Netkar Pro goes freeware in December

Alex Franchini · May 18, 2015

Stefano Casillo (Kunos Simulazioni) has announced on Twitter that netKar Pro will become freeware at the end of the year.

As you can see from the attached tweets, Kunos will stop checking activations on December 1 (according to the official website) for the title.

While we don't know how it's going to work yet, it looks like you'll be able to just use any activation key and play netKar without limitations. That's certainly a good move from Kunos, especially since many people still hold NKP in high regard in terms of simulation physics.

I've only briefly tried the demo some time ago, and certainly had a good first impact with the sim. It is a barebones experience though, as it does not feature AI and the support for the online lobby will cease when the title goes freeware.

NetKar Pro has 12 cars and 6 tracks in its final incarnation, and includes a rain simulation system.

Do you think Assetto Corsa has surpassed NKP? Sound off in the comments!

paracletus · May 19, 2015

in some ways I like the visuals more than AC
The rain is brilliant

Steve Bird · May 19, 2015

Good news. Now all I have to ask is when we get those effects and weather in AC?

Andrew Harper · May 20, 2015

Thanks for the link to the site, just downloading the demo now to see what it's like.

Like mentioned above, it is puzzling that they would go to all that effort to implement such a complex weather system but not develop something like that for AC. Fingers crossed....

Deleted member 130869 · May 20, 2015

Got it installed and already procured a bunch of tracks. I am struggling to get the actual FFB to work, I get resistance but no detail at the moment with my Fanatec GT3RS v2. This is driving much smoother than I remember from the demo 4 years ago once they finally addressed all the glitches and returned from the NetBikes fiasco.

Yapci · May 20, 2015

It was 3.99 last year when I bought it...almost freeware! Anyway, good sim to have in your hd

David Wright · May 20, 2015

Andrew Harper said:
Thanks for the link to the site, just downloading the demo now to see what it's like.

Like mentioned above, it is puzzling that they would go to all that effort to implement such a complex weather system but not develop something like that for AC. Fingers crossed....

The answer is precisely because of their experience with NKPro. They added rain and it had little impact on sales. They added a Fiat 500 and it had a big impact on sales. Conclusion: sim racers are far more interested in licensed content than rain. The sales success of AC without rain does seem to confirm their motto that everyone wants to race in the rain in the dark, but only once.

Thomas Alderton · May 20, 2015

wait, whats the point in it going freeware if there is no AI and no online servers? how does that work?

Andrew Harper · May 20, 2015

David Wright said:
The answer is precisely because of their experience with NKPro. They added rain and it had little impact on sales. They added a Fiat 500 and it had a big impact on sales. Conclusion: sim racers are far more interested in licensed content than rain. The sales success of AC without rain does seem to confirm their motto that everyone wants to race in the rain in the dark, but only once.

Yes I agree with you, but judging by all the users going crazy for the dynamic weather in Project Cars there is a fan base for it

I loved GTR2 because it had the day/night races and the weather. Even though it was very frustrating at times!

Anyway, AC is a great sim and if they want to add weather, great, if they don't it's not a problem

olimac · May 20, 2015

That is great news, NKP is my favorite hot lap, relax sim. How can I get a pay code if they are no longer providing them. I want to unlock the whole thing. Anybody willing to share one of theirs? I wrote to them but no reply so far.
Thanks

Tobias Liesaus · May 24, 2015

Hello, i wanted to reinstall Netkar Pro, but couldnt find my paycode. on the official website there is a "recieve your paycode" per email automaically form, but i didnt recieve the code yet. how long does it take normally? its about 4 days now...

Thomas Alderton · May 24, 2015

Andrew Harper said:
Yes I agree with you, but judging by all the users going crazy for the dynamic weather in Project Cars there is a fan base for it

I loved GTR2 because it had the day/night races and the weather. Even though it was very frustrating at times!

Anyway, AC is a great sim and if they want to add weather, great, if they don't it's not a problem

Yes I can see a fan base for this game but their are no servers for these fans to be racing on so its just a you alone on a track driving in circles? correct me if I'm wrong

sberns · Dec 6, 2015

I was also wondering now that it's considered freeware, would anyone be willing to share their pay code for others to try it who never had it before. I emailed them but no response. Thanks!

tigermilk · Dec 8, 2015

Steve Bernstein said:
I was also wondering now that it's considered freeware, would anyone be willing to share their pay code for others to try it who never had it before. I emailed them but no response. Thanks!

If you google "netkar pro freeware jamoz" you'll find a code.

Ho3n3r · Dec 8, 2015

Steve Bernstein said:
I was also wondering now that it's considered freeware, would anyone be willing to share their pay code for others to try it who never had it before. I emailed them but no response. Thanks!

Why would you need a paycode if it's freeware?

sberns · Dec 8, 2015

I actually don't know why they did it like this, probably because they didn't want to spend any more time on the code. Everywhere online including the official website states that it's freeware now, but they didn't change the software, just stopped checking activation codes. So apparently you have to enter a preexisting code but it is fully legitimate for everyone to use the same code now.

Tiger milk, Thanks for pointing me in the right direction!

xnorb · Dec 17, 2015

As it's not illegal and was shared by the owner himself, here's the code:

8Y4004103M471841P

Found in the comment section of this site:
http://www.virtualr.net/netkar-pro-become-freeware

Havent tested myself, so don't hunt me down with torches and forks if it doesn't work