What's to be done to a conventional driving game to make it more than a conventional driving game? After all, you're stuck with a conventional controller scheme that's been around for a quarter century; everyone expects--needs--steering, gas, brakes, a clutch if you're lucky or clever. Oh, and cars. Check.

So what's left to improve?

Well, quite a bit.

Firstly: the presentation; the need to make eyes pop from heads and saliva dribble from ooing, awing, gaping mouths as the scenery rushes by each impossibly glossy car while the sky and skyscrapers reflect distraction in the rear windshield as is the convention of the state-of-the-art.

Overindulge in licensing deals that shoot up production cost but otherwise make it look like you're actually the preferred game of Ferrari et al--which surely you must be if you nailed the aforementioned eye-pop requirement.

Take into account every nuance of automotive physics while retaining a modicum of arcade insta-pro play so you're not decried for being too "simmy." While you're at it, make every aspect of difficulty adjustable so anyone can play with or without in-game aids, like a ghostly "line" to follow and an "invincible granny" setting so you're not stuck on the sideline after the first turn.

Be sure to focus on the "I" in Artificial Intelligence rather than the "A," which will give the game a sense of road savvy, collision fearing opponents, rather than programmed ones following a routine as most driving games seem wont to do.

Offer lots of racing out of the gate, all requiring discerning use of the laboriously conventional gas/brake/steer mechanism but with the promise of much more to come via upgrades (also known as "shopping") and poof, the next big thing. Forza Motorsport for Xbox. Preferred game of Ferrari's licensing department, presumably. Popping eyes will salivate, to be sure. It's gorgeous and easy to pick up and play while also offering earnable cash, access to new courses, cars and aftermarket parts if you're not into the whole brevity thing.

You can take it online as well for a remarkably well developed virtual sub-culture of automotive aficionados popping each other's eyes out, keep tabs on the leaderboard and racing each other (or their "ghosts") against the glare of sky-scraped rear windows.

This is how you make a conventional driving game more than just a conventional driving game.

[TIP: An alleged glitch in Forza Motorsport mandates that you place first in the last race of each championship (as well as have enough points) if you wan to win the prize car, so retry until you do.]