Assetto Corsa EVO Early Access Discussion Thread

[seco46]

Career mode wont be pointless, its never coming back

Custom servers are part of Content Manager, which is by itself a mod NOT supported by Kunos

AC1 have an official tool to create your own server lol

 

[MagpieRacer]

Custom servers are part of Content Manager, which is by itself a mod NOT supported by Kunos

I think he meant for Evo, not AC1.

Assetto Corsa EVO Servers

Official Assetto Corsa Evo server rental, authorized by KUNOS Simulazioni. Premium performance for your ultimate racing experience.

acevo-servers.com

Custom servers cost money for Evo.

 

[SoulSilvera]

Excellent question.
The answer is: a lot
Earlier today, I was lapping around Nürburgring GP, an a Alpine A110, with a few other sportscars, weather was shifting from drizzle to dry to rain to dry.
I have all sim, enjoy them all, some more than other.
None of them can replicate what I experienced today, in a very early access stage of AC EVO. Yes it is a been a year since EA launch, but the progress do not reflect that, we are still at the very beginning, for better and for worst.
AC Evo drives, looks and feel different. Already offers contents, track and cars, with unparallel details.
If your favorite activity in a SIM is racing a bunch of GT3, yes, you are already covered somewhere else by at least 2 or 3 titles.
But, simulating racing/driving on track is much more than that.
even with limited content at the moment, what Evo offers is more and better than most and often, at least for cars, has no competition.
EVO does not have to replace all the titles in your library, it is ok to enjoy different titles for what they have to offer.
EVO should and is offering a new take on what it feels like, in 2026, to drive a car in a simulator, for me it is mission accomplish.
Should it be better optimized, have more content, absolutely, let see what 0.5 brings to the table.
Does it need a career/grinding mode? no it does not.

Is that really "a lot" though? Maybe it is for people that care about sim-racing (though I always thought this game was trying to tap into the slightly casual-leaning market but whatever) but from my point of view I don't see how this game brings anything actually new to the table (and I doubt the example you provided is something that you couldn't do in AC with mods, to some extent).

Is it a more refined/accurate/detailed experience? Sure, I will take your word for it. But is that really that different or new, which was my main point? Is this actually a step forward in sim-racing to warrant the name "Evo"? For me it isn't, but I'm sure someone who cares more about sims than I will tell me otherwise.

Seriously wonder if this game couldn't have just been an update/DLC to AC/ACC. I basically fail to see where the Evolution in this game is, in its current trajectory, to warrant paying nearly full price for an Early Access and I don't see how full release will change that. But hey, hopefully the game will still have its crowd of fans, and that people still enjoy it for what it is.

 

[seco46]

I think he meant for Evo, not AC1.

Assetto Corsa EVO Servers

Official Assetto Corsa Evo server rental, authorized by KUNOS Simulazioni. Premium performance for your ultimate racing experience.

acevo-servers.com

Custom servers cost money for Evo.

Exactly, and in AC1 and ACC there were external tools made by Kunos to create your own servers for free with your own hardware in addition to the ones available for rent; this is something that has been lost in EVO "for security reasons".

 

[warp9engage]

Personally, the absence of career doesn't bother me. For me, the racing itself is the goal/reward. The fun only truly starts once everything is open. The process to get there mostly feels like extra chores that can, sometimes, also be fun.

I was hoping they would keep the option between the two ways of play, like they currently have. I'm all for giving people more options, especially if they truly are optional. Just means more people get to enjoy the game the way they prefer.

That being said, if the development of both means that both can't reach their full potential, leaving everyone disappointed, I suppose it's a good idea for them to focus on their strengths, on what they've done before successfully, and get at least that right, instead of trying to be the jack of all trades but master of none. Doubly so if the player metrics support that.

There's a big lesson to be learned here: buying a game in Early Access is not like buying a "regular" game, even if the payment process may be the same. It's like an investment on a startup company. You hope it'll be successful and give back what you invested, and then some, but the possibility that it might not be, and you're out of luck, is always there. So don't purchase games until the product is finished, or in a state that is acceptable to you, and especially, don't buy early access games when they're still in pre-alpha, i.e. with their feature set still not defined. Because in game development, until a game reaches the stage where it's feature complete, features can appear, change and/or disappear.

