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With Assetto Corsa EVO’s first early access release just around the corner, and the rest of the year set to follow that hype as each update lands, you’d be forgiven for thinking little else is arriving in 2025.
Not true.
The coming 12 months are pivotal for the industry, where investments decided off the pack of the global pandemic start to turn into finished products.
Alongside Traxion’s 2025 racing game and sim racing preview video, published in December 2024, we wanted to know what you, the community, are anticipating the most.
Of course, the most popular answer was… yes, you’ve guessed it… Assetto Corsa EVO with a tidal wave of response.
With the full release expected in the ‘fall’ of next year, plus online multiplayer and an open-world Eifel region before then, it feels like it’s going to be an EVO-focused year.
But, your responses to our call-to-arms solidified the view that there is much to be excited about outside of Kunos’ car opus.
Forza Horizon 6?
Something that has not been announced is a sixth Forza Horizon game. The team behind the series, Playground Games, has suffered some significant losses from the upper echelons of its team – with at least two new development teams formed off the back of the exodus.
But, the team is still significant in size, Horizon 5 was a smash hit critically (and player count, thanks in part to Game Pass subscriptions) and job listings still talk about racing games.
With FH5 releasing in 2021, and there being three years between 4 and 5, this year would fit. The question is though, has that been enough time to reorganise the development team and is the formula now starting to feel a little stale?
iRacing’s NASCAR 25
No pressure…
The first official NASCAR game since 2021 is expected within this calendar year, and considering the last one (Ignition) was worse than a new Michael Bublé album, stock car fans are expectant.
While not developed by iRacing, it does own the Mosnter Games team developing NASCAR 25 and has published videos extolling the virtues of their relationship and the great lengths they are going to during creation.
Let’s hope these statements don’t create a rod for their own back, as the NASCAR community can’t take much more of sub-standard games.
Le Mans Ultimate version 1.0
The recent updates to Motorsport Games’ fledgling FIA World Endurance Championship simulator have set it on the right path.
With LMGT3 now available, ranked online racing and special events functioning and a solid driving experience, Le Mans Ultimate is resurgent after a rocky start.
But, with the uncertainty surrounding the parent company, which is up for sale, in order for LMU to exit early access and reach console devices, it requires further investment.
With so many comments pining for more, there’s a market for it, so here’s hoping enough money can be found down the back of the sofa to complete the job.
Other notable mentions
One of the most up-voted comments on our YouTube community post was simply: “More raceroom touring car DLC!”
Count us all the way in. The Traxion team’s favourite content released this year was the classic DTM and super touring content for the venerable RaceRoom platform, and we recently confirmed with the creators that more are in development.
The next driving game led by Ian Bell, in collaboration with Farming Simulator stewards GIANTS Software, Project Motor Racing also received some votes of confidence – while we expect to hear a lot more about the title throughout the year, we wouldn’t be surprised if this is a 2026 release.
Finally, we’ll leave you with this dream. A dream that the Grid series hasn’t been quashed by Codemasters owners Electronic Arts…
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