Ever since Microprose rose from the ashes and reunited with Geoff Crammond to bring back the Grand Prix series in 2026, everyone's attention has been on that project. In the background, their other sim racing-style project, Throttle Trace, has been bubbling away and is now ready to be shown off ahead of its release!
Based on the idea of combining slot car racing with sim racing, Throttle Trace combines a lot of behind-the-scenes detail to make this arcade-looking game much more sim racing-oriented than the images perhaps allow you to believe.
Throttle Trace's Party Piece
Opponents in Throttle Trace are set to behave like real players, rather than just following a pre-determined AI script. Each AI competitor has distinct traits, from aggressive wheel-to-wheel specialists to consistent performers, all governed by the same physics as the player. Microprose want the races to be unpredictable, competitive, and chaotic from start to finish.
Throttle Trace will be built around a single-player career mode in which players progress through the ranks, earn opportunities with top teams, and shape their reputation over time. Performance on track and driving discipline both matter, creating meaningful consequences across each season.
Lap data analysis within Throttle Trace
The aim for Microprose is to have Throttle Trace bridge the gap between accessibility and the sim-based software that they are so famous for within our hobby. It delivers the strategic and mechanical depth of sim racing without requiring specialised hardware, making it ideal for both experienced players and those new to the genre.
Feature List:
- Unique two-input control system: throttle & brake only
- Full racing simulation: tyre wear, heat, fuel, aero, and more
- Dynamic, personality-driven AI with realistic behaviours
- Deep career mode with reputation and persistent history
- Strategic racing with real consequences for every decision
- Quick sessions with long-term mastery and progression
- Time Trial mode with online leaderboards
- Lesson-based Driving School for onboarding
- Steam Workshop support to create or find databases of Teams, Cars, and Drivers to race against in your career
The cartoon art style creates the perfect façade for a racing simulator.
What do you think about Microprose's latest venture with Throttle Trace? Are you excited for a unique and fresh look at slot cars and sim racing? Let us know in the comments down below!