Kunos Marco Massarutto Responds to Assetto Corsa Console Criticism

[Paul Jeffrey]

Kunos Simulazioni's Marco Massarutto has offered a lengthy response to criticism from some sections of the sim racing community, regarding the perceived asumptions that Kunos plan to "water down" Assetto Corsa to appeal to a more broader console audience.

Although a move to consoles for Assetto Corsa is widely considered a good thing for the sim racing genre, allowing the hobby we all enjoy to spread to a wider audience and perhaps inspire players who wouldn’t normally consider serious driving sims, Massarutto has felt the need quash several common assumptions and worries of a section of the Assetto Corsa fanbase.

Massarutto took to Facebook with a lengthy retort explaining how Assetto Corsa for PC will not be diluted in any way by the move to console, and perhaps more interestingly he stated that the console version of the game will be every bit as simulation as its PC relative. Kunos are looking at the console market to see how popular a thoroughbred racing simulation can be, and personally I think that can only be a good thing for the sim racing genre as a whole.

One other interesting item came from the post by Massarutto, a sneak preview cockpit shot of the Porsche 911 RSR 3.0, due to join as part of one of three Porsche DLC packages in the coming weeks.

See the full Marco Massarutto quote below:

"Some thoughs and answers to assumptions and theories I read on forums about the launch of Assetto Corsa on console, the future of AC, the neverending question “will Kunos turn it in an simcadish on PS4/X1 to sell more?”, or -even better- “will Kunos turn the PC version in a simcadish to please a wider audience?"

Usually I don’t get bored to read hundreds (thousands?) of times the same questions people ask me, since I understand that everyday lot of people hear about Assetto Corsa for the first time. But when the same people ask the same questions or they underline the same points, sometime can be boring. Even because, no one needs to believe us. Just see and evaluate by yourself what there is out there.

Assetto Corsa console -> will be a simplified/simcade version of AC?
Since last January, on the internet there are a lot of “hands on” and previews of the console version, always played using a steering wheel. We showed it during the European tour, during the Vallelunga event last May, and the conclusions of the players/journalists have been always “it feels like the pc version”.

Another clue: what is the most known and appreciated characteristic of Assetto Corsa? Its car handling, and driving feeling. Which is the best reason why console gamers may decide to play Assetto Corsa, rather than Forza, or Gran Turismo? The number of cars? The graphics? I would say the fidelity of the simulation, the unique handling, the laserscanned tracks, the depth that a PC simulation can perform. If we subtract these factors, Assetto Corsa can’t compete with these titles, because it couldn’t offer nothing more these titles (created by talented people) feature at their best since years.

The most annoying question: now that AC console is ready for release, is going Kunos to make the PC version of AC more arcadish?

The console version of Assetto Corsa has been announced in mid 2015, the team started to work on it in late 2014. Since then, the PC version has been constantly improved, updated, expanded, with 7 major builds, several new tyre models (now we are at version 10 – TEN) adding features asked from SIMracers, and now we are going to release the 1.8 version on August 26th. The popularity of AC on PC is at the maximum level, it’s often in the Top chartz on Steam, people love it and enjoy it everyday, and they support us each time we release new features and content. Please give me a logical reason why we should change this, after 18 months of HUGE development brought ahead on PC after the 1.0 release. Simply, there is no reason why we should do this. So, ask yourself: in the last 18 months, on PC, did we converted AC 1.0 in a simcade, or we gave it even more depth?
We decided to bring AC on console to give ourselves THE answer to the question: “there is any potential on console market for a simulation like AC?”. As company that runs in this business, we have to know it. And we’ll know it soon. And the only way to answer this question is to bring on console the same experience people appreciate so much on PC, at the best we can. Period.

So, keep calm, don’t worry. The only way we can change the soul of our most successful creation is to make it even stronger."
​

Assetto Corsa will be available for Xbox One and PlayStation 4 on 26th August (EU) and August 30th (NA). Check out the recent console trailer here.

​

Check out the Assetto Corsa forum here at RaceDepartment for the latest news and discussion items regarding the simulation. Have a look at our new Modding Discussion forum, a place for modding teams and those interested in the world of content creation for AC to come together and discuss the process. Looking to download? Check out the Assetto Corsa mods section, a vast archive of top quality Assetto Corsa cars, tracks, apps and skins!

