Le Mans Ultimate
{{Short description|2024 racing video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Le Mans Ultimate
| state =
| image = Le Mans Ultimate cover art.jpg
| caption =
| developer = Studio 397
| publisher = Motorsport Games
| series =
| engine = isiMotor 2.5
| platforms = Microsoft Windows
| released = 20 February 2024 (early access)
| genre = Sim racing
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
}}
Le Mans Ultimate is a sim racing video game developed by Dutch video game developer Studio 397 and published by Motorsport Games. The game is an officially licensed simulation of the FIA World Endurance Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and focuses on Le Mans Hypercar, LMP2, GTE, and LMGT3 cars.{{Cite web |title=The Game |url=https://lemansultimate.com/the-game/ |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=Le Mans Ultimate |language=en-US}} The game has been listed as a Steam Early Access release since 20 February 2024.
Originally slated for release in December 2023,{{Cite web |last=Pettit |first=Vince |date=2023-06-15 |title=Le Mans Ultimate Game Thrills Fans at 24 Hours of Le Mans, Anticipation Builds for Official Release |url=https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2023/06/le-mans-ultimate-game-thrills-fans-at-24-hours-of-le-mans-anticipation-builds-for-official-release/ |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=The Checkered Flag |language=en-GB}} the date was pushed back to February 2024 before Studio 397 switched to an early access model just weeks prior to the official release of the game.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-20 |title=Exclusive: Why Le Mans Ultimate Moved to Early Access |url=https://racinggames.gg/article/why-le-mans-ultimate-moved-to-early-access |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=RacingGames |language=en}} The game is currently featured only on PC, but console versions are being considered with porting agencies the likely method, according to Motorsport Games CEO Stephen Hood.{{Cite web |last=Harradence |first=Michael |date=2024-12-03 |title=Is Le Mans Ultimate Coming To PS5? |url=https://www.psu.com/news/is-le-mans-ultimate-coming-to-ps5/ |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=PlayStation Universe |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Harrison-Lord |first=Thomas |date=2024-06-24 |title=Le Mans Ultimate considering "partners" for console versions, code refinements underway |url=https://traxion.gg/le-mans-ultimate-considering-partners-for-console-versions-code-refinements-underway/ |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=Traxion.GG |language=en-US}}
Gameplay
As the FIA World Endurance Championship's officially licensed simulation, Le Mans Ultimate includes the series' official car classes and manufacturers featured since the 2023 season and onwards, those being Le Mans Hypercar, LMP2, GTE, and LMGT3.{{Cite web |title=Cars |url=https://lemansultimate.com/cars/ |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=Le Mans Ultimate |language=en-US}} Race tracks used both currently and previously by the FIA WEC since 2023 are also present in the game, including Sebring, Portimão, Spa-Francorchamps, Circuit de la Sarthe, Monza, Fuji, and Bahrain.{{Cite web |title=Circuits |url=https://lemansultimate.com/circuits/ |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=Le Mans Ultimate |language=en-US}}
Race Weekend is Le Mans Ultimate{{'}}s single-player mode where players can set how many classes will be on track, weather forecast, time scaling, fuel usage scaling, and tyre wear scaling.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-23 |title=Everything You Need To Know About Le Mans UItimate {{!}} Feature {{!}} CarThrottle |url=https://www.carthrottle.com/features/everything-you-need-know-about-le-mans-uitimate |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=www.carthrottle.com |language=en}} Online multiplayer is present in early access and is powered by RaceControl, Motorsport Games' online racing platform. Players can compete in daily races, limited timed special events, or create a private session for select players to join.
Development
The game is built on the isiMotor 2.5 engine, developed by Image Space Incorporated for use in rFactor 2. Le Mans Ultimate also features Real Road 3.0, which is a system that allows for dynamic simulation of a race track's surface, including changing surface conditions as cars drive over a race track and the simulation of rain and puddles affecting the environment of a circuit.
Before becoming its own release, the basis of Le Mans Ultimate was originally intended to be for the successor of the rFactor 2 video game, in the form of rFactor 3.{{Cite web |last=Harrison-Lord |first=Thomas |date=2024-06-07 |title=rFactor 3 was cancelled in favour of Le Mans Ultimate |url=https://traxion.gg/rfactor-3-was-cancelled-in-favour-of-le-mans-ultimate/ |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=Traxion.GG |language=en-US}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://lemansultimate.com/ Official website]
{{Portal bar|Video games}}
{{24 Hours of Le Mans|state=collapsed}}
Category:Motorsport Games games
Category:Works about 24 Hours of Le Mans
Category:Early access video games