Graphics Rework & Classic DTM: RaceRoom Launches Enormous Update

RaceRoom is looking set for one of the sim’s biggest updates ever: On September 4, sim racers can look forward to reworked graphics, as well as multiple content premieres.

Images: KW Studios

Despite its large selection of unique content, RaceRoom tends to get overlooked in 2024. One of the main points of critique of many sim racers is the outdated graphics engine – but the announced September 4 update should take the wind out of the “visuals are meh” sail.

In fact, the graphics update does not just contain higher-res textures, but actually packs quite a punch. In the preview images, the lighting already looks much more up to 2024 standards, the trackside vegetation is a far cry from its former version, and the difference in overall looks is massive.



In fact, almost no stone has been left unturned by developer KW Studios, as the list of changes is rather long. We have added the full details of the graphics update below – just click ‘expand’ to read all of them.

RaceRoom Graphics Update 2024 Performance Enhancements​

• Optimized frustum culling: By optimizing the frustum culling system, we can now skip rendering of a lot more objects that are not in the view. This results in significant gains, especially on large and complex tracks, such as the 24 Hours layout of the Nordschleife
• Rearview mirror and reflection optimization: The improved frustum culling system now allows us to render only what is necessary for the rearview mirror and dynamic car reflections. Furthermore, we have improved the looks and efficiency of the lowest car reflection setting significantly, which makes it a great option for those looking for extra performance.
• Time Progression: Performance of the time progression feature has been significantly enhanced, which means the performance difference to static time is now almost negligible
• Color System Upgrade: Transition to a LUT (Lookup Table) Color System. This change allows for more accurate and vibrant color representation, enhancing the overall visual fidelity of the game.
• Cloud Coverage Selector: Added a new feature to the game menus and dedicated server allowing players to select cloud coverage options. You can now choose from clear, few clouds, scattered clouds, and overcast skies, adding a dynamic and realistic touch to the racing experience.
• Improved Shadows Rendering: Shadows have been significantly improved, providing more realistic and dynamic lighting effects across various environments. This includes soft, anti-aliased shadows, with higher resolution and much longer draw distances. Shadows are now also rendered in the rearview mirror.
• Auto-Exposure Feature: Introduced an auto-exposure feature that dynamically adjusts the brightness based on the scene's lighting. This feature enhances visibility in different lighting conditions, ensuring a more immersive experience.
• Improved car paint and car parts materials rendering: Better support has been added for all different types of liveries and paint found on racing cars. Most notably, chrome, matte and metallic parts can now be represented much more accurately.
• Improved Car Cockpit: Improved lighting inside the cockpit, to achieve a much more realistic and immersive view.
• Improved Car Reflections: Car reflections have been enhanced to better mimic real-world reflective surfaces, adding depth and realism to vehicle reflective parts, such as windows.
• Improved Specular Reflections: Specular reflections have been fine-tuned to provide more realistic highlights and shine, especially under varying light conditions.
• Improved Track Surface Lighting: The track surface lighting has been improved, giving a more accurate representation of light reflection on road surfaces and built-up rubber.
• Improved Depth of Field Blurring: Depth of field effects have been refined for more realistic background blurring, enhancing the sense of speed and focus.
• Improved Motion Blur: Motion blur has been updated to provide a more natural and immersive sense of movement and a reduction of artifacts.
• Improved Rendering of Headlights and Taillights: The rendering of headlights and taillights has been improved, making dawn, morning, noon, afternoon, and sunset racing more visually striking and realistic.
• Improved Vegetation lighting: Trees are now blending in much better in the lighting environment.
• Track Grass normalmaps: Our normal maps are now properly reacting to orientation of the light
• Track material specular: Until now, only a few objects had specular around our tracks. This is now addressed so all objects reflect strong lights.
• Performance mode through Vulkan rendering pipeline: The vulkan-based implementation of d3d9 by Philip Rebohle was already a popular rendering mod among the RaceRoom community, providing a significant performance boost. Our engine is now supporting this mod more officially as we addressed some visual glitches that had been impairing the experience. A start-up option in Steam will be available to start RaceRoom using Vulkan.
• Eliminated Z-Fighting: We have completely eliminated z-fighting artifacts by adapting the engine to use the more modern ‘Reversed-Z’ approach to handle depth in the rendering.
• Particle lighting: Particles now properly react to different lighting conditions
• Sharpening: This effect increases the visual crispness of the game, making textures and fine details stand out more prominently. However, because the visual experience is based on individual preferences, the default setting will be off.