If all that isn’t enough, come visit us at the Assetto Corsa Racing Club. We have loads of informal racing events and serious top quality leagues for you to enjoy.

Does the latest statement from Kunos give you confidence in the ability of the team to still deliver a top quality PC product despite the move to console? Let us know in the comments section below!

 

[DeathStroke]

ok bro ! we will see

 

[Michael Watts]

I have no doubt this has great physics but lack of content ( tracks and not just different variations of the same track) on the console will keep me from buying this.

 

[Majuh]

Claims that the PC version could be watered down are obviously unfounded. The PC version is so bare bones, there literally is nothing that could possibly be watered down.

 

[Visocane]

Loool. Now i get where all the Frustration comes from those Guy's. They cant handle new user's and are tired of answering the same question all over again. Instead of Complaining and wasting time and Money on this Marco coud change the imformation flow. His stupid Marketing Strategie. I wonder how People still belive that the Console Version had no Impact on the PC Version. There is still no statment about the Tiremodel 6 wich was delayed for 3 or 6 Month. This Guy talk's **** it's unbelivable. I woud like to see a Statment about this and not that Kindergarten MIMIMI QQQQ. I still like the Game after 2300 Hour's but what this Guy is doing is almost personally offending. This show's clearly what they think of theyre customer and how they treath theme. They think all Customer's are stupid and belive every single word. Maybe most of theme but not everyone.

 

[Christian Moreau]

I have no doubt this has great physics but lack of content on the console will keep me from buying this.

Completely valid opinion. For sure, if you compare AC to games such as PCars, Forza or GT, the amount of content isn't matched. However, what AC lacks in quantity they more than make up for it in quality. All tracks are laserscanned and recreated nearly 1:1 to their real life counter parts. Each car has been recreated using telemetry data from manufacturers and handle excellently out on the track.

Obviously, differing opinions means some might not think that this is enough, but there is still a huge lineup of cars that have been announced including LMP1s, new generation GT3s, 3 Porsche packs, etc. that have yet to be released. A couple classic versions of tracks (Monza, Silverstone) have been announced as well as another unknown modern circuit that is on the way (rumored to be Laguna Seca). They are a small team, but they work very hard. Hopefully all goes well with the console release and they can continue to bring in new features to entice new buyers.

 

[seanvdburg]

Typical Kunos. Concerned about online "trolls" while early impressions of the console versions report stability problems, poor AI, and a lack of things to do in the game.

What would trolls be if nobody ever got catched by their bait.
Actually I just got catched.

 

[seanvdburg]

Claims that the PC version could be watered down are obviously unfounded. The PC version is so bare bones, there literally is nothing that could possibly be watered down.

They could water the amount of content (variety) down to rF2 levels.

 

[Brandon Wright]

Typical Kunos. Concerned about online "trolls" while early impressions of the console versions report stability problems, poor AI, and a lack of things to do in the game.

Almost as typical as people from garbage tabloid websites making garbage posts on the forums!

 

[Tom Blackett]

As said earlier, quality over quantity.

 

[kamackeris]

Loool. Now i get where all the Frustration comes from those Guy's. They cant handle new user's and are tired of answering the same question all over again. Instead of Complaining and wasting time and Money on this Marco coud change the imformation flow. His stupid Marketing Strategie. I wonder how People still belive that the Console Version had no Impact on the PC Version. There is still no statment about the Tiremodel 6 wich was delayed for 3 or 6 Month. This Guy talk's **** it's unbelivable. I woud like to see a Statment about this and not that Kindergarten MIMIMI QQQQ. I still like the Game after 2300 Hour's but what this Guy is doing is almost personally offending. This show's clearly what they think of theyre customer and how they treath theme. They think all Customer's are stupid and belive every single word. Maybe most of theme but not everyone.

What are you on about?

 

[paracletus]

Had to chuckle at the thread, haha brilliant

 

[natedogg1867]

It appears that the lowest system will conditonner the most efficient system to satisfy the mass of players. Is it real that the 1.8 patch will downgrade the graphics ?

Where in the hell do you come up with something as (insert synonym for 'dumb' here)? Like, seriously... Oh, yeah...

This is so astonishing that it is incomprehensible to be able to form a thoughtful reply to this nonsense.

Simple answer: No.

