Following the launch of sim racing title Assetto Corsa Competizione on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, our reception was slightly subdued due to a lack of physics parity with the PC brethren.
Don’t get us wrong, it was still the most realistic driving experience on these devices, but we know it could be even better.
In November 2021, the title received the now fêted ‘Version 1.8’ update. This same update will now arrive on the current console generation 29th September 2022, as announced by publisher 505 Games at the Tokyo Games Show.
Physics overhaul
One key refinement is a 400Hz refresh rate for the physics system, as opposed to 300Hz. This allows for greater physics calculations to be carried out by the game. In our testing, there is a noticeable improvement in handling feedback.
The tyre model has also changed. More aggressive driving leads to greater tyre wear, and once your rubber is up to the ideal operating temperature, the heat doesn’t dissipate as quickly as before.
The aforementioned changes, alongside tweaks to traction control implementation, should be particularly noticeable in wet conditions.
To muddy the waters a little, the BMW M4 GT3 was also added to the PC platform with this physics change, however, that model already exists for the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions, the conversion handled by Untold Games.
Open Series options
At present, on the console version of Assetto Corsa Competizione, in the Championship mode you can select a season, season length, weather and then general skill, penalty and tyre options.
With this next update, Open Series options will appear. This allows for greater event set-up freedom, such as being able to select the tracks in use and car grouping for multi-class races – especially handy for the upcoming DLC packs which include non-GT3 or GT4 vehicles.
DLC arriving later
Paid downloadable content currently available on PC for Assetto Corsa Competizione in the form of the Challengers Pack – which added five new cars – and the USA tack pack (Circuit of the Americas, Watkins Glen International and Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course) is also due for console drivers, but there’s no release date yet.
505 Games did offer an update, however. The new content will only arrive once the team is happy with the new physics system on consoles. With that in mind, it is aiming for a console release between November and the end of 2022.
Once that is enacted, the PC and console versions will be on a physics and content level, ahead of the 2023 GT World Challenger Series cars, teams and liveries, and a GT2 car pack next year.
