restart of race/session? I'd seen people complain about the lack of save options but not having restart seems a bit daft. Game looks fun but seems to have a few quality of life issues that make me think I'll park it until they fix them.
 
yep, no restart yet and also - i think - no option to save mid-game. it does make the event you started count more, but especially with the events that come as a mini-series, saving progress would be cool. or maybe i overlooked that? picked it up before release but haven't really had much time to play it. the graphics are wonderful and so is the sound and the beautifully animated pit stops, totally love the skill and passion that has gone into this game, if only i could work a game controller or play on a keyboard, at 57, don't think i'll ever learn either. my son gave me one of his controllers and then had a go to demonstrate how i should do it and was 3 secs a lap quicker out of the box ...
 
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I like it for what it is, but like many others, I saw a lot more potential than this. I believe they started showing the game with almost nothing done, and perhaps were just trying to make "something", not having time to really ponder on the direction to take based on the feedback and interest.
The AI shouldn't be just a train of bricks, give them two lines to choose from every lap to at least have some variety (all games should do that anyway), just so it looks like they're not trying to ram you all the time.
A lot of people see this game and think "track editor", it's not just me. Make a ton of pieces with three or four "themes" for each and let people come up with more stuff to race on.
It wasn't planned, now you can plan it. Listen to the players.

I think they should use this game as an ongoing platform instead of making another one, whether it works with patches, updates, DLC...
Reviews have been a bit hard at times, but I think it's because players want to enjoy it more, so it's a good sign.
 
i think it is great. i have no problem with the ai. think it is very good. lack of game save not a problem for me, see where it could be. would like to see adjustable sensitivity of the controls and an oval of some sort though.
 
This game has a great potential... I'm in love with the physics and graphics !!!

We juste need these privat lobbys in multi

Cheers !
 
Premium
This game has a great potential... I'm in love with the physics and graphics !!!

We juste need these privat lobbys in multi

Cheers !
...or join a community league / fun cup for the time-being. There's a mixture of 'serious' and more casual stuff available with links regularly posted on the official Circuit Superstars Discord. This is a video from recent league race, where there are multiple divisions from Amateur to Superstar...

 
So its basically drift with all cars? Or is there any difference in grip level? Even if its a bit slidey with all cars it doesnt mean it has to be boring. Im just curios is all.
 
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So its basically drift with all cars? Or is there any difference in grip level? Even if its a bit slidey with all cars it doesnt mean it has to be boring. Im just curios is all.
There is quite a bit of variation in handling between the cars, some drift more than others but the smoke does tend to exaggerate it visually. Euro Trucks and Feathers (Caterhams) don't drift to the extent that other vehicles do - from the top of my head. With worn tyres however, the cars will all oversteer/understeer more.

I've got videos of a few of the vehicles on my channel ( https://www.youtube.com/user/ChewyChumpChops ) and links to a few of the other content creators that put out Circuit Superstars videos - but I'd say give it a go and see if you like it - can always refund within 2hr window on Steam...
 

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