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The upcoming sim racing driving game, Rennsport, pulled a surprise move recently by announcing a planned simultaneous release across PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S later this year.
Actually, the console versions themselves weren’t a shock. The Munich-based outfit behind the title has been openly discussing multiple platforms for several years now. But, it was the 2025 launch window and cross-platform-play support that startled, following a lengthy gestation period that had so far resulted in many words and not much action.
To release on Sony and Microsoft’s popular platforms, Rennsport’s stewards, Competition Company, needed some assistance.
On PC, it had links with the Epic Games Store as the game uses that company’s Unreal Engine technology, and on Steam, it’s relatively straightforward to self-publish.
However, consoles are more involved, with a litany of checks and balances to ensure the experience is fit for a more streamlined experience.
In has stepped Nacon, purveyors of video game peripherals and racing games, the latter thanks to its wholly-owned subsidiary, Kylotonn. It has developed and published the likes of MXGP 24, Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown and seven official World Rally Championship games.
“Rennsport is a little bit different from what we did in the past,” explained Nacon’s Head of Racing, Sébastien Waxin, to Traxion during a Parisien launch event for its new Revosim steering wheel.
“We are the publisher for the console version, but not the PC version, that’s the Competition Company.
“It is developing the simulation in partnership with Teyon and that remains the same for the PlayStation and Xbox versions.
“They develop the game, we do the publishing and then we will work together on the promotion and marketing.”
How the still somewhat embryonic racing platform fits into Nacon’s expansive roster was initially confusing as, in 2024, it announced its own motorsport-aping game – Endurance Motorsport Series.
Featuring many of the same cars and tracks as Rennsport, Nacon is keen to emphasise that KT Racing’s newest exploit is different enough thanks to its focus on race management, compared to the sim racing emphasis within Rennsport, according to Waxin:
“For us, at Nacon, with our racing portfolio, [Rennsport is] a good chance to have something very simulation and competition-oriented on consoles.
“You will see it will be different from Endurance Motorsport Series. We also have that game right around the corner, but it’s a different positioning. Rennsport is more simulation, competition and esports, plus the interconnected app and cross-play with consoles and PC.”
The amiable virtual motorsport chief is at ease when highlighting the benefits of the partnership, the success of which may not be ultimately judged on the strength of the publishing efforts, but on how resolved the final, core, driving experience is mere months from now.
“They were looking for a partner to publish the game on consoles and we have released many racing games on these platforms.
“Dealing with Steam and dealing with PlayStation and Xbox is not the same, at all. We have a background in certification, release management and communication with Sony and Microsoft plus the publisher licensing agreement, which you need to publish games on those platforms.
“From day one, it has been a very productive relationship and Rennsport on consoles could be really, really, good and really interesting.”
Rennsport on consoles explained
- Competition Company and Teyon develop Rennsport
- Competition Company publishes Rennsport on PC
- Nacon publishes Rennsport on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S
- Nacon to work with Competition Company on marketing
- PC and console ‘version 1.0’ slated for release later in 2025
- Cross-platform races and leaderboards
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