The Assetto Corsa Ferrari DLC and Stefano Casillo Interview

[Paul Jeffrey]

Amidst all the excitement of the 2017 Sim Racing Expo, Kunos Simulazioni released the epic Ferrari 70th Anniversary DLC pack for Assetto Corsa, and we caught up with the devs for an interview..

Assetto Corsa is a proudly Italian simulation in its core routes, and with two dynamic Italian developers in the form of Stefano Casillo and Marco Massarutto running things from the head of the ship, it is perhaps in no doubt that the brand new Ferrari 70th Anniversary Celebration DLC was something of a big thing for the developers, bringing to the simulation an incredible selection of the biggest and best cars Ferrari have produced over the last 70 years.

Coming bungled together with another interesting and sizable update to the core PC Assetto Corsa game, the Ferrari Celebration DLC pack was released a couple of days ago to the Steam network, and retails for £5.59. Containing seven new cars, including the 2017 Formula One machine of Sebastien Vettel and Kimi Räikkönen, a first time a current generation Formula One car has appeared outside of an officially licenced Grand Prix game.

Prior to the DLC drop, we had the chance to chat with Stefano Casillo of Kunos Simulazioni about what the DLC means to the developers, and what goes on behind the scenes to create such content in Assetto Corsa. Check out the interview below, and stay tuned to RD and our YouTube page for more from Stefano on the future of AC in the coming days...

The Ferrari 70th Anniversary Celebration DLC can be purchased here.

About the new DLC:

The Ferrari 70th Anniversary Celebration Pack introduces seven iconic cars, one of which has been chosen by our community. Gamers have voted in your thousands: coming out on top with over 15% of the total votes, we're pleased to announce that the SF70H, the sixteenth car produced by Ferrari to compete in the F1 World Championship, has been included in the Ferrari 70th Anniversary Celebration Pack.

The package as a whole will include a selection of seven of the most iconic cars ever produced by the Italian car manufacturer through its glorious history, which joins the amazing line-up of Ferrari models already available in the simulation.

The Ferrari 70th Anniversary pack will introduce the following models:

1962 250 GTO
1967 330 P4
1967 312/67
1984 GTO
2004 F2004
2017 812 Superfast
2017 SF70H

THE CARS

Ferrari 250 GTO

The 250 GTO model was the pinnacle of the development of the 250 GT series in competition form, whilst still remaining a road car. It made its public debut at the annual pre-season Ferrari press conference in January 1962, and was the only front-engined model on display, with its monoposto and sports racing counterparts all having a mid-engine configuration.

The 250 GTO was the ultimate expression of the Ferrari 250 GT car. It was equally at home on the road or track – perhaps the last dual-purpose road/race car produced – and has achieved legendary status amongst aficionados of the marque. With only a relatively small production run of thirty-six cars, and with many of the examples produced having a great racing pedigree, it has become one of the icons of Ferrari's production history, with a revered position in collectors' circles.

Ferrari 312/67

Scuderia Ferrari started the 1967 Championship with the 312/67. The car's official debut was at the Champions' Race in Brands-Hatch with Bandini and Scarfiotti behind the wheel.The Scuderia's best results came courtesy of New Zealander Chris Amon, who managed third position on the podium on three occasions.

Ferrari 330 P4

With a styling very similar to that of the 330 P3, this model was powered by a V12 engine that had been radically redesigned by Franco Rocchi. The most obvious modification was the introduction of a three-valve cylinder head – two inlet and one exhaust.

Fuel feed was provided by a Lucas injection system. The chassis was slightly shorter than the 330 P3's, and the new suspension system improved roadholding. The car won numerous races and earned its place in the history books after a memorable 1-2-3 at Daytona.

Ferrari GTO

Announced by Enzo Ferrari in September 1983, and unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1984, the GTO (also unofficially known with the 288 prefix) sparked off a wave of enthusiasm. The legendary name, the stunning styling by Pininfarina, the engine with its seemingly inexhaustible power (2.8 litres and 8 cylinders) and the widespread use of composite materials made the GTO the closest thing to a racing car.

To meet customer demand, 272 were built instead of the planned 200: all were sold before production began.

The 288 appellation refers to the total cubic capacity of the engine and number of cylinders, 2.8 litres with 8 cylinders. Obviously, the \"GTO\" model name was a retro touch referring to the legendary 250 GTO of the early sixties, to which it was intended to be the spiritual successor in GT racing.

Ferrari F2004

The year 2004, the record season for Ferrari, went into a second act with the 2004 Championship: out of the 18 GPs, the Scuderia won 15 races (13 by Schumacher, 2 by Barrichello), 8 one-two wins, 12 pole positions for a total of 262 points in the Constructors' Championship. Already in August, Ferrari archived the Championship files: at the Hungarian GP the Scuderia won the Constructors' Title – the 14th in its history – with a one-two win, while Schumacher gained his fifth title in a row, the seventh of his career, in Belgium, on the same track where he debuted in the year 1991.

