Assetto Corsa EVO vs Competizione – What’s New?

Information about Assetto Corsa EVO has gradually surfaced since its unveiling in September 2024, following the anticipation for a successor to the 2014 racing simulation titan. While some speculated it as an expansion, the title “EVO” hints at more than just an upgrade – it symbolizes evolution. Now that we have sufficient details, we can highlight its major gameplay distinctions compared to the 2018 spin-off, Assetto Corsa Competizione, in a dedicated feature.

EVO powered by in-house game engine

Just like its 2014 predecessor, I’m being crafted using an in-house game engine that promises photorealistic graphics, unlike the spin-off “Competizione” from 2018 which ran on Unreal Engine 4. Now, while this might not seem directly related to gameplay, it showcases the dedication of the Italian developers at KUNOS-Simulazioni towards creating a more authentic racing experience by enhancing the visual realism of our laser-scanned tracks. To put it simply, the finer details in the track’s tarmac will complement the improved physics, including how grip feels through the steering wheel. This sensation is closely tied to what you see on the road, aiming to create a more immersive and engaging experience for the player.

EVO has most authentic road feel to date

Building on the previous statement, Assetto Corsa EVO is claimed by KUNOS to revolutionize asphalt simulation with the most genuine road sensation yet. They’ve engineered a sophisticated mathematical model to deliver an incredibly detailed tarmac feel through your fingertips. The grip in this game is dynamic, influenced by factors like camber, track temperature, weather, and so forth. Fortunately, KUNOS have kept their mathematical formulas under wraps as they seem too intricate to simplify here. However, rest assured that the road’s feel promises a new standard of authenticity.

VR implementation

Has the query about whether Assetto Corsa EVO will be compatible with Virtual Reality (VR) been resolved? Indeed, it will. The new simulation will be VR-ready from its launch, supporting SteamVR, Oculus, and OpenXR platforms. Notably, the VR development for this game is being collaborated on by engineers from Nvidia and Epic Games, which means they are working together to ensure optimal performance and hopefully mitigate the VR issues that were experienced in Assetto Corsa and Competizione.

Rebuilt physics engine

In the racing series created by KUNOS, we’ve grown accustomed to exceptional driving physics. With their latest release, Competizione, they elevated the standard for in-car realism and authenticity. This time, they’re pushing the boundaries even further by focusing more on handling, aerodynamics, and braking systems. In our next post, we’ll delve deeper into the brake pedal feel, but for now, let’s talk about the car’s mechanical handling and aero performance. EVO promises an unprecedented resemblance to real-life conditions. According to an early review by Top Gear, this is most noticeable at lower speeds, where shifting gears while cornering gives a sense of tires protesting against the maneuver.

The feeling under braking

According to Top Gear’s preview, they describe the sensation of braking at high speeds as ‘terrifying’. They highlight that this is due to factors such as your vehicle shifting its weight from the rear to the front, the necessity of applying just the right amount of brake pressure, and the ensuing instability as you steer towards a turning point. It appears that mastering braking techniques can take good EVO drivers to an exceptional level.

Vehicle roster

The main distinction between EVO and Competizione lies in their vehicle lineups. To clarify, Competizione is exclusively dedicated to GT racing, given it’s an officially licensed GT World Challenge game designed to replicate the authentic SRO motorsport environment. On the other hand, EVO will offer a wide variety of road and race vehicles. Although KUNOS hasn’t disclosed the full list yet, there are numerous enticing vehicles showcased in their development footage, such as the Lamborghini Huracan GT3, Nissan 350Z, BMW M2, and Alfa Romeo Junior. While it remains unconfirmed, these cars are likely to be included eventually. KUNOS co-founder Marco Massurutto has confirmed that at least twenty cars will be available upon launch, with luxury motorsport brands like Ferrari, Porsche, McLaren, Lancia, and more expected to be represented in the initial roster based on the preview videos.

More comprehensive career mode

In simpler terms, we’re not basing our expectations on much other than some enthusiastic statements from Massurutto and the game director Davide Brivio. They’ve suggested that the upcoming game, EVO, will be similar to a role-playing game for car enthusiasts. Previous versions of EVO lacked a career mode, which these creators aim to rectify in their latest entry. Moreover, they intend to make the career mode in EVO open-ended, allowing players to decide how they want to advance, earn money, and build their garage. According to Brivio’s interview with Multiplayer.it, you can even choose to buy up to fifty Alpines if that’s what you desire.

