Under the radar

I closely follow the computer and video game industry, possibly to my own detriment. I had no idea that Tru Blu Entertainment, an Australian video game developer who are best known for publishing Rugby League, cricket and Australian rules football games, have just released a horse racing game.

Phar Lap Racing Challenge is, of all things, a horse racing game named after the famous Australian champion racehorse, Phar Lap (1926-1932). According to the publishers, the game will enable players to "Experience the thrill and thunder of racing with the pride and prestige of building your own stable of champions. Make history and build a brighter future in Phar Lap Horse Racing Challenge.”

If that doesn't pique your interest, how do you like the sound of these features? Realistic graphics with motion captured horses, online racing, a horse breeding sub game, enabling you to create your own horse,
and a betting mode. How did the developers motion capture horses? As for the betting mode, I guess that's better than betting on real horses. It sounds like a niche game that probably will not have much mass market appeal, but I'm happy to be proven wrong.