Just four years ago, with the arrival of the Fanatec CSL DD , Sim Racing seemed to cross a new threshold. Suddenly, what had been reserved for a handful of enthusiasts with deep pockets was within reach for a lot more people. It was like discovering that sushi isn’t just for millionaires in penthouses you can find a pretty good roll at the corner shop too.
The result? An explosion. Today we have more Direct Drive wheels on the market than yogurt flavors in a supermarket, and every month another manufacturer appears convinced they’ve built “the definitive solution” to make us feel like we’re piloting a Formula car… in the living room.
So the question becomes inevitable: is this a sign of an unstoppable boom, or are we staring at a tech bubble with an expiration date?
When Everyone Wants a Slice of the Pie
It’s amusing when companies from adjacent worlds decide to jump into Sim Racing. One made PC cases, another built headsets, and now presto you “need” their Direct Drive base. Why? Because the industry smells like opportunity. And when there’s a whiff of money, new brands sprout like mushrooms after rain.
The problem is, sometimes they don’t seem to know who they’re talking to. Selling a €200 all-in-one bundle for casual living-room racing is not the same as asking four figures for something advertised as “professional.” This audience is more demanding, and what worked yesterday as a cute marketing trick becomes an unintentional joke today.
The Risk of Saturation
Launching a wheel is great… but what truly matters is the ecosystem. Pedals, shifters, swappable rims, stable software, and fast updates when a new game breaks compatibility. And you can’t help but ask: what kind of confidence does a brand inspire when it releases one wheel and vanishes for a year?
If tomorrow a big title drops and your base doesn’t work, who do you trust to fix it quickly? A company with a dedicated team and proven track record or a newcomer whose main business last year was something entirely different?
Let’s be honest: the informed user has more power than ever. With so much choice, the minimum expectation for a four-figure purchase is more than a pretty faceplate. If that isn’t delivered, the obvious happens: brands arrive with enthusiasm… and leave quietly.
Does that mean Sim Racing is headed for a crash? Not at all. The hobby is more alive than ever. But the pattern from other industries will likely repeat: after the initial boom, the market prunes itself. The survivors will be the makers who deliver real value, steady innovation, and long-term support.
Between Wonder and Bubble
What fascinates me is the duality. On one hand, we’re living the best era of Sim Racing: more powerful wheels, more accessible setups, and quality that was unthinkable a decade ago. On the other hand, we risk a “clone war” where everyone launches the same thing with a different logo.
History rhymes: in every expanding industry there’s a moment when “if you don’t have your own wheel, you don’t exist.” Then the natural filter arrives. As Darwin would remind us: it’s not the strongest who survive, but those who adapt best.
I’d bet on a bright but more selective future. We’ll see many brands disappear and that’s okay. Users will benefit, because what remains will be companies that understand this is not about squeezing a motor into a metal box; it’s about delivering a coherent ecosystem and support that inspires trust.
In the meantime, let’s enjoy the chaos. Having this much choice is a luxury. And if a bizarre wheel appears now and then the kind nobody truly understands well, at least it gives us something to talk about… and a good laugh along the way.
Happy Racing!
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