Assetto Corsa EVO Early Access Launch: A Rocky Start for VR Enthusiasts
The highly anticipated Early Access release of Assetto Corsa EVO has finaly arrived on steam, marking the next chapter in the beloved racing franchise. While the game is available for both customary flatscreen displays and PC VR headsets, the initial reception has been mixed, with VR users urging caution untill performance patches are rolled out.
KUNOS Simulazioni, the studio behind the game, has outlined an enterprising roadmap of updates. Players can expect a total of 100 cars,25 tracks,an open-world map,and robust career and multiplayer modes to be added over time. Though, for now, the focus for many is on the game’s current state—especially in virtual reality.
Steam reviews have been pouring in, with over 2,700 user assessments contributing to a ‘Mixed’ rating.While some critiques focus on the absence of promised features, the most vocal complaints come from VR players. Many report that the game’s optimization for virtual reality is far from satisfactory, making it nearly unplayable in its current form.
“I won’t comment on the performance issues, as this is early access, onyl remark is that VR is currently unplayable,” says Steam user Poloman. “I have 150 fps on 3440×1440, but can’t get more that 30 [FPS] in VR.”
High-end gaming rigs aren’t faring much better. Another user, Mattios, shared their experience: “Unplayable in VR with a RTX 4090 and i9 13900k at lowest settings (only targeting 80hz too). It has constant latency spikes making the game unplayable at any setting. Flatscreen works fine, maxed out it barely hits 80% GPU and 10% CPU usage without upscaling.”
“Can’t recommend it in its current state, performance optimization is just not there, at least for VR,” says Dan, who runs the game on a Radeon 7600X + 7900 XT. “Getting 50 fps running on a Quest 3 with Link and openxr, and that’s with a single car on track in practice, on the minimum graphics settings. And that’s already disregarding visual glitches, that happened mostly on the menu for me. Besides that, the default FFB settings are not at all what I expected from Kunos. all in all, wait for the coming patches to even consider it.”
This isn’t the first time KUNOS Simulazioni has launched a game in Early Access with a gradual rollout of features. while VR support hasn’t always been available from day one, it has become a cornerstone of the Assetto Corsa series.The studio has assured players that the full 1.0 release will arrive “within less than one year from the start of Early Access,” giving hope that VR optimization will improve significantly by then.
For now, the $32 price tag might feel steep for VR enthusiasts.However, with the promise of future updates and patches, it’s worth keeping an eye on Assetto Corsa EVO as it evolves. Whether you’re a die-hard racing fan or a VR aficionado, patience could be the key to unlocking the game’s full potential.
What is KUNOS Simulazioni’s plan to address the VR performance issues reported by some users?
Interview with Marco Ricci, Lead Developer at KUNOS Simulazioni, on the Early access Launch of Assetto Corsa EVO
Archyde: Welcome, Marco. Thank you for joining us today.The Early Access release of Assetto Corsa EVO has been highly anticipated, especially among VR enthusiasts. Though, the reception has been mixed, with some users reporting performance issues in VR. Can you shed some light on what happened?
Marco Ricci: Thank you for having me. First, I want to extend our gratitude to the community for their patience and feedback. VR has always been a priority for us,and we aimed to deliver a seamless experience from day zero. Though, optimizing VR for such a complex simulation requires balancing performance with visual fidelity. Regrettably, we encountered some unexpected challenges that affected the stability of VR in certain configurations.
Archyde: What specific challenges did you face with VR optimization?
Marco Ricci: VR is inherently demanding, as it requires rendering two high-resolution displays simultaneously at a high frame rate to avoid discomfort for the user. We worked closely with partners like Epic Games and nvidia to push the boundaries of optimization, but the diversity of PC hardware and VR headsets introduced variables we couldn’t fully anticipate during testing. Some users with high-end systems are having a grate experience, while others are encountering issues that we’re actively addressing.
Archyde: Many users are urging caution until performance patches are released. Can you share more about your roadmap for updates?
Marco Ricci: Absolutely. we have a dedicated team working on performance patches, with the first one expected within the next two weeks. This update will focus on improving frame rates and reducing latency across a wide range of hardware configurations. additionally, we’re exploring ways to enhance visual quality without compromising performance. Our roadmap includes regular updates over the coming months, with feedback from the community playing a crucial role in shaping our priorities.
Archyde: Why did KUNOS Simulazioni decide to include VR support from day zero, despite the challenges?
Marco Ricci: VR is a game-changer for racing simulations. It immerses players in a way that traditional displays simply can’t match. We wanted to ensure that VR enthusiasts could experience Assetto Corsa EVO from the very beginning, even if it meant facing some early hurdles. We believe in the potential of VR, and we’re committed to refining the experience to meet the high standards our community expects.
Archyde: What message do you have for the community, especially those who are feeling disappointed?
Marco Ricci: I want to reassure everyone that we’re listening. The passion and feedback from our community are invaluable to us. We understand the frustration, and we’re working tirelessly to deliver the experience they deserve. Early Access is about collaboration—it’s an opportunity for us to improve the game with the help of our players. We’re confident that with time, Assetto Corsa EVO will set a new standard for VR racing simulations.
Archyde: Thank you, Marco, for your transparency and dedication. We look forward to seeing how Assetto Corsa EVO evolves.
Marco Ricci: Thank you. We’re excited to continue this journey with the community, and we’re committed to making Assetto Corsa EVO the best it can be.
end of Interview
