With winter in its final throes – especially here in Toronto, complete with freezing rain as I type this – things are heating up all along the automotive landscape, both in the real world and digitally. While Assetto Corsa’s console release was delayed, the folks at Kunos Simulazioni continue to work tirelessly on their title in preparation for the next big update (v1.5), with the first of three blog updates dedicated to the latest version going live earlier today. Like most big projects, the real work starts at home.
“Home”, in Kunos’ case, is the Vallelunga race circuit, where their base of operations has been located since 2009. The track will see a considerable visual update (as previewed here last month), while the pre-2005 layout will also be added to the game. In addition, all of the tracks currently in Assetto Corsa will see a similar visual update when v1.5 goes live next week.
Tantalizingly, the blog entry starts off by teasing a new track addition to the roster: the A1 Ring in Spielberg, Austria, otherwise known as the Red Bull Ring. Already available in Gran Turismo 6, the track is expected within the game later this year.
The new additions don’t stop there. For a game that represents both road and race cars, Assetto Corsa isn’t just light on driving roads versus circuits: it exclusively features the latter. Update 1.5 will change that, when the new “Black Cat County” arrives, for free, for all players to enjoy the thrill of driving in a different environment.
Spurred on by the observations of an unnamed automotive manufacturer that works with Assetto Corsa, Kunos has crafted a system of roads loosely based in the American South, which complements the additions of the Mustang and Corvette nicely. With three variations (Short, Intermediate, and Long), Black Cat County will undoubtedly be a welcome addition for those looking to explore Assetto Corsa’s physics in a more casual, picturesque way. Looking at the image of the track, it’s sure to provide a challenge as well.
Kunos is keen to stress that the development of this new environment was undertaken in parallel with their other projects, not in place of any. It represents something truly new for the game, and the sort of diversification that has proven successful for console driving games. Wrapping up the blog entry, the developers had this to say:
“Not only do these kinds of activities guarantee a better relationship between Assetto Corsa and automotive manufacturers with all the benefits that they bring in terms of realism, connections and new licenses, but also represent a more comprehensive way to process R&D activities and test new 3D modelling and texturing techniques.”
We’re only a week away from PC players gaining access to this new content. Hop on over to our dedicated Assetto Corsa section for more in-depth discussion!
See more articles on Assetto Corsa, Assetto Corsa Game Updates, and Developer Diary.
Awesome!
3 versions of Black Cat County and the “short” version is 3 minutes. Must be a massive track. The biggest track has a straight long enough to reach the same top speeds as at the Nordschliefe. Sounds spectacular and a great addition to a racing sim. I do hope they’ve included some imperfections in the surface though.
Bonus trivia question. Anyone know why it’s called Black Cat County?
There is a black cat in their logo isn’t there? Would explain the use of the name.
A big fat Cohiba for you! Licorice cigars available for non-smokers.
Kunos’s other project is supplementing assets and assisting in vehicle design for The Crew. I wonder if Black Cat County has any relation to the Mountain State desert region. That area has amazing roads.
Whoa! Do you have a source for this? I never knew that.
@Michael.L I’ve watched the entire staff roll and spotted it, was like a special thanks message in the credits. I play both games on low settings on my laptop and noticed the similarity when compared to cars that are shared with AC like the Abarth 500, Alfa Romeo 4C, LaFerrari, Mercedes SLS AMG etc.
Very interesting and nice spot Norm. Perhaps a sharing of the car models?
Nice spot, indeed!
That Black Cat County roads, though. Wow. Suddenly, this game looks like one helluva tempting buy on PS4, when it eventually arrives later this year.
The Red Bull Ring is in Austria. ;)
Whoops, had a brain fart there. Thanks for catching that so quickly!