As a direct ancestor of iRacing, the ‘Grand Prix Legends engine’ had multiple stock car racing false starts, before eventually releasing as NASCAR Racing 4. The original NASCAR 3, cancelled and replaced by one that used NASCAR 2’s engine, is barely remembered.
If you ever played Papyrus’ seminal Grand Prix Legends then you’ve read his name. Rich began working as a tester on NASCAR Racing (1994) and was with Papyrus at the end. In this interview, published in 2022, we discuss his time at the legendary studio and the design of Grand Prix Legends, including initial feelings of hurt at not being asked to join iRacing.
Studio 397 have updated the Le Mans Ultimate Steam page to further profile their upcoming software release (unless they did this ages ago and I failed to notice until now).
I do also think this screenshot (of Monza with puddle) is new:
The text details the basic features of the title and the animations preview two cars along with dynamic rubber build up and standing water/puddles. I adore that puddle GIF, by the way.
Here are the text details and GIFs from the Steam page as it currently stands:
ABOUT THIS GAME
Le Mans is a continually evolving story… powered by emotion, speed and glory.In the car, in the pits, on the track and every step of the way – teamwork, true grit and human spirit come together to make the complete championship winning formula.
Official Game
Le Mans Ultimate is the official game of the FIA World Endurance Championship and 24 Hours of Le Mans. Play-out the exciting new era for sports car racing, as you strap yourself into the high-speed cockpit of some of the most exciting cars to hit the track.The Iconic Cars
Drive the latest manufacturer Hypercars from the 2023 season – bristling with the latest technology. Recreate tantalising on track battles between Toyota, Ferrari, Porsche, Cadillac, Peugeot, Glickenhaus and Vanwall. Alongside comes a competitive array of classes. Lock horns in wheel-to-wheel LMP2 combat, through to the thunderous GTE cars, as you drive for supremacy for famous brands such as Aston Martin, Corvette, Ferrari and Porsche.The Legendary Circuits
Enjoy the pulsating challenge of racing around some of the most revered circuits in the world including Monza, Spa-Francorchamps, Sebring, Bahrain, Portimao, Fuji and the legendary – Circuit de la Sarthe in Le Mans.Your Race, Your Way
Endurance racing takes its toll – but why not take on the full challenge when it suits you? Le Mans Ultimate will be developing an all-new collaborative asynchronous race mode. Race with the AI or with your friends as a team to undertake and complete some of the greatest challenges in sports car racing. Complete your stints at a time and date that suits them, with each member of the team fitting in their time in the car around other commitments or time zone restraints.Hitting The Ground Running
Le Mans Ultimate will use an advancement in Real Road – the Studio 397 track evolution mechanic. Like a real race session, the track will start out as green, relatively gripless circuit at the start of a weekend and rubber in as more cars pass over the racing line – with cars moving the dust and dirt off line. Work is being undertaken in a number of areas, including the dynamic weather effects too such as rainfall and debris on windscreens and more realistic flow of water and formation puddles on the circuit.Let Battle Commence!
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. Whether you compete in single player modes or multiplayer – push you and your machine to the limits whilst juggling strategy, speed and consistency.Add Le Mans Ultimate to your Wishlist today!
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