Roads in Video Games

[myosh_tino]

Pewdiepie recently played this motorcycle racing game, Road Redemption with a couple of rather familiar signs for those who have driven anywhere near San Francisco International Airport:

Is the sign in the above screenshot based on this one?


Wow, what a difference in terrain... desert in the game, urban metropolis in real life.

[SteveG1988]

[BelpheniaProject]

Road signage from the trucking game called Hard Truck 18 Wheels of Steel, it's an old game, so here they are:

[Zzonkmiles]

So the left lane of I-69 north has a control city of Chicago, but the right lane has a control city of Detroit? That's...interesting. (My eyes hurt!)

Thanks for posting though. I needed the laugh.

[vtk]

By law I-69 goes to both of those cities...

[triplemultiplex]

Of course!  I-69 goes to all cities.

[ET21]

I still play that game on occasion. Always fun to glitch 

[KG909]

Battlefield Hardline
(Not released yet)

Better pic:

http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/642/6422750/2555618-battlefield+hardline+4+wm.jpg
Looks like they used a mix of Clearview and Highway Gothic, and it's button-copy.

[SignGeek101]

Battlefield Hardline
(Not released yet)

Better pic:

http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/642/6422750/2555618-battlefield+hardline+4+wm.jpg
Looks like they used a mix of Clearview and Highway Gothic, and it's button-copy.

Clearview in California 

Not on CalTrans' agenda. Great pics; thanks for posting.

[Zeffy]

I'm wondering if game developers' are purchasing Clearview/Interstate (presumably) for the ultimate realism? I'm sure most people wouldn't be able to tell a sign in FHWA from Arial/Helvetica. I'm still wondering what font GTA V uses for their overhead signs - it looks like FHWA, but it almost has an "Arial Rounded" feel to the letterforms.

[hotdogPi]

I'm wondering if game developers' are purchasing Clearview/Interstate (presumably) for the ultimate realism? I'm sure most people wouldn't be able to tell a sign in FHWA from Arial/Helvetica. I'm still wondering what font GTA V uses for their overhead signs - it looks like FHWA, but it almost has an "Arial Rounded" feel to the letterforms.

I thought Portal 2 used FHWA numerals in Chapter 6 and 7 (there are 9 total), because unlike most games, the numerals are meant to be read from a distance, so FHWA is needed, not Interstate. (I know Zeffy plays Portal 2.)

Note: I'm community banned from Steam until the 18th, for impersonation, even though it was a joke, and it was not a problem with the person whose username I was copying

[KG909]

Battlefield Hardline
(Not released yet)

Better pic:

http://static1.gamespot.com/uploads/original/642/6422750/2555618-battlefield+hardline+4+wm.jpg
Looks like they used a mix of Clearview and Highway Gothic, and it's button-copy.

Clearview in California 

Not on CalTrans' agenda. Great pics; thanks for posting.

Yeah I was surprised the developers were using Clearview for CA, but I figured maybe they're in a state using Clearview or from another country and used both fonts because they didn't know which one CA uses.

[KG909]

I'm wondering if game developers' are purchasing Clearview/Interstate (presumably) for the ultimate realism? I'm sure most people wouldn't be able to tell a sign in FHWA from Arial/Helvetica. I'm still wondering what font GTA V uses for their overhead signs - it looks like FHWA, but it almost has an "Arial Rounded" feel to the letterforms.

I'm thinking maybe they edited the font a little, GTA San Andreas used Freeway Gothic but it was edited, the letters were tall and narrow.

[SignGeek101]

I'm wondering if game developers' are purchasing Clearview/Interstate (presumably) for the ultimate realism? I'm sure most people wouldn't be able to tell a sign in FHWA from Arial/Helvetica.

I think it's just that; the realism. I think some people today like to (partially) judge a game based on how realistic it looks to the real world, and having signs that (somewhat) at least look realistic helps, especially for us road (and sign) geeks. I don't expect perfect quality; Interstate font will do for me. It makes me feel like the dev's put more time into developing the game; which is a good thing.

But you're right, most people don't know the difference and wouldn't care. I was out with my parents a while back and saw a sign I didn't like and told them I didn't like it. My dad said something like "Is it in Clear... : what was the name of that font again"? 

Even I can't tell the difference between Interstate and FHWA     ...sad I know.

[KG909]

Prototype 2:


Apparently I-95 is North-West now.

[Zzonkmiles]

I wonder why so many of these games give interstates numbers, but don't give numbers to US highways?

[SignGeek101]

I wonder why so many of these games give interstates numbers, but don't give numbers to US highways?

I think it's because the interstate system is perhaps more known / famous? than the US highway system. For most people who live in large cities (not roadgeeks), it's easy to see the Interstate shield and know it's an American highway because many people at least live near an Interstate, as opposed to a US highway shield, which I think is harder to identify as a American highway.

Just my opinion of course.

[adventurernumber1]

I wonder why so many of these games give interstates numbers, but don't give numbers to US highways?

