RENNSPORT | Das erste Update für RENNSPORT im Jahr 2026 enthält den DLC „Endurance Classics“ und verbessert die KI

Nach Monaten der Ungewissheit und mehrfachen Verzögerungen ist das erste Update von RENNSPORT für das Jahr 2026 nun veröffentlicht. Es steht ab sofort für PC sowie Konsolen zur Verfügung und umfasst neben neuen kostenpflichtigen und kostenlosen Inhalten zahlreiche Optimierungen für den bisher von technischen Schwierigkeiten geprägten Rennsimulator.

Im Zentrum des Updates steht die Veröffentlichung des DLCs „Endurance Classics Part 1“. Der erste kostenpflichtige DLC ist für 12,79 € auf Steam sowie für 11,99 € auf PS5 und Xbox erhältlich. Er ergänzt das Fahrzeugangebot um mehrere historische Prototypen der Gruppe C sowie GT1-Fahrzeuge, darunter den Le-Mans-Sieger von 1998, den Porsche 911 GT1, den Mercedes-Benz CLK LM, den Porsche 956 und den Peugeot 9X8 Evo.

Diese Fahrzeuge können auf einer lasergescannten Version des Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans gefahren werden, die ebenfalls im DLC enthalten ist.

Zusätzlich zum kostenpflichtigen DLC beinhaltet das Update umfangreiche kostenlose Inhalte, darunter den Kuala Lumpur Street Circuit, weitere Streckenvarianten für Fuji und Monza, den Road Atlanta Short Circuit, die Nürburgring Fast Chicane, den Daytona Tri-Oval, den 8ETA Oval sowie den Hyundai N Vision 74.

Darüber hinaus führt das Update die erste Ausbaustufe der überarbeiteten KI-Architektur von RENNSPORT ein. Bislang gehörte das unvorhersehbare Verhalten der KI-Gegner zu den auffälligsten Schwachpunkten des Spiels. Nach Angaben des Entwicklers wurde die KI „grundlegend überarbeitet“, sodass die Gegner nun „Raum, Aggressivität und die physikalischen Folgen einer Kollision verstehen“.

„Als wir das letzte Mal eine KI veröffentlicht haben, hätte diese in dieser Form vermutlich nie erscheinen dürfen“, erläuterte der leitende Gameplay-Programmierer Rikard Häggström.

„Sie musste in relativ kurzer Zeit implementiert werden. Ich würde sagen, es handelte sich weitgehend um einen Prototypen. Bei einem solchen Vorgehen gerät man leicht in eine Situation, in der man unterwegs Entscheidungen trifft, die im Hinblick auf die Nachhaltigkeit nicht optimal sind. Wir sind nun an einem Punkt angelangt, an dem wir das Spiel neu programmieren müssen, damit es langfristig ordnungsgemäß funktioniert.“

Das Einzelspieler-Erlebnis wird durch einen überarbeiteten Meisterschaftsmodus weiter verbessert. Anstatt in Anfänger- und Profi-Stufen unterteilt zu sein, werden die Events nun in Playlists gruppiert. Ein neues Punktesystem vermittelt ein transparenteres Gefühl des Fortschritts, und die Platzierungen lassen sich in neuen globalen Ranglisten vergleichen.

Im Mehrspieler-Bereich ermöglicht der neue Modus „Custom Contests“ das Erstellen individueller Online-Events. Zudem wurden die Streckenbegrenzungen angepasst. Neue Lens-Flare-Effekte sowie ein erhöhter Grafik-Kontrast sorgen darüber hinaus für eine stärker „filmische“ Darstellung.

Zur Gewinnung neuer Spieler ist die Deluxe Edition derzeit mit einem Rabatt von 45 % erhältlich; kurz darauf wird die Standard Edition um 50 % reduziert.

Das erste große Update von RENNSPORT im Jahr 2026 erscheint nach einer turbulenten Phase für die Rennsimulation. Ursprünglich war die Veröffentlichung für März vorgesehen, verzögerte sich jedoch um mehrere Monate, nachdem sich der Entwickler Competition Company von Nacon getrennt hatte, um das Spiel künftig eigenständig zu vertreiben.

