"Project Motor Racing" is currently a disaster
26.11.2025
Translation: machine translated
Pictures: Simon Balissat
"Project Motor Racing" was announced six months ago with much fanfare. The full version leaves a lot to be desired. But it could be different, as the competition proves.
At the end of April 2025, Swiss publisher Giants Software invited the elite of sim racing youtubers to Zurich. There they were able to test «Project Motorracing» for the first time. The game is regarded as the spiritual successor to «Project Cars». The response from the event in spring was good, the physics system of the simulation was praised and developer Ian Bell announced big plans for the simulation in interviews.
Now it's clear that the simulation is at the level of an Early Access title. I have been able to test «Project Motor Racing» for the last few days and am disappointed that the ripcord has not been pulled and the release date pushed back.
The cars either drive spongily or as if on rails. The AI cost me several races because it crashed into the back of my car or sent me off the racing line with a check. The graphics are a flashback to 2010 and the menu navigation is so confusing that it took me several hours to find various options. Despite a guide from the publisher, I was never able to get Force Feedback to work satisfactorily.
If this were a game in Early Access for 30 francs or euros, I would accept these adversities. On Steam, however, the game currently costs over 60 francs or euros as a full release, and even over 90 in a bundle with the Season Pass.
The reviews are correspondingly favourable: Opencritic currently has an average rating of 64/100. On Steam, the reviews «are mostly negative».
In short: The release of «Project Motor Racing» is a disaster. Just over 2000 people played the game simultaneously on Steam at the launch yesterday. That's the same number of people who played the seven-year-old «Farming Simulator 19» in the same time. Even for a niche racing simulation, these are underground figures at launch.
A rally game shows how it's done
A title that was released in Early Access around a fortnight ago shows that there is another way. Just a few weeks before release, «Assetto Corsa Rally» also relied on influencer marketing and then delivered.
For 30 francs or euros (even cheaper until 27 November thanks to a promotion), the simulation is considered a great hope in terms of rally. The current ten cars are ultra-realistic to drive. Only four rally stages are available so far. All laser-scanned, they look great.
The creators did not raise any great expectations, but let the game do the talking. Accordingly, the reviews on Steam are also very positive «» .
Of course, there are also problems with «Assetto Corsa Rally», for example with force feedback or performance. Because it is in Early Access, I forgive the title for this and look forward to future updates. Also because publisher 505 Games has already gained experience with Early Access.
Currently, «Assetto Corsa EVO», the successor to the simulation reference «Assetto Corsa», is also in Early Access. «Assetto Corsa Competizione» was also released in 2018 based on this model and is still considered one of the best GT sports simulations on the market.
The Swiss publisher «Giants» probably imagined the launch of its second franchise alongside «Farming Simulator» to be more successful. Titles such as «No Mans Sky» or «Cyberpunk 2077» have proven that a game can still pick up speed after a miserable start. With a little humility and good planning, «Project Motor Racing» could become something in a few months or years.
In an open letter to the Community, the developers hold out the prospect of improvements. At the moment, you should definitely keep your hands off it.
Header image: Simon Balissat
Simon Balissat
Teamleader Editorial
Simon.Balissat@digitecgalaxus.chWhen I flew the family nest over 15 years ago, I suddenly had to cook for myself. But it wasn’t long until this necessity became a virtue. Today, rattling those pots and pans is a fundamental part of my life. I’m a true foodie and devour everything from junk food to star-awarded cuisine. Literally. I eat way too fast.
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