What's The One Modern Sim You Haven't Yet Tried, And Why?

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One person might have to not even try something out for many reasons. In the case of sim racing, there are a few different sims on the market. Have you tried them all, or are you like me, not having tried that one sim because of reasons?

Now, I would like to get things out of the way. The one sim I have yet to try is iRacing. Why? Because the payment system turns me off. Also, I have a limited interest in oval racing.

So, what are the opportunities to select here? Well, that depends on what you count as a "modern sim". For me, that would be the following:
  • Assetto Corsa
  • Assetto Corsa Competizione
  • rFactor 2
  • RaceRoom Racing Experience
  • Automobilista 2
  • iRacing
Reason: Those are the full-fledged simulators that still receive updates. Assetto Corsa more through community means than developer engagement.

Now to add to that, what could make you try that one sim?

A focus on endurance racing and LMDh could bring me to try out iRacing. And with the recent addition of the BMW M Hybrid V8, iRacing could fulfil my requirements. Adding a few more LMDhs would be needed for me, though.

So what is your sim you have yet to try, why and what would bring you to try it out?
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About author
Julian Strasser
Julian Strasser
Motorsports and Maker-stuff enthusiast. Part time jack-of-all-trades. Owner of tracc.eu, a sim racing-related service provider and its racing community.

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Seven Smiles
joemendel said:
I tried the rF2 demo and the long load times turned me off.
Click to expand...
FYI: they improved load times a lot not long ago.
joemendel said:
There are too many other choices to be frustrated by what should simply be entertainment software.
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There was a time when that would have crossed rF2 off your list (and mine) but again they have been steadily improving it - though in the limited time I'm prepared to give to simracing I usually just load up AMS2 because although in some ways it's limited I can be sure it will just work (in VR) without hassle.

I tried iRacing when it first came out. It was free but "we just want your credit card to prove who you are". Unimpressed, I played it a couple of times then uninstalled it. Next thing I know my credit card has been debited because I didn't cancel iRacing during the free trial and they refused my request for a refund. My fault if you like but the bad taste left by such devious business practices meant I vowed never to give them another penny.
 
abecede
Premium
Tried every one of them.
First was Assetto Corsa, and I still love to play it because of Content Manager (awesome launcher and much more), SOL (eye candy) and especially for the fresh content that so many awesome people in the modding community come up with.
Then I foolishly bought ACC full price, but since I'm a strict VR player, I got headaches after 10 minutes in the game. I have a beefy computer, and get my full fps in VR, but something is just plain wrong in VR. The shadows of everything is just "off", the whole picture looks like it consists of multiple layers that are just a bit distorted all in a different way.
I ventured a bit into iRacing, since it was on sale and did four or five races. Was underwhelmed with the force feedback, and especially the price.
On some huge sale, I got RF2 and AMS2.
RF2 is quite good, but the user interface still sucks, and loading times are still awful. The mediocre VR quality and sub par sounds also play a role that I start this game only very occasionally. On the plus side for me it has great force feedback.
AMS2 is truly fantastic eye candy, but I simply can't wrap my head around those many brasilian tracks. FFB became weirder, and the cars themselves didn't feel "right" to me.
I also had RaceRoom installed (only free package) and did like it, but didn't want to invest much into the game, since I already was in love with Assetto Corsa. But they had a huge sale last week, I bought a couple of things, and right now I really really like this game. Multiplayer sessions are pretty good (way better than AC multiplayers with unknown people), and the adaptive AI driver settings is genius.

So right now I'm playing AC, RaceRoom, and from time to time RF2. I may dabble into ProjectCars2 for eye candy from time to time, but the other sims I probably won't touch anymore.
 
RCHeliguy
Premium
BlobbeLobbe said:
I've never liked the idea of paying for something that I will never, ever own !
Click to expand...

I agree except it is the way of things.

I used to buy music, now I have Spotify.
I used to buy DVD's, now I stream.
I used to own a copy of Photoshop that I would upgrade every other release, now I pay a yearly service fee.
I also have a service fee for Fusion 360 each year and many many many other products that I will never actually own.

And iRacing is a service. They maintain a server farm and the software and content are under constant development. It never gets left behind.
 
