As expected, the list of Le Mans Ultimate missing features is still rather long after its Early Access release. More is to come, surely – here’s what we would like to see.
With only the Online and Race Weekend modes available on Early Access launch, the list of Le Mans Ultimate missing features has room for lots of additions. Sure, the game already allows sim racers to sample both the offline and online portions of LMU, but there are more elements players would like to see.
Since the title is focused on the World Endurance Championship, it is not just game modes that are amiss, but also certain features that are integral to WEC contests. Thus far, Studio 397 have been hard at work – a day after release, the first hotfix dropped, and one day after that, hotfix #2 was deployed on February 22.
But now, without further ado and in no particular order, here are features and modes we would love to see in LMU eventually.
An even bigger benefit of a replay system that works the same as that in rF2 would be that it could take care of another element players are asking for, which neatly segues us to our next point.
In rF2, players can do so from saved replays. So not only would the implementation of a full replay system help with looking back at your races, but also with continuing them at a different time. It could also be the key to the asynchronous multiplayer that is in development for Le Mans Ultimate.
No one is waiting behind that pit wall to take over the car at the next stop in Le Mans Ultimate – yet.
For online races in particular, driver swaps just make sense. Endurance races are quite popular in sim racing, and for a sim that primarily focuses on them, it is not a question of if, but rather when it will be implemented – especially since Le Mans Virtual is likely to make its comeback in LMU.
While the feature is in development, according Motorsport Games CEO Stephen Hood, no time frame for its release is known. However, the community has already figured out that a rudimentary VR experience is possible, though that requires some fiddling with launch commands and apparently only yields sub-par results. It does show, however, that the game should easily be capable to have VR on board.
The function could be an enormous help, as the prototype cockpits in particular are rather cramped, with sight lines impacted by big A-pillars. Additionally, circuits like Portimao or Fuji feature corners with blind apexes, so being able to look directly towards them may help with car positioning. Never mind the increased immersion factor, of course. Can you imagine blasting down the Hunaudières Straight at Le Mans at night in VR? It sure makes us more impatient for the arrival of VR on the list of Le Mans Ultimate features.
All alone with no friends in sight: Getting into the same race session as your buddies is down to luck.
There is also no way to join the same server as a friend, unless we are talking about an event’s practice server. Dedicated servers or custom lobbies are not in LMU, meaning online multiplayer is limited to the official events of the game.
As a result, leagues are not possible, and you would have to be lucky to get put on the same server as a friend if you want to race together. Dedicated servers or lobbies that could be set up in-game would eliminate this limitation, and we hope that it will not be a long wait until the addition of such a feature.
Asynchronous multiplayer – allowing racers to compete in full-length endurance events whenever they have time – is in development. Other modes that would fit the game well would be a season or championship mode to partially or fully tackle the WEC calendar – bonus points for extensive customization options.
LMU‘s main menu is a bit empty regarding game modes, but there is lots that could be added.
A time trial mode with leaderboards and test day mode would also be welcome additions. A big feature that would likely have to come significantly later would be a career mode, especially if historic content gets added eventually. Scenarios could also spice things up a bit, allowing racers to relive some of the most exciting moments of recent (or older) WEC history.
For some, increasing the game’s performance would be possible this way, as LMU seems to occasionally struggle on some systems. Others might enjoy trying big grids to really push both the game and their driving to the limits.
What Le Mans Ultimate features that should be added soon are at the top of your list? Let us know on Twitter @OverTake_gg or in the comments below!
With only the Online and Race Weekend modes available on Early Access launch, the list of Le Mans Ultimate missing features has room for lots of additions. Sure, the game already allows sim racers to sample both the offline and online portions of LMU, but there are more elements players would like to see.
Since the title is focused on the World Endurance Championship, it is not just game modes that are amiss, but also certain features that are integral to WEC contests. Thus far, Studio 397 have been hard at work – a day after release, the first hotfix dropped, and one day after that, hotfix #2 was deployed on February 22.
But now, without further ado and in no particular order, here are features and modes we would love to see in LMU eventually.
Full Replay Mode
Currently, Le Mans Ultimate only allows for instant replays of up to three minutes. rFactor 2, which LMU is based on, features full race replays. They would be helpful for video creators, but also race control in competitive events to take a look at controversial situations from any angle.An even bigger benefit of a replay system that works the same as that in rF2 would be that it could take care of another element players are asking for, which neatly segues us to our next point.
