Despite an arguably successful launch, Le Mans Ultimate is now seeing player numbers and interest dwindle - likely due to its limited content. Angus argues why the developers must release new cars and tracks soon.
Releasing on 20 February, around a month and a half ago, Le Mans Ultimate rapidly caught the interest of sim racers. An official World Endurance Championship game featuring the ever-popular Hypercar field and 2023 season calendar, there was plenty to try out.
In addition, using rFactor 2 as a platform, it received praise for its force feedback and handling detail. Though, with the realistic handling came a number of bugs, crashes, inconveniences and outright frustrating choices.
But now, just eight weeks into the game's life, the community is starting to notice a decreasing player base, both through official data and online server participation. Now obviously, the fresh lick of paint and shiny chrome of a new game will wear away over time. But with big plans leading up to the title's full release, Le Mans Ultimate will need to retain the hype in these early days.
The game does on the other hand get a respectable number of cars. A trio of classes and a total of 12 different car models, all driving in their own unique way. For those fanatical about the endurance racing world, LMU is the closest one can get to driving the cars of dreams from 2023.
But ultimately with online competition, Balance of Performance dictates that there are but a few cars worth racing in ranked events. In the GTE field, Ferrari's 488 has clearly had the legs on the pack whilst recent patches have brought the Porsche into the mix, leaving Aston Martin and Corvette in the dust. Hypercar also saw Ferrari being an easy-to-drive yet fast offering, but over time, the Porsche 963 has surpassed it.
This is not to say that one cannot compete in the likes of a Cadillac or Peugeot. In fact, BOP complaints may well simply fuel the focus on a single model, continuing the vicious circle of just a select number of cars sitting at the top of the standings.
For offline, the amount of content on offer is strong. Three classes, seven tracks and varying weather conditions means there are a wide array of combinations for racing against the AI, with each race surely playing out differently.
But with Race Control's pair of repeating Bronze series getting the most participation, the majority of players will have driven the same car-track combination at least twice. Those that take part in the longer-form Weekly events are also now starting to see repeating combos. Whilst other factors such as the recent ACC update played their part, last week's Sebring 90-minute multiclass weekend event barely surpassed double digit registrations.
Le Mans Ultimate player numbers are dropping by the day. Image credit: SteamDB
Certainly, those longer online race servers feel far emptier than shortly after launch, though one could argue that different times will see greater player numbers. But the data does not lie as Steam Database figures show a clear drop from launch of about 90% to the 24-hour midweek peak.
But with player numbers looking as they are now, we wonder if anyone will be playing the game at all to benefit from said features. So is it time the team behind Le Mans Ultimate rethink that strategy?
There are many cars Le Mans Ultimate can get in 2024. Image credit: FIA WEC Media Site
Following numerous interviews, public statements and teasers, we already know of many additions coming to the game. First and foremost, gameplay features such as VR support, asynchronous racing, Career and Championship modes and online driver swaps should all increase hype for the title.
Furthermore, in a recent interview, Stephen Hood confirmed the upcoming return of the Le Mans Virtual Series. But unlike the behind-closed-doors format of old, the organisers are reportedly taking a page out of the iRacing book. The series will open events up to the common Joe, yet also provide top-flight invitational spectacles.
Finally, and perhaps most exciting of all, fresh content is also incoming. Both on social media with posts tracking Hypercar development and following another interview with Stephen Hood, we know that 2024 FIA WEC cars and tracks will arrive in-game at some point. Even more intriguing was the possibility of ELMS and Asian Le Mans Series cars such as the more powerful LMP2 models and LMP3 cars racing this year.
It is this impending content growth that will most likely get players returning to the simulator. But with bug fixing taking priority, then flushing out game modes, we see new content taking a while. So perhaps it is worth the development team adjusting its timeline.
Another option would be to unveil the planned new content in a full, 2024 pack. With an entire field of GT3 cars, four new circuits and a quartet of Hypercar models to create, in addition to current car upgrades to feature, that will be one hefty DLC. Not only will pricing no doubt be sizeable, development time for such an expansive pack will take an age.
So with players to keep excited and money to make, Studio 397 and Motorsport Games could well look down the path of releasing new models one-by-one. The GT3 class already features for the most part in the developer's other game, rF2 whilst development has reportedly already begun on a selection of new Hypercars. Drip feeding these models throughout the next few months leading up to the 24 Hours of Le Mans would make for a steady flow of income.
However, we also know that major promotion is being prepared for June and the 24-hour race. Focusing on the LMVS, whether this will also include new content is as yet unclear. But one thing is for sure, a development road map would not go amiss during the game's Early Access period.
Releasing with just a few cars and tracks, later receiving expanded game modes and a full season's worth of content, the GT3 simulator is now one of the most popular racing games on the market. So there is still hope for LMU yet.
How should Le Mans Ultimate proceed to optimise its potential? Let us know on Twitter @OverTake_gg or in the comments below!
Releasing on 20 February, around a month and a half ago, Le Mans Ultimate rapidly caught the interest of sim racers. An official World Endurance Championship game featuring the ever-popular Hypercar field and 2023 season calendar, there was plenty to try out.
In addition, using rFactor 2 as a platform, it received praise for its force feedback and handling detail. Though, with the realistic handling came a number of bugs, crashes, inconveniences and outright frustrating choices.