The season made history also thanks to one of the most competitive single-seaters ever built: the F2004, fitted with the new engine dubbed 053, a 10-cylinder unit with 865 bhp at 18,300 rpm, which exceeded all expectations in terms of performance and reliability, also regarding the new challenge set by the regulations, which aimed at reducing costs: one engine per race weekend, with an average lifespan of 800 instead of 350 kilometres.

Ferrari 812 Superfast

Ferrari chose the 87th edition of the Geneva International Motor Show for the world premiere of the new 12-cylinder berlinetta, the 812 Superfast, the most powerful and fastest Ferrari in the marque's history. This new car not only introduces a plethora of innovative features but is also particularly significant as the V12 series marked the official start of the glorious Prancing Horse story in 1947, 70 years ago.

The 812 Superfast thus ushers in a new era in Ferrari 12-cylinder history, in doing so building on the invaluable legacies of the F12berlinetta and F12tdf. It is aimed at clients demanding the most powerful and exclusive Ferrari in the range: an uncompromising sports car that will deliver exhilarating driving both on road and track yet also be comfortable enough to allow its owners to enjoy it as an all-round experience.

Ferrari SF70H

The 63rd single-seater designed and built by Scuderia Ferrari to take part in the 2017 Championship is born out of a regulation change that is without precedent in this category of motor sport. In the past, regulations generally went in the direction of slowing the cars down. However, in the year 2017 the rule changes went in the opposite direction, meaning the cars can have more aerodynamic downforce and more mechanical grip.

There are several differences between the 668 project and Ferraris from the recent past: the lengthened nose and the arrow-shaped wing are a consequence of the regulations, as is the obvious fin on the engine cover and more complex aero appendages ahead of the air intakes on the sidepods.

The layout of some of the mechanical components on the hybrid power unit has been revised, while other areas maintain a similar layout to the 2016 car.

As is often the case with new Assetto Corsa content the newly released DLC comes with a nice update too, bringing the game to version 1.15. The full update change log can be seen below:

• New Ferrari 250 GTO (Ferrari Anniversary Pack)
• New Ferrari (288) GTO (Ferrari Anniversary Pack)
• New Ferrari 312 F1-67 (Ferrari Anniversary Pack)
• New Ferrari 330 P4 (Ferrari Anniversary Pack)
• New Ferrari F2004 (Ferrari Anniversary Pack)
• New Ferrari 812 Superfast (Ferrari Anniversary Pack)
• New Ferrari SF70H (Ferrari Anniversary Pack)
• Templates for Ferrari 250 GTO, GTO, 312 F1-67, 330 P4 and 812 Superfast
• Official Kaspersky team livery added for Ferrari 488 GT3
• Updated template for Ferrari 488 GT3 (related to rear wing shape, it might affect a low % of mod skins)
• Alpinestars gloves are introduced in Porsche cars
• Fixed reflection issue on Corvette C7R skins
• Minor graphical and skin-related fixes across all content
• Updated Lotus 49 minimum weight
• Updated Mazda RX-7 Spirit R rear wing setup and aero figures
• Added automatic Force Feedback configuration for old wheels (ie MS Sidewinder)
• MODDING REQUEST: Added blanket temperature to tyres.ini under [ADDITIONAL1] BLANKETS_TEMP
• MODDING REQUEST: Added pressure vs temperature gain in tyres.ini. under [ADDITIONAL1] PRESSURE_TEMPERATURE_GAIN
• MODDING REQUEST: Added camber spread tweak value in tyres.ini under [ADDITIONAL1] CAMBER_TEMP_SPREAD_K (AC default is 1.4, higher numbers=more spread)
• MODDING REQUEST: Added new LUT based system to handle camber D variations. Example, (for every compound):
  DCAMBER_LUT=(|-145=0.8|-15=0.9|-3=1.01|0=1|3=1.005|15=0.9|145=0.8|)
  DCAMBER_LUT_SMOOTH=1
  This will override DCAMBER_0/1 behaviour (values still need to be there tho)
• MODDING REQUEST: Added explicit inertia instead of box based. Use
  [EXPLICIT_INERTIA]
  INERTIA=1300,1400,500
  in car.ini
  * Suspension travel is now recorded at 166Hz in telemetry
  * Fixed AI not exiting pitlane at full speed in some cases
  *Added “ABS” FF enhancement effect
  *Added FF enhancement effects controls in-game in the “Force Feedback Controller” app
  * Added track models ini checksum on server. In order to gain full protection from cheating the server needs to include kn5 files
  * Added optional COMBINED_FACTOR value per compound. Thanks to Stereo & Jackson Papageorge (mclarenf1papa)!
• MODDING REQUEST: Added variable throttle response as function of RPM. Add:
  [THROTTLE_RESPONSE]
  RPM_REFERENCE=6000
  LUT=throttle_max.lut
  to engine.ini. throttle.lut will be used for 0 RPM and whatever LUT you specify will be used at RPM_REFERENCE
• MODDING REQUEST: Added progressive bump stop rate. In suspensions.ini under [FRONT] and [REAR] add BUMP_STOP_PROGRESSIVE . Look for “Using progressive bump rate…” in the log for confirmation

