Assetto Corsa Competizione, The Official Blancpain GT Series Game Announced!

[Paul Jeffrey]

Top GT3 licence, UE4 graphics, day to night cycle, dynamic weather, advanced physics with a focus on realism.. is Assetto Corsa Competizione the sim we've all been waiting for?

When Kunos Simulazioni hinted at a big announcement a few days ago, many thought it would simply be a case of confirming another licence for the already well developed Assetto Corsa software, or at the very most a potential AC2 first announcement. Not so, the team over in Italy have been hard at work behind the scenes developing a very exciting new piece of software, and what is more the new Assetto Corsa Competizione title will focus on a single racing category, the incredible Blancpain Endurance GT3 series.. a welcome hark back to the days when racing simulation developers focussed all their attention to detail on a specific racing series, something that Kunos are keen to replication with this newly announced IP.

Set to feature a pretty significant shift away from the basis of the Assetto Corsa title we all know and love, Kunos have confirmed that AC Competizione will feature what are described as "photo realistic" graphics thanks to the use of the incredibly powerful Unreal Engine 4 graphics engine, allowing Kunos to move away from the single light source solution of Assetto Corsa and finally bring both time of day and weather effects to their racing game - a must when you consider the Spa 24 Hour is a key event in the real life Blancpain championship.

As well as the obvious visual benefits brought from a move to Unreal 4 (see screenshots attached to this article), another key talking point from the simulation announcement comes by way of confirmation that Kunos are looking to build a sizable offline career mode around the new game, with driving school tutorials making a welcome return to a popular modern day simulation.

Alongside what promises to be a substantial offline element, the initial press release indicates that Kunos are also aiming to make considerable changes to the way Assetto Corsa veterans experience online play, with an eye on the emerging eSport marketplace the Italian developers are promising a well rounded ranking and matchmaking online system, potentially encouraging a much more evenly balanced online experience and less of those famous public lobby first corner crashes...

Although only initially announced this afternoon, it looks like development is well on the way with this exceptionally exciting new title. Projected for a summer Steam EA release, I'll leave you with the new trailer to get the juices flowing for now...

Assetto Corsa Competizione should be available on Steam Early Access Summer 2018.

Check out the Assetto Corsa Sub Forum here at RaceDepartment for the latest news and discussions regarding the sim. We host quality League and Club Racing events, have a selection of fantastic mods to download and some of the best community conversation. Join in the discussion today.

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Excited? Looking forward to the new title? Let us know below!

 

[headder]

Month ago, Nicky Thiim posted a video of Aston Martin GT3. There was a person from Kunos who was taking a pictures of the car. So probably, they even didn't started making new cars...

 

[LilSki]

I've said this in a few places but really I wouldn't expect anything "new" with ACC early access. It likely will only have tracks and cars that are in AC. During EA is likely when the new stuff will start to see the light of day. If we do get something new as far as a car or track, take it as a bonus. Just don't expect it or you might be disappointed.

 

[Gergo Panker]

I've said this in a few places but really I wouldn't expect anything "new" with ACC early access. It likely will only have tracks and cars that are in AC. During EA is likely when the new stuff will start to see the light of day. If we do get something new as far as a car or track, take it as a bonus. Just don't expect it or you might be disappointed.

Except that every single model and track has been reworked to some extent, but of course unfortunately from a teaser perspective that doesn't fall into the "new and shiny" category.

 

[nockel]

Tracks take more time then in AC causing new light setup for night and dawn etc But most tracks should be used of ac.

 

[ShredatorFIN]

No Lexus and Jaguar on the screenshots.... That's kinda weird.

How is that weird. They are early WIP screenshots. Skins are placeholders, there was some dirt textures missing from the cars in damp conditions pictures (stated by dev) etc... Every screenshot says:

They don't have Paul Ricard, Hungaroring or Zolder either, OMG OMG Paul Ricard, Hungaroring and Zolder cancelled

 

[nockel]

Hm that sounds bad. It's an official licensed product, so I want to have full content for a race series. Example you buy a F1 game it includes the complete season. And Blancpain is smaller than F1 season.

 

[LilSki]

Hm that sounds bad. It's an official licensed product, so I want to have full content for a race series. Example you buy a F1 game it includes the complete season. And Blancpain is smaller than F1 season.

He was being sarcastic.

 

[headder]

He was being sarcastic.

So do I

 

[Tim Meuris]

Then watch the Monza replay from today if you haven't watched it live... your opinion might change

Did it,
totally different and way better race
think I keep following it some more races for now
not looking forward to Hungaroring though,
one car alone is already wider than the track itself...

 

[Entombed]

Might have some news, EA migth release next to the Total 24h of Spa. French YT chat during Pre Qual was interesting.

 

[Gergo Panker]

Just don't spread it as fact please.

 

[Steve Worrell]

Might have some news, EA migth release next to the Total 24h of Spa. French YT chat during Pre Qual was interesting.

What's this about?

 

[Entombed]

What's this about?

my english ins't that good, I would translate this way :

- I wouldn't be surprised to have the early access for Spa
- @ he isn't far away from the truth..

 

[thepharcyde]

What's this about?

EA release 26 - 29 JULY 2018

 

[Entombed]

i wasn't aware that the EA release date change from Misano (end of june) to Spa.

 

[Steve Worrell]

EA release 26 - 29 JULY 2018

Oh hahahaha. I was thinking that EA were planning a rival title.

Never bought an early access release before. DoI need to sign up or anything?

 

[FeltHat]

Oh hahahaha. I was thinking that EA were planning a rival title.

Never bought an early access release before. DoI need to sign up or anything?

no, you simply buy it on steam when it shows up

 

[Entombed]

Oh hahahaha. I was thinking that EA were planning a rival title.

Never bought an early access release before. DoI need to sign up or anything?

Early acces usually means lower performance, optimization, some bugs .. and others stuff.
But you can report to the developpers.

 

[Alex Townsend]

This is instabuy for me. Did it with the original AC and haven't regretted it in the slightest.
Never had bought into EA before but will definitely be doing it again.
Chance this could be the one sim needed for me as I love GT3 and especially Blancpain followed closely by WEC so hoping that may be the next announcement after this has been out for a while. Either as a DLC or as a standalone title.
Kunos have already proven themselves more than worthy of my hard earned cash and are welcome to help themselves to some more of it!

 

[Epistolarius]

i wasn't aware that the EA release date change from Misano (end of june) to Spa.

Early Access release date was announced as this summer, Kunos has not specified an exact release date. The game will be previewed during the Blancpain GT Sprint round at Misano.

https://www.assettocorsa.net/competizione/roadmap/
https://www.blancpain-gt-series.com...to-sim-racing-with-assetto-corsa-competizione