 

[MagpieRacer]

Excellent question.
The answer is: a lot
Earlier today, I was lapping around Nürburgring GP, an a Alpine A110, with a few other sportscars, weather was shifting from drizzle to dry to rain to dry.

That's not a lot, and let's be real, we can do that in quite a few games really. Lapping a track with dynamic weather with a few other cars really isn't unique or different.

Anyway, the career mode 'no one wanted anyway' being removed seems to have gone down really well.

Career mode has been one of the most requested features for AMS2 and it's coming this year, Gran Turismo built a legacy off of it, Forza Motorsport created some of the most revered career modes, heck even iRacing, the online Motorsport simulator, is getting a career mode. If there was no desire for this sort of thing amongst the sim community, major sims wouldn't be investing the time and money to do it.

AC Evo had an open goal to bring something to the table with this and they've skied it out the stadium. My interest in it has literally fallen off a cliff and it's sad to see.

 

[sirjim73]

That's not a lot, and let's be real, we can do that in quite a few games really. Lapping a track with dynamic weather with a few other cars really isn't unique or different.

Anyway, the career mode 'no one wanted anyway' being removed seems to have gone down really well.
View attachment 1511144

Career mode has been one of the most requested features for AMS2 and it's coming this year, Gran Turismo built a legacy off of it, Forza Motorsport created some of the most revered career modes, heck even iRacing, the online Motorsport simulator, is getting a career mode. If there was no desire for this sort of thing amongst the sim community, major sims wouldn't be investing the time and money to do it.

AC Evo had an open goal to bring something to the table with this and they've skied it out the stadium. My interest in it has literally fallen off a cliff and it's sad to see.

It would be helpful to know where that graph comes from and what the numbers down the left represent, please. Thanks

 

[MagpieRacer]

It would be helpful to know where that graph comes from and what the numbers down the left represent, please. Thanks

Sorry, it's Steam review trends, blue is positive, red is negative. The graph, effectively, is showing that since this has been announced, the reviews have flipped to instant and massive negativity.

 

[CinnamonOD]

Personally, the absence of career doesn't bother me. For me, the racing itself is the goal/reward. The fun only truly starts once everything is open. The process to get there mostly feels like extra chores that can, sometimes, also be fun.

I was hoping they would keep the option between the two ways of play, like they currently have. I'm all for giving people more options, especially if they truly are optional. Just means more people get to enjoy the game the way they prefer.

That being said, if the development of both means that both can't reach their full potential, leaving everyone disappointed, I suppose it's a good idea for them to focus on their strengths, on what they've done before successfully, and get at least that right, instead of trying to be the jack of all trades but master of none. Doubly so if the player metrics support that.

There's a big lesson to be learned here: buying a game in Early Access is not like buying a "regular" game, even if the payment process may be the same. It's like an investment on a startup company. You hope it'll be successful and give back what you invested, and then some, but the possibility that it might not be, and you're out of luck, is always there. So don't purchase games until the product is finished, or in a state that is acceptable to you, and especially, don't buy early access games when they're still in pre-alpha, i.e. with their feature set still not defined. Because in game development, until a game reaches the stage where it's feature complete, features can appear, change and/or disappear.

The problem is not the decision; the problem is the path they sold at first, that’s where the frustration is justified.

Early Access is not “plans change lol”, early Access is “you’re funding the roadmap we pitched” and when that roadmap mutates, you don’t get to pretend it didn’t or that it isn't a big deal if it did, at that point you're just gaslighting yourself into turning a blind eye to these slimey practices.

Of course, EVO will probably be a better sim because of this, and for that same reason it will also become a worse game.

 

[Kurosaki Dan]

Have you personally been grinding career mode in AC EVO?

I bought EVO for the promises made for the career mode and supporting KS, but I did not played it, yet.

Why? Well, its bare bones due to EA, so I thought it was worth the wait until the game reached 1.0 status to play it.

How Kunos expected that people invest their time into career mode when the AI is bad and the driving school gets old fast?

