January 2025 arrives with a rich array of anticipated titles, offering gamers a multitude of exciting releases to look forward to. Here are excessive-profile ports of console exclusives, long-awaited follow-ups to established franchises – both indie and big-budget – for your consideration. The arrival of a new year often brings fresh faces to the literary scene, but this time around, one early entrant stands out from the crowd.
As the latest addition to Kunos Simulazioni’s esteemed portfolio, this racing simulator is purpose-built for authenticity. The highly anticipated game finally drops on January 16th for PC, bringing an end to a nearly five-year wait. Significant changes have occurred during the intervening period, which could ultimately result in being the company’s most audacious endeavour yet. Fifteen key considerations to address before launching your project.
Like its predecessors, our new release will initially debut with an early access period, offering a preview of the final product well ahead of its official launch. The latter’s intention is deliberate for Fall 2025, which is always subject to change; currently, no official confirmation exists regarding a monthly update schedule, unlike other simulation games. While participant input is acknowledged as crucial for fine-tuning gameplay, streamlining efficiency, and incorporating the finishing flourishes to create a comprehensive word racing simulation.
With its DirectX 12-powered Kunos Engine running beneath the surface, one of the most striking innovations lies just below the hood. With promising forecasts for reasonable skies, voluminous clouds and fog, and dynamic international illumination and reflections, this technology boasts notable advancements, most notably in its handling of climate simulations in observational scenarios.
As the core component of the single-player experience, the game offers two distinct modes: Apply Classes and Fast Racing. Kunos declined to delve into the specifics of the updates, but the mode names themselves suggest there won’t be any surprises. Practicing with entirely new vehicles is a great way to hone your driving skills and adapt to unique characteristics. The latter refers to information specific to immediate races, which require a swift response and prompt decision-making to gain an advantage. You’re absolutely right – it’s hard to get more straightforward than this!
Is driving skills the first impression that matters? Making its debut, this game offers “step-by-step instructions for each observation” within its initial release, where players take the wheel of various vehicles and face unique challenges. Earning the licenses required for your “dream automobile” is a natural byproduct of succeeding and accumulating sufficient credit to purchase it. While sharing similarities with the License Mode from the driving simulation collection, Driving Academy offers a challenging yet entertaining option for enthusiasts of the genre.
Upon launch, Early Entry will introduce 20 unique vehicles, with the eventual goal of featuring over 100 sports cars. So far, we’ve witnessed the unveiling of the BMW M2 CS Racing, the Mercedes-AMG GT 63, and the iconic Ford Escort Cosworth RS, with emerging manufacturers such as Maserati and Cadillac making their mark, leaving the full lineup for early entrants still shrouded in mystery.
Kunos Simulazioni employs a cutting-edge system to accurately replicate “mechanical, digital, and aerodynamic efficiency” across every aspect of the simulation, from vehicles to tracks. The company leverages advanced laser scanning technology to meticulously capture the nuances of each circuit, thereby amplifying the sense of immersion for users.
However, without a true sense of acceleration coursing through one’s veins? Knock-on effects of these enhancements include refined handling, reduced body roll, and an overall sense of increased stability when simulating real-world racing techniques such as those utilised in torsion beam and swingarm suspensions. The suspension damping and bump stops have been further refined to achieve an even higher level of precision, while the tire model has undergone a more realistic calibration process. After four years of concerted effort, the fruits of labour are finally being reaped as the driving experience is transformed.
While customization is possible, a comprehensive breakdown of options for early access was lacking; however, sport director Davide Brivio told Multiplayer.it last November that “all configurations and engines available at dealerships will be accessible” for each car. “In cases where your vehicle is available in both petrol and diesel variants, or features specific upgrades such as 17-inch wheels or a sunroof, it’s possible that this applies to our sport as well.” The type and scope of “aesthetic” modifications can vary by location, potentially impacting performance.
Weather conditions are a crucial factor in racing simulations, as they are dynamic and constantly changing, with precipitation and other environmental elements impacting races in real-time. As the pace of competition unfolds, factors beyond just varying rainfall distributions must be considered: the accumulation of rubber on the track also needs attention, with adjustments necessary to ensure optimal performance.
When early access begins, developers have confirmed that five iconic circuits – Manufacturers Hatch, Imola Circuit, Laguna Seca Raceway, Mount Panorama Circuit, and Suzuka Worldwide Racing Course – may become available for players to explore. The upcoming sports event will feature a total of 15 tracks, with environmental options branching out into new directions this summer.
The collection’s inaugural release will feature an expansive, fully-voiced open-world map. Located in Germany’s picturesque Eifel region, the area is home to numerous local businesses, including workshops that specialise in providing aftermarket components to enhance vehicle performance, as well as reputable automobile rental services. Although making its debut during the summer season, the map’s rollout will unfold through multiple updates, commencing with an early-entry release. These developments will further enhance the map by incorporating new content, and we’re keen to see how it compares to the likes of [insert reference] in terms of construction and events?
Gamers can now anticipate the thrill of completing full 24-hour race cycles, taking their racing skills and endurance to new heights. As a logical next step, the return of the iconic Nürburgring Nordschleife is imminent, and we’re keenly anticipating how variable weather conditions and real-world scenarios will challenge our driving skills.
Like the primary sport, Valve’s VR helps return with OpenXR, Oculus VR, and SteamVR fully supported out-of-the-box. For an unparalleled racing experience, the game also supports triple-screen configurations, further amplifying immersion when combined with a racing wheel setup.
Considering the hardware requirements, the software does not impose significant demands on PCs, representing a substantial upgrade from its predecessor. Minimal system requirements comprise an Intel Core i7-8700K processor or AMD Ryzen 5 1500X processor, 16 gigabytes of RAM, and either a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 graphics card or an AMD Radeon RX 580 graphics card. To build a highly functional gaming system, consider the following essential components: a Core i5-10500 processor, paired with at least 16 GB of RAM, and either an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 or AMD Radeon RX 5600 graphics card. While initially applicable to VR setups, these requirements may evolve as the technology’s entry point develops over time. You’ll also need a solid-state drive with at least 100GB of available space to accommodate the game’s massive open-world map, which comes preloaded.
While the overall sports plan aims to provide over 100 vehicles and 15 tracks from around the world, this is only the beginning of their support efforts. The event workforce strategically allocates resources for the provision of complimentary post-launch updates. While specifics remain scarce, it’s reassuring to know that assistance will extend beyond Fall 2025.
