Rennsport: Everything you Need to Know

Here's everything you need to know about Rennsport - the new contender for the sim racing crown.

When you think of the best sim racing games, the likes of iRacing, Assetto Corsa, and rFactor 2 spring to mind. In 2024, though, Rennsport will try to unsettle the established order and join that list.

We now know how they'll try and do that too, thanks to their handy 2024 roadmap. The upcoming ultra-realistic sim racing game boasts cutting-edge Unreal Engine 5 graphics and an emphasis on esports and modding.

But can Rennsport stand out in the crowded sim racing market? We’ve got everything you need to know about Rennsport right here!

Latest news - Beta 1.8.5 adds Fuji Speedway and two new cars

The newest beta for Rennsport, Beta 1.8.5, has landed, adding a brand new track and two new cars to the game.

First up is Fuji Speedway. The former home of the F1 Japanese Grand Prix, Fuji Speedway boasts one of the longest straights in motorsport, making overtaking easier and more exciting during races.

As for the cars, the Porsche 963 and BMW M Hybrid V8 are both joining the race. As endurance cars, both are powered by V8 engines and supported by 50 kW electric motors.

Beta 1.8.5 also comes with new features, along with game improvements and bug fixes for the racing sim.

Exclusive Rennsport interview with Competition Company

Ahead of the first round of the ESL R1 tournament, we caught up with Competition Company to find out how Rennsport is revolutionising sim racing.

Rennsport

With state-of-the-art physics, a graphics engine powered by Unreal Engine 5, and a focus on modding and esports, Rennsport (German for “racing”) aims to be “the most realistic racing simulation possible.”

That may sound like a bold claim, but the team’s credentials at the new German developer Competition Company include “professional drivers, racing strategists, programmers and esports experts.”

Cars

Only a few cars were revealed before launch. These cars included models from Audi, Mercedes, BMW and Porsche:

• Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo
• BMW M4 GT3
• Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo
• Porsche 911 GT3 R (991.2)
• Porsche 911 GT3 R (992)
• Porsche Mission R
• Porsche 963 LMDh/GTP
• Porsche 911 (992) Cup

With a focus on German GT3 racing cars, Rennsport appears to be aiming to rival Assetto Corsa Competizione.

However, including the electric Porsche Mission R suggests other car types will be added, but the roster seems to predominantly focus on thoroughbred race cars.

Looking ahead, Competition Company told RaceDepartment it aims to have "hundreds of cars and hundreds of race tracks" in "three or four years."

Tracks

Players can race around accurately recreated versions of real-world tracks.

The first two tracks confirmed were Germany’s Hockenheimring and the Goodwood Hill climb made famous by the Festival of Speed in the UK. The last racing game to include the famous Hillclimb was Gran Turismo 6!

Since those first few tracks were confirmed, the following have also joined the list:

• Daytona International Speedway
• Monza
• Nurburgring GP
• Road Atlanta
• Spa-Francorchamps
• 8ETA
• Fuji Speedway

Gameplay

While we don't have much information to go on, a short Rennsport gameplay video gives us an idea of what to expect from the ambitious new sim racer.

Featuring a Porsche 911 GT3R racing around Hockenheimring, the early gameplay footage looks promising. It showcases realistic vehicle dynamics, authentic engine sounds, and smooth performance - even at this early alpha stage.

Platforms

For now, Rennsport is PC-only. This will allow Compe to make the most realistic racing simulation possible. No system requirements have been revealed yet, but it goes without saying that you’ll need a powerful PC to run Rennsport at maximum settings.

However, in a Tweet from 2022, Competition Company said “console versions are planned for post-release updates.”

Aside from Assetto Corsa Competizione, console sim racing games are rare, but Rennsport could fill this void. Although, we haven't heard anything since on a console version.

ACC’s impressive PS5 and Xbox Series X | S ports have shown that current-gen consoles can deliver an uncompromised sim racing experience on the latest hardware. 

Modding

There’s also a focus on user-generated content.

Modding tools will allow the community to expand the game with custom cars, tracks, and liveries. Using a companion app, players can then manage and trade assets with other players on online marketplaces.

As games like the original Assetto Corsa have shown, modding support will help expand Rennsport's lifespan for many years.

Free-to-play

Like Raceroom Racing Experience, Rennsport will be free to play with access to a limited number of cars and tracks. A subscription model will also be offered giving access to all content and features.

VR support is also planned for a more immersive racing experience.

Esports and online multiplayer

As well as modding, Rennsport also has an emphasis on esports. Competition Company has partnered with ESL Gaming, best known for hosting tournaments for games like Battlefield 4, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and Halo.

Now, ESL Gaming is ready to embrace virtual racing, using Rennsport as a modern platform.

In a Q&A with RaceDepartment, Competition Company confirmed the online multiplayer can be tailored to your racing style, whether you want to compete in endurance races or short sprint races.

Rennsport's online multiplayer will also have ranked races, leagues, and broadcast options for streamers.

Initially, online player counts will be limited to 12 in the beta but will increase in the final game.

Release date prediction

Rennsport is due to enter early access in Q3 2024, but the release date is yet to be confirmed. The final release will follow sometime in 2025.

A closed beta was held in January 2024, with the aim of gaining feedback from the sim racing community.

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get the latest racing game news and deals straight to your inbox!