Rennsport: Business Model Changes in Depth

Today it’s time to talk about Rennsport, and the truth is that the topic comes loaded with news that could mark a turning point for this simulator.

The company has announced a radical change in its business model and, although on paper it looks clearer than before, the reality is that there are many nuances that raise more questions than answers.

Farewell to Free to Play and the Arrival of the Box Model

The biggest shift is that Rennsport is leaving behind the free to play format to introduce what they call the Box Model:

• On consoles (PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series) it will be simple: you buy the game, either standard or deluxe edition, and that’s it.
• On PC, however, things get more complicated. There will still be a free entry version with limited content, and then you’ll have to pay to unlock the full experience.

In theory, the idea is to “eliminate monetization distractions” and offer a clear and complete product. But let’s be honest, the contradiction is obvious: internal currencies remain, DLCs are already announced, and content is still locked behind pre-orders.

Confirmed Launch Content

At launch, the game promises:

• 18 cars across 7 classes.
• 13 tracks from 9 countries.
• The deluxe edition adds 1 extra car, 1 extra track, and two future DLC packs included.

The problem? For a title aiming to compete during the current sim racing boom, 19 cars and 14 tracks feel scarce. Even more so when the confirmed price is €60 on PC (€70 on console) for the standard edition, and €70 on PC (€80 on console) for the deluxe edition.

Preorder Bonus and the Old “Early Access” Trap

Another classic: the pre-order incentive.

• The exclusive Ford Mustang GT3 will only be available to those who pre-order.
• They market it as “72-hour early access,” but in reality, it’s the opposite: if you buy the standard edition, you play later than those who pay more.

Nothing new here, but it’s frustrating because it distorts the concept of early access.

Founders and the Internal Currency

Here’s another issue. Many players already paid for the Founders Pack (€20, €40, or even €70):

• Those who bought the €20 or €40 packs will get the standard edition.
• Those who paid €70 will get the deluxe edition.

On top of that, anyone who invested in the famous Renn Dollars (the game’s internal currency) will also receive the standard edition. However, the cheaper options to buy that currency have disappeared, clearly to prevent players from getting the full game for just a few euros.

Goodbye (Or Not?) to the Battle Pass

Rennsport also had a Battle Pass similar to Fortnite: stickers, skins, and even a decorative octopus for your car. They’ve now removed it… but only the current version. They haven’t confirmed if it will return in another form.

If the goal is really to eliminate monetization distractions, this would be the logical move. But knowing this studio’s track record, there’s doubt whether we’ll see a rebranded seasonal pass in the future.

Crossplay and Its Limitations

A positive note is that the game will feature crossplay between PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. This is great news for a title that desperately needs players for online races to have life.

The negative side is that purchases won’t be shared between platforms: what you buy on PC won’t transfer to console, and vice versa.

My Personal Take

Here’s where I need to be honest:

• Yes, the current model is more understandable than the previous free to play chaos, but it’s still full of contradictions.
• They talk about an “all-in experience with a single purchase”, yet they keep internal currencies, pre-order locked content, and mysterious DLCs we don’t even know details about.
• The launch content seems too limited to compete against giants like Assetto Corsa, rFactor, or Le Mans Ultimate.

And the most worrying part: who is actually playing this right now? At the time of these announcements, there were barely 30 active players worldwide.

My advice: be patient. Wait to see how the release actually unfolds and what the community thinks before spending €60, €70, or €80. Because right now, Rennsport remains closer to uncertainty than to becoming a true sim racing reference.

Happy Racing!