For most people who live in large cities (not roadgeeks), it's easy to see the Interstate shield and know it's an American highway because many people at least live near an Interstate, as opposed to a US highway shield

Especially in Indianapolis..  (I had to)

Anyways..

I got Mario Kart 8 for the Wii U somewhat recently, and with it being a racing game, it's not awfully surprising it has some road-related stuff in it (sorry if this has already been mentioned). Toad's Turnpike (a retro course brought back from MK64 on the N64) is the only course that's on an actual road, and it is somewhat impressive I must say. It has the classic video game striping goof, with the center stripe being white instead of yellow, and the guardrails are slightly bulky (but very impressive when it comes to detail), but then you have to remember you're on a tiny cart on an actual turnpike, but the course is indeed cool. The course also has fictional signage that (despite being unrealistic compared to actual signs) very nicely suits the course. Here's some sections of Toad's Turnpike:



(not a realistic lane ending sign, but the design idea was rather interesting)



Mario Kart 8 has more fictional signage on other courses as well, that also suit those courses:

[Zeffy]

So I just bought a game called The Crew, a game that sadly isn't the best but it still features a LARGE open world map of the United States. I'm gonna broadcast it on Twitch while playing, and if you guys want to watch you're more than welcome. The kicker is that I'm going to attempt to follow the traffic laws - speed limits, signals, and see how long it takes me before I arrive at the big cities and before I lose my sanity.

I'll also look at the signs in the game! Feel free to use screencaps or something to show it off in this thread.

http://www.twitch.tv/RealZephyZeph

[KG909]

So I just bought a game called The Crew, a game that sadly isn't the best but it still features a LARGE open world map of the United States. I'm gonna broadcast it on Twitch while playing, and if you guys want to watch you're more than welcome. The kicker is that I'm going to attempt to follow the traffic laws - speed limits, signals, and see how long it takes me before I arrive at the big cities and before I lose my sanity.

I'll also look at the signs in the game! Feel free to use screencaps or something to show it off in this thread.

http://www.twitch.tv/RealZephyZeph

Wait it's already out? Or it's still the demo?

[hotdogPi]

So I just bought a game called The Crew, a game that sadly isn't the best but it still features a LARGE open world map of the United States. I'm gonna broadcast it on Twitch while playing, and if you guys want to watch you're more than welcome. The kicker is that I'm going to attempt to follow the traffic laws - speed limits, signals, and see how long it takes me before I arrive at the big cities and before I lose my sanity.

I'll also look at the signs in the game! Feel free to use screencaps or something to show it off in this thread.

http://www.twitch.tv/RealZephyZeph

The 4-lane Interstate (94?) should not be 4 lanes if nobody but you is on it.
Also, next time you see a gas station, tell them to change their price to 1.99 (they're still in the 3.xx range).

[Stratuscaster]

The 4-lane Interstate (94?) should not be 4 lanes if nobody but you is on it.

So are you saying that just because there's only 1 (or few) that doesn't justify the 4 lanes for the other times of they day when it's packed?

Also, next time you see a gas station, tell them to change their price to 1.99 (they're still in the 3.xx range).

Sure - have code in the game to link up with GasBuddy to show realistic gas prices...in your non-realistic game world.

[Zeffy]

Here's what I learned so far:

A. This game has a US 0. WTF?
B. The font used for this game (dialogue and road signs) looks to be Interstate, which SHOCKS me.
C. Road signs in this game that aren't speed limit signs are generally pretty ugly.
D. I spent about 45 minutes going 70 MPH on "I-94" through what looked to be the Dakotas.
E. Interstates are generic (divided) 4-lane roadways with pretty narrow shoulders and barely ANY traffic.
F. There are no exit signs on Interstates..
G. This map is fucking huge.
H. The interchanges are also decently simple...
I. Handling in this game is complete garbage.

In terms of highways, I've seen:

US 0, US 18, US 57, I-80, and I-94.

Once I complete this drive to Los Angeles I'm never doing this obey the traffic laws thing again.

EDIT: Traffic laws are done being followed cause that was MIND numbing.

[KG909]

Here's what I learned so far:

A. This game has a US 0. WTF?
B. The font used for this game (dialogue and road signs) looks to be Interstate, which SHOCKS me.
C. Road signs in this game that aren't speed limit signs are generally pretty ugly.
D. I spent about 45 minutes going 70 MPH on "I-94" through what looked to be the Dakotas.
E. Interstates are generic (divided) 4-lane roadways with pretty narrow shoulders and barely ANY traffic.
F. There are no exit signs on Interstates..
G. This map is fucking huge.
H. The interchanges are also decently simple...
I. Handling in this game is complete garbage.

In terms of highways, I've seen:

US 0, US 18, US 57, I-80, and I-94.

Once I complete this drive to Los Angeles I'm never doing this obey the traffic laws thing again.

What did you get it on? If PS4 I'll add you once I buy it.

[Zeffy]

Xbox One, I don't have a Playstation 4.