Is a no brainer to use open mode or try the online lol, bet most people excited with CM was just waiting, like me.

 

[Cote Dazur]

Is that really "a lot" though?

That's not a lot

To me it is, because before AC EVO, I could not do it in my other titles, but if someone find it irrelevant, I understand, we all have different priorities and aspect we cherish in game. I understand if someone says AC EVO brings nothing new to them.

Seriously wonder if this game couldn't have just been an update/DLC to AC/ACC.

good point, to me, since 0.1, I have considered EVO to be like any other mod I have in AC. A very detailed, exquisite Mod, adding either better content or new content I do not have in AC or just not as nicely done.,

we can do that in quite a few games really. Lapping a track with dynamic weather with a few other cars really isn't unique or different

It depends, I can see how you see it that way, what you say is true in general, but if you consider that, as a starter even the same exact car and track content combo in different titles feels different, then each is unique.

GT3 at SPA in LMU, RF2, AC, ACC, AMS2 or any other title feel different to me.

Yes, in AC, I can have the same car and the same track with rain on my windshield, but if I feel like driving that combo again, I will do it in AC EVO, as everything was feeling better to me.

EVO brings me a better experience, unique, as in, I cannot replicate how it feels in an other title, to me it largely justify the cost of entry, particularly in relation to the hardware investment.
Evo's mission is not to eradicate or replace all other title, it is an addition to our library, and , to me, it as already fulfill its mission, it is my third most played sim, after AC and ACC and, to me, that's a lot.

The graph, effectively, is showing that since this has been announced, the reviews have flipped to instant and massive negativity

Thank you for sharing this, it seems to confirm that most people are upset and some even feel betrayed, which I understand, even if I am part of the group that had no attachment for that part of the game.

 

[breeminator]

you don't need to pretend the demand for the other doesn't exist just because it's not your preference.

I'm not inferring it because it's my preference, I'm inferring it because I don't believe they would remove it if people were playing it.

Career mode has been one of the most requested features for AMS2 and it's coming this year, Gran Turismo built a legacy off of it, Forza Motorsport created some of the most revered career modes, heck even iRacing, the online Motorsport simulator, is getting a career mode. If there was no desire for this sort of thing amongst the sim community, major sims wouldn't be investing the time and money to do it.

I would be very surprised if AMS2 or iRacing added a career mode where you have to grind to unlock cars, as both games simply sell cars for real money at present. AC EVO will surely still have a career mode in that sense, just not one that revolves around XP and earning currency etc.

 

[sirjim73]

Sorry, it's Steam review trends, blue is positive, red is negative. The graph, effectively, is showing that since this has been announced, the reviews have flipped to instant and massive negativity.

So, in effect, it is currently being "review bombed" on Steam. I will be interested to see how that graph looks in a few weeks once the initial response to the announcement fades.

To me it is, because before AC EVO, I could not do it in my other titles, but if someone find it irrelevant, I understand, we all have different priorities and aspect we cherish in game. I understand if someone says AC EVO brings nothing new to them.

good point, to me, since 0.1, I have considered EVO to be like any other mod I have in AC. A very detailed, exquisite Mod, adding either better content or new content I do not have in AC or just not as nicely done.,

It depends, I can see how you see it that way, what you say is true in general, but if you consider that, as a starter even the same exact car and track content combo in different titles feels different, then each is unique.

GT3 at SPA in LMU, RF2, AC, ACC, AMS2 or any other title feel different to me.

Yes, in AC, I can have the same car and the same track with rain on my windshield, but if I feel like driving that combo again, I will do it in AC EVO, as everything was feeling better to me.

EVO brings me a better experience, unique, as in, I cannot replicate how it feels in an other title, to me it largely justify the cost of entry, particularly in relation to the hardware investment.
Evo's mission is not to eradicate or replace all other title, it is an addition to our library, and , to me, it as already fulfill its mission, it is my third most played sim, after AC and ACC and, to me, that's a lot.


Thank you for sharing this, it seems to confirm that most people are upset and some even feel betrayed, which I understand, even if I am part of the group that had no attachment for that part of the game.