Competition Company verfolgt das Ziel, den Umfang der Inhalte von RENNSPORT zu verdoppeln. Im Laufe des Jahres sind daher weitere kostenlose Updates sowie zusätzliche DLCs zu erwarten.

Inhalt von „Endurance Classics – Teil 1“

• Porsche 911 GT1 ’98
• Mercedes-Benz CLK LM
• Porsche 956
• Peugeot 9X8 Evo
• Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans (La Sarthe)

Changelog RENNSPORT v1.2.6

Free Content

• New Track: Kuala Lumpur Street Circuit (Community Content)
• New Layouts: Additional configurations for Fuji and Monza, the Road Atlanta Short circuit, the Nürburgring Fast Chicane, Daytona Tri-Oval and 8ETA Oval.
• The Hyundai N Vision 74: A futuristic, high-torque powerhouse joins the active roster.
• Fresh Liveries: Over 20 official looks for the Porsche 911 GT3 R rennsport, BMW M2 CSR, Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II, and others, available in the store at zero cost.

Under the Hood: Fixes & Stability

We have squashed hundreds of bugs to make your experience smoother. Here are the highlights:

• Stability: Fixed various crashes to keep you on the track and out of the menus.
• Gameplay: Added Tire Wear Equalization to reduce the long-term impact of flat spots. We also fixed a "lag" issue where crossing the finish line sometimes wouldn't count your lap.
• User Interface: A massive cleanup of the menus! Icons are now sharper, navigation is more intuitive on controllers, and the MFD (Multi-Function Display) is clearer during races.
• Hardware: Improved support for Logitech and Revosim hardware, and added deeper vibration functions for a more tactile driving feel.
• Audio & Lighting: Fixed "ghost" car sounds in qualifying and corrected lighting issues on Daytona and the Nürburgring.

08 // Technical Changelog

Stability & Performance

• Client Architecture: Resolved several critical exceptions causing unexpected desktop crashes during active racing sessions.
• Initialisation: Addressed a fatal initialization error where the software would hang or crash if a user prematurely terminated the First Time User Experience (FTUE) setup.

Gameplay & Physics

• Tire Dynamics: Implemented a refined tire wear equalisation algorithm to simulate the gradual smoothing of flat spots over time, reducing physical vibration and restoring predictable grip levels as a stint progresses.
• Transition Logic: Eliminated an erroneous penalty trigger that occurred during the immediate transition between race stages.
• Network Synchronisation: Corrected a race-logic bug where high-latency connection spikes across the start/finish line resulted in unregistered laps.
• Vehicle Physics: Rectified an issue where incorrect ride height parameters were applied to vehicles within the showroom and garage environments.
• Session Persistence: Addressed a tracking bug where event standings and multiplayer leaderboards failed to update reliably post-session.

AI Systems

• Pathing & Navigation: Corrected a behavioral flaw where AI drivers would cut or skip multiple corners in the absence of defensive pressure or external circuit interference.
• Behavioral Overhaul: Executed a comprehensive architectural rewrite to improve competitive positioning, defensive lines, and overall spatial awareness across all grid sizes.

User Interface (UI)

