Le Mans Ultimate Gameplay Footage Highlights Monza, New Hypercar Sounds

Ferrari 499P Le Mans Ultimate Gameplay Footage.jpg
You wait months for Le Mans Ultimate updates, then two along at once...

A day on from unveiling the Ferrari 499P with a rendering, the first formal gameplay footage has been released using the Le Mans-winning car for Le Mans Ultimate.


Images: Le Mans Ultimate

As a rFactor 2 derivation, you would be forgiving for thinking Le Mans Ultimate would look and sound identical to the over-a-decade-old driving simulation. Perhaps now, though, we’re starting to see some noticeable differences as we near the new title’s release date.

So far, shiny screenshots have looked promising. But apart from a public test at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans event and a tiny teaser of cars moving on track for the release date announcement, little to no gameplay footage has been available.

That changes today, 21st December 2023, with an onboard lap around Monza with the Ferrari 499P following the car’s unveiling yesterday. You can watch it embedded below.


In action, we can see a refreshed Monza (when compared to rFactor 2), with updated signage such as the WEC digital display above the pitlane entry and what appears to be enhanced lighting effects.

The car’s interior, while masked slightly by a shallow depth of field effect, looks to be extremely detailed. Cables adorn the A-pillar, the carbon fibre weave of the dashboard is noticeable and the steering wheel display rate to the real-world device.

The main takeaway must be the sound, the 120° turbocharged V6 snarling up the rev range accompanied by the electrical hybrid whine – the latter especially noticeable under braking during which the system recoups energy. Unless we’re very much mistaken, it’s analogous to listening to an onboard from the 2023 season. Uncanny.

Ferrari 499P Le Mans Ultimate Gameplay Footage RD.jpg


On the flip side, while gameplay at last is a positive sign of life – plus the accompanying stills of the Prancing Horse on track – we must also note what’s missing to date. Notably, there’s no sign of an in-sim HUD (although one was seen at the Le Mans event) or trackside camera angles and footage so far is bereft of any on-track opponents battling.

Moving images of vehicles using the new-build tracks not carried over from prior platforms – Portimão’s Algarve International Circuit and Fuji Speedway – must also wait for another time, evidently.

Le Mans Ultimate Ferrari 499P Monza Gameplay


While the media has not yet driven Le Mans Ultimate in its current build, it’s set to carry across and build upon rFactor 2’s tyre model, plus add in an asynchronous car-sharing multiplayer mode. We’d be staggered if Motorsport Games’ RaceControl online ranking system wasn’t involved, either.

Let’s hope that we see more from Le Mans Ultimate in the new year, and third parties get to go hands-on before its 20th February 2024 release date.

What do you make of the Le Mans Ultimate gameplay footage? Let us know in the comments below.
About author
Thomas Harrison-Lord
A freelance sim racing, motorsport and automotive journalist. Credits include Autosport Magazine, Motorsport.com, RaceDepartment, OverTake, Traxion and TheSixthAxis.

Comments

Genuine question though.
What is the "right way" to get hyped in 2023? Or... 2024, seeing as 2023 is soon over.
Maybe look forward to two years later when the game is mostly patched, the DLC is released, and you can grab the whole package on sale? That's kinda where I am right now after getting EA WRC pre-release. I have so many racing games to play, and not enough time to play them, that I don't need to jump on all the shiny new games (even though many of them look pretty awesome).
 
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Maybe look forward to two years later when the game is mostly patched, the DLC is released, and you can grab the whole package on sale? That's kinda where I am right now after getting EA WRC pre-release. I have so many racing games to play, and not enough time to play them, that I don't need to jump on all the shiny new games (even though many of them look pretty awesome).

I feel you with EA WRC... heh. I really like the game though, I just wish it didn't have those stutter-issues. (not even mentioning the career issue from the last patch)
 
If u still get hyped by videos and articles in 2023, then you are clearly out of touch by a country-mile!
I get hyped by S397 producing a new sim based on the modern WEC grid, given rF2 is still my favorite sim to drive...by a country mile. Having some teases along the way is just a cherry on top. Day 1 purchase for me. If they've been able to improve upon the shortcomings of rF2 (terrible mirrors...at least in VR, no true hybrid motor integration/control, general quality of life stuff) then I'll be happier than a pig in slop. rF2 might be hit or miss based on the age of the content and who created it, but S397's newer stuff like the GTE, GT3 and endurance packs give me plenty of confidence. I can't see them butchering the tire model and general driving dynamics in the name of mass appeal, but of course won't count my chickens until they hatch.

There's no denying that they've seemingly nailed the sound of the 499P. The little bit of interior we can sneak a peak at here looks pretty detailed. Looking through the DoF blur at the wheel, looks to have a pretty detailed display with all of the information you would expect to be presented to the driver. I would love it if we get more control over LCDs and in-car displays so I don't have to bring up a fugly HUD in VR if I need some critical data.
 
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So from what little I've seen the game looks really promising. Sound is good and can be improved, even the physics are ok, after all it's an RF2 retouched for the better. We hope that they will be able to complete by February 20, 2024 but I highly doubt they seem very behind in their work. We will see. :thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
So from what little I've seen the game looks really promising. Sound is good and can be improved, even the physics are ok, after all it's an RF2 retouched for the better. We hope that they will be able to complete by February 20, 2024 but I highly doubt they seem very behind in their work. We will see. :thumbsup::thumbsup:
How do you know they are '...very behind in their work...' ?
 

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