Nacon's Aggressive Push into Sim Racing: Expo Highlights, Game Delays, and Industry Shifts
In the fast-evolving world of sim racing, 2025 has been a year of bold moves and strategic pivots. French publisher and hardware manufacturer Nacon has emerged as a key player, aggressively expanding its footprint in both software and peripherals. This push comes at a time when the sim racing market is projected to grow significantly, driven by advancements in direct drive technology, realistic simulations, and esports integration. May 2025, in particular, stood out as a pivotal month for Nacon, marked by high-profile reveals at Bigben Week and the announcement of the inaugural Sim Gaming Expo. However, these advancements haven't come without hurdles, including game delays that reflect broader industry challenges. Let's dive into the details and explore how Nacon is reshaping the hardware and software landscapes.
Bigben Week: Nacon's Hardware Offensive Takes Center Stage
May 2025 kicked off with Bigben Week, Nacon's annual showcase event held in Paris from May 19-21. This expo-like gathering served as the launchpad for Nacon's ambitious entry into high-end sim racing hardware under the new RevoSim brand. Attendees and media were treated to hands-on demos of the RevoSim RS Pure bundle, a direct drive wheelbase delivering 9Nm of torque, paired with modular pedals designed for precision and customization. Priced starting at around £599.90, the bundle positions Nacon as a competitive alternative to established players like Fanatec and Logitech, emphasizing affordability without sacrificing performance.
The event didn't stop at the wheelbase. Nacon unveiled a full ecosystem of accessories, including a hybrid gearbox shifter, handbrake, and additional pedal sets, all compatible with PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. Early impressions from outlets like Eurogamer highlighted the system's responsive force feedback and build quality, noting it as a "positive step" for Nacon's racing division. This hardware reveal aligns with Nacon's broader strategy to bridge casual and hardcore sim racers, offering scalable setups that can evolve from entry-level to pro-grade.
On the software side, Bigben Week featured announcements that bolstered Nacon's racing portfolio. The company revealed
Unlimited 3, a sequel to its arcade-sim hybrid series, set for release in Q4 2025 across consoles and PC. Additionally, Nacon confirmed its reacquisition of the World Rally Championship (WRC) license from EA, with developer KT Racing (previously responsible for WRC titles from 2015-2022) returning to helm games from 2027 to 2032. This move promises a return to "immersive and authentic" rally experiences, focusing on realism that fans felt was diluted under EA's stewardship.
The Sim Gaming Expo Announcement: A New Hub for Sim Enthusiasts
Amid the buzz of Bigben Week, May also saw the official reveal of the Sim Gaming Expo, North America's first major event dedicated to all simulation gaming genres, including sim racing. Scheduled for September 5-7, 2025, at the Schaumburg Renaissance Convention Center in Illinois, the expo aims to unite virtual reality, esports, and tech under one roof. While not directly hosted by Nacon, the timing of its announcement in late May dovetailed with Nacon's reveals, amplifying industry excitement.
The expo's founder, Jorge Anzaldo, emphasized inclusivity across sim genres, from racing to flight and life simulations. Confirmed partners include iRacing as the competition software provider, alongside exhibitors like SCS Software and Alexander PCs. For sim racing fans, this event represents a shift toward community-driven experiences, with potential for hardware demos, tournaments, and developer panels. Nacon's presence is anticipated, given their recent hardware launches, potentially showcasing RevoSim products in a dedicated racing zone.
Navigating Game Delays: Challenges in Nacon's Pipeline
While May brought triumphs, it wasn't without setbacks. Nacon's Q4 2024/25 financial report, released in late April but discussed in May's industry recaps, highlighted delays in several titles as part of a broader portfolio adjustment. Although specific sim racing games like
Unlimited 3 remain on track for Q4 2025, the company postponed launches across its lineup to ensure quality amid rising development costs.
These delays echo wider industry trends in sim racing. For instance, competitors like Motorsport Games delayed Le Mans Ultimate's full 1.0 release from Fall 2025, citing the need for more polish. Nacon's reacquisition of the WRC license also introduces a gap: No official WRC game in 2025 or 2026, as KT Racing ramps up development. This has sparked community discussions on platforms like Reddit, where fans express frustration over the interim period but optimism for KT's return.
Broader delays in 2025 sim titles, such as updates to Assetto Corsa EVO and Project Motor Racing, underscore the challenges of balancing realism, AI advancements, and cross-platform compatibility. For Nacon, these hiccups are part of a calculated risk, prioritizing long-term quality over rushed releases.
Reshaping Hardware and Software: Nacon's Lasting Impact
Nacon's May developments are reshaping sim racing in tangible ways. On the hardware front, the RevoSim ecosystem democratizes direct drive technology, traditionally dominated by premium brands. By offering modular, console-compatible peripherals, Nacon lowers barriers for console players transitioning to sim setups. This could accelerate market growth, with analysts predicting a surge in affordable direct drive adoption by 2026.
In software, Nacon's focus on authentic simulations—evident in upcoming WRC titles and partnerships like publishing Rennsport on consoles—signals a shift toward deeper immersion. The company's NACON Connect event earlier in March 2025 laid the groundwork, announcing the RevoSim RS Pure's June launch and teasing AI-driven features in future games. Combined with the Sim Gaming Expo's community emphasis, these moves foster a more interconnected ecosystem, blending hardware innovation with esports and fan engagement.
Looking Ahead: A Competitive Future
As we hit August 2025, Nacon's aggressive push shows no signs of slowing. While delays pose short-term frustrations, the company's hardware reveals and strategic acquisitions position it as a disruptor in a market hungry for innovation. Bigben Week and the Sim Gaming Expo announcement highlight a vibrant May, setting the stage for September's event and beyond. For sim racing enthusiasts, Nacon's efforts could redefine accessibility and realism, ultimately benefiting the entire industry. Keep an eye on upcoming releases—2025 is far from over, and the race is just heating up.
