GeneRally 2’s long-awaited online multiplayer is here

You can now race against fellow GeneRally 2 game owners via the internet, thanks to a new update that adds a multiplayer beta.

This isn’t a beta you have to sign up for, however, but instead, if you simply own the game, you can now enter multiplayer races – this is a ‘beta’ since the feature isn’t finished just yet.

Upon loading the sequel to the 2002 top-down indie darling, you can now browse for existing lobbies or set up your own.

During the latter, settings such as the number of laps, damage levels, grid order, plus fuel and tyre usage can be set.

Eight racers in total per lobby/server are currently supported.

Intriguingly, as GeneRally 2 supports Steam Workshop mods, there is a huge selection of venues to race around, even in the multiplayer mode. We’ve embedded High Plain Games’ overview above, too, so you can see how it works.

Outside of the headline new feature, there is a slew of changes, fixes and tweaks, including a new GT car, the ability to rebind keyboard controls, revised tyre behaviour and the ability to use Steam Game Recording.

The early access title is reduced by 35% to celebrate the multiplayer launch for one week (starting Friday, 9th May).

GeneRally 2 v0.7.369befc Online Multiplayer Update patch notes

Gameplay & Performance

• Online Multiplayer has been added (feature still in beta).
• Added a new car: GT.
• Made significant handling improvements to the Formula, General and Monster Truck.
• Improved the implementation of differentials.
• Improved tyre behaviour when at a high angle to the road surface.
• Keyboard keys can now be rebound (see Options menu).
• Most of the default tracks have been updated to make use of new game objects.
• The ghost car has been improved, and can now also be completely disabled, if desired.
• Adjusted the force of the car slowdown, when crossing the finish line at the end of the race.
• Made a variety of improvements that may reduce stuttering on some systems.

User Interface

• Updated the in-game driver UI blocks to be more clear.
• Added Car Labels that display player names, and a low-fuel warning over the car.
• Added support for Steam Game Recording/Timeline.
• New in-game console is available (accessible with the “tilde” key on US-EN keyboards).
• New default controller configuration for Steam Deck users, to improve usability.
• Improved the display of the options menu, and the settings “Apply” button.
• FIXED: Several localisation strings, in several languages, have been updated to be more correct.
• FIXED: Game can (hopefully) no longer end up at an impossible-low screen resolution.
• FIXED: Various small user-interface bugs.
• FIXED: Several missing localisation strings.

Track Editor

• FIXED: Some small UI bugs.

Known Issues

• Some users may experience stuttering after long play sessions involving many race restarts.
• Some users may experience problems with the follow cam “resetting” at very low FPS.
• In online multiplayer, some users may experience occasional stutters, not related to latency.
• In online multiplayer, games may occasionally be duplicated in the server browser list – and the duplicated games are un-joinable.