I understand your view - thanks for explaining. And I've no doubt that others feel the same.

Let's see how things go from here.

I have bought the Early Access on PC to support Kunos. Although, I am like @Kurosaki Dan as I haven't played it much yet, other than a bit of testing the controller settings and general handling model which is good. I ran through most of the Licence Tests but there's not much point in repeating them in my mind since they are bound to be reset sometime before 1.0.

PS I wonder if this means the plan to use local businesses in the open world is also dropped? I would like to know the answer. Without the career mode, the businesses wouldn't seem to have much practical function?

 

[warp9engage]

The problem is not the decision; the problem is the path they sold at first, that’s where the frustration is justified.

Early Access is not “plans change lol”, early Access is “you’re funding the roadmap we pitched” and when that roadmap mutates, you don’t get to pretend it didn’t or that it isn't a big deal if it did, at that point you're just gaslighting yourself into turning a blind eye to these slimey practices.

I really have an issue with roadmap changes if they refuse to refund you, after they confirm the removal of the feature that enticed you in the first place. Then, I can completely stand alongside you in saying "We've been scammed."

If that is not the case, and they do refund whoever asks, then... to me they're off the hook. They didn't force anyone to join early access, they told everyone, very clearly, the game would be launched in early access, and thus people would be playing it unfinished. Naturally if a game is still in development, which in Evo's case started quite early (perhaps too early even, I would say), then yes, changes can most certainly occur.

To add to that, and to be fair, we were warned, in January 2025, precisely about potential feature changes:

They also put that same thing on their roadmaps.

Of course, EVO will probably be a better sim because of this, and for that same reason it will also become a worse game.

Spoiler: Minor rant

Just a side tangent, nothing personal, but I just get kind of tired of reading things like this. "Simulator" and "game" are not mutually exclusive concepts. These days, the only thing separating a simulator from a game is its intended purpose. Games are for entertainment, and we've discovered that realism can also be entertaining for some people, thus simulation games, like Assetto Corsa, iRacing, rFactor, Microsoft Flight Simulator, were born. They are still very much games, though, because they are primarily entertainment products that can sometimes be used as training/research tools, not the other way around.

Sorry about that... just wanted to get that off my chest. Carry on!

 

[Dave A]

I'm not inferring it because it's my preference, I'm inferring it because I don't believe they would remove it if people were playing it.

But there's very little of it to play at the moment is my point, so there's no real basis for the argument that people didn't want it from this. The sudden negative reviews show the level of dissapontment at this announcement.

I for one have no interest in this game now, I did, but I wanted to wait for full release to properly assess if the career mode was any good or not.

 

[CinnamonOD]

To add to that, and to be fair, we were warned, in January 2025, precisely about potential feature changes:

They also put that same thing on their roadmaps.

They can change things. that doesn’t erase how they sold it.

Spoiler: Minor rant

They are removing a game layer would have given it more longevity and accessibility (and was also promised)

Those games do offer the simulation, and also there are clear game mechanics and these mechanics are a part of what keeps players being active; iRacing, rfactor are covering the same thing AC Evo is pretending to cover, what differentiator do they even bring to the table if not a career mode that was promised? They're just doing AC1 with some bells and whistles at this point.

 

[breeminator]

But there's very little of it to play at the moment is my point, so there's no real basis for the argument that people didn't want it from this. The sudden negative reviews show the level of dissapontment at this announcement.

If this announcement causes a lot of feedback from people who want to have to grind to unlock cars (which I see as different to a career mode, even though it was called career vs open mode in the game), I imagine they will reverse this decision, just like they reversed the decision early on to force everyone to grind to unlock cars by adding open mode.

 

[Nexus]

If this announcement causes a lot of feedback from people who want to have to grind to unlock cars (which I see as different to a career mode, even though it was called career vs open mode in the game), I imagine they will reverse this decision, just like they reversed the decision early on to force everyone to grind to unlock cars by adding open mode.

The management of this game just screams incompetence to me.

It took months of silence and negative feedback for them to acknowledge the always-online DRM. When they finally announced they'd remove it, they tried gaslighting us into thinking it was never their intention.

