In this past year, we have seen a wide variety of quality sims in the market, and they haven’t been standing still. Each of the sims has been progressively evolving, making them more solid competitors in the industry. Each of them has their own pros and cons, and I decided to take a look at each of them. I wanted to see which sim has the most promise looking forward. I hope you enjoy reading this, and that it may give you some insight on what direction the future of sim racing is heading!
NOTE: This is not meant to function as a review, I’m just providing an overview of the racing titles that are making an impact in the industry.
ASSETTO CORSA: THE CHALLENGER COMES OUT SWINGING
Kunos Simulazioni is one of the smaller dev teams in the industry, but they have really been able to pump out some high quality content. Assetto Corsa is the successor to netKar Pro, an innovative but somewhat underwhelming title. I would say that Assetto Corsa fills the gap between Gran Turismo/Forza and the hardcore PC titles.
Even though Assetto Corsa is still in Steam’s Early Access, we have seen it shaping along nicely. It has received a steady flow of updates (generally bi-weekly), that has made significant updates to the title. The sim shows a lot of potential, especially when Kunos is moving the sound engine to FMOD, and enhancing the graphics engine.
However, Assetto Corsa has some cons as well. The modding is simplified compared to rFactor 2, but not really dumbed down, which attracts a lot of attention. However, the mods aren’t protected (like the first party content is), so anybody could tweak a third party car as it seems fit. That could lead to a mismatch crisis similar to what plagued rFactor 1. Assetto Corsa’s physics engine also doesn’t cater well to organized racing series at this point of time. Functions such as DRS/ERS won’t be updated until a later date and in-car adjustments, such as fuel mixture or engine mapping, have not been confirmed for AC. Pit stops and night racing will also not make it to the 1.0 release of Assetto Corsa, which is a disappointment.
GAME STOCK CAR EXTREME: SQUEEZING EVERY OUNCE OUT OF RFACTOR’S POTENTIAL
Reiza Studios was behind some great mods for rFactor, and in 2011 they decided to release their own title. Game Stock Car was based on the Stock Car Brazil series, but has become so much more. Game Stock Car Extreme now features all kinds of series, including karting, Formula 3, and even a 2014-spec Formula One car!
It is safe to say that Reiza Studios is squeezing all that they can out of the ISIMotor2 engine, and now they’re looking to push the boundries even further. They are now experimenting with tweaking the underlying code to introduce more features. In the 1.20 update, the Formula Extreme included working DRS (and partly functional ERS). Some other things that are being experimented are dynamic laying down of rubber, and an advanced tire model.
The only thing that I can see being an issue with GSC is the fact that it is running on a dated engine. The ISIMotor2 engine has been around for nearly a decade now, and it shows. Reiza has done wonders with the engine, but realistically speaking, there is only so much that can be done. One thing I’m wondering though, is if Reiza may look into licensing the rFactor 2 engine. I would love to see what Reiza could do with the advanced engine. I feel that it could likely serve as a boost to rFactor 2, as well as Game Stock Car, to migrate to the newer engine.
IRACING: MONOPOLIZING THE ONLINE COMMUNITY
iRacing stormed onto the sim racing scene around 6 years ago, and has quickly garnered a reputation as the go-to place for online sim racing. iRacing turns sim racing into more of a hobby than just a game, featuring a clear defined ladder progression system. Whether you are a road racer or prefer racing on ovals, you will likely find something in iRacing that tickles your fancy.
Some people picture iRacing as the spiritual successor of NASCAR Racing 2003 Season, due to iRacing.com being founded by core members of Papyrus’ staff. However, it is so much more than that! Every single car and track in iRacing is laser scanned down to the centimeter, making for spot on realism. The tire model, which is years in the making, also is getting nailed, which makes for some great feeling cars.
Another thing that iRacing prides itself on is the ability to run long races. However, an area untouched by them is the endurance racing department. Well, this fall, things are changing with the introduction of driver swaps! I got to test out driver swaps with Darin last week, and I will say that the swaps were totally seamless! There will also be support for 24-hour races, so people are definitely looking forward to that. (We will have a preview video showing off driver swaps coming soon.)