Click to expand...

The graphics overhaul is far from everything RaceRoom is cooking up, though.

Historic Tracks Debut In RaceRoom​

Instead, it would appear that KW Studios have read our article from May 2023, in which we were wondering about the unused potential of RaceRoom’s plentiful classic car content without period-correct tracks to accompany them. With the September 4 update, vintage tracks will be available within the sim for the first time.

Sim racers can look forward to classic versions of the Hockenheimring, AVUS and Diepholz as they were in 1995 – a perfect fit for the title’s DTM 1995 class. Oh, that is also set to expand, by the way. The AMG-Mercedes C-Klasse DTM that is already in RaceRoom will be joined by the other two cars that competed in that season, namely the Opel Calibra V6 4x4 and Alfa Romeo 155 V6 TI.



The full 1995 DTM grid will be available as a result – an era that is usually not found in first-party content in sim racing. Neither are the 1990s AVUS and Diepholz, for that matter. While most will know the legendary Berlin circuit that was used in a (very) shortened form until 1998, Diepholz probably is a relatively unknown airfield track that actually was a staple in Germany’s domestic racing scene until 1996.

The first races already happened in 1968, and the DTM came to the military airport in Lower Saxony between 1984 and 1996. Diepholz has appeared as a mod track in several sims, but this would mark the first time a first-party version is released.



Come to think of it, the same is true for the AVUS, at least in the modern era of sim racing. Spirit of Speed 1937, released in 1999 on PC in the UK and in 2000 on Sega Dreamcast in the rest of the world, does feature a version of the track in its most fearsome form, including the enormous banked Nordkurve and long straights. The game was not received particularly well, however.

The three vintage tracks will also be a perfect fit for the full grid of 1992 DTM cars that is already available in RaceRoom.

2024 DTM Pack Set To Include Lamborghini​

Speaking of debuts: RaceRoom will also release a DTM 2024 pack – and this time, the grid is going to be complete. The final manufacturer to join the sim’s eclectic vehicle roster is Lamborghini, which was missing from the 2023 DTM pack despite taking second place in the championship with Mirko Bortolotti behind the wheel.

This will not be an issue in the 2024 pack, which is set to include the Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo 2. As there are five Lambos on the grid this season, a good chunk of the DTM competitors would have been missing. Since the car was already running in 2023, we would think that it will get added to the 2023 pack in time, as well as RaceRoom’s GT3 class – similarly to the Ferrari 296 GT3.

Alongside the Lamborghini, the McLaren 720S GT3 Evo will make its RaceRoom debut, too. Starting with the 2024 season, Dörr Motorsport fields two cars for Ben Dörr and Clemens Schmid. Thus far, only the non-Evo version of the 720S GT3 can be raced in the sim.

However, patience is needed: The 2024 DTM Pack is not going to launch on September 4 just yet - we will let you know once a release date has been determined.

More Updates To Several Tracks​

To really make the September 4 update worth sim racer’s while, RaceRoom will also see updates to several tracks. This has already happened earlier in 2024 for Bathurst, Imola, Most, Portimao and the Sachsenring, and now, multiple circuits are set to follow suit.

The centerpiece of the revamped tracks is certainly Oschersleben, which will be upgraded to a laser-scanned version to achieve maximum accuracy. The track is set to replace the current version, which will vanish from the store. However, as the laser-scanned version is essentially an all-new track, sim racers will have to buy it separately. A discount will be available during the initial release period.

Those who own Mantorp, Nogaro, the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, the Red Bull Ring, Sepang or Slovakiaring will be happy to know that all of these circuits will receive free upgrades to bring them up to 2024 specifications.

Could this be the update that puts RaceRoom back on the map for more sim racers? Time will tell, but it certainly looks like it will substantially improve the sim in several areas. We here at OverTake are already looking forward to battling it out in the 1995 DTM cars on the period-correct tracks – that should be an excellent blast from the past!



What are your impressions of the incoming RaceRoom update? Let us know on Twitter @OverTake_gg or in the comments below!