The reaction was immediate: how can Kunos announce another game when Evo isn’t even finished? And although Marco Massarutto quickly clarified that Rally is not being developed directly by Kunos, but by an external studio using their tools, the overall impression was that of a strategic move to divert attention.
Coincidence or calculation? Sometimes, announcing something new serves to reset the conversation, shifting focus from frustration to excitement. The problem is that, in this case, the move may have had the opposite effect: instead of creating hype, it has sparked doubts about Assetto Corsa’s real priorities.
Evo Still in the Workshop
Evo remains Kunos’ most ambitious project and also its most unstable. The studio has admitted that development is slower than expected, performance needs work, VR is still “in diapers,” and online mode remains skeletal. In that context, the announcement of a new title sounds like a distraction rather than an expansion.
Because even though Kunos officially insists that the Evo team hasn’t been split, it’s hard not to imagine resources whether intellectual, marketing, or managerial being spread thin. And when a studio asks for patience with an unfinished product, the last thing players want to hear is that there’s another project with the same name in progress.
The Legacy of a Brand That Wants It All
The Assetto Corsa universe has grown so much that it’s starting to resemble an ever-expanding ecosystem: Evo, Competizione, Rally. And while that demonstrates ambition, it can also dilute the identity that made the original game a benchmark: pure simulation, realistic physics, and meticulous craftsmanship.
The risk of spreading too thin is real. Assetto Corsa Rally could become an exciting experiment, applying Kunos’ physics to off-road terrain with spectacular results. But it could also turn into a source of confusion a title that arrives before its predecessor is finished, leaving players with a sense of fatigue and unfulfilled promises.
Strategy or Emotional Band-Aid?
If we look at the timing of the announcement, it’s not hard to think there was some defensive marketing behind it. The community was losing confidence, Evo’s roadmap was in shambles, and the developers needed something to rekindle interest. And of course, what better way to do that than with a trailer full of dust, engines, and the word “Rally” in bold letters?
Still, I’d like to believe there’s more to it than a quick PR maneuver. Perhaps Assetto Corsa Rally truly is a well-planned parallel project, an attempt to explore a genre where deep simulation still has room to shine. But until we see tangible results, the question lingers: was it born from inspiration or from necessity?
For now, Evo still needs all the attention it can get. Rally can wait, hype can be useful, but the community’s trust will only return through results, not through flashy announcements. Perhaps in a few months we’ll see that this was all part of a master plan or maybe, it was simply a quick swerve to get out of the mud.
You can buy it from 20 euros in our Instant Gaming link:
See you on the track!
This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