However, there are some limitations to iRacing that could conflict with their business model. Realistically, I find it unlikely the Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit will ever make it to iRacing unless there is an overhaul on the incident system. Dynamic weather is a feature desired by many as well. The problem with it lies in having a tournament setting where competitors compete at different times. A solution could be having scripted weather changes in official sessions and dynamic weather on the hosted side.
A somewhat jarring fact is also that iRacing has a rather expensive pricing model. Cars commonly run around $12, while tracks range from $12-$15. To buy all of the content iRacing provides would cost around $800, not factoring in subscription fees as well. However, you don’t have to purchase all of the content, and there are promotions you can take advantage of to lower costs.
PROJECT CARS: A GREAT RACING TITLE SHROUDED IN MYSTERY
Slightly Mad Studios has been all over the map in terms of racing titles. They were initially part of Blimey! Games and SimBin, but split in 2009. Since then, they have worked on the Need For Speed: Shift series and Test Drive: Ferrari Racing Legends. While both of those titles could be considered somewhat realistic, they both left much to be desired.
Project CARS has been in development since 2012, and is looking to provide one of the ultimate racing experiences, both on PC and on consoles. It is also utilizing a unique business model, where the community provides input on the development of the sim, namely with the beta testing. PCARS is looking to provide the driving experience from Need For Speed Shift, and blend it with sim-grade physics and gameplay.
The sim will be capable of running full 24-hour endurance races with dynamic weather, which is no small feat! The game will feature all kinds of content, tackling nearly every form of road racing discipline. AAA-caliber graphics will also create photorealistic visuals, blurring the line between game and reality.
I do have some concerns about Project CARS though. I did buy into the game when I was able to, and I will attest to the fact that it is a major step forward from NFS Shift. However, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done in the game, especially considering that it is supposed to hit store shelves in under 3 months! I’m wondering if it will make it in time for the slated release date.
Once the game is released, it is also uncertain if third party cars and tracks will be supported. Slightly Mad’s last three titles did not have support for serious modding, so it’s a legitimate concern that PCARS may not have that available either. Only time will tell.
RACEROOM RACING EXPERIENCE: CAN SIMBIN TURN THINGS AROUND?
SimBin Studios has made some of the best ISI based titles in the past decade, ever since they got their start modding in F1 2002. However, some have felt they have lost their way post-Ian Bell’s departure. RaceRoom Racing Experience marks SimBin’s first full title since 2009 (all the other titles between 2009 and 2012 were expansion packs), and it marked a departure from the conventional game model.
It adopted an iRacing-esque pricing model, where you pay a small amount for each car and track. However, the base game is free, which includes 5 cars and 2 tracks. The wide amount of road racing cars feature SimBin’s trademark quality, and also feature some of the best sounds in all of sim racing.
The driving physics feels pretty solid, but the force feedback has felt “off” for a while. SimBin has been working on improving the force feedback code, and also improving the track surfaces, to make for better feel through the wheel. This will be a welcome addition once the updates are rolled out in the near future.
Some other things SimBin has in the pipeline is the removal of those large “brake markers” and other trackside objects that detracted from the driving experience. Single and Multiplayer will be coming in the near future, with MP being tested as we speak. R3E is shaping up to be a solid sim, but the question remains, how will it stack up against the stiff competition?
RFACTOR 2: MOUNTING A COMEBACK, BUT IS IT TOO LATE?
rFactor was one of the most popular sim racing titles of all time from a modder’s standpoint. rF1 featured one of the most advanced physics engines for its time, so when a successor was announced around four years ago, the community was ecstatic! However, when rFactor 2 initially released as a beta in 2012, people were rather disappointed.
