Picture this: you’ve spent years paying your iRacing subscription, buying cars that cost as much as a family pizza (but with no cheese) and tracks that, if you add them up, you could’ve funded a real trip to Nürburgring. And suddenly, boom, the company announces an arcade game, a shiny NASCAR 2025, and even its own IndyCar title.
And of course, the first thought is:
“Excuse me? With MY money you’re making games for casuals? Fix the netcode, darn it!”
The reaction is almost automatic, because deep down we feel like iRacing isn’t just a product it’s practically a relationship. And you know how that goes: if your partner starts looking elsewhere, you get jealous.
The Fear of Digital Betrayal
I get it. Really, I do.
When you hear “iRacing Arcade,” your brain imagines the devs pulling a lever:
“Alright team, stop working on tire physics, let’s build neon-bumper mayhem.”
Drama served. And the sense of abandonment, too. Because let’s be honest: every time we sweat over a setup and eat a netcode crash, it hurts. And it hurts more to imagine that someone, somewhere, is designing stickers for an arcade while you’re ghosted by packet loss.
But… What If That’s Not the Story?
The other side of the coin is less tragic and much more logical: they’re different teams.
It’s like thinking that because Ferrari makes a SUV now, they’ll stop racing in F1.
Spoiler: not happening.
In fact, many external projects have brought direct benefits. Updated NASCAR tracks, officially licensed cars… assets we end up enjoying in the simulator without even asking. That’s when you think:
“Okay, maybe it’s not so bad that iRacing is dabbling elsewhere… if the goodies rain back into the sim like a summer shower.”
The Community
The fun part is how the community splits. There are the doomsayers, who see every new announcement as the first horseman of the simracing apocalypse:
“This isn’t iRacing anymore; it’s Candy Crush with wheels.”
And then you have the zen optimists, who take it in stride:
“Relax. More games, more revenue, more resources. The rising tide lifts all boats.”
Personally, I’m with the second group. Although, yes, I still have that tiny irrational fear like watching your partner laugh a little too much at someone’s joke at a party. You trust, but you keep one eye open.
So… Threat or Salvation?
In the end, the answer isn’t about launching an arcade or a new NASCAR game. The answer is whether the core simulator keeps evolving.
If iRacing maintains its essence physics that matter, season updates with bite, content that moves the needle then by all means, make twenty more games.
But if the sim ever feels paused, the community won’t forgive it. And rightly so: we’re not casual players; we’re people who’ve learned more about tire pressures than some real-world mechanics.
I don’t think iRacing is betraying us. It’s doing what any healthy company would do: diversify. And if they do it right, we all win.
That said… if one day I see the simulator stagnate and all we get are shiny skins for the Arcade, believe me: I’ll be the first to lead the virtual torch-bearing revolution.
- Remember, you can join iRacing clicking here.
See you on the track!
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I really don’t give that all much thought. But very good article as always. My take is that hopefully a lot of these people that use iracing as a game instead of competing will bale and go to console racing.
Thanks a lot for reading and for sharing your thoughts!
Hey Alberto, you wrote an awesome article! It’s a great read for drivers on both sides of the issue. After I finished it, I couldn’t help but think about all the wheels I enjoy- racing RC cars, go-karts, Kart racing, street racing (but only a few times, of course), drag racing, autocross, and road courses. But I am fairly sure I’ve spent the majority of my seat time sim racing – and a little in a racing game that probably has sticker packs. Yes, “It’s in the game.”
Some of the best race weekends I’ve had we’d take a break and go to the local Kart track’s cafe for lunch or dinner where we would rent Karts. And inside we’d take turns on whatever racing game they had in their arcade. To me, a driver’s ecosystem is a steering wheel and pedals. If we put in the work, we can become great drivers, no matter what’s going on around us – but only if the platform and our equipment allow us to be competitive
The people responsible for sim racing platforms must keep it as their top priority, just as our engine builder and suspension tuners must do because losing a race over a loose fuel line or a lost packet really sucks and there is a limit that, once passed, is a deal breaker. There are so many talented people behind the wheel who are pushing the limits and we are all paying very close attention to every detail.
As for today, I’d rather be racing, but I have to put those neon sticker packs on my daughters’ hot rods – all three of them! When I ordered them I thought they were going to be great Christmas gifts…
Thank you so much for your kind words!
Honestly, readers like you are what make all of this worthwhile and keep us motivated to keep writing and sharing. Knowing that what we publish connects with your own experiences and brings back such great memories is truly a gift.
Thank you for being here, for reading, and for sharing a piece of your world with us. We hope to keep riding along with you through every corner, straight, and pit stop of this passion that brings us together.
Sending you a big hug, and may you always feel the thrill to keep on racing!