Then they announce that self-hosting servers won't be possible, which is the backbone of AC1, also to negative feedback.

Now they've announced they're scrapping the career mode, which was a core feature advertised in their promotional material.* Once again, to negative feedback.

On top of that, we still don't know what mod support will look like, which is the only reason why AC1 is still popular today.

There's so much potential in Evo, but it genuinely feels like they're not engaging the community when it comes to these huge decisions - which is the entire point of Early Access. Constantly making these changes without consulting the core fanbase (with a chunk of them funding development through EA) is a recipe for disaster, and you can see it with the review-bombing. The launch hype was huge but if this continues, I can only see the diehard Kunos fans buying this at launch.

I was ready to buy it on day one, but each major announcement feels like it's one step forward but two steps back.

*I have a feeling this is grounds for a refund, depending on your country's consumer laws

 

[Strittan]

Well, this will get a lot of poo reactions in a place like this, but anything other than a career mode even remotely close to that of GT7 is fantastic news in my opinion. GT7 tried very hard to prevent me from driving my favourite cars and succeeded. I don’t want to grind for hours, days even, using cars I have no interest in to finally afford a McLaren F1, Ferrari 250 GTO or Porsche 917 to just give a few examples.

 

[Nexus]

Well, this will get a lot of poo reactions in a place like this, but anything other than a career mode even remotely close to that of GT7 is fantastic news in my opinion. GT7 tried very hard to prevent me from driving my favourite cars and succeeded. I don’t want to grind for hours, days even, using cars I have no interest in to finally afford a McLaren F1, Ferrari 250 GTO or Porsche 917 to just give a few examples.

There was a sandbox mode, in addition to a dedicated career mode.

Both options were a good compromise IMO, and it's a shame that the option for progression is being scrapped entirely.

 

[phillgt2002]

I honestly don't think we're in much of a position to judge where it could possibly go.

 

[evldave333]

Im open to any structure a game has for it's single player, as long as the secret sauce of really engaging gameplay / decent interface is in there. Im keeping my expectations at zero after watching TDU & PMR fall flat, hopefully with some pleasant surprise to come deep in the update cycle. As a console user there's even less anticipation based on history so far, but still its important to be open minded. I love driving games, another that's deeply engaging would be a delight.

 

[Ande3200]

I kind of understand why kunos went away with economy etc it might takes to much effort and things taking to long. But that being Said we have to be negative with it because it was one of ac evo biggest Selling points.

I am still hopefull they could maybe revisit it when the game is completed, or maybe modders.

If its not going to be thing even years after full release, i am not going to play ac evo much. I just dont enjoy racing games in the long run where everything is handed to you. The only saving grace for me now is the open world if they dont screw it up and car tuning, but it wont be as good when their no progression involved.

 

[graveltrap]

I did the driving test stuff when they first arrived, but since that I have not even ventured into that side of the game.

So for me the removal of career mode has little to no impact.

I think the key feature of this title is the free roam, it will be interesting to see the effect on reviews when that comes to early access!

 

[Mattylatvala]

That's not a lot, and let's be real, we can do that in quite a few games really. Lapping a track with dynamic weather with a few other cars really isn't unique or different.

Anyway, the career mode 'no one wanted anyway' being removed seems to have gone down really well.
View attachment 1511144

Career mode has been one of the most requested features for AMS2 and it's coming this year, Gran Turismo built a legacy off of it, Forza Motorsport created some of the most revered career modes, heck even iRacing, the online Motorsport simulator, is getting a career mode. If there was no desire for this sort of thing amongst the sim community, major sims wouldn't be investing the time and money to do it.

AC Evo had an open goal to bring something to the table with this and they've skied it out the stadium. My interest in it has literally fallen off a cliff and it's sad to see.

Don't forget even LMU is making a career mode, so now ac Evo is just hot laps and mini Forza horizon, interesting

 

[Fezzik]

Overtake's poll on this (still a relatively small sample size, but interesting as they are a primarily PC/hardcore audience)

 

[The Crock]

Well, this will get a lot of poo reactions in a place like this, but anything other than a career mode even remotely close to that of GT7 is fantastic news in my opinion. GT7 tried very hard to prevent me from driving my favourite cars and succeeded. I don’t want to grind for hours, days even, using cars I have no interest in to finally afford a McLaren F1, Ferrari 250 GTO or Porsche 917 to just give a few examples.