In the past two years, ISI has really started to turn the title around. Fixes to problems have been implemented, quality content has been licensed, and the physics model has been improved on, making it one of the most advanced a consumer can have full access to. rFactor 2 is looking to be the all-around simulator people are looking for, with road, oval, and dirt racing.
There are some lingering issues throughout rFactor 2’s life though. Some parts of rF2 look dated, most notably the user interface. The stock UI is somewhat of a mess, arguably a step backwards from its predecessor. Luckily you are able to change out the UI and HUD aspects of the sim with third party components, but there are not many available.
Modding for rFactor 2 is a bit of a double edged sword. Developers are able to build much more authentic and realistic cars, thanks to ISI providing powerful development tools. However, you can count the amount of quality mods on your hands, and still have fingers to spare. Modding is not how it was ten years ago. Many modders have decided to develop their own racing simulators, or have been picked up by studios. A lot of people also feel that rF2 is more difficult than Assetto Corsa to mod, so they’ve gone the easier route.
My concern for rFactor 2 is that this gem of a sim will not reach its true potential, which would be a great shame. rFactor 2 has a shot at being the best sim on the market, but there are things that NEED to be fixed, or else it will face an agonizing downfall.
CONCLUSION
While there are many high quality sim racing titles available to us, to be honest, there is no clear top title. Each game has their own set of pros and cons, so ultimately it comes down to personal preference. We are truly spoiled for choice, with many great racing titles to pick from. If you don’t like one? You don’t have to use it, and you can move onto the next one until you find one you like! If you want a no-holds barred simulation, rFactor 2 could be a great choice. If you want to just have fun, Project CARS will be a solid choice come November. If you want to want to compete with others, you may want to look into iRacing. Don’t take my word for it though, give them a look for yourself!
What is your favorite racing title of this generation of sims? Let us know in the comments!
As Brazilian I love the fact that we have a company (Reiza) working on such a great product; Game Stock Car, in my opinion, is the best box sim race: buy>Install>Fun, thats all, no need to ajust million things.
Still, Brazil has a big history in racing with Senna, Rubens, Fittipaldi and others, but this is the first time I’m seeing a huge effort on game development, considering the entire game market not just sim race.
Eventhough, I love the realistic reactions of iRacing and the graphic quality of ProjectCars.
Good write-up. I’m an Assetto Corsa early subscriber and very happy with the way it’s progressing. It’s limited car and track selection should be easily offset but the mods as long as they don’t become a real challenge to maintain. I fear the career mode may fall flat as it does on most sims but overall I love the physics and FFB.
I’m really interested in seeing how Project Cars turns out as I think this could be the next big thing. I’m nervous that the NFS Shift physics will be evident in the driving model though, so I remain a sideline observer.
R3E is a decent attempt to follow Race07 with a free to play model but the poor graphical performance and lack of road feel keep me from spending any real money on it.
I did enjoy iRacing in my time with it but find the safety rating system to be too much pressure. I tend to lean to more casual experiences these days.
Finally a unbiased overview….
Definitely unbiased and seems mostly accurate. I have now played every one of these sims and your statements are quite true. IMHO iRacing takes the cake. I feel that as far a “simulation” is concerned, iRacing is the tool that would make me most comfortable if I wanted to practice before an actual track-day. The others, maybe not so much. There’s truly something to be said about their pin-point track accuracy. Assetto Corsa is soon to follow.
Pin-point track accuracy is only truly beneficial if you are literally going to be going to that track in real-life. I’m not saying it’s not an advantage, of course laser scanning is AWESOME, it’s the best in terms of current sim-track making tech. IRacing has the absolute best tracks in terms of from a pure “driving/racing” point of view (which is the only POV that matters to me – GFX are now largely irrelevant as anything, currently, is good enough), but people do seem to overrate it and place it in a “laser scanning and 0.1mm track accuracy is just as important, if not more important than actual vehicle dynamics modelling” category. The best sim should be the one with the best pure vehicle dynamics behavior, then FFB, not because of track accuracy/modelling.
