In racing games such as Gran Tourismo or even your basic java drag racing games like "Nitto 1320" cars can be modded and gear ratios adjusted all effecting how the car performs.
How does this work? What tells the game what mods make what difference and what ratios do what with the cars acceleration/speed? While in real life there is no set number, I find it hard to believe in a game there isn't some sort of algorithm that tells the game what works and what doesn't.
It's odd to me that something so complex can be added to very "basic" racing games. This is really blowing my mind. My head hurts.