Upgrades to dynamic weather and time simulation

As an enthusiast, I can’t help but appreciate the improvements that Assetto Corsa EVO has made compared to its predecessor. While dynamic weather and a full day-night cycle were missing from the original version, they were introduced in Assetto Corsa Competizione. However, what sets EVO apart is its advanced in-house game engine, which promises a heightened sensation of how weather conditions on the track affect the driving experience. Whether it’s a sweltering hot day or a rain-soaked night, every change will feel tangible. The transition to Unreal Engine 4 allows KUNOS to push the boundaries even further, with some of the most significant advancements noticeable when the track is wet.

Real-time water displacement

In addition to that point, one advantage EVO has over Competizione is its high level of realism, where water behaves authentically on the track’s surface. Due to the laser-scanned tarmac, during heavy rainfall, water collects in the same spots as it does in actual life. If the rain stops, a dry racing line gradually appears, just like in reality. By taking an alternate route through the puddles for a few laps initially, you can create these racing lines, and if you manage to correct any aquaplaning that results, faster racing lines may become apparent as the weather improves.

AI improvements

KUNOS has identified that the Opponent AI in EVO needs improvement compared to its competitors. Therefore, they’ve made significant modifications to the AI for EVO. Similar to the realistic road feel, the AI in EVO operates with intricate algorithms under the hood. Here’s what they anticipate it will accomplish: The AI opponents will adapt to track conditions similar to the player, their errors will be spontaneous, and they’ll learn from their mistakes. Expect them to gradually improve their lines and braking points, lap after lap. Additionally, each AI driver will have a unique personality tied to their names. If an AI driver displays overly aggressive defense in the last race, then perhaps it would be prudent to give them more space in the next one.

Car purchasing

In the racing game Assetto Corsa Competizione, you couldn’t purchase cars like you would at a dealership. However, the upcoming version, Assetto Corsa EVO, is aiming to bring more realism by including a car purchasing process. According to an interview with Multiplayer.it, game director Davide Brivio has confirmed that every car model within the game will have all the configurations, engines, and fuel types you’d find in a real-life dealership. So, if your favorite car comes with 17-inch wheels and a sunroof in real life, you’ll be able to get it with those same options in Assetto Corsa EVO.

Aftermarket upgrades

In Assetto Corsa Competizione, the vehicles don’t receive mechanical enhancements per se, but in a 2019 update, an impressive custom livery editor was introduced. On the other hand, in EVO, as confirmed by Brivio, players will have the chance to upgrade their acquired vehicles with modifications primarily focusing on performance-boosting aerodynamic adjustments.

Open world free roaming

Beyond the in-race excitement, Assetto Corsa EVO includes a sprawling 600km open environment nestled within the Eifel Mountains, encompassing the renowned Nürburgring circuit. At launch, not the entire area will be accessible; instead, more territory will progressively become available through subsequent updates. This expansive landscape offers intriguing possibilities, as players can reportedly engage with businesses scattered across the region, such as car rental firms, tuning and customization shops, dealerships, which will breathe life into the world. Additionally, features like refueling and recharging have been hinted at but not yet fully detailed.

Multiplayer modes

In the game Assetto Corsa Competizione, players could enjoy three modes of multiplayer: standard, casual racing, and intense competition, which were accessible through public and competitive servers. Additionally, private leagues were also an option. For the upcoming Assetto Corsa EVO, online racing will be managed through a ‘companion portal’ developed by The SimGrid in collaboration with Speed Capital Ltd. Although specifics are scarce since it’s not yet available at launch, it is anticipated that this new feature will include driver profiles, comprehensive statistics, daily races, and special events similar to Gran Turismo 7.

Mod support

There’s a sense of uncertainty about whether EVO will maintain the extensive mod support of its 2014 predecessor, as KUNOS has not yet officially confirmed this. However, we do know that mods will be available for the game once it leaves early access, thanks to the developer’s promise to include a mod editor. The specific details about these mods are still unclear at this point, but there may be restrictions requiring modders to collaborate with manufacturers and circuit owners before their creations can be added to the game. This could potentially make the modding experience more extensive than Assetto Corsa Competizione, which offered very limited mod support; in fact, only three mods are currently available for Competizione on Nexus.

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2025-01-14 15:42