Le Mans Ultimate Scheduled For December Release

For clarity before I left Studio 397 earlier this year I knew this title was coming. And if you have seen my recent articles or news posts regarding the current state of licensing and things, you might think I’d hate this, but actually this is exactly the sort of product we need to see released again – just without any exclusivity. We need “experiences” rather than playgrounds, and while ‘1 car from this’ and ‘1 car from that’ felt like a good idea, when modders and/or the developer don’t fill out those fields and give you something to race against it just isn’t that interesting anymore. I want to feel part of a racing series I can watch or read about again, like how things used to be, and while licensing isn’t essential (Grand Prix Legends didn’t have an F1 license), bringing in enough cars from the same series and/or category to give a proper experience sure is.

While I don’t know what legal options were available to Motorsport Games, I’ve always felt that the company would have done just fine if they’d used rFactor 2 repackaged for reasonably priced PC based standalone simulations and used the NASCAR Heat franchise adapted for more arcade titles for the same licenses on console. rFactor 2, attempting to cater to every type of racing there is, is much harder to develop than one set of rules, one set of AI, one set of cars and a limited number of tracks where they can release a number of patches and then perhaps say “that’s it, that’s your experience” in the same way literally every old and great simulation did in the past. Imagine, if you will, a sim that just works because it’s options have been LIMITED to what is NEEDED.

Anyway, enough editorializing. Motorsport Games and Studio 397 yesterday announced that Studio 397 would be developing ‘Le Mans Ultimate’ for PC. While the Web site says a console release is possible at some point in the future, I doubt that, but I see absolutely no reason why my former colleagues at Studio 397 can’t knock the PC release out of the park and deliver something great for what is currently scheduled as a December, 2023 release. In fact, the game is already on show at Le Mans this coming weekend where the Porsche 963 Hypercar and Ferrari 488 GTE will be available to drive around Circuit de la Sarthe.

You can already wishlist on Steam.

Regarding the last image, that’s not how reflections work? The focal range of the item being reflected would be the same as the item itself. I’m allowed to nitpick, so I’m nitpicking.

Here are the main bits of information from the Web site and press release:

– This is a title for both the Le Mans race and WEC series.
– Expected release December, 2023.
– Studio 397 developing.
– Will feature official cars and tracks from the 2023 WEC, including Hypercars.
– Press release language isn’t clear, but Steam page says Monza, Spa-Francorchamps, Sebring, Bahrain, Portimao, Fuji and Circuit de la Sarthe in Le Mans for tracks.
– Steam page mentions single player mode (hooray – and no that’s not sarcasm).
– RaceControl is a new competition system (currently in alpha testing for rFactor 2). The old “competition system” rFactor 2 had has been scrapped.
– A “collaborative asynchronous race mode” just sounds like rFactor 2’s ‘resume from replay’ feature which is something I designed and Terence Groening programmed into rF2 for me when we both worked for Image Space Incorporated. You can currently, and have been able to for years, save a replay and share it with someone else… If they own the same content from within the replay they can resume driving. Hopefully they tweak it to include saving of tire states, etc, which Terence didn’t have time to perfect.
– They say they expect this title to be supported for “a prolonged period”.
– No mention of price. And honestly that’s the thing that’s really going to help people get over the “buying rF2 again” hump.

Press release:

OFFICIAL 24 HOURS OF LE MANS GAME ANNOUNCED AND NAMED “LE MANS ULTIMATE”

Le Mans, France, Monday 5 June 2023. In recognition of the FIA World Endurance Championship – the ultimate endurance racing challenge, cars representing the ultimate in technology, durability and performance, and taking place at the ultimate motorsport venue, there can only be one name for the official game for the 24 Hours of Le Mans and FIA WEC: Le Mans Ultimate.

Expected in December 2023, this special centenary year for the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (the “ACO”), owner and founder of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the game has been developed by Motorsport Games Inc.’s (the “Company” or “Motorsport Games”) Studio 397 and will capture all the emotion, speed and glory of the world’s most famous and prestigious endurance motorsport event. Studio 397, the developer behind the rFactor 2 platform, has a pedigree for gaming and sports car racing – with Studio 397 name reflecting the remarkable feat by Audi Sport in 2010, where its R15 prototype lapped the Circuit de la Sarthe 397 times before taking victory.

