One of the highlights at the ADAC SimRacing Expo 2024 was the first public showcase of Assetto Corsa EVO.
For the first time, expo visitors could experience a selection of cars, circuits, and weather conditions before the early access build arrives in January. We put the public demo through its paces to see if Assetto Corsa EVO is on track to live up to the hype.
From our hands-on, Assetto Corsa EVO is still unmistakably a driving simulator. On the right setup (Assetto Corsa EVO was playable on seven stands with different setups), the driving felt sublime, with a tangible feeling of connecting to the road.
However, Kunos Simulazioni is keen to broaden the franchise’s appeal with the return of production road cars, a deeper career mode, and explorable public roads in a yet-to-be-seen free-roam mode.
Visually, Kunos Simulazioni’s new in-house engine is also shaping up well, with impeccably detailed car models and wonderful weather effects. We noticed some scenery pop in, but it’s worth noting that the demo was based on an early alpha build, so the visuals will hopefully improve in the Early Access version.
Find out our first impressions of Assetto Corsa EVO from this year’s ADAC SimRacing Expo in our first-look gameplay video:
New Assetto Corsa EVO details confirmed at ADAC SimRacing Expo 2024
With just under three months until the Early Access launch, Kunos Simulazioni confirmed several new tantalising details about its much-anticipated driving simulator. In terms of new cars and tracks, the Hyundai i20 N sports hatchback and the twisty Mount Panorama circuit were shown for the first time.
Speaking to Traxion, Kunos Simulazioni’s Co-Founder and Executive Manager Marco Massarutto also confirmed that Assetto Corsa EVO will support mods – but not until it leaves Early Access. Unlike before, mods in Assetto Corsa EVO will also need to be approved, with Kunos working directly with manufacturers to avoid licensing issues.
“Modding will arrive at the end of the Early Access Program,” he confirmed, teasing that “modders will be happy because they will have a powerful editor.”
A brief shot of a Morgan Super 3 driving on a public road past a car driving in the opposite direction ignited speculation that Assetto Corsa EVO will feature free roaming. Fan-made mods have made it possible to cruise on open roads in the original Assetto Corsa, but this would be the first time free roaming has featured in a base game in the franchise.
Happily, Massarutto confirmed that these rumours are true: “What you have seen in the trailer will come, to allow people just to drive for the pleasure of driving road cars on actual roads. It’s going to be amazing.”
Assetto Corsa EVO launches in Early Access on 16 January, 2025. While content is being kept under wraps, Massarutto hinted at the number of cars and tracks we can expect in the initial Early Access release. “We’re working to release no less than 20 cars and five circuits in the first Early Access build,” he confirmed, with the car and track list set to grow in subsequent updates.
What do you think of the Assetto Corsa EVO gameplay and details revealed so far? Let us know in the comments below.
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