But now, just eight weeks into the game's life, the community is starting to notice a decreasing player base, both through official data and online server participation. Now obviously, the fresh lick of paint and shiny chrome of a new game will wear away over time. But with big plans leading up to the title's full release, Le Mans Ultimate will need to retain the hype in these early days.
Le Mans Ultimate's Problem
But that is sure to be difficult. As the official World Endurance Championship game, Le Mans Ultimate gets all the content from the 2023 season. Sounds good, right? Well, a series in full expansion after a tricky time during COVID, the WEC last year only ran seven races. As a result, seven circuits feature in the game, a number that pretty much every modern racing title will demolish.The game does on the other hand get a respectable number of cars. A trio of classes and a total of 12 different car models, all driving in their own unique way. For those fanatical about the endurance racing world, LMU is the closest one can get to driving the cars of dreams from 2023.
But ultimately with online competition, Balance of Performance dictates that there are but a few cars worth racing in ranked events. In the GTE field, Ferrari's 488 has clearly had the legs on the pack whilst recent patches have brought the Porsche into the mix, leaving Aston Martin and Corvette in the dust. Hypercar also saw Ferrari being an easy-to-drive yet fast offering, but over time, the Porsche 963 has surpassed it.
This is not to say that one cannot compete in the likes of a Cadillac or Peugeot. In fact, BOP complaints may well simply fuel the focus on a single model, continuing the vicious circle of just a select number of cars sitting at the top of the standings.
For offline, the amount of content on offer is strong. Three classes, seven tracks and varying weather conditions means there are a wide array of combinations for racing against the AI, with each race surely playing out differently.
But with Race Control's pair of repeating Bronze series getting the most participation, the majority of players will have driven the same car-track combination at least twice. Those that take part in the longer-form Weekly events are also now starting to see repeating combos. Whilst other factors such as the recent ACC update played their part, last week's Sebring 90-minute multiclass weekend event barely surpassed double digit registrations.
Le Mans Ultimate player numbers are dropping by the day. Image credit: SteamDB
Certainly, those longer online race servers feel far emptier than shortly after launch, though one could argue that different times will see greater player numbers. But the data does not lie as Steam Database figures show a clear drop from launch of about 90% to the 24-hour midweek peak.
LMU: A Development Dilemma
Currently in Early Access and with many bugs to iron out, the development team frequently mentions on forums and Discord channels that the title's first three months will be dedicated to just that. In other words, those playing the game can expect to see the addition of features, game modes and content through the end of May.But with player numbers looking as they are now, we wonder if anyone will be playing the game at all to benefit from said features. So is it time the team behind Le Mans Ultimate rethink that strategy?
There are many cars Le Mans Ultimate can get in 2024. Image credit: FIA WEC Media Site
Following numerous interviews, public statements and teasers, we already know of many additions coming to the game. First and foremost, gameplay features such as VR support, asynchronous racing, Career and Championship modes and online driver swaps should all increase hype for the title.
Furthermore, in a recent interview, Stephen Hood confirmed the upcoming return of the Le Mans Virtual Series. But unlike the behind-closed-doors format of old, the organisers are reportedly taking a page out of the iRacing book. The series will open events up to the common Joe, yet also provide top-flight invitational spectacles.
Finally, and perhaps most exciting of all, fresh content is also incoming. Both on social media with posts tracking Hypercar development and following another interview with Stephen Hood, we know that 2024 FIA WEC cars and tracks will arrive in-game at some point. Even more intriguing was the possibility of ELMS and Asian Le Mans Series cars such as the more powerful LMP2 models and LMP3 cars racing this year.
It is this impending content growth that will most likely get players returning to the simulator. But with bug fixing taking priority, then flushing out game modes, we see new content taking a while. So perhaps it is worth the development team adjusting its timeline.
Different Courses of Action
As with any problem, there are a multitude of solutions to the Le Mans Ultimate player base issue. To kick things off, the team can follow its original plan, hoping that old players return to the sim once it is more rounded. But with money reportedly still tight despite fantastic sales, surely that is not a risk worth taking.Another option would be to unveil the planned new content in a full, 2024 pack. With an entire field of GT3 cars, four new circuits and a quartet of Hypercar models to create, in addition to current car upgrades to feature, that will be one hefty DLC. Not only will pricing no doubt be sizeable, development time for such an expansive pack will take an age.
So with players to keep excited and money to make, Studio 397 and Motorsport Games could well look down the path of releasing new models one-by-one. The GT3 class already features for the most part in the developer's other game, rF2 whilst development has reportedly already begun on a selection of new Hypercars. Drip feeding these models throughout the next few months leading up to the 24 Hours of Le Mans would make for a steady flow of income.
However, we also know that major promotion is being prepared for June and the 24-hour race. Focusing on the LMVS, whether this will also include new content is as yet unclear. But one thing is for sure, a development road map would not go amiss during the game's Early Access period.
Not a New Issue
With all the options to weigh up, the team behind Le Mans Ultimate should look around at its rivals in the industry. Following its recent release of the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, it is worth remembering that Assetto Corsa Competizione went through a similar dilemma at its inception.Releasing with just a few cars and tracks, later receiving expanded game modes and a full season's worth of content, the GT3 simulator is now one of the most popular racing games on the market. So there is still hope for LMU yet.
How should Le Mans Ultimate proceed to optimise its potential? Let us know on Twitter @OverTake_gg or in the comments below!
