I would like to write a series from time to time called something like the title of this article. I should have done it a long time ago, but time is scarce and I usually face controversy when I deviate from the usual news script. We could summarize it as EMH (Hardware Market Status) and talk about the perceptions and evolutions of each brand, or at least the ones that are being heard most recently.
Although there are many devices to admire in this simulation hardware market niche, the main device, although not the most important, is still the base and the rim. In this case, we have witnessed an unimaginable surge of products until just 3-4 years ago. This has been contributed by the incorporation of new brands from new and not so new manufacturers who have seen this market as a possible way to continue increasing their revenue.
Before the pandemic, we had a relatively stable market in which the high and mid-range commercial sector was dominated with an iron fist by Fanatec. The entry-level range was divided between Logitech and Thrustmaster, who also had proposals for the mid-range through the usual distributors. In the luxury range, Simucube and Simsteering had been established as very specialized products that required third-party add-ons.
But lately, the market has taken a considerable turn. While many are still waiting for Fanatec’s Quick Release V2, the brand has been relatively quiet since the earthquake caused by the CSL DD and the GT DD PRO. Silent, but not idle, because these two have brought in numerous sales and have given rise to the competition following suit with many options. Moza Racing has released countless products in the last year and a half, and Asetek hasn’t been sitting idly either. Two new simracing hardware manufacturers who are not new to selling other devices and have experience in how to sell and distribute. They are tough rivals who work quickly and move at lightning speed.
While Fanatec continues to investigate where to place its new mid-range CSW DD, these two new players have accelerated and covered that segment, providing new options for the user. To make matters worse, both Logitech and Thrustmaster have “copied” Fanatec’s store strategy and have hit hard on the gap that was missing with real purchasing options.
Both Moza Racing and Asetek Simsports have shown in recent months to be a real alternative to what we knew until now and have displaced many purchasing options in the minds of future consumers. Fanatec is being cornered on numerous fronts, but it is possible that it is only preparing its next bomb. We will see how these months develop and what we can comment on in successive articles in this new series.
See you on the track!
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