Hello, I’m a simracer. One of those who once spent hours tweaking tire pressures, adjusting wing angles, or just enjoying the perfect lap on a virtual track. And like many others, I witnessed — and was affected by — a story that feels more human than digital: the story of rFactor 2.
You see, rFactor 2 wasn’t just a game. It was a shared dream. A simulator that, from its inception under Image Space Incorporated, seemed driven by a noble obsession: perfect simulation. There were no shortcuts, no compromises. Everything was built out of love for motorsport.
But like every story, it reached a turning point.
When Motorsport Games acquired rFactor 2, many of us thought: “Maybe this is the boost it needed to reach new heights.” What followed was a hard lesson. A visible shift: from passion to profit. The focus turned to monetizable DLCs and quick releases, while the core development — physics, stability, the soul — seemed to slow down.
And believe me, this isn’t an attack. It’s an invitation to reflect.
Because what happened to rFactor 2 isn’t an isolated case. It’s a mirror. A reminder of how fragile the balance is between doing what you love… and doing what sells.
Communities — the same ones that once filled forums with setups and advice — began to grow quiet. On social media, enthusiasm turned to frustration. And perhaps saddest of all, the most loyal base started to drift away.
But here’s where I want to invite you to look beyond the disappointment. Because in every fall, there’s an opportunity. The decline of rFactor 2 leaves us with lessons we must not ignore:
- The community isn’t a bonus. It’s the core. Listening to them isn’t a courtesy — it’s an obligation.
- Innovation must never stall. A sim that doesn’t evolve will die, even if it once shined.
- And most of all, passion is the one fuel you can’t buy.
Still, the legacy of rFactor 2 lives on. We see it in how Automobilista 2 carries the torch with realistic physics and carefully crafted content. And in how Le Mans Ultimate picks up the mantle, honoring the tradition of endurance racing.
rFactor 2 may have lost its way, but it sowed the seeds where others now thrive.
So whether you’re a developer, a player, or simply someone who loves cars and code, remember this: it’s not just about who finishes first… it’s about how you run the race.
See you on the track.
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I’ve never raced on rFactor2 but I hear you about community. I think community is what makes iRacing very appealing to me. On the other hand, I also have a friend who thought that rFactor 2 was a better driving sim than iRacing. He has raced in real life so I can only take his word for it.
The passion v profit issue is interesting. I know that when childcare and aged care businesses are “for profit”, the “care” factor diminishes in favour of .
Sounds like rFactor went for too much profit and not enough care.
TBF I refunded RF2 it never ran on my PC and never got close. I just couldn’t get past the bugs and issues. So I walked away. AC had it’s issues but the community makes it a SIM worth having.
But from the ashes has risen a fantastic title in LMU but by god it still has issues.
Still to this date I always comes back to rf2 course of the raw driving experience, handling and physics. With over 400gb of mods in AC and ones told my self to stay put in AC for all “good enough” it gives.. it was an instant uninstall of AC when again re-installing rf2 and driving this masterpiece in my motion rig and Dd wheel base. There is something that can’t be compared to others driving sims in my thoughs, and it most likely the raw experience and rewarding feeling of car handling. For me it’s home of dopamine gain when I quickly when to be swapped and transformed from my family life to a very rewarding and immersive TrackDay experience 🙂 / I hope you all driving enthusiasts give it a go as it’s still a brilliant piece that got many extremely good mods to choose from. // Happy driving