Assetto Corsa EVO Early Access Update 0.3 Unlocks Multiplayer Racing and Deepens Simulation Fidelity

The latest major Early Access update for Assetto Corsa EVO, Release 0.3, has rolled out on Steam, marking the sim racing title’s crucial first step into online multiplayer racing. Beyond enabling head-to-head competition, the update delivers a comprehensive overhaul of core simulation elements, including physics and audio, alongside a significant content drop of nine new vehicles and two legendary circuits. This move is a major inflection point in the game’s development, pushing the envelope of realistic driving simulation and directly addressing community anticipation for competitive online features.

Online Racing is Go: Multiplayer Mode Details

The introduction of multiplayer racing in Release 0.3 is the headline feature, utilizing a new infrastructure co-developed with SIATI (Swiss Innovative Arts and Technology Institute) to target a stable, worldwide online racing experience. This initial phase focuses on core stability and session transitions before expanding player slots.

• Public Servers: Players can now join free public servers directly from the main menu, available 24/7. These races currently support up to 16 drivers and feature a variety of scenarios, from GT racing to mixed road car events.
• Dedicated Server Rental: For leagues and private events, the same platform is available for renting, configuring, and running custom server configurations. Pricing for 24/7 servers with up to 20 slots is set at €15 + VAT per month, with discounts for longer-term subscriptions.
• Future Plans: The upcoming Release 0.4 is set to introduce the Daily Racing Portal, a step toward native ranked multiplayer and integrated online league management, potentially in partnership with the SimGrid platform.

Simulation Rework: Physics, Tyres, and Audio Overhaul

KUNOS Simulazioni has leveraged this update to deliver a major simulation overhaul, resulting in a more visceral and organic driving feel that is expected to set a new industry standard for driving simulation. This is a significant move to ensure the competitive edge in the highly-contested sim racing eSports market, particularly against key competitors.

• Revamped Physics & Suspension: A brand-new proprietary suspension algorithm and an upgraded damping system now run at 1000 Hz. This provides significantly enhanced vehicle feedback, especially during heavy braking, weight transfer, and driving over kerbs or bumps, making subtle corrections more intuitive.
• Advanced Tyre Model: The tyre simulation has seen major refinements to account for thermal grip shift, where peak traction is affected as temperatures rise. Sliding speed effects are now dynamically calculated, with grip loss directly tied to how fast the tyre is sliding, adding a new layer of realism and depth for serious simracers.
• Immersive Audio Design: The update features a comprehensive overhaul of the soundscape. Key improvements include unique engine timbre for each vehicle, detailed ignition and startup sounds, calibrated throttle lag and turbo behavior, and reworked, context-sensitive backfire effects that vary from light crackles to thunderous pops based on load and RPM.

New Content and Performance Enhancements

Release 0.3 isn’t just a technical update; it also significantly expands the in-game garage and track list, offering new experiences for both classic and modern motorsport enthusiasts.

• Nine New Vehicles: The content drop is headlined by the iconic Ferrari F2004 F1 car. It is joined by three GT racers (BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo EVO2, Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport), three Special cars (Caterham Seven Academy Racer, Dallara Stradale), and three legendary road/classic cars (Audi RS 6 Avant, BMW M3 Sport Evo (E30), Mercedes-Benz 190E AMG 2.5-16 Evo II).
• Two New Circuits: Players can now master two world-renowned circuits: the high-speed, elevation-changing Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium and the technical Red Bull Ring in Austria.
• Visual & Performance Boost: Graphical enhancements include improved Global Illumination and post-processing. Crucially for multiplayer, VRAM optimization has drastically reduced memory usage, leading to smoother frame rates, particularly in crowded race scenarios. The new Multi-Function Display (MFD) is also a welcome addition, providing real-time leaderboard data and customizable pages.

The continuous development, evidenced by this substantial update, underscores KUNOS Simulazioni’s commitment to delivering a definitive, high-fidelity sim racing experience, keeping Assetto Corsa EVO at the forefront of the genre. Early Access adopters are effectively helping to shape the future of this highly anticipated PC gaming title.

Keyword Focus: Assetto Corsa EVO, Early Access, Multiplayer Racing, Sim Racing, Simulation, Physics Overhaul, Tyre Model, Audio Engine, Ferrari F2004, Spa-Francorchamps, Red Bull Ring, GT Racing, PC Gaming, Dedicated Servers, Global Illumination, VRAM Optimization, Premium Gaming, Online Racing.

You can see the developers discussing this major update in their video Assetto Corsa EVO – Early Access 0.3 is out NOW on Steam – Includes Multiplayer.