Le Mans Ultimate: Sebring, Corvette and Cadillac Previewed, Roadmap Expected Soon

Le Mans Ultimate Cadillac V-SeriesR RD.jpg
Following the recent early access trailer, further Le Mans Ultimate images have been released, while the official Discord has revealed additional details.

Images: Studio 397/Motorsport Games

As we edge closer to the early access release of Le Mans Ultimate, a torrent of information is charging towards us faster than a Ferrari 499P down the Mulsanne.

Today, 8th February 2024, the title’s social media channels released the first images of the Sebring circuit.

Le Mans Ultimate Sebring Lexus Building


The Floridian venue, primarily known for bumpy endurance events, was briefly shown in last week’s gameplay trailer – but blink and you’ll miss it.

Now we know some of the finer details about the replication seen in the official 24 Hours of Le Mans and FIA World Endurance Championship title.

Seemingly based on the representation seen in rFactor 2 and then updated, according to Motorsport Games it now features new advertising boards, trackside buildings and a general visual ‘lift’ for LMU. Dynamic time of day and weather systems are in play.

Sebring specifically will see the pitlane used by the WEC series, along the Ulmann Straight, as opposed to that used by IMSA in between Sunset Bend and Turn One.

Le Mans Ultimate Sebring Pitlane entry

Corvette GTE And Cadillac V-Series.R Showcased​

Another content piece only (very) briefly seen prior is the Chevrolet Corvette GTE, but now we can see (stills at least) the mid-engine C8.R placed at Sebring – a track where the team was victorious last season.

The Porsche, Ferrari, Aston Martin and Chevrolet in Le Mans Ultimate are not completely rebuilt (unlike the Vanwall and Oreca 07 LMP2), but rather take existing rFactor 2 models and update them to fit in with the new title’s content roster.

Le Mans Ultimate Sebring Chevrolet Corvette 2023 GTE


Something that is all-new, however, for the upcoming sim racing platform is the Cadillac V-Series.R that runs in both IMSA and WEC championships.

The LMDh (GTP in IMSA) vehicle is known for its sonorous V8 engine sound, paired incongruously with near-silent electric low-speed running – the switch between two propulsion methods replicated here unlike in some contemporary virtual rival titles.

These images showcase the exterior’s front for the first time. As the thundering prototype has previously featured in several racing games and sim platforms, its looks are no surprise and as with the other cars featured so far, the recreation appears to be authentic.

Le Mans Ultimate Cadillac V-Series.R


A Cadillac gameplay video is expected to be released tomorrow, 9th February 2024.

Roadmap, Triple Screens And Damage Modelling​

As the official Discord for the title is now live, Motorsport Games team members have been replying to community questions.

While we knew that virtual reality would not be supported on early access launch day, we were unable to seek clarification about triple screens last week.

However, Will Bennett, Licencing Manager, has now confirmed that this feature will be supported on the 20th February, while Senior Video Editor Cameron McMillan has teased ultrawide gameplay as looking ‘awesome’.

A roadmap of planned post-launch support during the early access period is also to be expected, thanks to VP of Competition, Ben Rossiter-Turner: “…there will be something before release, I’m sure.”

Le Mans Ultimate Sebring Track


While a new system for cars to accrue dirt over race distances has been implemented, the damage system will remain similar to rFactor 2’s (at least initially) and also analogous to the lionised sim platform, tyre warm-up procedures will be pivotal to avoid flat spots.

How is Le Mans Ultimate shaping up for you as we near the early access release? Let us know in the comments below or discuss on our forum.
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

Your article says, 'Today, 8th January 2024, the title’s social media channels released the first images of the Sebring circuit.'
I think you meant 'Today, 8th February'.
 
I'll hold off day one until I read comments, as long as it's not an unstable chronic bug fest and has most of the cars and tracks in game from the start I'll take a punt for 25 quid. Although the article about MSG worried me.
 