Longer answer: Kunos has continually improved the graphics since the beginning of early access, with Stefano putting out a teaser just days ago about improved reflections on the cars. But, now that the console version is imminent, Kunos is going to completely gimp the PC version to have parity with the console version that will look markedly worse. Because this business strategy would surely work...

 

[Lorenzo Bonder]

No idea, but stay on topic, please.

 

[Rob]

Marco! No! We can't let these console peasant filth taint our PC superiority. I know you will come to your senses!

 

[Dinca Andrei]

I have no doubt this has great physics but lack of content on the console will keep me from buying this.

Well..there will be the ONLY Porsche that had the honor to be in a SIM...if that doesnt worth the buy...then i dont know what does for you
Edit*
Also the ""other" console racing games has more content because you get bored fast from one car...in AC you dont have this feeling therefore no need to huge list of cars...pick one and drive it till you love it...then tell me you dont have enough content hehe

 

[P*Funk]

Why does the PC version need gpu that cost's twice as much as a console to run if they the same?

My GPU cost me $50 used on craigslist in order to upgrade my 8+ year old PC to keep it able to play some modern games. AC runs very nicely on my computer despite its age.

 

[RC45]

Completely valid opinion. For sure, if you compare AC to games such as PCars, Forza or GT, the amount of content isn't matched. However, what AC lacks in quantity they more than make up for it in quality. All tracks are laserscanned and recreated nearly 1:1 to their real life counter parts. Each car has been recreated using telemetry data from manufacturers and handle excellently out on the track.

Obviously, differing opinions means some might not think that this is enough, but there is still a huge lineup of cars that have been announced including LMP1s, new generation GT3s, 3 Porsche packs, etc. that have yet to be released. A couple classic versions of tracks (Monza, Silverstone) have been announced as well another unknown modern circuit that is on the way (rumored to be Laguna Seca). They are a small team, but they work very hard. Hopefully all goes well with the console release and they can continue to bring in new features to entice new buyers.

But, the attraction to AC (or rF2) on the PC is the MODS. I enjoy Longford 1967 and the F40 and the Cobra, as well a s few other community mod cars that are quite well made.

What makes up for the lack of tuning options is the great handling model and Oculus support.

On the console I will get neither - no Longford 1967 and no Oculus support - so that leaves the "handling model" - but I already have that on the PC.

This is why I probably WON'T buy the console version (that and how badly the devs treat their paying customers) but more importantly is WHY should someone else without a gaming PC buy AC on the console?

Content? No.
Tuning? No.
Livery editing? No.

Handling? Yes.

But are we to assume that people will buy AC on the console JUST for handling model? Even though the content is limited and the tuning minimal?

That assumes the console buyer is a dedicated SIM enthusiast that has been struggling with console arcade-sims just waiting for AC to come along. Would this dedicated console closet SIM racer have his wheel, H-shifter, and driving chair all ready working on Forza/pCars lamenting the lack of a true SIM?

If this was the case surely they would have already bought a basic gaming PC and wheel and H-shifter to play the PC sims.

The bottom line is I just don't see the real reason to go after console sales other than revenue from a new target audience - a controller using casual audience. What then? Are they expecting the new console user to now buy the PC version and a PC to experience the ADDED features of AC on the PC versus the console?

This entire console adventure seems really odd.

 

[ronniej]

Typical Kunos. Concerned about online "trolls" while early impressions of the console versions report stability problems, poor AI, and a lack of things to do in the game.

I really don't think they're concerned about you at all......

This statement by Marco only validates the strength of this game and makes another example of this teams commitment imo. Something you don't see much of elsewhere anymore...... I support.

 

[Esox71]

My GPU cost me $50 used on craigslist in order to upgrade my 8+ year old PC to keep it able to play some modern games. AC runs very nicely on my computer despite its age.

As long as your happy that's the main thing.

 

[Alex72]

Ok. Finally we have somes answers around our questions and worries.
But i'm now scared about this famous 1.8 patch. It appears that the lowest system will conditonner the most efficient system to satisfy the mass of players. Is it real that the 1.8 patch will downgrade the graphics ? Or is it a rumor ?

Watch Stefanos videos will you! He shows in technical detail how he gets more performance. Its not by downgrading anything, its by more efficiently using CPU/GPU.