Assetto Corsa Evo: Major Issues, Release Delays, and the Big Question – Is AC Evo in Trouble?
Assetto Corsa Evo (AC Evo), the highly anticipated sequel to the beloved racing simulator Assetto Corsa, was first announced in April 2024 with promises of groundbreaking features like advanced physics, dynamic weather, and an open-world driving experience. Developed by Kunos Simulazioni and published by 505 Games, the game aimed to elevate sim racing with hyper-realistic car handling, mod support, and a career mode that emphasizes "car passion." However, since its reveal, AC Evo has faced a series of setbacks, including multiple release delays and technical hurdles that have left fans questioning its future. In this article, we'll dive into the major issues plaguing the project, the history of its pushed-back release dates, and ultimately address the burning question: Is AC Evo in trouble?
A Timeline of Delays: From 2024 Hopes to 2025 Realities
AC Evo's development journey has been marked by optimism followed by repeated postponements. Initially slated for an Early Access launch on PC in 2024, the game was delayed to January 16, 2025, as revealed in Digital Bros' financial report. This shift disappointed many in the sim racing community, who had been eagerly awaiting hands-on time with the title after teaser footage showcased impressive graphics and tire models at events like the Sim Racing Expo.
The Early Access period began as planned in January 2025, but the full v1.0 release—originally targeted for Fall 2025—quickly came under scrutiny. By May 2025, Kunos announced that the v1.0 date was "under assessment" due to ongoing development challenges, hinting at potential further delays. Key features, such as the open-world mode, were also pushed back, with updates indicating they wouldn't arrive until later in the year or beyond. Console versions for PlayStation and Xbox, while confirmed to be in development, remain without a firm release window, leading to frustration among non-PC players who recall the lengthy wait for the original Assetto Corsa's console port.
As of June 2025, the game was still on track for a 2025 full release according to some reports, but community discussions highlighted concerns over the roadmap's feasibility, with Fall 2025 (September to December) providing only a narrow window for polish. Updates like Release 0.2 in May 2025 added new cars, tracks, and offline modes, but these came after months of patches addressing launch woes. By mid-2025, some features promised for Early Access, like full multiplayer and VR support, were still rolling out in phases, with developers admitting they "got it wrong" on initial priorities and pivoting to include mods and offline play sooner.
Major Issues: Technical Glitches, Limited Content, and Community Backlash
AC Evo's troubles extend beyond delays into core gameplay and technical problems that have marred its Early Access phase. On launch day in January 2025, players encountered widespread server overloads, rendering online features—like Special Events, Driving Academy, and the in-game economy—unplayable. Kunos quickly released patch 0.1.1 to enable all cars in offline mode as a temporary fix, but this highlighted deeper infrastructure issues. Reports of bugs, performance drops, and crashes were rampant, with some users unable to even start the game.
Critics and players alike pointed to underdeveloped elements, such as poor wet-weather physics, which felt like a simple grip reduction rather than a dynamic simulation. Graphics, while praised for their detail, fell short of expectations compared to competitors like Gran Turismo 7, and the sense of speed—though solid—didn't fully compensate for limited content. Early Access offered only a handful of cars and tracks at launch, leading to quick burnout after a couple of hours of play. Missing features, including robust multiplayer and the much-hyped open world, further fueled dissatisfaction, with updates in April and May 2025 still described as "weeks away" for some elements.
Community feedback has been mixed but vocal. While some lauded the core driving physics and potential for mods, others decried the Early Access model as a "cash grab" that excuses unfinished products. Forums and social media buzzed with concerns over stability, with one Steam discussion noting that even by June 2025, launches were unreliable due to driver conflicts. Broader development challenges, such as assessing the v1.0 timeline amid "the current climate" at Kunos, suggest internal pressures like resource constraints or feature creep.
Is AC Evo in Trouble?
The question on every sim racer's mind: Is Assetto Corsa Evo in trouble? On the surface, the signs are concerning—repeated delays, a rocky launch, and ongoing technical issues paint a picture of a project struggling to meet its ambitious goals. The Early Access phase, intended to build hype and gather feedback, instead exposed flaws that eroded trust, with some players advising others to wait until v1.0. As of July 2025, with v1.0 still potentially slipping and console ports undefined, the game risks losing momentum in a competitive market dominated by titles like iRacing and Forza Motorsport.
However, it's not all doom and gloom. Kunos has shown responsiveness, rolling out updates that address key complaints, such as adding offline modes, mod support, and new content by mid-2025. Positive previews highlight strengths in graphics, tire modeling, and overall potential, suggesting that once polished, AC Evo could live up to the legacy of its predecessor. The developers' transparency, including admissions of missteps and a clear roadmap, indicates a commitment to recovery.
In conclusion, AC Evo is facing significant hurdles but isn't beyond saving. If Kunos can deliver on promised updates and stabilize the experience before the end of 2025, it could emerge stronger. For now, cautious optimism is advised—watch for the next patch, but temper expectations. Sim racing fans deserve excellence, and only time will tell if AC Evo can shift into high gear.