Assetto Corsa is available for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC now.

Assetto Corsa and online racing = Love! Check out our brilliant Assetto Corsa League and Club racing forum for great racing events suitable for all skills and experiences. We host regular events using popular content and guarantee a great time for all. Additionally we have a very active sub forum for the game where players can catch up on the latest news and engage with fellow community members here at RD. You can download mods from our modding archive, discuss W.I.P projects in our Modding Discussion Forum and try out a selection of car setups for a wide range of vehicles. Come on, get yourself involved in the action today!

Have you tried the new Ferrari DLC yet? What are your first impressions? Which car do you enjoy the most? Let us know in the comments section below!

 

[ronniej]

So many cars....Loading Bridgehampton and trying to decide between 428 italia, 488 GTB, or 84' GTO!

And thanks to @Atle Dreier for that awesome FFB Clip App!
http://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/ffbclip-app.7910/

Oh, whats this? 812 Superfast!? Whaaa Whaaaaaaaaat!

 

[Tr3voRR]

The f1's are amazing ! I wish they would re-work the F138 because it's got very bad cockpit textures (it's a flat picture that's with ultra low texture and detail...), also the rods go thru the brake ducts (also on the sf15).

 

[Alistair McKinley]

I said to myself I wouldn't buy this pack cause I was just excited for like 2-3 cars but as it's always the case with me, once it came out and heard nice things about it, I couldn't resist
I was like "f*** it, what's 8 bucks? Plus I can keep supporting the devs of one of my fave sims.
Needless to say, I don't regret the purchase one bit. I'll probably never drive the F1 cars, but the rest, are worth every penny.

I urge you to do it!
I had never thought I'd had fun driving a Formula 1 car. Actually, I hate them because you have to be so precise with your inputs. I rather drive street car, old race cars or the GT4 class in AC.
But yesterday I found myself two hours in front of my screen trying to achieve an ancceptable time on Monza GP with the Ferrari2004. (Unfortunately, my best was a only 1:22.049 - just a fraction to slow for the gold achievement. I still have to get used to that immense amount of downforce an F1 car produces.)
It was so much fun!
This car is pure magic and fun (maybe because it has TC and sounds absolutely amazing).

 

[CC]

The f1's are amazing ! I wish they would re-work the F138 because it's got very bad cockpit textures (it's a flat picture that's with ultra low texture and detail...), also the rods go thru the brake ducts (also on the sf15).

 

[Vincent.C]

Just want to say sorry for the lack of news these last few days.

No problem. Thank you for your work on RD.com

 

[Deleted member 130869]

Don't the giant tires in the '67 effectively alter its driving emulation, thus further differing it from the cars that took to the grid in that year? Much like the Lotus tires are also big.

 

[ShredatorFIN]

Wondering why RD hasn't mentioned this yet, rather big news

Laserscanned Laguna Seca + 6 car bonus pack will be 100% free. Release by the end of 2017.

Bonus cars:

Alfa Rome Giulia QV
Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale
Maserati Quattroporte
Lamborghini Sesto Elemento
Lamborghini Huracan Performante
Pagani Huayra BC

Confirmed by Marco in Facebook.

 

[jipy008]

kunos vamos a completar GTE ferrari 488 GTE ya iiiiiii

 

[Tr3voRR]

Hi man please do not complain about Kunos cars and textures they get really upset specially @Gergo Panker

Well it's the truth... I don't know wth they did with the f138, but the cockpit is absolute crap... (the steering wheel is good, but the rest of the cockpit is not on the same level as all the other cars).

 

[CC]

Well it's the truth... I don't know wth they did with the f138, but the cockpit is absolute crap... (the steering wheel is good, but the rest of the cockpit is not on the same level as all the other cars).

 

[Rob]

1.) Paul is one of the best news gatherers *and breakers* on the web, since "mainstream" organizations are lazy. It's very noticeable when he's absent. Whatever Bram is paying him should be doubled. lol.

