Just yesterday, Assetto Corsa EVO hit Steam with much fanfare as it debuted its Early Access version. This new chapter in the racing series is available for both traditional screens and PC VR headsets. However, while there’s a buzz around its release, VR users are urging patience as they await updates needed to fix the game’s not-so-great optimization.
Developed by KUNOS Simulazioni, the creators of both Assetto Corsa (2014) and Assetto Corsa Competizione (2018), this eagerly anticipated follow-up promises to build on its predecessors. The Early Access release comes with five tracks, a selection of 20 vehicles, and both single-player and SteamVR headset support, not to mention triple screen capabilities.
The game is set to expand significantly over time, according to the studio, with the addition of 100 cars, 25 tracks, an open-world map, career and multiplayer modes all making their way in future updates. Despite these promising developments down the line, many VR enthusiasts are expressing their dissatisfaction with its current state.
As reviews roll in, the game has amassed over 2,700 opinions with a ‘Mixed’ rating so far. Some users have criticisms about the list of features, which KUNOS Simulazioni assures are on their way. However, when it comes to VR support, the consensus is clear—optimization issues are making it mostly unplayable.
Steam user Poloman commented, “I won’t dive deep into performance hiccups since this is early access. However, VR is currently a no-go—I’m seeing 150 fps on 3440×1440 but just 30 fps in VR.” Meanwhile, Mattios reports, “Trying VR with an RTX 4090 and i9 13900k at even the lowest settings isn’t feasible. The latency spikes make it unplayable, though the flatscreen experience is smooth, barely using 80% of the GPU and 10% of the CPU.”
Another player, Dan, shared, “Right now, I can’t endorse it due to performance issues in VR. With a Radeon 7600X and 7900 XT, I’m getting only 50 fps on a Quest 3 via Link and OpenXR, and that’s during a test lap with minimal settings. And visually, there are glitches, mainly in the menu. The default FFB settings also weren’t what I expected from KUNOS. It’s best to wait for updates before deciding.”
Reflecting on the history of KUNOS Simulazioni’s launches, these early access rollouts have been a consistent strategy. Although VR features haven’t always been available right on day one, they have remained a key element of the franchise. The original Assetto Corsa was a frontrunner in supporting VR, kicking off experimental Rift support in 2013 and later expanding to other headsets in 2017 with OpenVR. Assetto Corsa Competizione also incorporated full VR support shortly after its monitor-based release.
The developers have set a goal to have a complete 1.0 version out in under a year from now, making us hopeful for better optimization in the interim. Until then, VR users might find it wise to hold off on the $32 investment.
