Assetto Corsa EVO Interview – New Features, VR Support, Early Access Launch, and More

KUNOS Simulazioni’s co-founder and manager, Marco Massarutto, graciously agreed to discuss the latest racing simulator game, Assetto Corsa EVO. During our chat, Massarutto shared valuable insights about different aspects of the game such as new elements like traffic, its Early Access release, and Virtual Reality compatibility.

After five years of development, this game is finally here – what exciting features await players who have been waiting so long?

Over the years, I’ve been part of understanding what our gaming community cherishes most about the Assetto Corsa series and where we could step up our game. The driving experience, the realistic cars and tracks, and the abundance of content are some of the cornerstones that have propelled the franchise to success. However, we acknowledge that in terms of pure gameplay, there was room for improvement.

We’ve been tirelessly working on every aspect with the aim to not just meet expectations, but exceed them. Our goal is to ensure that players can enjoy EVO in every possible way – whether they’re tearing up the track, cruising down open roads, or spending time in the garage or at the dealership. Our ambition is to provide a gameplay structure that will make EVO not just a benchmark, but a gaming experience that caters to players in all aspects.

We’ve created an innovative racing engine tailored for simracing, enhancing aspects such as aerodynamics, tire models, electronics, visuals, audio, handling, user interface (UI), networking, and introducing novel features like dynamic tracks and weather, a comprehensive driving school, open-world exploration, a refined multiplayer experience. Our aim is to offer an immersive racing experience that feels real when you take the driver’s seat.

“We developed a brand new engine specifically focused for simracing”

Is it possible that the game will also feature levels or stages with moving vehicles, given that many gamers have picked up on this detail from the trailers and are making predictions about it?

As recently confirmed at ADAC Simracing Expo earlier in October, yes!

For the very first time, Assetto Corsa EVO is going to offer an open-world driving mode that allows you to navigate roads alongside real traffic.

In the trailer’s sneak peek, we’ve opted to entice you with an unusual racer – a Morgan Super 3-Wheeler. While it’s a delight to drive, it might not be your go-to choice for a race. Our aim is to let players fully appreciate every vehicle, both on the track and on the road, even for the sheer joy of driving without compromising realism and accuracy, which remain our core principles in the AC series. The upcoming release will allow EVO to shine from all angles, attracting a wider range of enthusiasts. We can’t reveal too much now, but rest assured that you’ll be able to engage with the environment in ways that cater to petrol heads, such as visiting gas stations, tuning workshops, and car rentals. More details will be unveiled soon, but we promise you won’t be left feeling disappointed.

What prompted the decision to launch the game in Early Access?

As a devoted fan, I eagerly embrace the intricate nature of AC EVO, distinct from its predecessors due to a unique software architecture. Although my years of expertise with KUNOS have been honed across various versions, the technology behind this masterpiece is not the same as it was 12 or 6 years ago. The team at KUNOS consists of only 35 dedicated individuals, ensuring we deliver an exceptional experience tailored to our vision.

Our early access program serves as a platform for continuous improvement and testing. By engaging our passionate community in this process, we can refine the product in ways that would otherwise remain unattainable. Titles like Assetto Corsa are no exception, typically requiring a team of 60-80 people to bring them to life. With KUNOS, we maintain our focus and strive to offer an unparalleled gaming experience.

For the first time, “Assetto Corsa EVO” offers an open-world driving mode, allowing you to navigate roads with live traffic.

Could you tell me about the most significant advantages you’ve experienced while using Kunos Simulazioni’s latest simulation engine?

KUNOS was established with a mission to deliver technology for racing simulations, which means developing our own engine is not just a task but an integral part of who we are. This focus fuels our drive, inspiration, and contentment, contributing positively to the wellbeing of our development team. Consequently, this dedication could potentially enhance the overall quality of the final product we deliver.

This engine offers a 24-hour continuous cycle, varied lighting options, simulated weather and track conditions, as well as lifelike car shading, rendering, and materials, among other features.

Additionally, a racing simulator such as “AC” demands specialized support for triple monitors and VR, which necessitates a tailored approach and unique technology – solutions that are not improvised.

Lastly, but certainly not insignificantly, EVO has been crafted with longevity in mind. Thus, we chose to manage the underlying technology and because of the distinctive gaming atmosphere it necessitated.

In the games offered through Laserscan, you’re promoting some courses. Have there been any adjustments to these courses for playability, or have they been kept unchanged to maintain authenticity?

To enhance the playability of a simulation similar to AC, we strive to deliver the most accurate replication of race tracks, capturing even minor details that mirror their real-world counterparts. Furthermore, our team is dedicated to incorporating recent changes from circuits like Monza, Spa-Francorchamps, and others, with the aim of aligning them as closely as feasible with their real-life equivalents, prioritizing authenticity.

Using laser scanning technology, we can guarantee exceptional precision for this particular feature. We’re making every effort to incorporate circuits from numerous countries across all continents. Although we might add a fictional test site for an engaging user experience, our main focus will remain on authentic assets as much as feasible.

“Laserscan data will allow us to ensure the highest accuracy on this aspect.”

Was virtual reality (VR) a long-term objective for this project, or was it incorporated later on? What factors led to the decision to integrate VR into this particular game?

Virtual Reality (VR) shines particularly bright in racing and flight simulations, outperforming most other games when it comes to creating an immersive experience. This is largely due to the fact that even with a steering wheel, these games provide an unmatched sensation of being seated within the cockpit.

For over a decade, we’ve been backing virtual reality (VR), so it’s no wonder that compatibility in our latest offering, EVO, is a given. Leveraging our own technology eliminates the need for us to navigate around technical constraints imposed by third-party engines. Consequently, enthusiasts can anticipate an even enhanced VR experience compared to what they enjoyed with Assetto Corsa and Competizione.

Is it plausible that this game, much like the original Assetto Corsa, may find its way onto gaming consoles in the future?

As a gaming enthusiast, I understand that console gamers make up a significant portion of our player base. Rest assured, there are definite strategies in place regarding console releases. Right now, though, we’re all hands on deck for the Steam Early Access launch on PC. So, discussions about the console versions will have to wait until a later time.

2025-02-19 14:13

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