Totally agree. My only thought is that Track Accuracy lends itself to that behavioral dynamics. If you’ve got a surface that’s modeled after a real life surface, then you’re simply adding components that add up to a fully accurate package which then equals accurate behavioral dynamics.
Nice
Good write up Will. The crazy thing is that out of these six titles only two of them are complete (imo); GSC and iRacing. All of these titles have been around in one form or another for at least three years. What I want to see is completed titles! As you said, many have large holes that need to be completed before release…and who knows when they’re going to be filled. I hope there’s less talk of new content and more implementation of basic things (looking at you AC, need pit stops).
I think that is one of the things the game developers should realize. Content is great, but people really want a complete title. I find it funny how people regard Gran Turismo 3 as the greatest GT title, despite it only having around 180 cars. It is one of the most “complete” titles (I say complete in regards of time).
rFactor saw the key in having a full-featured platform, that the community could build on. I think the majority of the community is shying away from rF2 because it feels incomplete. They’ve got the physics mostly nailed, but everything else feels a little “half done” in comparison. I know the argument will be that the car/track teams are not the same as the coding, but still. I really think that if/when rFactor 2’s base platform is more completed, that is when the community will come back to the sim…
The only title you missed is Simraceway and although their technology is a bit dated, it does still work well with single and even triple screens. Their prices have dropped, but to counter that they apparently quit paying cash out, to your account, for winning or even placing in events within you skill group level. Also they are not running as many events at a time, but the Quick Races are still running, if with only a few players at a time. They have started forming teams and running private rooms, if that interests you. Sadly that game seems to be in a downward spiral, but they keep promising updates and expansion so I am keeping my eye on it.
It’s rFactor 1 based. Might as well play Game Stock Car. It’s the best in terms of rFactor 1 based sims, they are even soon adding physics adjustments to it, through plugins, that cannot be achieved through the base game.
Support Rieza, they are an AMAZING group of developers.
Hi ISR guys…I just want to say one thing, but it’s pretty important.
Instead of saying “GAME STOCK CAR EXTREME: SQUEEZING EVERY OUNCE OUT OF RFACTOR’S POTENTIAL” it should maybe say something like “GAME STOCK CAR EXTREME: SQUEEZING EVERY OUNCE OUT OF RFACTOR’S POTENTIAL – AND MORE!”
Why? Because in the near future, Rieza will be releasing updates that LITERALLY affect/change the base/core physics model/tyre engine. They are introducing physics updates, through plugins, that affect the physics in a way that is impossible by simply entering in different numbers for a mod with the base rFactor engine. So it’s literally going further than extracting the most out of the rFactor 1 engine, but actually expanding upon it and improving it even further (adding “core” physics coding through plugins which cannot be achieved by just editing and/or plugging in numbers to a mod).
Just thought you, and many others, should be aware of that. This therefore greatly increases the lifespan/future of Game Stock Car 🙂 , having said that, moving to the rFactor 2 engine would be amazing, but I feel the engine needs to mature further as an OVERALL product still (although Rieza could definitely contribute to that as well).
P.S. Just re-read it (skimmed through first time) and noticed you mentioned it “Some other things that are being experimented are dynamic laying down of rubber, and an advanced tire model.” Nice 🙂
Nice write-up.
In terms of the pure enjoyment from actually driving/racing (which mostly comes from physics 1st, FFB 2nd) my favorite sim is undoubtedly rFactor 2. Second is Game Stock Car (check out Formula Truck, it’s also from Rieza, the GSC guys. They have announced that FT will be receiving updates soon. I think there is a bundle for $40 which gives you both GSC and FT in-case you don’t have either of them). I also like iRacing, it’s online system is great, the best tracks in sim-racing (physical modelling wise, I couldn’t care less about shiny graphics, any current sim is good enough in that regards nowadays).
I have my occasional “moments” with Raceroom and Pcars (amazing GFX on the former). Then there’s AC, sometimes it’s great, but sometimes (probably more often than not) I feel that I agree with what ISR (and many others) say/have said about it.
