*Update: Following the release of the trailer for the Nürburgring 24H Pack DLC for ACC, a QR code can be found that, when scanned, takes you to an official Assetto Corsa webpage where the title of the sequel is revealed: Assetto Corsa EVO. Additionally, we find the year 2024, confirming finally that the sequel will be available for the same year.
In this SimRacing world, we can expect anything. We've seen new brands with revolutionary gear, simulators that allow us to jump into a virtual car and compete head-to-head against someone from around the world who feels the same adrenaline rush as we do when we tackle that corner side by side, among many other things. But truly, Assetto Corsa set a precedent in this hobby that made those who entered not want to leave, and that is admirable.
For this reason, among many others, we hold such affection for this release, as it was one of those games that sparked an unbridled passion from its launch. Because of this, we are eager to discover what Kunos Simulazioni has cooking in their studio.
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Release Date
The first thing that comes to mind for us humans when we need something is an exact date, something to count down to, but I'm afraid there's nothing clear.
Digital Bros is the company that, under its subsidiary brand 505 Games, publishes titles like Assetto Corsa, among others. Therefore, thanks to their financial reports, we can get a small idea (subject to change) of when Assetto Corsa 2 will be ready.
I emphasize "subject to change" because it has already experienced a delay. In the first article we wrote, we mentioned that "the second version of Assetto Corsa is currently in development and its release is planned for spring 2024," but after the new DLC for Assetto Corsa Competizione, Nürburgring 24h Pack DLC, it has been delayed until the last quarter of 2024.
Complete game or early access?
Even if development began after ending support for the first installment and allocating a limited number of workers to Assetto Corsa Competizione and another to Assetto Corsa 2, I don't think enough time has passed for the 2024 release to be the complete game.
We've become accustomed to games not being released in their complete state and being massive beta-testers for studios, regardless of whether the game launches with many or few bugs that interrupt the experience. And I fear that Assetto Corsa 2 won't be an exception. According to the confirmation from the Kunos Simulazioni team, an early access version will be released on Steam in 2024, with no confirmation for consoles.
Honestly, and I think I'll agree with more than one person, I'd prefer Assetto Corsa 2 to be delayed to 2025 if it means we can expect something closer to a complete game.
Assetto Corsa 2 Features
It is true that not much is known about the sequel to Assetto Corsa at the moment. And yes, I emphasize sequel because one of the confirmed details about this new installment is that we will not revisit the story of Assetto Corsa Competizione, the spin-off of the saga, focusing solely on the SRO GT Challenge.
Another confirmed detail that emphasizes that this is a sequel is the use of an in-house engine, meaning both graphical and physics engine developed by the studio itself, without the use of Unreal Engine like Assetto Corsa Competizione.
Variety is the spice of life
Indeed, yes. One of the great incentives that has turned Assetto Corsa into almost a cult classic is, primarily, its variety.
Originally, it didn't focus on variety as we know it today, meaning they didn't plan to venture beyond racing, but modding support allowed those who knew the field to experiment and overcome barriers that were in place at the time. Karting, "open world," drift, rally, street car routes, endurance... Variety allows multiple drivers from various disciplines to stay in the same place.
If there's one thing we can ask of the sequel, it's primarily to continue this variety and even expand it to maintain that essence of everything centralized in one place, in addition to, of course, support for mods that can expand this experience.
Multiplayer
We're entering into a thorny topic, but one that I believe is quite clear. My gut feeling is that they have worked extensively on the multiplayer mode of Assetto Corsa 2 and it will be a drastic change from the first one. Personally, I think we'll have some sort of multiplayer system with licenses similar to iRacing or rFactor 2, with daily series or special events, bringing together the disciplines that may be included in the simulator.
On the other hand, we must remember what LowFuelMotorsport has brought to the Assetto Corsa community and, including, they are preparing events in direct collaboration with the team of Assetto Corsa Competizione:
???? Calling all Norschleife Racing Fans!@505_Games & @LFMotorsport have partnered together to create the mother of all endurance races!
A 24hr Multiclass Nordschleife race with GT3, GT4 and Porsche Cup cars!
Head to the LFM website for more info!
????https://t.co/YO9FX1Be3y pic.twitter.com/zr3Pve7bbR
— Assetto Corsa (@AC_assettocorsa) March 29, 2024
LowFuelMotorsport has contributed a lot to both the SimRacing and Assetto Corsa communities, so I wouldn't see it as unreasonable at all for them to have a small place within Assetto Corsa 2.
Career mode or "Singleplayer"
For those who enjoy spending time creating their own stories or being part of them with a good career mode or a story mode, I think something like "Braking Point" from Codemasters' F1 could fit in Assetto Corsa. A driver who chooses their discipline or goes through disciplines until they find their place and tries to become one of the best in the world...
After all, the sky's the limit. We can imagine and ask for things we'd like to see in this unknown that we still don't know much about, except for what has already been mentioned previously.
In conclusion, I believe we are in the golden age of SimRacing, both in terms of its rise in the community and the variety of products being released, as well as the simulators we can expect with technology that is quite impressive today. I also think that Kunos has learned from their initial release, from Assetto Corsa Competizione, and from the feedback of each one of us, as well as from the mods we have used the most at each moment. Therefore, I have great hope for Assetto Corsa 2.
Finally, I just want to ask you what do you think about this or what would you like as an official feature in this simulator still in development.
Share your thoughts with us!