2.) Errr. Paul...c'mon man. The single biggest failure (and example of the rift between console and PC, whatever side you take) is the neglect Kunos has shown to the console players...and, judging by the brown-shirts that enforce the console threads at Assetto (all PC users mostly), completely loved by Kunos, who, by default (and by omission of fact) are in bed with them, which furthers the suspicion that the console *experiment* was a money grab by the famed Italian company. Let's steer clear of PC users attacking console users for things that PC users don't have to burden themselves with (like being unable to start the game). The forums at Kunos are a clinic on how not to run forums. Unless, that is, you simply don't' care about the complete sham you sold to the other platform. Their excuse is -- "console players whine too much" which is similar to oppressive regimes telling unfavored classes that they should be happy to even be a part of "the great society".

PS - I still give Kunos leeway because they are trying, but their lack of explanation (they didn't even bother to explain what the *we can't start the game* or the *we can't play online* problem was for 4-6 months). Instead, they let their goons (PC sycophants) attack console users for not being "grateful" for the product that console users didn't have. It disgusting.

Kunos was silent. So, they get no slack from now on. If they simply wanted to grab money from the console world, they should have either said that, or performed differently. Instead, they shut up. Assetto was a class action lawsuit waiting to happen (in the US)...but yet...when it works, people like me know there is no rival. So, I hold off on the hard stuff. And the above commentary is not hard stuff. You will know if I unleash the hard stuff. Because, what Kunos did to console users is borderline fraud.

PPS - Apologies if Microsoft is to blame. I'd tend to believe that if you would simply not let your PC goons attack console players...Kunos.

 

[Nestoche]

Welcome back!, Looks like you had lots of fun!. I missed the RD news for sure but glad you enjoyed the event!

 

[Michael Hornbuckle]

Hey @chargingcar you are likely right about inaccuracies in Kunos content, but keep in mind that each car generally costs less than a third of what your team sells them for, and its licensed. It also has a strict (and usually extremely short) time frame for production. (kunos guys can't obsess hours and hours over a tire texture that is going to end up being produced in 512x512 dxt5 compression)
Just sayin'

1.)Their excuse is -- "console players whine too much"

I doubt anybody from Kunos said or implied that. Link to source?

 

[CC]

Hey @chargingcar you are likely right about inaccuracies in Kunos content, but keep in mind that each car generally costs less than a third of what your team sells them for, and its licensed. It also has a strict (and usually extremely short) time frame for production. (kunos guys can't obsess hours and hours over a tire texture that is going to end up being produced in 512x512 dxt5 compression)
Just sayin'


I doubt anybody from Kunos said or implied that. Link to source?

 

[Rob]

Hey @chargingcar you are likely right about inaccuracies in Kunos content, but keep in mind that each car generally costs less than a third of what your team sells them for, and its licensed. It also has a strict (and usually extremely short) time frame for production. (kunos guys can't obsess hours and hours over a tire texture that is going to end up being produced in 512x512 dxt5 compression)
Just sayin'


I doubt anybody from Kunos said or implied that. Link to source?

Unless you are a console player (and feel our pain) then you are a brown-shirt, as I have seen you rail on completely valid console users' complaints, which Kunos never addressed. In fact, you are one of the chief offenders and apologists.

As far as I'm concerned, you need to stand mute on console issues. Whenever you feel like opining on something you can't experience, then just STFU.

There is no such thing as a "troll" IMO, but if you are a PC user, then STFU. If you are console user, then please explain whether you are exclusively a console user (of course, you may not stoop to that level) or a PC user who gets off on telling console users that their experience is invalid.

 

[CC]

Hi man ,
I have never made any replies at all against anything regarding consoles , specially nothing negative , not from memory anyways , and racist remarks are not welcome here at all your attitude is disgraceful!

 

[Michael Hornbuckle]

Wow, all that anger over a <$100 videogame........
----------------------
Anyways, to get back on topic:
The 812 Superfast is among my top five favorite flappy paddle shift cars in the game. It's a blast to drive and it's downshifts sounds are glorious. And it looks amazing in Rosso Monza.

 

[Rob]

Hi man ,
I have never made any replies at all against anything regarding consoles , specially nothing negative , not from memory anyways , and racist remarks are not welcome here at all your attitude is disgraceful!

It's not racist snowflake. It's a metaphor. Learn the difference.

 

[Rob]

Wow, all that anger over a <$100 videogame........

Your anger towards innocent console users with a legitimate gripe is a wow. Welcome to a forum than does not cater to your bullying. (errr...at least I think not...until I check my membership). lol. In any case, I will always defend your right to speak, where ever you want...but I don't have to like it. Have at it.

But...unless you own and play excusively on a console, I can't see where your opinion about the console version is valid.

 

[ronniej]

Darn console peasants loitering in our neighborhood....I joined the PC Master Race to get away from those bums.