I just watched a video about SimBin on SimPit’s site, he interviewed the head of licensing and said they are looking at a Sep. 9th soft deadline for their release of the ADAC GT Masters Experience where you will be able to buy the cars and tracks individually or in bundles. Sounds like SimBin is coming back under a different name, missed that though, and the Race Room will be spooling up soon. Worth a watch. I am sure I missed most of the points of interest.
Nevertheless i am very interested in the new titles, i keep driving with Rfactor1 and Race07. for all the rest of the sims i have only one word.. “INCOMPLETE”
I love GSC2013, stunning graphics fantastic FFB and physics but where i am not brazilian and honestly the only 2 tracks i am interested are Interlagos and redbull ring. I would like to see more international circuits.
Same for AC and RF2 i dont care too much of car variety but i find that in both sims there is a lack of international tracks.
I like to follow international Championship as F1 or WTCC etc and at present (on line or off line) the only title capable to do this is RF1 and Race07
Project Cars I am really worried about performance. by far is the game in my system with the lowest FPS
I dont believe in Iracing /Raceroom formulas.Racing become very expensive, tight schedules and
I am a very average driver, willing to improve but in Iracing i was turned off by some stupid and not constructive comments by other racers.
GSCE is taking the sim racing world by storm. It could be easily crowned as #1 if not for the dated graphics engine – and yes, at some point graphics matters, otherwise, Project Cars would not be that hyped as a solid choice.
PCars has it all so far: tracks, cars, graphics, graphics, sound, graphics. The main concern of EVERYONE are the physics. And that can screw the game entirely.
AC is heading the right direction, in my opinion. it just need more time to adjust things, like add more cars and tracks, update the sound and graphics engine, and tweak the physics.
I never played rFactor 2, but for a game that’s already two years old, I think they got behind and the devs are now trying to catch up with the other titles, especially with AC. Because mods.
iRacing. I love iRacing. But it’s so freaking expensive. It’s a no go for me. My three months will be expiring soon and with so many good options to play without having to _pay for content_, I won’t be renewing. Which is unfortunate for me. Can’t afford it. At least for now.
In my humble opinion, if can have only one, have GSCE. If you can pick up a second game, pick AC. Then wait until PCars.
I do enjoy GCSE. My single complaint is that it seems to not support all of my button boxes and handbrake – and yes I’ve got xpadder – I’m having trouble getting the game to recognise my wheel, pedals and shifter (Fanatec Clubsport gear) with the other gear plugged in.
A nicely covered and fair look at sim racing today. I have played all of these titles and since I don’t do much online racing I discount iracing. At the moment I would say my preferences are for GSCE and AC. PCars is not to far behind but the feel is still just not right for me, I need to spend more time with rFactor 2 & RRE but hope they do well as there’s room for all. I would add that I still play and enjoy the older Simbin titles and certain rFactor1 mods.
It really is a great time to be a sim racer.
There is no way ISI is going to release its isimotor2 engine this early in there development. I asked Tim and he said there are a couple wanting it and at this present time ISI have not talked or mentioned letting any1 getting the new engine. IMHO the race will always be between iracing and rf2… iracing = pro’s laser scanning online racing / cons = costs / RF2 = better engine …pros = cost modding / cons = slow progress no laser scanning… could add more to both but thats the 1s for me..
rFactor 2 is the best for me but I’m a guy that doesn’t really care about graphics, leaderboards and stuff like this. Plus the fact that I only drive ISI Formula Masters a.k.a. 2012 F1 car I also don’t really care about modding. There are plenty of quality tracks released.
iRacing is the best for me. I own all the above titles and while I might divert into others for 30 minutes here and there I always go back to iRacing. The biggest reason is I don’t care at all about single player experience. For me, sim racing is about racing against real people. I don’t mind AC, I mark it as second best but the quality of mods (mainly tracks) make it hit and miss, and just doesn’t take up to the laser scanner tracks of iracing.