Rennsport: Free-to-Enter and Subscription-Based? | Discord Q & A (Part 1)

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The Short and Concise

Rennsport held a Discord Q&A session recently. In it, some questions were answered by Competition Company GmbH CEO Morris Hebecker and Game Development Lead Krzysztof Szczech. This is the first part of our Rennsport Discord Q&A Articles.

Before we get into the deep end let me give you an overview of the content of this article.

First, we have a paraphrased TL;DR and afterwards, the full answers as transcribed from a sound file will be shown. So prepare yourself, this is a long one.

The Short and Concise Paraphrasing​

1. Will there be a ranking system?
Krzysztof Szczech: Yes, this is one of the things we'll definitely have in our game

2. Is Rennsport considering a similar system for ranked racing as LFM?
Krzysztof Szczech: We are developing our own platform which will allow ranked racing, leagues, or whatever you want.

3. Will Rennsport have endurance races?
Krzysztof Szczech: Yes. Our goal, when we started Rennsport was to allow you guys to race however you want to race. Endurance racers will have the possibility to do endurance races and sprint racers do sprint races.

4. Endurance events in the past had problems with DDoS attacks, how will Rennsport handle that?
Krzysztof Szczech: We have a whole team working very hard to create the most robust and best possible system for online racing.

5. How do you plan to deal with punishments for dirty drivers?
Krzysztof Szczech: We are planning to implement an automatic penalty system, but server owners will have the chance to turn that off to do manual race directing.

6. What is the maximum amount of drivers that will be able to join a server?
Krzysztof Szczech: The beta will have a maximum of 12 cars. We aim for a much larger number for the final release.

7. Will Rennsport have built-in Broadcasting and Photography tools?
Krzysztof Szczech: Yes, of course. There will also be APIs to use the data in external tools and you will be able to configure everything as you wish.

8. Can we expect a sophisticated damage model for cars?
Krzysztof Szczech: Yes, of course. We hope you will be able to experience it soon.

9. What sets Rennsport apart from the sims already on the market?
Morris Hebecker: Integrate the external tools needed for running some events on existing sims into the game's ecosystem from the start.

10. Which cars and tracks will be in Rennsport?
Morris Hebecker: Hopefully, in 3 or 4 years, we will have hundreds of cars and hundreds of race tracks at the end. We're only starting with GT3 cars. Tracks like Nürburgring, Hockenheimring, Red Bull Ring, Monza and such are definitely coming. More unknown tracks will come as well.

11. Will there be oval support?
Morris Hebecker: At the moment, we are not working on it. It is on our list, however, to support it at the final release.

12. Will racers be able to compete in special events like 24 hours of Spa, 24 hours of Nürburgring, etc?
Morris Hebecker: All the famous race tracks will be included and you can race on these tracks however you want.

13. Will Rennsport support real-life series?
Morris Hebecker: Technically it's possible. We are not in negotiations or contact about that at the moment, though.

14. Will Rennsport be at the Sim Racing Expo?
Morris Hebecker: Maybe with 2 containers and some sim rigs.

15. Will Rennsport support some kind of API to get the car or session data to use in third-party software?
Krzysztof Szczech: Like I said earlier, yes.

16. Will we have the documentation for the API ready on time?
Krzysztof Szczech: Yes, of course!

17. Will there be a safety car?
Morris Hebecker: I would like to drive the safety car myself, but the development team tells me we don't need it. Technically that wouldn't be an issue to implement, however.

Krzysztof Szczech: Maybe, we'll add it as an optional feature.

18. How restricted, or not, will modding be?
Morris Hebecker: Modding is very important. We will do our best with tools and API to make modding as easy as possible.

Krzysztof Szczech: Yes, we want to make modding extremely easy while allowing you guys to use the same tools as we use to make the game.

19. Custom Liveries?
Krzysztof Szczech: Yes, custom liveries are planned and should be shared within the game's ecosystem. No need to worry about downloading external files.

