Despite being initially announced for December 2023, Motorsport Games finally gave an exact Le Mans Ultimate release date. The game will hit stores on 20 February 2024.
Yesterday, tickets for the 2024 edition of the Le Mans 24 Hours hit shelves for those holding ACO membership. Those not affiliated with the Automobile Club de l’Ouest will have to wait until next week to get their tickets.
However, rumours suggest that next week may be too late, with record sales. Not to fear if you cannot attend the great race however. Last night, Studio 397 and Motorsport Games finally gave their fans a release date for the much-anticipated Le Mans Ultimate. The game will release on 20 February 2024, despite and initial announcement for December 2023.
The announcement came alongside a trailer, featuring many more cars than previously spotted in screenshots. It seems that most cars and liveries are now ready to play in the game. One can spot the Toyota GR010 alongside the race cars previously seen in the game.
Le Mans Ultimate Delays
The news that the game will release just a few weeks before the first round of the 2024 FIA WEC season, was also confirmed in the Q3 2023 earnings report of Motorsport Games. CEO Stephen Hood states: “We are excited to confirm the updated release date of our planned Le Mans Ultimate title, as we anticipate the game on February 20, 2024.” Hood also confirmed that LMU would feature the RaceControl online system recently introduced to rFactor 2 as well.
The news comes after announcements of major redundancies across the Motorsport Games organisation. The company originally looked to produce games for Indycar and the BTCC alongside the sportscar title. But the British Touring Car Championship’s organiser, TOCA released a statement on Monday announcing the end of said gaming partnership. Furthermore, rumours emerged yesterday of the laying off of the entire Indycar game development team.
Motorsport Games Australia Closed
These rumors proved to be true according to the earnings report. Hood listed “the recent closure of our Australian development studio, with corresponding global head count reductions, and the suspension of the development of our previously planned IndyCar game” as cost-cutting measures. Motorsport Games Australia was also behind the development of KartKraft.
While ‘suspension’ may imply development getting picked back up later on, it realistically seems more like the end of the line for the title. MSG also reported a net loss of $3.5 million in Q3 of 2023.
Despite this, Hood remains positive: “We believe the decisions needed to make this business create engaging, well-made games that fans enjoy, and that are profitable, are well underway. With renewed focus on products, production leadership and budgetary controls, we believe we are already seeing positive momentum for the company.“
Financially, however, the outlook appears to be similar to the one presented in the Q2 earnings report.
Based on the available cash on hand and the Company’s average monthly net cash burn from operations of approximately $1.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company does not believe it has sufficient liquidity to fund its operations over the next year and that additional funding will be required in order to continue operations.
Motorsport Games Q3 Earnings Report Liquidity Slide
Le Mans Ultimate: Make Or Break For MSG
It seems then that Motorsport Games is now solely focused on putting together Le Mans Ultimate. With that in mind, the somewhat later than expected release date is potentially more promising than one might think.
In fact, Motorsport Games is now seemingly confident it can stay afloat at least until this new release plan. Therefore, there is hopefully less chance of a rushed, unpolished title, giving the development team more time to iron out the flaws.
To learn more about the official FIA World Endurance Championship game, check out this article with all the details.
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