Hey Mechanicans!
Here’s Kamil from GameFormatic. Today, I would like to share with you a short story from real life. One of the fans of the Car Mechanic Simulator series dedicated to buy, repair and renovate cars because he liked to do it in the game. I'm talking with Giovanni, who is a big fan of car mechanics in video games, VR video games, and reality as well, and he's good as hell!
Kamil, GameFormatic: Hi there, feel free to introduce yourself. What’s your name, where do you live, how old are you, and what are you doing for life, still studying or already working?
Giovanni: Hello, my name is Giovanni. I am 37 years old and I’m a lab technician from Houston Texas and a muscle car restoration enthusiast.
Kamil, GF: Were you, as a kid, a fan of cars, matchboxes, and Hot Wheels-like toys? Or were you rather interested in other activities like sport, video games, playing thieves vs police, etc.?
Giovanni: I was always a fan of cars, as a kid I had hot wheels, micro machines and RC cars. Those were my first introductions to cars. Later on I would end up playing a lot of the racing games like the Need for Speed series and Burnout. I was always more of a street car fan than a formula 1 fan.
Kamil, GF: When was your first contact with the Car Mechanic Simulator game series? 2014, 2015, 2018, or VR edition?
Giovanni: Though I had seen Car Mechanic Simulator before, the 2018 version is the one I picked up on the same year of release and it has been a great and fun experience.
Kamil, GF: You have revealed, on our Discord channel, that playing Car Mechanic Simulator series makes you feel more interested in car mechanics in reality. Tell us, please, when or how it happened?
Giovanni: I’ve always wanted a classic car, but I didn’t think I had enough knowledge or experience to be able to fully restore one. After playing CMS 2018 that definitely changed, I started getting a better understanding of actual mechanics and it helped me make the leap into Car restoration. I personally used the game for more than just fun, I used it as a learning tool.
Kamil, GF: And now, correct me if I’m wrong, you have two beautiful cars, which you bought last time to renovate and use for your own, is that correct? Please, tell us, what beasts do you have, and what are you going to do with them?
Giovanni: That is correct, my first buy and restoration project was a 1967 Mercury Cougar (survivor) with a factory 289 and a 4 speed transmission. It needed a small amount of work and I ended up installing a 650 CFM Carb to give it a small power boost. Keeping a majority of the vehicle original.
This year I was lucky enough to find a 1967 Notchback Barracuda. The current engine is a stock 225 slant six with a 3 speed transmission. It is currently being prepped in the shop at home to have a engine and transmission transplant. A different 225 slant six that has been bored out 60 over and a 4 speed transmission are set to go inside. It will definitely need more work done to it than the Cougar, but it is going to be a fun experience.
Kamil, GF: Do you think that playing such games as Car Mechanic Simulator (original or VR version), can really improve your manual skills as a car mechanician? Do you believe that you can learn more about cars, tools, parts, and processes directly from the game?
Giovanni: I feel like Car Mechanic Simulator did help improve my skills as a mechanic and it is a great tool for anyone wanting to learn. You are able to dissect and disassemble various makes and models. You get a healthy knowledge of the proper terminology for parts, as well as proper function, how they should be removed and in what order. The tasks the game gives can help with routine maintenance and troubleshooting. It is a great learning tool for any car enthusiasts.
Kamil, GF: What do you like the most about the VR version of the Car Mechanic Simulator game? What do you think, what are the benefits of VR port versus original game?
Giovanni: I enjoy how in depth the game has become. It’s no longer a click of a mouse but full body interaction, taking simulation to a whole new level. I like being able to hold certain parts in my hand and looking at then up close via the vr headset. You have to keep track of items and where you left them, which sounds like a simple task until you get out into a garage… Some great new features, which I thoroughly enjoyed, I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone so they’ll have to check it out themselves.
Kamil, GF: OK, now it's gonna be serious, I need to ask. What's your biggest automotive desire? Ford Mustang 1967 Shelby? Chevrolet Camaro 1969? Porsche 911 Carrera 1980? Other vehicle?
Giovanni: I generally go for 2 door vehicles but if if I had the money I think I would honestly love to restore a 1967 4 Door Impala. It’s a vehicle from one of my favorite shows so that, for me, would be the ultimate restoration project.
Kamil, GF: I hope you're gonna like the final version of Car Mechanic Simulator VR. And of course, feel free to share with us any photos of the progress of pimping your cars! I wish all your dreams came true and everything you have planned - it will be done, especially in your workshop!
Giovanni: Thank you for letting me share my story with you and the rest of the community. Hopefully it will inspire others to take that leap into auto restoration!
PS GameFormatic Team wants to thank Giovanni and all other our testers for your support and feedback during the beta tests! <3
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1088770/Car_Mechanic_Simulator_VR/