20. Will Rennsport support DLSS and Raytracing?
Krzysztof Szczech: DLSS is already supported.

Morris Hebecker: We are experimenting with Raytracing, but are not happy with the current technology we are using. We are working very hard to implement it, however.

21. What are the limitations of UE5 as a game engine?
Morris Hebecker: We think Unreal Engine is our best choice for the game for the next 10 years.

Krzysztof Szczech: Many things are possible with Unreal 5.

22. Will there be Gridgirls?
Jokingly, both agreed to add it to their agenda.

23. Which hardware will be supported?
Morris Hebecker: All important hardware manufacturers will be supported for the beta.

24. What will the payment model look like?
Morris Hebecker: As I explained at the summit, it's important for us to have a free-to-enter system. Esports drivers and hardcore players will be able to jump into a subscription model and then have access to all tools and options in the ecosystem.

The Full and Uncut​

The un-paraphrased details of this can be found on the next page of this article.

Furthermore, part 2 of this article will soon follow.

What do you think of this outlook on this new sim racing title? Let us know in the comments down below!
About author
Julian Strasser
Motorsports and Maker-stuff enthusiast. Part time jack-of-all-trades. Owner of tracc.eu, a sim racing-related service provider and its racing community.

Comments

D
In my opinion a sub based racing game needs two must: drivers to fill the grids -and each of the skills levels- and a solid stewarding. Without drivers it’s not fun, you need to get a big amount of loyal drivers to attract more. And the stewarding… I had enough of iRacing after being wreck revenged for no reason by a guy that was keeping driving -I monitorized his profile for some time-. Sub based games are lazy about banning subscribers. These are the main issues without talking about money.
 
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won't fall for subscription and leased content again.
already shilled out 300€ for iRacing cars and tracks and currently my subscription is stopped because i dont feel like online racing. And i am not allowed to race my content offline without a subscription. Thats just painful to know you bought content for hundreds of € and can't use it unless you continue to monthly spend.
i did not think it would bother me when i purchased all the stuff, but by now it does.
so if they will go the exact same road down like iracing i am out.
i would be ok with paying per content piece, but then i want the option to race offline whenever i want without subscription. thats the only way i would accept a free to play model.
 
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Premium
No, but I will not go for a game that all it cares is esports and charge a sub on it for more GT3s on Spa.

They did not confirm that the sub will include access to all content. And so far the content is underwhelming.
If content is extra and it is not a great game, I would not pay $120/year. My point was, if thought the game was great, I am will to pay a reasonable premium which I am saying is $120 for myself. A great game for me would be, the best graphics, physics , FF!, cars, tracks, AI. If it’s no better than ACC, AMS2, or RaceRoom, I would not pay $120.
 
Don’t know why everyone is complaining about subscription model. I hear everyone saying Iracing needs a competitor but it seems the reason no other developer has tried is it is prohibitively expensive to host servers 24/7 for sim racers around the world. I love multiplayer racing and for me Iracing is miles ahead of any other sim in this regard. It is more expensive than I’d like but until there is an alternative of the same quality that is much cheaper then I have to believe the cost is justified.
If you look at the price of some flight sims also it makes me think there is only 2 ways of doing it, make a game/sim and sell it for a set price add a few dlc’s and then move on to a new game/sim. In this type of model the multiplayer is going to be very basic as the dev can’t afford the time and maintenance for something they are receiving no income for.
The second way is the Iracing model where the subscriptions allow the dev to devote time and staff to the multiplayer system for years and years, constantly updating it.
 
Sneak peek for Part 2: yes, you still have to pay for DLC on top of the subscription.
Okay it's going into the trash bin already, it had a good run while it lasted (no it didn't, and considering the "digital ownership" thing still has to be explained I'm expecting the worst monetization of any sims)
 
Don’t know why everyone is complaining about subscription model. I hear everyone saying Iracing needs a competitor but it seems the reason no other developer has tried is it is prohibitively expensive to host servers 24/7 for sim racers around the world. I love multiplayer racing and for me Iracing is miles ahead of any other sim in this regard. It is more expensive than I’d like but until there is an alternative of the same quality that is much cheaper then I have to believe the cost is justified.
If you look at the price of some flight sims also it makes me think there is only 2 ways of doing it, make a game/sim and sell it for a set price add a few dlc’s and then move on to a new game/sim. In this type of model the multiplayer is going to be very basic as the dev can’t afford the time and maintenance for something they are receiving no income for.
The second way is the Iracing model where the subscriptions allow the dev to devote time and staff to the multiplayer system for years and years, constantly updating it.