• Data Integrity: Restored missing RENNSPORT Ratings within official contest lobbies and ensured Safety Ratings are fully visible on player cards and user widgets.
• Navigation Logic:
  • Resolved a soft-lock occurring when navigating to session information within the Quick Play interface.
  • Fixed directional input failures on the pit screen that prevented returning to the "Go on Track" state after accessing the drivers table.
  • Corrected a menu restriction in the First Time User Experience (FTUE) setup that blocked users from reaching the "Complete Setup" option without using shoulder buttons (LB/RB).
  • Resolved an issue where menu navigation focus would unexpectedly shift or disappear entirely while interacting with the Replay user interface.
  • Fixed directional input failures when attempting to navigate the leaderboard after applying custom filters on the stage results screen.
• Visual Assets:
  • Updated GT3X class icons and manufacturer logos to ensure sharp rendering, correct contrast, and appropriate scaling without pixelation.
  • Corrected squashed track maps and distorted national flags within the circuit selection menus.
  • Resolved a texture clipping issue where the tires of the Porsche Mission R would clip through the floor surface of the garage.
  • Rectified visual inconsistencies on the Pre-Rank screen where graphic elements failed to align with the accompanying text.
  • Corrected a layout bug where the PlayStation 5 icon displayed an incorrect solid white background within online lobbies.
  • Fixed a rendering bug where the thumbnail image for the BMW M Hybrid V8 incorrectly reverted to the default livery in Time Trial mode after exiting a replay.
• Session Management:
  • Adjusted the 'Cars in Reverse Order' configuration cap to the intended limit of 12 (previously accessible up to 24).
  • Optimised matchmaking lobby visibility to prevent active races in progress from overwhelming the primary page of the server browser, ensuring available open sessions remain discoverable.
• Purchasing & Terminology:
  • Updated interface text to replace the "Skip" prompt with "Next" where contextually appropriate.
  • Enabled the "Buy Livery" functionality for players with zero currency balances, properly redirecting them to the currency store interface instead of locking the selection.
  • Clarified the description for free store liveries to state they are available for purchase at a cost of zero.

Hardware & Control Input

• Calibration & Setup:
  • Refined the Wheel Setup Wizard to allow for full-lock steering rotation, ensuring accurate steering-angle calibration.
  • Resolved a control lock on the Quick Setup interface that prevented steering wheel face buttons from navigating menus correctly.
  • Fixed an input restriction where preferred Steering Device selection fields were locked against user modification.
• Input Mapping:
  • Enabled touchpad swipe gestures for TC (Traction Control) and ABS adjustments.
  • Unlocked previously restricted keybindings for keyboards and controllers within the interface configuration menu.
  • Corrected a connection conflict where PlayStation 5 gamepads were not correctly initialised on PC platforms.
  • Addressed an issue where external headset buttons were incorrectly registered as active in-game control inputs.
  • Implemented input validation safeguards to prevent multiple Multi-Function Display (MFD) controls from being bound to the identical button configuration.
  • Corrected localized PlayStation 5 terminology references for the controller touchpad following FTUE interactions.
• Safety & Control Logic:
  • Updated default controller layouts to prevent accidental ignition deactivation or unintended engine cut-offs during high-intensity driving.
  • Resolved an ignition logic failure where the "Off" state became unavailable and prevented subsequent engine starts after restarting a stage.
  • Fixed a control overlap from the FTUE setup where triggers (RT/LT) maintained dual analog and standard functionality unexpectedly after switching profiles.
  • Resolved a binding conflict where standard gamepad interface configurations blocked dedicated spectator control inputs.
  • Restored the ability to pause the simulation during the pre-race countdown phase.

Audio & Lighting

• Environmental SFX: Restored missing audio cues and structural sound effects within the Pause Menu interface.
• Spatial Audio: Eliminated "ghost" engine audio tracking from invisible opponents during active qualifying sessions.
• Global Illumination: Repaired broken lighting actors and environmental illumination parameters on Daytona and all Nürburgring configurations (GP and 24H).
• Atmospheric Simulation: Recalibrated night sky shaders and luminosity levels to ensure accurate rendering of celestial darkness.

