Endurance racing is a unique challenge and rather time-consuming due to its nature. With the focus of Le Mans Ultimate being the World Endurance Championship, developer Studio 397 had to find a way around this for sim racers with little time on their hands - and the answer is not shorter races: LMU is going to include an asynchronous race mode.
Image credit: Studio 397
Le Mans Ultimate is not scheduled for release until Q4 of 2023, but as Q3 is in full swing, the title's Steam page has been updated. The most interesting detail that is now listed there is the asynchronous race mode to get around the time constraints endurance racing tends to bring with it - and as no race on the 2023 WEC calendar clocks in at less than six hours, this was an absolute must.
For AI races, this should basically be an extension of mid-race saving. No exact details have been given, but the description of the mode reads like sim racers can do their stints, pit to hand off the car, and their teammates continue on the same save game once they have the time. This may extend races over a few days, but keep the team effort element intact without the need for everyone to set aside an entire day to do the full 24 Hours of Le Mans, for example.
All tracks and cars - like this Ferrari 488 GTE - of the 2023 WEC season will be represented in Le Mans Ultimate. Image credit: Studio 397
How exactly the mode is going to work remains to be seen, but with it having been added to Le Mans Ultimate's description already, expect Studio 397 to expand upon this in the not-too-distant future.
Additionally, the cars and tracks of the 2023 season have been listed, as well as a track evolution system that sees a circuit's surface evolve over the course of a race weekend as it is affected by rubber being laid down, dirt being dragged onto the track and, of course, changing weather conditions.
Image credit: Studio 397
Le Mans Ultimate is not scheduled for release until Q4 of 2023, but as Q3 is in full swing, the title's Steam page has been updated. The most interesting detail that is now listed there is the asynchronous race mode to get around the time constraints endurance racing tends to bring with it - and as no race on the 2023 WEC calendar clocks in at less than six hours, this was an absolute must.
Your Stints, Your Schedule
Even more than other motorsport disciplines, endurance racing is a team effort as multiple drivers share a car. Sim racers will be able to do the same in Le Mans Ultimate, either with AI or real teammates - but it will not have to be in a single session: The asynchronous race mode means that each driver can do their stints whenever they have time for it.For AI races, this should basically be an extension of mid-race saving. No exact details have been given, but the description of the mode reads like sim racers can do their stints, pit to hand off the car, and their teammates continue on the same save game once they have the time. This may extend races over a few days, but keep the team effort element intact without the need for everyone to set aside an entire day to do the full 24 Hours of Le Mans, for example.
All tracks and cars - like this Ferrari 488 GTE - of the 2023 WEC season will be represented in Le Mans Ultimate. Image credit: Studio 397
How exactly the mode is going to work remains to be seen, but with it having been added to Le Mans Ultimate's description already, expect Studio 397 to expand upon this in the not-too-distant future.
Additionally, the cars and tracks of the 2023 season have been listed, as well as a track evolution system that sees a circuit's surface evolve over the course of a race weekend as it is affected by rubber being laid down, dirt being dragged onto the track and, of course, changing weather conditions.
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