Le Mans Ultimate | LMU removes the “Joker” paywall in response to criticism

• The controversial Joker system will be harder to obtain in the future and will no longer be available exclusively to subscribers.
• Originally, the system enabled Pro and Pro+ members to remove the negative effects on their safety rating and “Driver Rant” after a race — albeit with limited frequency of use.
• The feature will remain included in the update to version 1.4 scheduled for July 28, but will no longer be hidden behind a paywall.
• From now on, 60 races will be required to earn three Jokers.
• “The disparity in the effects on the leaderboard is not a fair approach,” publisher Motorsport Games explained.

In response to extensive critical feedback, “Le Mans Ultimate” is adapting the planned implementation of the Joker system.

“We wanted the Jokers to help players and not affect gameplay. In our effort to integrate additional features into the product, however, we made a significant mistake in the specific design of this feature,” reads a statement from publisher Motorsport Games.

“The unequal treatment with regard to the leaderboard is not a fair approach.”

The Joker system, announced earlier this week ahead of the update to version 1.4 scheduled for release on July 28, was originally designed to allow drivers to remove their driver rank and safety rating from a specific race (solo races only).

The actual race results remain unchanged, but the ratings and leaderboards used to assign players to splits will be adjusted. A Joker was supposed to be usable for every ten completed races, with a maximum of three Jokers available at the same time.

In addition, the feature was intended to be accessible exclusively to users of the optional “Pro” membership (49 euros per year) or “Pro+” membership (85 euros per year), which encouraged the perception of a “pay-to-win” model.

It has now been confirmed that this feature will no longer be tied to a subscription, but will instead be available to all owners and drivers of Le Mans Ultimate.

Obtaining a Joker will also now be more demanding: Ten races must be completed for the first Joker, another 20 for the second, and 30 more for the third — 60 races in total to obtain, for example, three Jokers.

The company reiterated that “Badge bans and the Safety Rank will remain in effect, and our new protest system and the newly established Stewarding Team will deal with these players” — in response to feedback that the Joker system could lead to a deterioration in driving standards.

It was again emphasized that the system is intended to reduce the frustration that arises when drivers are disadvantaged by PC problems or connection issues and nevertheless receive a negative rating.

“We will monitor usage and, if necessary, adjust the time required to earn the Jokers via RaceOS over the coming weeks and months,” the statement continued.

It was also confirmed that the update to version 1.4 with these adjustments will still be released as planned. However, Jokers may continue to be listed as part of the subscription in some user interface texts even though this is no longer the case; these references will be removed in subsequent hotfixes.