HUD & Visual Feedback

• Telemetry & Alerts:
  • Fixed a telemetry bug where electric vehicles (EV) incorrectly displayed fuel levels instead of remaining battery capacity.
  • Restored the functional Low Fuel warning alert trigger to the driver display.
• Multi-Function Display (MFD):
  • Rectified truncated third-sector times and addressed an issue where Sector 1 timings would persist after a session restart in Time Trial mode.
  • Corrected a layout bug that caused sector times to offset incorrectly on the MFD while driving the Nürburgring Nordschleife.
  • Standardised gamepad bindings and peripheral icons to prevent legacy layout overlaps and misalignments within the interface layout.
  • Corrected an interface bug where secondary tab navigation prompts defaulted to raw controller icons.
• Minimap Scaling: Optimised the zoom levels and tracking behavior for large-scale circuits, ensuring better tactical awareness on extensive tracks.
• Penalty Visualisation:
  • Re-enabled the missing HUD widget for slow-down penalties, ensuring penalties are no longer applied silently to the driver.
  • Corrected the formatting of the penalty widget to resolve an overextended highlighter effect.
  • Fixed a logic error where a lap cancellation penalty notification continued to display on a lap that was already invalidated.
• Layout Persistence:
  • Resolved an issue where customized HUD layouts failed to save upon returning to the main menu, including a specific fix for data saving on the PlayStation 5 platform.
  • Corrected a camera rendering bug where rearview mirrors and "behind" camera previews displayed incorrectly within the Pause Menu.
  • Fixed a visual error where track layout images appeared stretched or distorted within the Leaderboards and Track Bests menus.

Online & Multiplayer

• Connectivity: Patched a 'Lost connection to server' error triggered during the Quick Play matchmaking handshake phase.
• Persistence: Resolved a backend communication failure that prevented the reliable application of custom stickers and vehicle liveries.
• Matchmaking & Lobbies:
  • Addressed a Quick Play bug where a solo driver could initiate and enter an isolated gameplay session alone.
  • Resolved an infinite loading screen encounter affecting secondary players (P2) when the host (P1) launched a Quick Session immediately following matchmaking initialization.
  • Corrected an interface issue within official contest lobbies where the Multi-Class slide animation would reset prematurely before listing all participating vehicle categories.
  • Enabled the 'Rejoin Contest' function specifically for Custom Contests to improve session recovery.
• Quick Session Adjustments:
  • Fixed a critical interface bug where the "Go On Track" button remained unselectable when launching a Quick Session utilizing the BMW M Hybrid V8 with the Purple Mist livery.
  • Resolved an issue where AI drivers failed to populate the field despite a multi-car grid configuration being explicitly selected.
  • Restored the missing option to manually restart the current stage within Quick Session mode.
• Time Trial Overhauls: Resolved a profile caching error where an opponent's personal best lap time was erroneously displayed as the player's own upon restarting a Time Trial session in the BMW M2 CS Racing.

Replays & Spectator Mode

• Camera Controls:
  • Eliminated redundant and overlapping button mappings when using Free Camera mode during session playbacks.
  • Fixed a logic bug where Free Camera mode was incorrectly forced open during transitions between Practice, Qualifying, and Race states.
  • Corrected timeline navigation behavior so that selecting the next sequential event no longer forces menu focus onto the Spectator Menu widget.
• Spectator Infrastructure:
  • Stabilised the Live Replay timeline to prevent it from freezing 10 to 20 seconds after a spectator joins an active session.
  • Restored full functionality to spectator visibility toggles and keybindings.
  • Corrected an issue where the lower user interface overlay bar in Spectator Mode could not be hidden by the user.
  • Implemented a dedicated, functional "Live" button within the Spectator interface to allow users to instantly synchronise to the real-time point of the race.
  • Eliminated severe multiplayer "rubberbanding" visual artifacts when spectating drivers immediately following the conclusion of a race.
  • Addressed a bug where the spectate option would disappear entirely from the final race results screen.

System Settings

• Profile Savings:
  • Resolved a configuration bug that prevented users from saving their custom Anti-Aliasing selections.
  • Fixed a UI state error where the livery selection menu's filter option failed to execute correctly.
• Restoration Defaults:
  • Restored missing 'Reset to Defaults' functionality within the Session Settings menus for Gameplay, Drivers, and Cars configurations.
  • Re-enabled the 'Restore to Default Settings' feature specifically within the 'Edit Gameplay Cameras' interface.
  • Added a global, dedicated option for console players to instantly revert all custom control bindings back to default factory layouts.

Hardware SDKs & Haptics

• Logitech Integration: Updated the implementation to PS5 SDK version 2.2.10 to guarantee peripheral compatibility and structural input stability.
• Revosim Support: Initialisation and communication architecture upgraded to SDK version 1.00.07.