Flight sims **** all over Race sims because most people are either training to be pilots or ATC and they are Rich AF.... But the content that comes out that is released by "modder's" is supported by Microsoft etc so it means the community makes money and enjoy's the game too..So where in sim racing does that happen?
 
Don’t know why everyone is complaining about subscription model. I hear everyone saying Iracing needs a competitor but it seems the reason no other developer has tried is it is prohibitively expensive to host servers 24/7 for sim racers around the world. I love multiplayer racing and for me Iracing is miles ahead of any other sim in this regard. It is more expensive than I’d like but until there is an alternative of the same quality that is much cheaper then I have to believe the cost is justified.
If you look at the price of some flight sims also it makes me think there is only 2 ways of doing it, make a game/sim and sell it for a set price add a few dlc’s and then move on to a new game/sim. In this type of model the multiplayer is going to be very basic as the dev can’t afford the time and maintenance for something they are receiving no income for.
The second way is the Iracing model where the subscriptions allow the dev to devote time and staff to the multiplayer system for years and years, constantly updating it.
The problem comes when you lose access to the content you paid even for offline use if you don't keep subscribing. That seems quite greedy..
 
The only way i believe RENNSPORT can make the Sub model excel is if you can still access content offline after your sub has expired.

if not people will see this as money down the drain.

Golden opportunity here.
 
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Premium
Subscription :( Its be like how to kill your game before its even released. I was interested in this sim but now i will pass. I don’t have any problems to pay full price for game and later paid DLC’s. But subscription really what a disappointment.
 
For the absurd $120/year, I rather pay for iRacing as it is more established with heaps of content you don't find elsewhere that is made in high detail and accuracy like loads of American tracks, NASCAR, Supercars, Indy support series and now LMDh.

And they still have GT3s, Spa, Nords and so on.
And right now iRacing is only $75 USD per year. Subtract the $40 you get for participation credits and it's just $3 per month. No better deal anywhere.
 
Or maybe you have to pay a sub to use mods. Not a big fan of the renting content model ala iRacing so i will propably try the free stuff and be done with it.
I suspect mods will be submitted for quality approval, added to the store, and made available to the general membership at lower prices than official content, while Rennsport takes a cut. So you'll have to subscribe and pay for DLC mods. Any other possible ways to include mods and make money while doing it?
 
When the only thing that separates it from others on the market is integrated esports features, it's not off to a good start.

When everything is a vague "it'll come later" it's doubly disappointing.
 
Premium
I'm happy to spend money buying DLC and do so regularly... But I only really race offline.

Subscription doesn't work for me as due to other commitments I can't be sure when or how often I can race. That's why I haven't gone down the iRacing route.

I'd be happy with some sort of "pay as you race" scheme if that was possible rather than a straight forward monthly or annual subscription.
Adobe do the same thing with their products now.
I won't use them anymore for this very reason.
 
Subscription is not a model I can get behind I'm afraid.

I have never payed a subscription for a game in the many decades I've played games and sims and won't be starting now.

Also if you follow that route you will be constantly compared to Iracing and if your products and services are not better from the off it'll be probably seen as a failure no matter what else you get right.
 
I was really looking forward for Rennsport but after reading this I'm going to take step back, still watching it from a distance tho.
 
is it just me or did they dial down their tone on the whole "digital ownership" thing?
i think they might have gotten the memo that nft's are dead in the gaming space and might not want to push that message anymore?
 

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What's needed for simracing in 2024?

  • More games, period

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  • Advanced physics and handling

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  • AI improvements

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  • New game Modes

  • Other, post your idea


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