The next Le Mans Ultimate update is delayed, as Motorsport Games and Studio 397 announced. Instead of May, the new version is set to be launched in time for the 2025 Le Mans 24 Hours.
With just two more cars and a track missing, Le Mans Ultimate is one update away from completing its 2024 content. Perhaps more importantly, however, the upcoming version of the official WEC game is set to introduce online driver swaps and team-based play, enabling players to compete in proper endurance events. The target for release: May 2025.
More patience is needed, though.
Publisher Motorsport Games and developer Studio 397 - effectively the same in its current state - announced that the fifth big update to LMU will not be ready in May, instead being delayed to June. It is set to be ready in time for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which will take place from June 14 to 15, with MSG planning to release the update on June 10.
"These aren't small additions to the game. With Update 5, Le Mans Ultimate takes a significant step closer to its full endurance racing vision", reads a statement shared by the Le Mans Ultimate team. "Alongside new cars and a new track, this update brings depth and complexity that aligns with the core spirito fo the FIA World Endurance Championship."
Motorsport Games CEO Stephen Hood explained the situation further when talking to OverTake: "We are three weeks behind on where we want to be. And we don't want to push something out that isn't ready yet. That got us into a lot of problems in the first place", Hood noted, referencing the botched launch of NASCAR 21: Ignition in October of 2021.
Additionally, the team has spent considerable amounts of time on further refining the LMGT3 tire model, which is helped by real-life WEC drivers that compete in the class thanks to the connection with David Perel, who is involved in the sim via his Coach Dave Academy. This helped S397 to get more LMGT3 drivers to try LMU and share their feedback, according to Hood.
The tire model updates are supposed to rise through the ranks, so to speak, as there will be LMP2 improvements as well, which will eventually lead to refinements being rolled out to the Hypercars as well - but not as part of the 2024 Pack 5 update yet.
The Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR-LMH and its wailing V12 are fan favorites - and possibly in LMU soon. Image: Aston Martin Media
New to the WEC grid are the Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR-LMH and the Mercedes-AMG LMGT3 Evo - the two cars and new liveries plus driver lineups would be all that is needed for the 2025 season to be featured in LMU. "We're working on that", said Hood. "And I don't think we're far off."
In fact, Studio 397 and MSG have "a lot of plans around Le Mans", according to Hood. "There will be a bunch of exciting updates." The LMU team will be at Circuit de La Sarthe, too, and a press conference with the ACO, the organizer of the 24 Hours, is set to happen at the iconic endurance venue as well.
It looks like sim racers are in for quite a few exciting surprises in the near future when it comes to Le Mans Ultimate.
What are your thoughts on the slight delay of Le Mans Ultimate Update 5? Let us know in the comments below and join the discussion in our LMU forum!
With just two more cars and a track missing, Le Mans Ultimate is one update away from completing its 2024 content. Perhaps more importantly, however, the upcoming version of the official WEC game is set to introduce online driver swaps and team-based play, enabling players to compete in proper endurance events. The target for release: May 2025.
More patience is needed, though.
Publisher Motorsport Games and developer Studio 397 - effectively the same in its current state - announced that the fifth big update to LMU will not be ready in May, instead being delayed to June. It is set to be ready in time for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which will take place from June 14 to 15, with MSG planning to release the update on June 10.
"These aren't small additions to the game. With Update 5, Le Mans Ultimate takes a significant step closer to its full endurance racing vision", reads a statement shared by the Le Mans Ultimate team. "Alongside new cars and a new track, this update brings depth and complexity that aligns with the core spirito fo the FIA World Endurance Championship."
Motorsport Games CEO Stephen Hood explained the situation further when talking to OverTake: "We are three weeks behind on where we want to be. And we don't want to push something out that isn't ready yet. That got us into a lot of problems in the first place", Hood noted, referencing the botched launch of NASCAR 21: Ignition in October of 2021.
Driver Swaps Tested, More LMGT3 Driver Input
Getting the content ready is one thing, but Studio 397 has been busy testing the online driver swap feature as well. And while these tests have been successful in general, they were not quite where they need to be in order for the feature to be rolled out.Additionally, the team has spent considerable amounts of time on further refining the LMGT3 tire model, which is helped by real-life WEC drivers that compete in the class thanks to the connection with David Perel, who is involved in the sim via his Coach Dave Academy. This helped S397 to get more LMGT3 drivers to try LMU and share their feedback, according to Hood.
The tire model updates are supposed to rise through the ranks, so to speak, as there will be LMP2 improvements as well, which will eventually lead to refinements being rolled out to the Hypercars as well - but not as part of the 2024 Pack 5 update yet.
The Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR-LMH and its wailing V12 are fan favorites - and possibly in LMU soon. Image: Aston Martin Media
2025 Content: "I Don't think we're far off"
It may not be too long until this is implemented, however - which also goes for the 2025 season content. Remember, the calendar is the same as in 2024, so no new tracks are needed.New to the WEC grid are the Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR-LMH and the Mercedes-AMG LMGT3 Evo - the two cars and new liveries plus driver lineups would be all that is needed for the 2025 season to be featured in LMU. "We're working on that", said Hood. "And I don't think we're far off."
In fact, Studio 397 and MSG have "a lot of plans around Le Mans", according to Hood. "There will be a bunch of exciting updates." The LMU team will be at Circuit de La Sarthe, too, and a press conference with the ACO, the organizer of the 24 Hours, is set to happen at the iconic endurance venue as well.
It looks like sim racers are in for quite a few exciting surprises in the near future when it comes to Le Mans Ultimate.
What are your thoughts on the slight delay of Le Mans Ultimate Update 5? Let us know in the comments below and join the discussion in our LMU forum!