I want to have a more realistic experience:
- Give us debris on track after crashes (which can cause tyre-punctures)
- Slippery Oil- and water-spills on track after crashes or engine failures

Why is no studio implementing this?
because IRL there is real physics and it costs no power to put a sack of debris onto the track.
In a ( simulation ) computergame you need additional layers, ahve several thousend more triangles to compute, also have to send that state over the net code.
Too much effort for too few enhancement.
In the end 999 of 1000 would turn that feature off.
And btw, IRL there will be a red flag until the track is cleaned.
So if simulation real live, all you get is a break.
 
Premium
At the risk of being stoned by you.
The merchant on the corner has large stones, small stones, thick stones, red stones or soul stones. I don't get any commission for buying stones.
LeMans.
The name alone makes motorsport enthusiasts' mouths water. So far so good.
But why should I buy a game that already contains the content of what feels
like 1000 games?
In my opinion, the buyer group will be very limited.
On the one hand, there are those who burn money for everything that has a car pictured on it. It's okay, it's your money. Then there are those who want to support the software company. Very honorable, but just give them your money via Paypal.
Then there are people, myself included, who only buy a cockpit game if it suits their tastes and has VR functionality. That's what VR is made for.
Then there is the sofa and controller group. The game must therefore be easy to access. Then there are those, myself included, who are seriously wondering what this game is actually about. As far as I know, AC has the largest LeMans scope.
Race track variations from various decades including cars.
Mods indeed, but the content is there and cannot be explained away.
AC doesn't have multi-class support, but for people who just want to drive that's secondary. They want to drive. The race track specifies starting positions.
AMS2 also has LeMans content through the DLC. So far only the modern version, but others will follow. Plus everything a LeMans driver's heart desires.
GT1, GT2, GT3, GT4, GT5, GTE, LMDh, LMP1, LMP2, LMP3. There can also be multi-class racing. The number of vehicles is limited by the race track.
Is it the racetracks?
That can not be. At least not with AC. I think every route where long-distance races take place or have taken place is available as a mod. If that's not the case, wait and see.
The only thing missing is the driver change. Whether AI or human.
What, other than the driver change, should make me buy this game?
I just want to drive, like most people. This is not a religion, not a way of life.
Do the CEOs think that just because I package an expensive license with content that is available for free in other games, the simulants will rip it out of my hands?
Sure, the geeks will take it in stride, but the average person will certainly think twice about spending money on a game with a limited scope.
I won't spend any money just on graphics and a 0.000000000001% better driving experience. Especially since I already have everything I need to complete the LeMans race. Of course not like in real life, but I don't need the whole set of rules.
Car plus racetrack equals fun for me.
The future will show whether this is profitable.
One LeMans game has already been completely lost because it was limited in scope.
24h of LeMans by Infogrames. RIP.
 
Premium
20% are VR users on the RD site which is for die hard sim fans.So the actual figure is between 5-10% when you factor in more casual users.Its a very niche,expensive and uncomfortable way to play a sim in a niche hobby.MSG make no profits and have not released a acceptable,playable sim yet that works on a monitor.Why would they prioritize VR?
How many casual users do you think a niche title like this will attract? By its nature it's aimed at the hardcore crowd.
 
As I said, they will want to prioritise it because unlike many features ,this one will get people to buy it. They could add some more information that the spotter says, but that won't get thier sales up your 5-10%. There are very few features in racing sims where people will, or will not buy for that one feature. These guys need every $, thats why. Business reasons.
They'll get these specific sales when VR is implemented. If every other aspect is right, it will be already a miracle for a pure MSG new sim title. The problem is that we can already expect everyrhing not being right from the start, as it will be an early access . Let's just wait for the bashing and neverending complains for the next few years....

The real queqtion for me is : does it come out in early access because it was the initial plan (we have never been told until recently) or because they couldn't manage to meet the project milestones on time within the budget?

What is surpising though is that rfactor2's engine has been supporting VR for years but the feature has been lost in this evolution.

At lesst the decision to initiate the game with the 2023 season was the best one MSG could make, because in 2024 no more GTEs and no more Sebring.
 
I frankly admit that I find it very challenging with the bloated words and titles of today in general, of which are used to be "the one who can shout the loudest".

