Black Angel Team - Notizie

When Kunos Simulazioni Nearly Created an Official Formula 1 Simulator

A Tale of Missed Opportunities and Strategic Decisions

There exists a parallel universe where an official Formula 1 simulation game developed by Kunos Simulazioni continues to receive updates and support. While this alternate reality remains in the realm of fantasy, the creators of the acclaimed Assetto Corsa series came surprisingly close to making this dream a reality.

The revelation came from Marco Massarutto, co-founder and executive manager of the Italian team, during an interview with Multiplayer.it. "Once we had a chance in 2019," Massarutto stated, "when the exclusivity of Codemasters with Formula 1 was, let's say, in the discussion phase, we had the possibility of making an official, non-exclusive, F1 simulation for PC."

The 2019 Context

In 2019, the world of Formula 1 video games was in flux. Codemasters, the Birmingham-based British studio, was negotiating the renewal of its exclusive contract with Formula 1. Ultimately, the British team managed to secure an extension of the existing deal until 2025, a contract that is currently subject to negotiation once again.

For Kunos Simulazioni, this window of uncertainty represented a unique opportunity. The Italian company had already demonstrated its technical competence with Assetto Corsa, earning respect from the sim racing community for its attention to realistic physics and simulation precision.

Kunos' Vision for Formula 1

"F1 is the unicorn to us since the very beginning," Massarutto explained. "We can't imagine creating a product with the extended career mode of Codemasters F1, but definitely, it would have been a true-genuine simulation featuring advanced physics and all the circuits laser-scanned."

The project wouldn't have been simply a clone of Codemasters games. Kunos had something different in mind: a complementary simulation that focused on realistic physics and technical precision, distinctive characteristics of the company's DNA. Not just for B2B use, but also for the mass-market PC audience.

The Strategic Plan Based on Competizione

Kunos' strategy for the F1 simulator was as ambitious as it was practical. During the same period, the Italian team was working on its second Assetto Corsa title: Competizione, a spin-off that served as the official simulation of the SRO Blancpain championships (later renamed GT World Challenge).

Assetto Corsa Competizione had been released in PC early access in September 2018, reaching version 1.0 in May 2019. This title was meant to serve as the initial foundation for the single-seater project.

"The concept was 'Let's take the structure of Assetto Corsa Competizione and all the work that has been done, and change it to fit Formula 1,' such as adding the missing circuits and features," Massarutto continued.

The Time Challenge and Resources

The F1 project wasn't a simple cosmetic modification. Massarutto revealed that the team would probably have had to work behind closed doors for around three years. This timeline coincided with a critical moment for Kunos: they had just released version 1.0 of Competizione, and the team was exhausted after the intense development work.

"Most of the team, who had worked so hard on Competizione, said that it hadn't yet expressed its full potential," Massarutto explained. "Eventually, the idea was to expand and improve ACC to the point that ACC would have been in very good shape, being also the basis for the F1 sim. I would say this was ambitious, but still possible."

Previous Experience with Formula 1

Kunos wasn't completely foreign to the Formula 1 world. The original Assetto Corsa had already hosted several real-world open-wheelers, including iconic cars like the Ferrari F2004 and SF70H as downloadable content.

This previous experience demonstrated that the Italian team had the technical skills to faithfully reproduce the unique characteristics of Formula 1 single-seaters, from tire management to complex aerodynamics.

The Final Decision

Despite the opportunity and technical competence, Kunos Simulazioni ultimately decided not to proceed with the F1 project. The decision wasn't taken lightly and involved deep considerations about the company's future direction.

"At the end, Stefano Casillo [fellow co-founder and CTO at Kunos] and I clearly felt that part of the team didn't have our same vibrations on the F1 project, and to go for it, we would have needed each single guy at maximum capacity," Massarutto revealed.

"So, instead of forcing the hand, forcing them to listen to us, we listened to them and we kept all our focus on ACC."

The Implications of a Choice

Kunos' decision reflects a mature understanding of business dynamics and the risks associated with large projects. As Massarutto explained: "Implications with F1 are huge from any possible perspective, and a project like this could turn out to be 'the end' for a studio of our size."

This comment reveals the Italian team's awareness of the pressures and expectations that accompany Formula 1-related projects. An official license brings not only immense opportunities but also responsibilities and pressures that could overwhelm a relatively small team like Kunos.

The Future and Reflections

Looking back, Massarutto doesn't seem to regret the decision made. "In hindsight, I can't say I regret the decision we made," he stated. However, he also added a note of nostalgia: "That said, touching the tail of the unicorn has been quite cool."

The choice to focus on Assetto Corsa Competizione proved wise. The game continued to receive updates and content, consolidating Kunos' reputation in the GT simulation sector. Additionally, it allowed the team to maintain their identity and quality standards without being crushed by the pressures of a global franchise like Formula 1.

Lessons for the Industry

The story of Kunos and the missed F1 opportunity offers valuable lessons for the video game industry. It demonstrates how strategic decisions aren't always about pursuing the biggest opportunities, but often about understanding one's capabilities and limitations.

The case also illustrates the importance of team consensus in development studios. Without the enthusiasm and total commitment of all team members, even the most promising projects can fail.

Conclusion

The story of how Kunos Simulazioni came close to creating an official Formula 1 simulator remains a fascinating "what if" in the world of racing video games. While that F1 simulator remains in the realm of unrealized possibilities, the legacy of Assetto Corsa and Competizione continues to influence the racing simulation landscape.

Kunos' decision to remain faithful to their vision and capabilities, rather than launching into a project that could have compromised the studio's stability, demonstrates strategic maturity that has allowed the company to continue thriving in the competitive world of racing simulations.

https://assettocorsa.gg/