Update 0.2 introduced quite a few changes to Assetto Corsa EVO, most notably via the Open and Career Modes. But what's the difference exactly?
Always online - two words that gamers and sim racers alike are not exactly fond of. Look no further than the release of Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown that rendered the game unplayable due to a server outage in its first few days - and Assetto Corsa EVO was also struggling with this problem, although it was possible to at least play the game on a limited scale.
Of course, players made it known that they were not exactly happy with this. The Academy of AC EVO was made available in early February once the servers were restored, but it was still necessary to be online to access it.
This need was removed with the v0.2 update, as it introduced a mode selection screen. Players can now choose between Open Mode and Career Mode - and both of them do not require an internet connection. Good news for many, but what is the difference between the two modes?
In any mode, players will gain XP and cash rewards to help them advance. Most likely, this is a very rudimentary version of the Career Mode centered around the freeroam map in the Eifel region surrounding the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, which is set to join AC EVO over multiple releases before version 1.0.
For now, players need to obtain appropriate licenses before being able to drive certain cars - or even rent them, for that matter. So nailing those license test times is crucial if you want to access all cars in this mode.
Open Mode is the manifestation of that. Feel like getting into any car at any track the game has to offer? This is the mode for you. It is a sandbox that allows you to play with the available content the way you want. No starting funds, no limited selection of cars in the beginning, just" here you go, have fun".
This also allows for playing around with the customization feature. Head to the dealership - that certainly won't make any money in this mode - to pick a car, then check what types of configurations and customizations are available.
It may be subtle, but the little front splitter that hides in the shadows somewhat is not stock on this Porsche 964 Turbo.
Once you are done with choosing rims, upgrade parts (for cars that have some available), or even interior stitchings in some cars, you can then store the car in your garage, which is just a fancy way of saying that you can save your customizations.
It appears that Kunos did indeed listen to its community - which is good to see. With more frequent updates set to follow and the game in an improved state as of v0.2, it should be exciting to keep an eye on what's to come.
What are your first impressions of Assetto Corsa EVO v0.2? Let us know in the comments below and join the discussion in our AC EVO forum!
Always online - two words that gamers and sim racers alike are not exactly fond of. Look no further than the release of Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown that rendered the game unplayable due to a server outage in its first few days - and Assetto Corsa EVO was also struggling with this problem, although it was possible to at least play the game on a limited scale.
Of course, players made it known that they were not exactly happy with this. The Academy of AC EVO was made available in early February once the servers were restored, but it was still necessary to be online to access it.
This need was removed with the v0.2 update, as it introduced a mode selection screen. Players can now choose between Open Mode and Career Mode - and both of them do not require an internet connection. Good news for many, but what is the difference between the two modes?
Assetto Corsa EVO Career Mode
Choosing career mode in Assetto Corsa EVO means going down the progression route. Players start out with a budget of $65,000 to buy their first car which they can then use in singleplayer racing modes. Alternatively, they can jump into the Academy to grind through license tests across multiple classes, from sportscars (meaning sporty road-going cars) all the way to three different classes for racing cars.In any mode, players will gain XP and cash rewards to help them advance. Most likely, this is a very rudimentary version of the Career Mode centered around the freeroam map in the Eifel region surrounding the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, which is set to join AC EVO over multiple releases before version 1.0.
For now, players need to obtain appropriate licenses before being able to drive certain cars - or even rent them, for that matter. So nailing those license test times is crucial if you want to access all cars in this mode.
Assetto Corsa EVO Open Mode
When the terms "in-game economy" and "progression" were first mentioned, many AC fans feared that they would have to grind their way to their favorite car, like in Gran Turismo or Forza Motorsport. Kunos Co-Founder and Managing Director Marco Massarutto was quick to assure them that they would be able to play EVO like they played the original Assetto Corsa if they wanted to skip all the progression and career elements.Open Mode is the manifestation of that. Feel like getting into any car at any track the game has to offer? This is the mode for you. It is a sandbox that allows you to play with the available content the way you want. No starting funds, no limited selection of cars in the beginning, just" here you go, have fun".
This also allows for playing around with the customization feature. Head to the dealership - that certainly won't make any money in this mode - to pick a car, then check what types of configurations and customizations are available.
It may be subtle, but the little front splitter that hides in the shadows somewhat is not stock on this Porsche 964 Turbo.
Once you are done with choosing rims, upgrade parts (for cars that have some available), or even interior stitchings in some cars, you can then store the car in your garage, which is just a fancy way of saying that you can save your customizations.
Assetto Corsa EVO Offline
Either mode is available offline, unlike before. To test this, I pulled the LAN cable from my PC to make sure I was definitely offline (as it does not do WiFi), and I was running the Academy license tests just as I was previously.It appears that Kunos did indeed listen to its community - which is good to see. With more frequent updates set to follow and the game in an improved state as of v0.2, it should be exciting to keep an eye on what's to come.
What are your first impressions of Assetto Corsa EVO v0.2? Let us know in the comments below and join the discussion in our AC EVO forum!