Now if we assume the term "Ultimate" just means that the title comes with the full grid and a season's venues, then what word should be used if

- a new title will arrive on time without bugs?
- a newer title comes with the current season - the entire season a few weeks up to real pre season?
- perhaps an actual "ultimate" that comes with the full package of venues and grids all through historic times?

Bloated words lose their meaning the more frequently you use them.

OK, I'll put back on my positive glasses and look forward to the first in-depth analyzes after the official release :)

Edit: In relation to the title this sim should really just stick to the single, main event. Just like the classic "Le Mans 24 Hours" from Infogrames.
 
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20% are VR users on the RD site which is for die hard sim fans.So the actual figure is between 5-10% when you factor in more casual users.Its a very niche,expensive and uncomfortable way to play a sim in a niche hobby.MSG make no profits and have not released a acceptable,playable sim yet that works on a monitor.Why would they prioritize VR?
Maybe you just need a pillow on your seat?
 
Premium
VR is a little different than a number of features though. Under 30% is a good number to prioritise certain features on, e.g. when under 30% want a specific feature that you can live without, you can proritise that behind a feature that a higher percentage want.

The trouble with VR is that this can lead to no sales in that group. It is one thing saying less than 30% can live without random feature X as they will still be using the sim. It is differen't if that 30% decide not to buy at all because they rely on that feature.
That's exactly the issue. If a sim does not feature VR I just won't buy it. It's essential for me.
 
How many casual users do you think a niche title like this will attract? By its nature it's aimed at the hardcore crowd.
With the 24h of Le Mans licence, probably a lot. More than 20 years without an official game with a full grid. After this Le Mans 24h / Test Drive Le Mans, we only got a few cars in few titles (Race Driver Grid, Pcars1&2, AMS2, GT 7). The only way to get full grids were mods for the old SCGT and the now old GTR2.

If the communication is well done, it will attract casual game racers fans of Le Mans. But chosing the communication strategy is a tricky thing, these casual users are probably not as patient as simracers towards early access broken features.
 
In my opinion, the buyer group will be very limited.
I agree with your post, for many reasons, it might be very limited.
The difference I see between the valid alternative you mention, which I already enjoy, so they apply to me, is that this game, if done right, time will tell, could be like what Kunos did with GT3. We all had the content offered by ACC, on our hard drive, from one sim or another, but the way ACC was package, it made GT3 so good, that many, like me, now, have lost interest in GT3 is those other options and only drive them in ACC.
I think the concept of a dedicated endurance title is sound, if done right. I have available fund for a well executed SIM, even if I have already access to the content in AC, RF2 and AMS2, if it brings me a more polish and elaborate experience.
VR, even though essential to me, should not be an issue, the base engine does it well, so it just a question of when. How the whole thing is put together and what it objectively brings to the table is, IMO, what will brake it or make it a success.
 
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what word should be used if

- a new title will arrive on time without bugs?
The Bug free Ultimate
- a newer title comes with the current season - the entire season a few weeks up to real pre season?
The Onboard Ultimate
perhaps an actual "ultimate" that comes with the full package of venues and grids all through historic times?
The Hyper Ultimate

Potentially the "Hyper Ultimate Bug Free Onboard Le Mans Simulator", or aimply "HUBFO Le Mans"!

For sure, if the things were done right, "Hyper Le Mans", indicating the classic seasons,, would be enough... ;)
 
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It's getting more and more interesting. Cars also have a proper hybrid simulation afaik. LMDhs starts by their eletr. engine out of the pits, LMH not since they have to use their rear wheels....a couple of proper and nice features covered. Stuff I really like.
 
Looks awesome. Day 1 for sure.
I believe, in the meantime, the content could work well from the get go. Cars looks great, the team is familiar with HD cars and the physics engine. Sebring shines as well.

And the grids can have the original sizes (!). This sounds highly promising. 62 cars at Le Mans.....as long as it does not mean the dead of one's own pc :D
With my old GTX 980, 62 cars on tracks only means I will run the game at 5fps :roflmao::D

Seriously, I need to upgrade my graphic card (since the PC is already up to date, with a 13th gen i7), but I don't want to spend 500€
 

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