Assetto Corsa EVO: Modding, single-seaters and offline modes coming soon

More cars, tracks and features will be heading to Assetto Corsa EVO sooner than anticipated, according to developer Kunos Simulazioni.

Pushing back the next major update until it has incorporated community feedback is the message that it and the Co-Founder Marco Massarutto, have portrayed in a recent update.

It means that the previously published roadmap, which outlined what to expect and when during early access, has now been revised.

“Well, we got it wrong, but it can be a good thing when developers are willing to listen,” said Massarutto.

Update 2 expectations

The original plan for the second main early access release for EVO was as follows:

• 5 New Cars
• Circuit of the Americas
• Single player / Custom race weekend
• New Special Events
• Replay tools & Gallery
• VR Support – Step 2
• Triple Screen Support – Step 2

This is expected to be expanded upon to include “more content than planned” while incorporating “performance optimisations in graphics performance, triple screen and VR support and AI behaviour and performance” according to Massarutto.

Multiplayer is expected in “early summer”.

New content spotted

While it has not yet been confirmed which cars will join Circuit of the Americas in the second main update, models such as the Maserati MC20 GT2, a Caterham and gravity-defying fan-car, the McMurtry Spéirling, were unveiled for the first time in EVO alongside the Donington Park and Red Bull Ring circuits.

Previously teased vehicles such as the Lotus Exige, Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo Evoluzione, Mazda MX-5 (NA) and Porsche 911 Turbo 3.6 (964) were all shown in action.

A Formula 1 car?

Since the original Assetto Corsa featured (then contemporary) Ferrari Formula 1 cars, it wasn’t unreasonable to expect single-seaters in EVO.

A small teaser, consisting of vague close-up shots, appears to show a Bridgestone-shod red F1-style car, similar to a 2004-era Ferrari but minus sponsors and with some engine cover aero tweaks.

Certainly, some aero elements around the rear suspension and exhaust outlets are very reminiscent of that championship-winning car.

Modding set to arrive earlier than expected

Being able to create and share your own cars and tracks has been a major element of the first Assetto Corsa game’s success.

When EVO was launched, Kunos and publisher 505 Games confirmed modding support, but after the early access period when a ‘version 1.0’ would be released. This has now changed to some point during the early access phase, although exactly when is not yet confirmed.

“To test it properly with the goal to improve and finalise it before the 1.0 release,” said Massarutto.

Offline single-player

One of the main bugbears of the title presently is not being able to access the majority of single-player elements, such as currency and licence tests, without an online connection – a frustration exaggerated by temperamental server connections.

This will apparently change, with a new main menu offering ‘career mode’ which will include “a fully Assetto Corsa classic experience” offline, or a more complete ‘open mode’ with a network connection.