No poo reaction from me even though I disagree, but AC EVO could have had a career not as grindy as GT7 and with a much more balanced economy. This was the opportunity to do something different than GT7 and please people who wanted a career mode that was promised to them in early access.

Removing a critical promise from early access demonstrates a lack of integrity.

The career mode could have stood side by side with the open mode to not exclude users as yourself who just wanna race their favorite car. I get not wanting to grind, we're all busy with different priorities and play games differently.

At the same time, it would differentiate AC EVO from the other bagillion sandbox racers on PC with nothing to actually do besides hot lap and race the same GT3 cars in online play. How can it be that only Polyphony actually know how to make a racing video game.

 

[sirjim73]

No poo reaction from me even though I disagree, but AC EVO could have had a career not as grindy as GT7 and with a much more balanced economy. This was the opportunity to do something different than GT7 and please people who wanted a career mode that was promised to them in early access.

Removing a critical promise from early access demonstrates a lack of integrity.

The career mode could have stood side by side with the open mode to not exclude users as yourself who just wanna race their favorite car. I get not wanting to grind, we're all busy with different priorities and play games differently.

At the same time, it would differentiate AC EVO from the other bagillion sandbox racers on PC with nothing to actually do besides hot lap and race the same GT3 cars in online play. How can it be that only Polyphony actually know how to make a racing video game.

To be fair, there ARE good racing games out there but for various reasons people haven't been buying them in sufficient quantities - some of them even had good career modes such as EA WRC (which i would argue failed because it was released too early - it wasn't ready at launch), the F1 games (which are at least selling in reasonable numbers), even Grid Legends had a fun career mode and the cheesy story on top (but releasing 3 weeks before GT7 wasn't a good decision).

Then there's Forza Horizon and The Crew Motorfest which are both successful releases and racing video games.

Polyphony arguably dont know how to make a single player racing game unless you consider the "cafe" mode to be good? (Since I have a PS4 only I still don't have a decent career mode to play in GT7).

I don't think it's that difficult in principle:
1. Good multiplayer setup - GT7, FM23, ACC and many more successful examples
2. Good single player career modes that have a balanced economy - F1 games, EA WRC, GT4!, Forza Horizon 1 and 2!, PC2, Grid Legends as examples
3. Open mode - GT3 A-Spec!, AC1, FM5-8 Free Play, PC1/2/3 and many more examples.

Single player career modes were good 20 years ago. Theyve only deteriorated in my opinion because of live service and stripping out the career mode to drip feed it to us - cough e.g. FM23 cough.

Whereas what should be happening is you LAUNCH with a good career mode and then add to it. Imagine FH6 STARTING with FH2 career mode and then adding to it with live service...

Sorry - end of rant.

 

[Nacho Libre]

Going back to EVO's campaign as it is now, it was very basic and unoriginal, with license tests (Driving Academy, but without instructors) that the GT games really have perfected, with tips, 2 tiers of reward cars and now a (useful) data logger. And there is also an XP progression that well... no one liked in Forza Motorsport.

Here is one idea for the developers, why don't you gamify controller settings and tuning? Those to aspects have always been mysterious for the casual gamers and to get fully into them you have to do a lot of research outside the game, and this has always been true for AC/PC/Automobilista/GT/FM/FH, et al. But if you made the effort to teach the players (through the game itself) on how to set up the controller/wheel and build/tune the cars to get the most of them and move from the easiest levels to the more difficult ones, you would get a compelling game mode.

Lastly, how will the open driving part of the game operates remains a mystery. Will they gamify it? How?

 

[Terronium-12]

I'm not the least bit bothered by the change as all I do is hotlap on PC sims anyhow. I've never even gone through GTR 2's campaign and I absolutely adore that sim. While I will absolutely go through a campaign, eh...AC's wasn't very good. It absolutely sucks for everyone that bought EVO hoping things would be better this time around, and for those people all I can say is: refund.