Le Mans Ultimate is set to release on February 20. Three weeks ahead of its launch, we still have not really seen much of the title – what’s up with LMU?
Image credit: Motorsport Games / Studio 397
Full dedication to the 2023 WEC season, including all cars and tracks – the prospect of Le Mans Ultimate was met with excitement from many sim racers. Admittedly, we cannot wait to get our hands on LMU ourselves here at RaceDepartment. The different design approaches for the Hypercar class alongside the outgoing GTE class are definitely something to look forward to. Make no mistake: We would love to see the upcoming WEC title be a great endurance simulator.
However, just three weeks ahead of the planned Le Mans Ultimate release, we have not really seen all that much of it. The most recent update gave us a preview of the Toyota GR010 Hybrid running at Portimão, although the video notably does not show any of the car’s interior.
Meanwhile, the fact that the entry for VR support was removed from Le Mans Ultimate‘s Steam page puzzled the community. The entry was still there as of early November 2023, but has since disappeared without comment. The game engine, which is rooted in that of rFactor 2, definitely supports VR, as rF2 also features the functionality, so it is unlikely that it was scrapped for good – we hope.
A screenshot of LMU‘s Steam page as of November 9, 2023. Note the entry for VR support in the list to the right.
Meanwhile, with just three weeks until the release of Le Mans Ultimate, you would expect more promotion leading up to the big day. However, it is still relatively sporadic, with the Toyota preview being almost two weeks old at the time of writing this article. Of course, this could also just be a sign that work on the game itself is full steam ahead, with capacities bundled for this purpose rather than for PR.
Note that proper gameplay also has not been shown since, with one exception. As part of the presentation of the Ferrari 499P, the game’s YouTube channel showed an onboard lap around Monza, although without any HUD or other cars present.
The Ferrari 499P has seen extensive previews for LMU, including gameplay at Monza. Image credit: Motorsport Games / Studio 397
As a result, there are a few questions we and the community are wondering about ahead of the Le Mans Ultimate release. What is the state of the content that has not been shown yet? Will VR support be included after all? What features will be on board at launch?
Of course, it is also very much possible that the news cycle for LMU kicks into overdrive just after we publish this article – which would also be good to see. But just as in endurance racing itself, patience is key ahead of the Le Mans Ultimate release.
What are your thoughts on the Le Mans Ultimate release? Let us know on Twitter @OverTake_gg or in the comments below!
Image credit: Motorsport Games / Studio 397
Full dedication to the 2023 WEC season, including all cars and tracks – the prospect of Le Mans Ultimate was met with excitement from many sim racers. Admittedly, we cannot wait to get our hands on LMU ourselves here at RaceDepartment. The different design approaches for the Hypercar class alongside the outgoing GTE class are definitely something to look forward to. Make no mistake: We would love to see the upcoming WEC title be a great endurance simulator.
However, just three weeks ahead of the planned Le Mans Ultimate release, we have not really seen all that much of it. The most recent update gave us a preview of the Toyota GR010 Hybrid running at Portimão, although the video notably does not show any of the car’s interior.
Le Mans Ultimate Release: Some Content Still Not Shown
The Toyota preview makes the Cadillac V-Series.R and the Glickenhaus SCG 007 LMH the only two prototypes we have not seen ahead of the Le Mans Ultimate release. There are more vehicles that are still unseen as of the time of writing this article. Three GTE competitors in the Corvette C8.R, the Porsche 911 RSR-19 and the Aston Martin Vantage AMR are still to be unveiled. Additionally, three tracks of the seven-race calendar are also still under wraps, those being Sebring, Fuji and Bahrain.Meanwhile, the fact that the entry for VR support was removed from Le Mans Ultimate‘s Steam page puzzled the community. The entry was still there as of early November 2023, but has since disappeared without comment. The game engine, which is rooted in that of rFactor 2, definitely supports VR, as rF2 also features the functionality, so it is unlikely that it was scrapped for good – we hope.
A screenshot of LMU‘s Steam page as of November 9, 2023. Note the entry for VR support in the list to the right.
Meanwhile, with just three weeks until the release of Le Mans Ultimate, you would expect more promotion leading up to the big day. However, it is still relatively sporadic, with the Toyota preview being almost two weeks old at the time of writing this article. Of course, this could also just be a sign that work on the game itself is full steam ahead, with capacities bundled for this purpose rather than for PR.
Hardly Any Hands-On Experience
We have reached out to Motorsport Games for more insight, but have not heard back as of yet. Thus far, the only playable version of LMU was presented at the 2023 Le Mans 24 Hours, at which Angus took a closer look for us. Of course, this was relatively early in development, seeing how the real 24 Hours took place in June.Note that proper gameplay also has not been shown since, with one exception. As part of the presentation of the Ferrari 499P, the game’s YouTube channel showed an onboard lap around Monza, although without any HUD or other cars present.
The Ferrari 499P has seen extensive previews for LMU, including gameplay at Monza. Image credit: Motorsport Games / Studio 397
As a result, there are a few questions we and the community are wondering about ahead of the Le Mans Ultimate release. What is the state of the content that has not been shown yet? Will VR support be included after all? What features will be on board at launch?
Le Mans Ultimate Release: Patience Is Key
Again, we want to reiterate that the OverTake/RaceDepartment team is indeed looking forward to Le Mans Ultimate and hope for it to turn out great. Studio 397 knows how to create a great driving experience, as they have shown in rFactor 2. A fully-licensed WEC sim based on that model would surely be something any sim racer should take a closer look at.Of course, it is also very much possible that the news cycle for LMU kicks into overdrive just after we publish this article – which would also be good to see. But just as in endurance racing itself, patience is key ahead of the Le Mans Ultimate release.
What are your thoughts on the Le Mans Ultimate release? Let us know on Twitter @OverTake_gg or in the comments below!
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