Alongside a fresh platform update set for next week, the team behind Rennsport has teased further details and provided a status update.
Images: Rennsport
2024 is a pivotal year for the up-and-coming sim racing platform Rennsport, as it looks to make significant strides following an initial launch now approaching two years ago.
Today, 19th March 2024, a tentative roadmap for the year ahead – with items subject to change – has been published and discussed.
First, a platform update and key drop will hit next week. As there is a lot to run through here, we’ve detailed that in a separate article. Here’s what to expect later in the year.
It won’t be the first, according to the creation team.
“There will be several new car manufacturers this year, but Q2 will be when we show first McLaren content,” said Rennsport CEO Morris Hebecker.
As the British sports car is to be in the GT4 category, that would narrow it down to the racing variants of the 570S or Artura. There is the current aim of four vehicles from this class is to arrive at the same time as a “starting point”.
McLaren Artura GT4, Image: McLaren
The closed beta already features a league system and the basis for both driver and safety ratings, but the theme of ‘progression’ for the Q2 update involves a ‘new’ ranking system.
“We want to implement ways in the game for [players] to feel like they are making progress in what they are doing,” said Lead Game Designer, Kim Orremark.
“That means a couple of different things… We’re looking at the ranking systems for example and how to make them better inside of the online competitions, and also progression means you can also achieve by just driving the game.
“Playing time trials or doing a quick session and practice, and still feel like you are getting somewhere with what you are actually doing.”
New tracks (plural) are on the roadmap graphic for Q2, although at this stage all we know if that a second community-created mod venue – following Orchard Road last year – is on the way for this particular update.
While no release timeframe was mentioned, the Daytona Speedway oval is said to be playable during internal tests presently.
The more astute sim racer may have noticed that on the provisional 2024 roadmap, Q3 is labelled with ‘Early Access’.
Does this mean Early Access in a Steam sense, like say the second Assetto Corsa 2 or Le Mans Ultimate? No, not quite…
“Early Access means we’re getting ready to release after both the closed and open beta periods have ended,” confirmed Orremark to OverTake-RaceDepartment in the aftermath of the development update.
With this currently slated for Q3 this year, if all goes to plan, the end is perhaps in sight for the closed beta and an open test nears.
However, there were some kernels of information worth mentioning here.
For instance, it sounds like in Q2 the GT3 tyre model is set for a refresh.
“We are also looking at redefining what the GT3 tyres are,” explained Orremark.
“We learnt a lot since we released the GT3 cars, and now we have the expertise in place to really make those tyres even better and make the GT experience better as well.”
Other elements touched upon are a claimed increase in team size (“we are prepared now for the next 12 months” – Hebecker), a renewed commitment to virtual reality, the Nürburgring Nordschleife before the end of this year ("maybe with some great historical parts") and a custom livery system that will be “different.”
We have been here before with Rennsport – remember, it was originally set for a full release by the end of 2023, a target that was dramatically over-shot. It does sound as if there has been a reset behind the scenes, we’ll see how that works out across the next 12 months.
Two Rennsport articles in an evening? Talk about overload, however, in the latest development update there are two clear themes - the near-term and the long-term, so we have broken it down into those buckets for, hopefully, easier consumption.
After the impending Q1 update next week, what would you like to see from Rennsport the most? Let us know in the comments below, in the forum or on X: @OverTake_gg.
Images: Rennsport
2024 is a pivotal year for the up-and-coming sim racing platform Rennsport, as it looks to make significant strides following an initial launch now approaching two years ago.
Today, 19th March 2024, a tentative roadmap for the year ahead – with items subject to change – has been published and discussed.
First, a platform update and key drop will hit next week. As there is a lot to run through here, we’ve detailed that in a separate article. Here’s what to expect later in the year.
McLarens, GT4 and ‘Progression’ Expected Q2
The second major update for Rennsport due this year, with a release date to be confirmed, is set to include GT4 cars for the first time, one of which will be a McLaren – a new brand for the evolving simulation.It won’t be the first, according to the creation team.
“There will be several new car manufacturers this year, but Q2 will be when we show first McLaren content,” said Rennsport CEO Morris Hebecker.
As the British sports car is to be in the GT4 category, that would narrow it down to the racing variants of the 570S or Artura. There is the current aim of four vehicles from this class is to arrive at the same time as a “starting point”.
McLaren Artura GT4, Image: McLaren
The closed beta already features a league system and the basis for both driver and safety ratings, but the theme of ‘progression’ for the Q2 update involves a ‘new’ ranking system.
“We want to implement ways in the game for [players] to feel like they are making progress in what they are doing,” said Lead Game Designer, Kim Orremark.
“That means a couple of different things… We’re looking at the ranking systems for example and how to make them better inside of the online competitions, and also progression means you can also achieve by just driving the game.
“Playing time trials or doing a quick session and practice, and still feel like you are getting somewhere with what you are actually doing.”
New tracks (plural) are on the roadmap graphic for Q2, although at this stage all we know if that a second community-created mod venue – following Orchard Road last year – is on the way for this particular update.
While no release timeframe was mentioned, the Daytona Speedway oval is said to be playable during internal tests presently.
- McLaren set for Q2 debut
- Four GT4 cars
- New tracks, one of which is a community-made mod
- Revised ranking system and mysterious ‘progression system’
Closed Beta End In Sight
The more astute sim racer may have noticed that on the provisional 2024 roadmap, Q3 is labelled with ‘Early Access’.
Does this mean Early Access in a Steam sense, like say the second Assetto Corsa 2 or Le Mans Ultimate? No, not quite…
“Early Access means we’re getting ready to release after both the closed and open beta periods have ended,” confirmed Orremark to OverTake-RaceDepartment in the aftermath of the development update.
With this currently slated for Q3 this year, if all goes to plan, the end is perhaps in sight for the closed beta and an open test nears.
Physics, VR, Endurance Racing and Beyond…
During the ‘Radio Check’ status update for Rennsport, several items were mentioned that seemed further away than others. While some specifics were provided for the Q1 and Q2 updates, anything beyond that was kept deliberately vague.However, there were some kernels of information worth mentioning here.
For instance, it sounds like in Q2 the GT3 tyre model is set for a refresh.
“We are also looking at redefining what the GT3 tyres are,” explained Orremark.
“We learnt a lot since we released the GT3 cars, and now we have the expertise in place to really make those tyres even better and make the GT experience better as well.”
Other elements touched upon are a claimed increase in team size (“we are prepared now for the next 12 months” – Hebecker), a renewed commitment to virtual reality, the Nürburgring Nordschleife before the end of this year ("maybe with some great historical parts") and a custom livery system that will be “different.”
We have been here before with Rennsport – remember, it was originally set for a full release by the end of 2023, a target that was dramatically over-shot. It does sound as if there has been a reset behind the scenes, we’ll see how that works out across the next 12 months.
Two Rennsport articles in an evening? Talk about overload, however, in the latest development update there are two clear themes - the near-term and the long-term, so we have broken it down into those buckets for, hopefully, easier consumption.
After the impending Q1 update next week, what would you like to see from Rennsport the most? Let us know in the comments below, in the forum or on X: @OverTake_gg.
![Luca [OT]](/data/avatars/s/3235/3235113.jpg?1697196734){kind=avatar}