Here's everything you need to know about Rennsport - the new contender for the sim racing crown.
When you think of the best sim racing games, you probably immediately think of iRacing, Assetto Corsa, and rFactor 2. But in 2023, Rennsport will try to unsettle the established order.
The new ultra-realistic sim racing game boasts cutting-edge Unreal Engine 5 graphics and an emphasis on esports and modding. But can Rennsport stand out in the crowded sim racing market? We’ve got everything you need to know about Rennsport right here.
Latest news - Rennsport August Beta update
The Rennsport closed-beta got another big update in August. More beta keys continue to be dropped by the developers, but the big news was the addition of new cars and tracks.
This includes the impeccable Praga R1, which has been added to the already impressive vehicle roster, whilst the 8ETA track plays off the '8 Beta Keys' meme with its figure-of-eight layout.
Some more incredible shots of the game as well as a rundown of August's Beta update are shown in the trailer below:
The most exciting new feature however is the Damage V1 damage model. The first damage model added to Rennsport, this addition will punish players who are used to banging wheels with other cars on track.
There are also new animations, new sounds for existing cars, and an updated car movement algorithm designed to enhance the realistic experience of the game. You can check out the full list of features coming to the update here.
Exclusive Rennsport interview with Competition Company
Ahead of the first round of the ESL R1 tournament, we caught up with Competition Company to find out how Rennsport is revolutionising sim racing.
Rennsport
With state-of-the-art physics, a graphics engine powered by Unreal Engine 5, and a focus on modding and esports, Rennsport (German for “racing”) aims to be “the most realistic racing simulation possible.”
That may sound like a bold claim, but the team’s credentials at the new German developer Competition Company include “professional drivers, racing strategists, programmers and esports experts.”
Cars
Only a handful of cars have been revealed so far. Confirmed cars include the Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo, Porsche Mission R, Porsche 911 GT3R, and BMW M4 GT3.
click to enlarge
+ 5With a focus on German GT3 racing cars, Rennsport appears to be aiming to rival Assetto Corsa Competizione.
However, including the electric Porsche Mission R suggests other car types will be added, but the roster seems to predominantely focus on thoroughbred race cars.
click to enlarge + 5Looking ahead, Competition Company told RaceDepartment it aims to have "hundreds of cars and hundreds of race tracks" in "three or four years."
Tracks
Players can race around accurately recreated versions of real-world tracks.
The first two tracks confirmed so far were Germany’s Hockenheimring and the Goodwood Hill climb made famous by the Festival of Speed in the UK. The last racing game to include the famous Hillclimb was Gran Turismo 6!
click to enlarge + 5Competition Company has also confirmed that the Nurburgring, Red Bull Ring, Monza and Spa-Francorchamps will be in Rennsport on release day.
Gameplay
While we don't have much information to go on, a short Rennsport gameplay video gives us an idea of what to expect from the ambitious new sim racer.
Featuring a Porsche 911 GT3R racing around Hockenheimring, the early gameplay footage looks promising. It showcases realistic vehicle dynamics, authentic engine sounds, and smooth performance - even at this early alpha stage.
Platforms
For now, Rennsport is PC-only. This will allow Compe to make the most realistic racing simulation possible. No system requirements have been revealed yet, but it goes without saying that you’ll need a powerful PC to run Rennsport at maximum settings.
However, in a recent Tweet Competition Company said “console versions are planned for post-release updates.”
Aside from Assetto Corsa Competizione, console sim racing games are rare, but Rennsport could fill this void.
ACC’s impressive PS5 and Xbox Series X|S ports have shown that current-gen consoles can deliver an uncompromised sim racing experience on the latest hardware.
Modding
There’s also a focus on user-generated content.
Modding tools will allow the community to expand the game with custom cars, tracks, and liveries. Using a companion app, players can then manage and trade assets with other players on online marketplaces.
As games like the original Assetto Corsa have shown, modding support will help expand Rennsport's lifespan for many years.
click to enlarge + 5Free-to-play
Like Raceroom Racing Experience, Rennsport will be free to play with access to a limited number of cars and tracks. A subscription model will also be offered giving access to all content and features.
VR support is also planned for a more immersive racing experience.
Esports and online multiplayer
As well as modding, Rennsport also has an emphasis on esports. Competition Company has partnered with ESL Gaming, best known for hosting tournaments for games like Battlefield 4, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and Halo.
click to enlarge + 5Now, ESL Gaming is ready to embrace virtual racing, using Rennsport as a modern platform.
In a Q&A with RaceDepartment, Competition Company confirmed the online multiplayer can be tailored to your racing style, whether you want to compete in endurance races or short sprint races.
Rennsport's online multiplayer will also have ranked races, leagues, and broadcast options for streamers.
Initially, online player counts will be limited to 12 in the beta but will increase in the final game.
Release date
Rennsport doesn't have a firm release date yet, but Competition Company is targeting a December 2023 release window.
However, a closed beta is set to start in June 2023, with the aim to gain feedback from the sim racing community. Players can try Rennsport by signing up for the beta on the official website.
After that, an open beta is due to launch later this year.
For more articles like this, take a look at our Rennsport page.