B
RCHeliguy said:
I agree except it is the way of things.

I used to buy music, now I have Spotify.
I used to buy DVD's, now I stream.
I used to own a copy of Photoshop that I would upgrade every other release, now I pay a yearly service fee.
I also have a service fee for Fusion 360 each year and many many many other products that I will never actually own.

And iRacing is a service. They maintain a server farm and the software and content are under constant development. It never gets left behind.
Click to expand...
I got tired of iRacing before I ran out of money !
One of the most boring sims/games ever !
 
D
  • Assetto Corsa: Loved it a lot. Fun cars. Made for Tourist-lobby's
  • Assetto Corsa Competizione: Never liked it. FFB was bad, graphics were too demanding, or too bad when on low
  • rFactor 2: One of the best singleplayer sims I've played.. 50 hours in M8 at Sebring alone...
  • RaceRoom Racing Experience: Had lots of fun in 2016 with this sim. 106 hours. One of the best AI. holymoly.
  • Automobilista 2: My to go sim. Clocking 1600 hours since releasedate. I am a lot active on their forum, and such. Best FFB, roster and physics for me.
  • iRacing: I really love the MP of this game. It's unreal! The cars are fun to drive too
 
K
I tried them all, at one point or another.

The one that I'm sticking with right now are AMS2, AC and ACC.

I quit R3E when I got a Fanatec wheel. The setup for my wheel and pedals was a pain in the neck and the result was always disappointing. Plus, the sim just felt outdated in 2021.

I never really liked rFactor2, even though I bought it on release and went back to it periodically. It just feels wrong to me, no matter how many updates they release.

PCars and PCars2 were ok but never satisfying in the long run.

iRacing is too expensive if you're not a multiplayer simracer. I'm sure it's great, but not for me.
 
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M
Premium
I love all the simulations i own.
And the list is A LOT bigger as the title of this thread.

Of course some titres may be expensive with the DLC politics, but i am just amazed and lucky to have all these fantastic contents available, and i am happy to use them all when i can. It is just unbelievable for such a niche hobby as simracing.

And for poor simracers, why not race grand prix legends, netkar pro for FREE, GTR 2 , AC+sol , Dirt rally 2, F1 2019, for just a few bucks, ....

The list of great titles is just amazing .
 
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RaceNut
I have them all and tend to play them in cycles.
  • iRacing: Subscribe once in a while to see what's new but, stick with the content I already have. Only race AI or run hot-laps. Best drive-train model, still wish the ffb was better, though.
  • AC: I occasionally play it, mostly to experience road cars and awesome RSS GT mods.
  • ACC: This I rarely play; it just doesn't keep me interested for long.
  • RaceRoom: I like it for the broad content and audio experience on offer.
  • AMS1: I still like this title for its immersive driving experience that allows for balancing cars on the very edge of control.
  • AMS2: Great for sessions where time is limited, easy reliable VR performance with interesting content and super versatile FFB.
  • rFactor2: This (and AMS1) remain the most engaging driving experiences for me to date. I really appreciate the improvements this year and hope they keep 'em coming.
  • Dirt Rally 2: Fun for the occasional stage or RX, love the sounds, despise the ffb.
  • BeamNG: Great sand-box experience, fun with physics!
 
John B. Ellis
Premium
I own and have spent time in all of Julian's "modern sims" plus all the others dating back to Papyrus' Indy 500 simulation. Ridiculously, I felt totally vindicated the day Jacques Villeneuve used Grand Prix 2 to learn Spa's layout--and then go out and grab pole postion when he first visited the track for the 1996 Belgium Grand Prix. ACC is the only title on the list I don't really drive, as my computer's specs only permit low-framerate practice sessions during ideal weather. AMS2, with its Madness engine, runs just fine on my legendary Intel i5-2500K PC ... AMS2 has slowly become my sim of choice over the past year, and is pretty much the only sim I drive these days. When I find the right car and the right track in AMS2 (e.g., the BMW M1 at the Osterreichring '77), nothing even comes close. Thankfully, the list of cars in AMS2 that make me say "this car is whack and still needs major work" is dwindling with each update.
 
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What is the reason for your passion for sim racing?

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