BeamNG.drive has seen significant offroading updates over the past twelve months. As sim racers, should we be asking whereBeamNG’s racing update is?
BeamNG is often seen as just a simulator for crashing and not much else. In reality, this could not be further from the truth, but despite this, the most watched content on sites like YouTube and TikTok are just crashing compilations. Whilst the appeal of this form of content is obvious, it forces BeamNG into a box for newer players just discovering the title.
You might be asking: ‘Well, if it’s not for crashing, what’s it for?’ The answer to that is anything you want it to be. You might think that is a bit of a cop-out answer, so in contrast to that, we want to see more sim racing-inspired updates this year. The tyre model for slick tyres especially is well overdue for an update. Multiplayer has also come a long way, and we think it is time for some organised racing events!
The littering of rubber outside of the racing line would be an immensely difficult aspect to add to a simulation as detailed as BeamNG. However, that will not stop us from speculating! The rubber discarded from tyres over a race distance leaves what is known as ‘Marbles’ by the side of the road. If you were to go wide and run over these bits of rubber, your tyres would pick them up and you would have much less grip and control until they eventually wore off again.
Screenshot from Assetto Corsa. The rear tyres deform under load and wear accordingly. Could we see something similar to this in BeamNG’s racing update?
Having this level of tyre simulation in BeamNG is not too far-fetched. However, do not expect it to be very hardware-friendly. Every piece of rubber simulated on a set of tyres would certainly cause issues for lower-spec PCs.
The model for slick tyres is the main issue holding BeamNG back at the moment. Once this issue is sorted and redesigned, the rest of the simulation will catch up and racing can finally start to take shape.
The Hirochi raceway has plenty of varying layouts as well as a derby track and a figure-eight jump track. The variety of missions is surprisingly poor and, considering it is a racetrack, there should be considerably more tarmac racing-based missions.
The world of modding has added plenty of missions that include racing, but we are just talking about first-party developer-level content. Within the game, race cars are plentiful, both modern and classic. The highlights would be the replica of the Honda Accord Supertourer and the 1960s Stock Car. Both vehicles are included in the vanilla version of BeamNG.
What we want to see BeamMP used for is proper door-to-door racing. The beauty of BeamNG is that people can create cars within the game or externally with Automation. There are versions of real-life circuits like the Nürburgring and Spa-Francorchamps available through mods. However, the vanilla BeamNG maps offer some incredible layouts. What better map than their own freshly overhauled Hirochi Raceway for some developer-backed community events?
BeamMP supports Vanilla content as well as providing modded servers
BeamNG‘s racing update is yet to be announced or even teased. However, these speculations are what we want to be added when the update does eventually land. There are lots of other aspects we want added and there are bound to be lots you want added. Time will tell if the BeamNG developers prioritise simulator-level updates to the racing and tarmac physics.
What do you want to see in the future for BeamNG.drive? More racing content? Trucking and haulage updates? Let us know on X @OverTake_gg or down in the comments below!
BeamNG is often seen as just a simulator for crashing and not much else. In reality, this could not be further from the truth, but despite this, the most watched content on sites like YouTube and TikTok are just crashing compilations. Whilst the appeal of this form of content is obvious, it forces BeamNG into a box for newer players just discovering the title.
You might be asking: ‘Well, if it’s not for crashing, what’s it for?’ The answer to that is anything you want it to be. You might think that is a bit of a cop-out answer, so in contrast to that, we want to see more sim racing-inspired updates this year. The tyre model for slick tyres especially is well overdue for an update. Multiplayer has also come a long way, and we think it is time for some organised racing events!
BeamNG’s Racing Update: What We Want To See
In this section, we will cover just a selection of new additions and features we would love to see added to BeamNG’s racing update.Tyre Wear & Degradation
Tyre wear is one of the most important elements of a realistic racing simulator. Whether you are racing on ovals or karting circuits, tyre wear and degradation are vital factors in race strategy and simulation.The littering of rubber outside of the racing line would be an immensely difficult aspect to add to a simulation as detailed as BeamNG. However, that will not stop us from speculating! The rubber discarded from tyres over a race distance leaves what is known as ‘Marbles’ by the side of the road. If you were to go wide and run over these bits of rubber, your tyres would pick them up and you would have much less grip and control until they eventually wore off again.
Screenshot from Assetto Corsa. The rear tyres deform under load and wear accordingly. Could we see something similar to this in BeamNG’s racing update?
Having this level of tyre simulation in BeamNG is not too far-fetched. However, do not expect it to be very hardware-friendly. Every piece of rubber simulated on a set of tyres would certainly cause issues for lower-spec PCs.
The model for slick tyres is the main issue holding BeamNG back at the moment. Once this issue is sorted and redesigned, the rest of the simulation will catch up and racing can finally start to take shape.
Hirochi Raceway Remaster
Hirochi Raceway has been a mainstay within BeamNG for a long time now – eight years, believe it or not! We think it is well overdue for a bit of love from the developers. The layout is now synonymous with the title, so changing that would be a real shame. However, the trackside grandstands, surroundings and the overall feel of the map are still very 2014.The Hirochi raceway has plenty of varying layouts as well as a derby track and a figure-eight jump track. The variety of missions is surprisingly poor and, considering it is a racetrack, there should be considerably more tarmac racing-based missions.
The world of modding has added plenty of missions that include racing, but we are just talking about first-party developer-level content. Within the game, race cars are plentiful, both modern and classic. The highlights would be the replica of the Honda Accord Supertourer and the 1960s Stock Car. Both vehicles are included in the vanilla version of BeamNG.
Multiplayer Events & Organised Racing
Multiplayer has been a part of BeamNG for a long time now. However, it is still unofficially supported. BeamMP is a mod and creates servers for players to race on and create scenarios with each other. Modded servers also exist for activities like parkour and drag racing.What we want to see BeamMP used for is proper door-to-door racing. The beauty of BeamNG is that people can create cars within the game or externally with Automation. There are versions of real-life circuits like the Nürburgring and Spa-Francorchamps available through mods. However, the vanilla BeamNG maps offer some incredible layouts. What better map than their own freshly overhauled Hirochi Raceway for some developer-backed community events?
BeamMP supports Vanilla content as well as providing modded servers
BeamNG‘s racing update is yet to be announced or even teased. However, these speculations are what we want to be added when the update does eventually land. There are lots of other aspects we want added and there are bound to be lots you want added. Time will tell if the BeamNG developers prioritise simulator-level updates to the racing and tarmac physics.
What do you want to see in the future for BeamNG.drive? More racing content? Trucking and haulage updates? Let us know on X @OverTake_gg or down in the comments below!
