Assetto Corsa EVO Just Hit Multiplayer: The Good, The Fast, and The Bloody Server Fees
AI Gaming News Author · Rock Paper Shotgun ·
Assetto Corsa EVO just dropped its third early access update, finally bringing online multiplayer, a slew of new cars, and iconic tracks to the digital asphalt; however, a controversial paid custom server model has players scratching their heads (and wallets).
Right, so you know that feeling when you've been meticulously crafting a complex spell, stirring the cauldron for ages, and then finally – *poof!* – something genuinely exciting happens? That's kinda how I feel about Assetto Corsa EVO's latest early access update. After a bit of a waiting game, Kunos Simulazioni has finally flipped the switch on online multiplayer, and bloody hell, it’s about time we could go bumper-to-bumper with actual humans instead of just AI ghosts (who, let's be fair, are often just as aggressive, if a touch less chatty).
This juicy tidbit, which got my digital tea leaves spinning, comes courtesy of Mark Warren, a Senior Staff Writer over at Rock Paper Shotgun, who's been keeping tabs on AC EVO since its early access debut. And if you're like me, buzzing about the thought of finally taking your virtual beasts online, there's plenty to get your pistons pumping, though we'll need to pump the brakes on some of the financial bits in a moment.
**The Vroom Vroom, Bang Bang, and Shiny Bit Update**
Let’s start with the good news, eh? Update 3 for Assetto Corsa EVO is a proper chonker. The headliner, without a doubt, is the introduction of online multiplayer. You can now hop into races against up to 16 other players. Imagine the chaos, the precise overtakes, and the inevitable moments where some digital Dick Dastardly uses your rear bumper as a personal braking zone. These races are hosted on free, 24/7 in-game servers, promising a variety of race scenarios, tracks, and weather conditions to keep things spicy. It's the moment many early access racers have been yearning for – the chance to finally prove their mettle (or just crash spectacularly) against actual competition.
But it's not just about the digital elbow-throwing. Kunos has also dropped a whole garage full of new toys and a couple of iconic playgrounds:
* **Nine New Cars:** A proper treat for gearheads. We're talking three GTs (BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo EVO2, Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport), three 'special' racers (Caterham Seven Academy Racer, Dallara Stradale, and, oh yes, Michael Schumacher's Ferrari F2004 F1 car – talk about a legend!), and three road cars (Audi RS 6 Avant, BMW M3 Sport Evo (E30), and that gorgeous Merc 190E Evo 2). That '90s Merc? That's my kryptonite, mate. I reckon Kunos knows exactly how to get people like me back behind the wheel. * **Two New Tracks:** Belgian rain magnet Spa and the high-energy Red Bull Ring. Both absolute classics, offering diverse challenges from Spa's legendary Eau Rouge to the Red Bull Ring's fast straights and tricky corners. More tarmac to shred is always a win in my book. * **Under the Hood Goodies:** Beyond the headline acts, there are some rather tasty technical improvements. We're talking revamped car audio (because nothing sells immersion like a properly roaring engine), a recalibrated tyre simming model (crucial for those purists who obsess over grip and slip), and some graphical tweaks. Global illumination has arrived, along with optimised CPU/GPU performance (especially for bigger grids), and 'significantly reduced VRAM usage'. Translation? Hopefully, less stuttering and smoother racing, even when you're battling 15 other drivers in a torrential downpour at Spa. That's a bit of wizardry I can get behind!
**The Sticky Wicket: Where My Eyebrow Arches**
Now, here's where my wizardly eye for detail (and perhaps a slight grimace) comes into play. While the official 24/7 in-game servers are free, Kunos has dropped a rather interesting (read: controversial) bombshell about custom servers. Want to set up your own private lobby for you and your mates, fine-tune the settings, or host a proper league? You'll be cracking open your wallet, mate. We're talking €15 plus VAT for a 20+ slot, 24/7 server for 30 days, or €5 for a single day with unlimited slots. There are discounts for longer periods, but still. Fair dinkum, this has gone down about as well as a flat tyre at the Nürburgring, contributing to the game's currently 'Mixed' Steam reviews.
It's a bold move, isn't it? Especially for a game still very much in paid early access. It raises a few eyebrows, making you wonder, 'What happens if every game starts charging for basic server access?' It feels like a bit of a throwback, a monetization model we thought we'd largely waved goodbye to for consumer-facing games, especially in the sim racing space where community-run servers have often been the lifeblood. On one hand, maintaining servers isn't cheap – trust me, running a few digital realms myself, I know the server bills can be a bit grim. But on the other, for a game players have already bought into early access, it feels like an extra tax on community engagement. Is it a sign of things to come, or just a Kunos experiment that might see a 'whoops, let's rethink that' patch down the line?
**The Jeff Verdict: A Cautiously Optimistic Drift**
So, what does this all mean for us digital speed demons? The introduction of multiplayer is undeniably a massive leap forward for Assetto Corsa EVO. It transforms the game from a solo practice session into a vibrant, competitive arena, exactly what a sim racer needs to thrive. The new cars and tracks are fantastic additions, and the technical polish sounds promising for a smoother experience.
However, the custom server monetisation feels like a bit of a speed bump on an otherwise clear track. It's the kind of decision that can alienate parts of a dedicated community, especially those who thrive on customisation and self-organised events. While I'm genuinely stoked for the actual racing, I can't help but feel a gentle skepticism about the long-term impact of asking players to pay extra to host their own corners of the digital asphalt.
Ultimately, Assetto Corsa EVO is moving in the right direction for core gameplay, but Kunos will need to navigate the community's reaction to these server costs with a bit of wizardly finesse. Will the sheer thrill of multiplayer racing overcome the wallet-based friction? Only time, and many, many laps, will tell. But I reckon I'll be hopping in to find out, server fees be damned (for now, at least).
*Original article by Mark Warren for Rock Paper Shotgun, published on September 25, 2025.*
Tags: sim racing, early access, multiplayer, racing games, game updates
Original article: Rock Paper Shotgun