Mid-session Saves
Endurance races, due to their very nature, take longer than usual sprints. Singleplayer sim racers in particular would love the option of not having to do a full-length endurance event in one sitting, so mid-session saves would be a welcome addition.In rF2, players can do so from saved replays. So not only would the implementation of a full replay system help with looking back at your races, but also with continuing them at a different time. It could also be the key to the asynchronous multiplayer that is in development for Le Mans Ultimate.
Le Mans Ultimate Missing Features: Driver Swaps
One of the Le Mans Ultimate features that are missing for an authentic experience are driver swaps. Sure, the option is there in the pit stop menu in the MFD, but it is non-functional at this point. This can be somewhat circumvented by switching on AI controls at any time in the race, as we found out for our tips and hidden features article and video, but it is not quite the real deal.No one is waiting behind that pit wall to take over the car at the next stop in Le Mans Ultimate – yet.
For online races in particular, driver swaps just make sense. Endurance races are quite popular in sim racing, and for a sim that primarily focuses on them, it is not a question of if, but rather when it will be implemented – especially since Le Mans Virtual is likely to make its comeback in LMU.
VR Implementation
Surely one of the most frequently requested additions to LMU (and definitely for the ‘no VR, no buy’ crowd), Virtual Reality implementation is another candidate for the top of the list of Le Mans Ultimate features. A VR support icon originally appeared on the game’s steam page, but was quietly removed.While the feature is in development, according Motorsport Games CEO Stephen Hood, no time frame for its release is known. However, the community has already figured out that a rudimentary VR experience is possible, though that requires some fiddling with launch commands and apparently only yields sub-par results. It does show, however, that the game should easily be capable to have VR on board.
The function could be an enormous help, as the prototype cockpits in particular are rather cramped, with sight lines impacted by big A-pillars. Additionally, circuits like Portimao or Fuji feature corners with blind apexes, so being able to look directly towards them may help with car positioning. Never mind the increased immersion factor, of course. Can you imagine blasting down the Hunaudières Straight at Le Mans at night in VR? It sure makes us more impatient for the arrival of VR on the list of Le Mans Ultimate features.
All alone with no friends in sight: Getting into the same race session as your buddies is down to luck.
Le Mans Ultimate Missing Features: Dedicated Servers or Custom Lobbies
As of the Early Access release, Le Mans Ultimate can be played online – but only in Daily and Weekly Races as well as Special Events. While the Daily Races are nicely spaced to keep sim racers busy, it is a rotation of two car-track combos on repeat, at least immediately after release.There is also no way to join the same server as a friend, unless we are talking about an event’s practice server. Dedicated servers or custom lobbies are not in LMU, meaning online multiplayer is limited to the official events of the game.
As a result, leagues are not possible, and you would have to be lucky to get put on the same server as a friend if you want to race together. Dedicated servers or lobbies that could be set up in-game would eliminate this limitation, and we hope that it will not be a long wait until the addition of such a feature.
Game Modes
Online, LMU would be in a good place with the official events already in place and dedicated servers added. There could be much more to add, however. More game modes would give the game additional depth.Asynchronous multiplayer – allowing racers to compete in full-length endurance events whenever they have time – is in development. Other modes that would fit the game well would be a season or championship mode to partially or fully tackle the WEC calendar – bonus points for extensive customization options.
LMU‘s main menu is a bit empty regarding game modes, but there is lots that could be added.
A time trial mode with leaderboards and test day mode would also be welcome additions. A big feature that would likely have to come significantly later would be a career mode, especially if historic content gets added eventually. Scenarios could also spice things up a bit, allowing racers to relive some of the most exciting moments of recent (or older) WEC history.
Le Mans Ultimate Missing Features: Adjustable Grids
Finally, as of the Early Access release of LMU, there are no options to customize AI grids, aside from including or excluding car classes. Players cannot determine how many opponents should take part in an event, nor can they specify how many cars of a class should race.For some, increasing the game’s performance would be possible this way, as LMU seems to occasionally struggle on some systems. Others might enjoy trying big grids to really push both the game and their driving to the limits.
What Le Mans Ultimate features that should be added soon are at the top of your list? Let us know on Twitter @OverTake_gg or in the comments below!
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