It's in the name of Assetto Corsa EVO that Kunos Simulazioni's upcoming simulation looks to further advance things - and it looks like it will do that both offline and online.
Racing simulations offer tons of different ways to have fun, both offline and online. While singleplayer modes have fallen behind a bit in sim racing in recent years, online multiplayer thrived - for Assetto Corsa EVO, developer Kunos Simulazioni is looking to balance things a bit better again.
Of course, the open world map in AC EVO will be perfectly enjoyable for the driving enthusiast who just wants to. go for a leisurely cruise. No multiplayer needed for that. But if they want to take it to the circuits, and not on a track day, they can look forward to what should be a rather dynamic AI opposition.
Will AC EVO's be, though? That remains to be seen, but the mechanics (as in code, not the folks wielding tools in the pits, of course) behind it do sound intriguing. Instead of a predefined AI, Kunos are looking for something more dynamic to test the players' abilities when not racing online.
For one, "the AI respects the same physics as the player", as Massarutto explained. What sounds like a standard component is actually not always the case, as some titles simplify the CPU-controlled cars' physics to achieve better performance.
Said personality is also going to be tied to an AI driver's name. Massarutto confirmed that players will be able to recognize drivers and their characteristics in later races. Battled an overly-aggressive driver a few races ago? Might be better to give them some extra space next time - or bait them into outbraking themselves. This could add nice depth to the experience.
The same is true for AI mistakes - which will be part of the game as well. "And they are not scripted", as Massarutto ensured Michel. So if you passed a driver after they messed up a certain corner, but later you crashed out yourself and restarted the race, do not bank on the same driver making the same mistake again.
Automobilista 2, for instance, also features AI mistakes that are scalable as of the latest update to v1.6, and random AI mistakes can add a lot of immersion to an offline race - so we are looking forward to Kunos hopefully achieving something similar for AC EVO. Massarutto promises: "The experience from AC1 has been improved a lot."
Meanwhile, filling the grid with AI drivers in sparsely-populated online lobbies is not possible - yet. "It is not planned for now", Massarutto admitted, "but it is something we are thinking about."
For Assetto Corsa EVO, this returns in an expanded way. However, it will not be on board for the first Early Access release on January 16 - and neither will a multiplayer mode, for that matter. "That will come in the second or third Early Access release", according to Massarutto. Once online multiplayer does launch, however, it will also feature anti-cheat measures, as Kunos are actively working "to prevent cheating as much as we can."
While a price for the Early Access version that is set to launch in January is not known yet, Massarutto firmly ruled out a subscription model for AC EVO. Plus, January's price will likely be the cheapest regular price tag Assetto Corsa EVO will have, as the price is set to increase the more content is released.
However, Massarutto also made it a point to mention that "to reward the community that has been so good to us over the years, [the game] will be very aggressive in pricing - in a good way!" Those who buy AC EVO when it first hits Early Access also will not have to buy the additional content that will be released until the v1.0 launch.
As for cars, Kunos does not want to leave players with a hodge-podge of classes that have only one or two cars in them in Assetto Corsa EVO. Instead, the approach this time around will be to aim for much more comprehensive packs. "In the first AC, we tried to collect as many licenses as possible", remembered Massarutto. "Today, the situation is different, because the Assetto Corsa franchise is a well-known brand. We want to work on dedicated packages rather than randomly licensed cars here and there."
"I don't see that we include a Le Mans car that just races alone. We are going to be much more specific in the way we create the packages, because we want to create the racing categories in a proper way."
Thus far, an interesting mix of modern and classic cars have been confirmed, most of them road cars. Find the list of everything we've spotted so far here!
Do you like the direction Assetto Corsa EVO is heading for its offline and online racing as well as its content? Let us know in the comments below and join the discussion in our AC EVO forum!
Racing simulations offer tons of different ways to have fun, both offline and online. While singleplayer modes have fallen behind a bit in sim racing in recent years, online multiplayer thrived - for Assetto Corsa EVO, developer Kunos Simulazioni is looking to balance things a bit better again.
Of course, the open world map in AC EVO will be perfectly enjoyable for the driving enthusiast who just wants to. go for a leisurely cruise. No multiplayer needed for that. But if they want to take it to the circuits, and not on a track day, they can look forward to what should be a rather dynamic AI opposition.