The PC-based game will feature official cars and circuits from the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship season, which, of course, has the 24 Hours of Le Mans as its headline event. Included for the first time will be Hypercars from Ferrari, Peugeot, Porsche and Toyota, which – together with models of all the cars of the 2023 full-season WEC entrants – will be competing on iconic tracks such as Spa-Francorchamps, Monza, Fuji and Circuit de la Sarthe.

As well as high-fidelity models of cars and circuits, class leading physics and performance from the physics engine behind rFactor 2 will be brought into the new game, as well as further innovative gaming and competition features associated with endurance racing. The online gameplay will be powered by RaceControl, a new development from Motorsport Games that powers an interactive multiplayer experience. Features will include both competitive and more casual races, as well as the ability to host a private session. Perhaps most innovatively, the game is planned to include a collaborative asynchronous race mode, whereby a team of players can undertake their stints at a time and date that suits them, with each member fitting in their time in the car around other commitments or time zone restraints.

The fans’ chance to be involved in final development

Invited by the ACO, on site at Circuit de la Sarthe from 7th-11th June will be representatives of Le Mans Ultimate who will be offering the fans and spectators a unique First Look Preview Presented by Thrustmaster. Based in the Gaming Zone in the Family Area, there will be 10 simulators on which the general public can either drive the Porsche 963 Hypercar or the Ferrari 488 GTE and emulate their real-life heroes by completing laps of the track.

A competition supported by Thrustmaster allows everyone who signs up to play the game to be entered into a prize draw to win a Limited Edition Thrustmaster T818 Steering Wheel and base. Fans will also be able to give feedback and their views in a post-play survey.

Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest: “This year the 24 Hours of Le Mans celebrates its centenary and the prestige of the race is unparalleled. It is only natural, in this new golden age of endurance, for fans to want to experience racing first hand, or almost. Today’s video games give them just that opportunity. In the wake of the undisputed success of the Le Mans Virtual Series and the Virtual 24 Hours of Le Mans, Le Mans Ultimate is the… ultimate game when it comes to simulating the sensations racing drivers feel at the wheel. A big thank you to Motorsport Games and Studio 397 for a game that has all the ingredients to be hugely popular!”

Frédéric Lequien, CEO of the FIA World Endurance Championship: “With this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, round four of the FIA WEC, celebrating its 100th anniversary, it has provided the perfect platform for Le Mans Ultimate to be revealed to eager fans across the globe. The team at Motorsport Games and Studio 397 are committed to creating a product which can help bring the joys of endurance racing to gamers all over. We can’t wait to get see the final product later this year!”

Stephen Hood, CEO Motorsport Games: “It’s great to pull the covers off and introduce the world to Le Mans Ultimate for the first time. In this Centenary year, we have been working closely with the ACO to bring the thrill of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the FIA WEC to people all around the world. We aim to help make them feel invested in Le Mans Ultimate from the start, taking them on a gaming journey with updates and behind-the-scenes coverage through our social media channels to show the development and the excitement we all have at Studio 397 and Motorsport Games to produce the best experience for gamers and motorsport fans.”

For more information, visit www.lemansultimate.com or follow @LeMansUltimate across social media.

About Motorsport Games:

Motorsport Games, a Motorsport Network company, is a leading racing game developer, publisher and esports ecosystem provider of official motorsport racing series throughout the world. Combining innovative and engaging video games with exciting esports competitions and content for racing fans and gamers, Motorsport Games strives to make the joy of racing accessible to everyone. The Company is the officially licensed video game developer and publisher for iconic motorsport racing series across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and mobile, including NASCAR, INDYCAR, 24 Hours of Le Mans and the British Touring Car Championship (“BTCC”), as well as the industry leading rFactor 2 and KartKraft simulations. rFactor 2 also serves as the official sim racing platform of Formula E, while also powering F1 Arcade through a partnership with Kindred Concepts. Motorsport Games is an award-winning esports partner of choice for 24 Hours of Le Mans, Formula E, BTCC, the FIA World Rallycross Championship and the eNASCAR Heat Pro League, among others. Motorsport Games is building a virtual racing ecosystem where each product drives excitement, every esports event is an adventure and every story inspires.