You’re all waiting for it: the new car simulation title Assetto Corsa EVO will be released by the end of 2024! This article summarizes the latest news about the title, and will be updated as information becomes available. The title is eagerly awaited by gamers and publisher Digital Bros. alike. By December 31, 2022, 28 million copies of AC1 had been sold. All this for sales of over €104 million (source: Digital Bros. financial report, March 2023).
The best-selling video game was thetimeless Assetto Corsa, an intellectual property owned by the group and developed by an in-house studio, which continues to outperform, exceeding sales of €12 million during the period under review.
Digital Bros
Original publication: March 4, 2024. Last update: 19/06/2024 – Authors: Mycroft, Slawek, Sam
Assetto Corsa EVO release date
According to Digital Bros (which includes Kunos), AC2 was originally scheduled for release in spring 2024. Then it was shifted to summer 2024 to give Kunos time to release the ACC 2024 pack (source: Digital Bros financial report of November 2023). But the release date has been pushed back again, and this time no date has been specified – all we know is that it will be out by the end of 2024.
(…) the development of the new version of Assetto Corsa by subsidiary Kunos Simulazioni S.r.l., scheduled for launch in the next financial year;
Digital Bros
PC first, console later
Digital Bros favors a PC release before a console release, the date of which has not yet been determined (source: June 2023 financial report):
The group’s strategy for the next fiscal year is to release the PC version of the Assetto Corsa sequel
Digital Bros
A better life for a studio
As of January 2020, Stefano Casillo (head of AC 1 development, see his review of Assetto Corsa’s FFB settings) announces on Facebook that he is leaving Kunos, so will not be involved in Assetto Corsa 2 (EVO).
For the first time since 2005, I woke up and didn’t sit in front of my computer thinking about the development of Kunos Simulazioni software. Yes, it may come as a surprise, but as of today, I’m no longer directly involved in the development of Kunos Simulazioni software.
Stefano Casillo
Four years later, it’s Aristotelis Vasilakos (responsible for physics on AC2) who leaves Kunos for a new professional adventure, not without making our mouths water:
Believe me when I tell you that 2024 will be an incredible event. You’re going to be blown away by what’s coming out.
Aristotelis Vasilakos
AC EVO: technical information
The cars featured on the title
Whereas Assetto Corsa Competizione was a bit of a spin-off, focusing solely on the GT4, GT3 and now GT2 categories, Assetto Corsa EVO should return to what made the first opus such a timeless success. Namely, a multitude of categories in both racing and road vehicles.
An idea that is gradually being confirmed, thanks in part to the very first image unveiled by Marco Massarutto to the multiplayer.it website on June 11, 2024:
The circuits
Let’s put a coin on SPA and another on the Nordschleife, which was superbly modeled for ACC just a few months ago. It’s unlikely that the Vierzon circuit will be modelled. For the moment in any case, no official information has been released.
Will we be able to model Assetto Corsa Evo?
Let’s face it, the modding on Assetto Corsa Evo has reached new heights in terms of quality. Whether in terms of vehicles, tracks or even features added to the game. Modders have enabled AC to remain one of the most-played racing simulations almost 10 years after its release. So, unless you want to start a civil war, Kunos should allow modding. If not, check out AC1.
Find out more: Essential mods for Assetto Corsa
But let’s go back to what Marco told multiplayer.it: “Modding (AC1) is our first benchmark (…) I know that 30 seconds after the release of EVO I’d see a YouTube video with parity of cars and tracks (…) the kind of problems we like to have!”.
Vehicle physics
Given the evolution from AC to ACC, there’s plenty to be optimistic about. Also in the interview on the multiplayer.it channel, Marco insisted that he was extremely proud of the new milestone. They had been able to reach.
3D engine
The information was provided by Kunos co-founder Marco Massarutto on the Traxxion podcast;
We’re developing a new technology for the engine. We won’t be using Unreal because we need greater flexibility. We’re very happy with what we’ve done with Competizione and Epic Games. But today, we’re developing a new technology to better meet our needs.
Marco Massarutto
So it’s a brand-new in-house engine that will be used for AC2, as for the first one, but not like ACC, which uses Unreal Engine. By not using Unreal Engine, we’re making sure that we have a tool. This one we’ve mastered and that won’t disrupt the game with every engine update. Marco cited, among other things, the FFB problems that ACC suffered a few months ago, which were linked to a UE sound bank update. This is a problem they do not want to repeat.
VR compatibility
In the interview with multiplayer.it, Marco confirms that the aim is clearly to have VR compatibility as soon as the game is released. According to him, to date, between 5 and 10% of AC players ride in VR. And he feels it’s vital to optimize the game in this direction, even if it’s still a “niche within a niche” market.
Career mode
A career mode will be present. Even if Marco doesn’t seem to be the biggest fan of the genre, which he considers a “necessary evil”.
Online mode
At a time when it’s so hard to find an unconnected coffee maker on the shelves of Darty. It would be surprising if AC2 didn’t offer an online mode. The game will not offer “season pass”-style services for taking part in online races or gaining advantages, that’s all Marco was willing to reveal.
The future of Assetto Corsa Competizione
The competitive / eSport aspect should remain confined to ACC, which would otherwise lose a great deal of added value. What is certain is that the GT 2024 season has been signed and will be added to the game shortly. The 2025 season has not yet been confirmed, as the team is hard at work on EVO.
More on that right here!
I’m sure you’re as eager as we are to find out more about Assetto Corsa EVO. Marco has confirmed that there will be news over the summer. We’re almost tempted to fast-forward to the end of the year. So we can finally take our first turns on the wheel. In any case, you’ll find all the new information as it comes out on this very article, which we’ll keep up to date!
Until then, we’ll be in the comments to discuss them 🙂