AI Opponents Learn - And Make Mistakes
As Kunos Co-Founder and Managing Director Marco Massarutto told @Michel Wolk in our live stream, AI drivers have seen significant improvement. "It's one of the areas where we started with what we did, then redefined all the algorithms from scratch", said Massarutto. The opponents in the singleplayer modes of both Assetto Corsa and Assetto Corsa Competizione were not exactly class-leading, after all.Will AC EVO's be, though? That remains to be seen, but the mechanics (as in code, not the folks wielding tools in the pits, of course) behind it do sound intriguing. Instead of a predefined AI, Kunos are looking for something more dynamic to test the players' abilities when not racing online.
For one, "the AI respects the same physics as the player", as Massarutto explained. What sounds like a standard component is actually not always the case, as some titles simplify the CPU-controlled cars' physics to achieve better performance.
Recognizable Personalities
Adding to that is an evolving AI. "We created an auto-learning system that we are using to improve how the AI drive on the track. They improve their lines and braking points lap after lap", explains Massarutto. That basis sounds similar to RaceRoom's adaptive AI, for instance, but that is not all there is to it: "They also have a personality."Said personality is also going to be tied to an AI driver's name. Massarutto confirmed that players will be able to recognize drivers and their characteristics in later races. Battled an overly-aggressive driver a few races ago? Might be better to give them some extra space next time - or bait them into outbraking themselves. This could add nice depth to the experience.
The same is true for AI mistakes - which will be part of the game as well. "And they are not scripted", as Massarutto ensured Michel. So if you passed a driver after they messed up a certain corner, but later you crashed out yourself and restarted the race, do not bank on the same driver making the same mistake again.
Automobilista 2, for instance, also features AI mistakes that are scalable as of the latest update to v1.6, and random AI mistakes can add a lot of immersion to an offline race - so we are looking forward to Kunos hopefully achieving something similar for AC EVO. Massarutto promises: "The experience from AC1 has been improved a lot."
Meanwhile, filling the grid with AI drivers in sparsely-populated online lobbies is not possible - yet. "It is not planned for now", Massarutto admitted, "but it is something we are thinking about."
Online Driver Rating Returns In Improved Form
Speaking of online: There will be a ranking system again, and reaching a certain ranking can be a requirement to enter certain races. Assetto Corsa Competizione also employs something like this, and it is a bit deeper than most in Kunos' GT-focused sim already. Instead of a Safety Rating and a Pace Rating (think iRating, for instance), the ACC rating system features seven categories, all of which can rise and fall individually and show a driver's progress in a bit more detail.For Assetto Corsa EVO, this returns in an expanded way. However, it will not be on board for the first Early Access release on January 16 - and neither will a multiplayer mode, for that matter. "That will come in the second or third Early Access release", according to Massarutto. Once online multiplayer does launch, however, it will also feature anti-cheat measures, as Kunos are actively working "to prevent cheating as much as we can."
While a price for the Early Access version that is set to launch in January is not known yet, Massarutto firmly ruled out a subscription model for AC EVO. Plus, January's price will likely be the cheapest regular price tag Assetto Corsa EVO will have, as the price is set to increase the more content is released.
However, Massarutto also made it a point to mention that "to reward the community that has been so good to us over the years, [the game] will be very aggressive in pricing - in a good way!" Those who buy AC EVO when it first hits Early Access also will not have to buy the additional content that will be released until the v1.0 launch.
At Least 15 Tracks On 1.0 Launch In Fall
Once that point is reached, likely in Fall of 2025, there will be a good amount of circuits to tackle. The first Early Access release is set to include five locations (and not including the Nordschleife open world yet), but until v1.0, that will be "no less than 15 officially licensed circuits", promised Massarutto. "That number will reach 20 in the four to six months after that. The tracks will cover five continents."As for cars, Kunos does not want to leave players with a hodge-podge of classes that have only one or two cars in them in Assetto Corsa EVO. Instead, the approach this time around will be to aim for much more comprehensive packs. "In the first AC, we tried to collect as many licenses as possible", remembered Massarutto. "Today, the situation is different, because the Assetto Corsa franchise is a well-known brand. We want to work on dedicated packages rather than randomly licensed cars here and there."
"I don't see that we include a Le Mans car that just races alone. We are going to be much more specific in the way we create the packages, because we want to create the racing categories in a proper way."
Thus far, an interesting mix of modern and classic cars have been confirmed, most of them road cars. Find the list of everything we've spotted so far here!
Do you like the direction Assetto Corsa EVO is heading for its offline and online racing as well as its content? Let us know in the comments below and join the discussion in our AC EVO forum!
