Gamemotorsa reference on racing games and sim racing

An independent reference on racing games and sim racing. Not affiliated with the former site on this domain, or with developers and publishers; we do not sell games, keys or accounts.

Updates

Game updates

Racing games live for years and keep changing: developers tweak physics, rebalance cars, add seasons and refine online racing rules. Here we look at the most common kinds of changes and how to respond to them.

After a major patch, a familiar car may handle differently. Don't rush to blame yourself — first read what's changed.

— Editor's note

How this section works: we describe the typical kinds of changes in racing game updates without referring to specific titles or version numbers. For details, always check your game's official patch notes.

What changes in updates

Six types of changes that most often make it into racing game patches.

  1. Car balance within classes

    For fairer racing, developers adjust the power and weight of cars within the same class. Your favourite car may become faster or slower.

  2. Tyre model

    Changes to tyre physics alter warm-up, wear and grip at the limit. Afterwards it's worth re-tuning your pressures and braking points.

  3. A new season

    Seasonal updates bring events, new track layouts and challenges. The race schedule is usually published right inside the game.

  4. Online racing rules

    Penalties for corner cutting, the safety rating system and the procedure for rejoining the track all change. You need to know them before the start, not after a disqualification.

  5. Controller support

    Patches add wheel and pedal profiles and adjust force feedback and deadzones. After installing one, check your calibration.

  6. Weather and time of day

    Improvements to the weather system affect grip: puddles, a drying racing line, fog. This changes tactics and tyre choice.

How to read patch notes

  1. Go to the official source

    Change lists are published on the game's website, in the launcher or in the developer's official community. Trust social media summaries less.

  2. Find the physics section

    Changes to tyres, suspension and aerodynamics have the biggest effect on your lap times.

  3. Check your car class

    See whether the rebalance affected the cars you drive.

  4. Study the online rules

    New penalties and on-track conduct requirements take effect as soon as the update goes live.

  5. Check your setups

    After a patch, saved car setups sometimes reset or behave differently. Drive a few test laps.

  • Games

    Types of racing games, from arcade to simulation, and how to match a genre to your controls and free time.

  • Mechanics

    Racing line, braking points, weight transfer, understeer and oversteer, tyres and step-by-step car setup.

  • Guides

    Step-by-step guides: wheel calibration, career mode, qualifying, wet tracks, crash-free online races. Plus our article catalogue.

  • Questions

    Short answers about getting started in racing games, control settings and online racing rules.

What we rely on

  • User manuals and developer help pages for racing games
  • Fair play rules of online services

We describe the general principles of racing games. Menus, modes and online racing rules in a particular game may differ and change with updates — check the developer's help pages.