Assetto Corsa EVO: Kunos Scraps Economy Career Mode in Major Development Pivot
ROME, 5 February 2026 – Kunos Simulazioni has announced a significant change in direction for its Early Access title, Assetto Corsa EVO, confirming that the previously planned economy-based career mode has been officially cancelled.
In a statement released via the game’s official Discord server on 4 February, the Italian developer revealed that it is moving away from the complex progression system involving in-game currency and XP. Instead, the studio will focus on a “simpler structure” and a reworked Driving Academy to better serve the core simulation community.
Shift Toward Pure Simulation
The decision to axe the economy-based career comes after extensive feedback from the Early Access community. The original roadmap, which suggested a progression system similar to traditional “sim-cade” titles, has been deemed inconsistent with the project’s goals. Kunos will now prioritise “special events,” online leaderboards, and “hot stints” to provide a more focused competitive experience.
Industry analysts suggest this pivot aligns Assetto Corsa EVO more closely with professional-grade simulators like iRacing, focusing on driving physics and ranked competition rather than virtual car collection and financial management. The move has met with mixed reactions from the community, with some praising the focus on realism while others lament the loss of a structured single-player journey.
Version 0.5 Update and New Content
Despite the structural changes, development continues with the upcoming Version 0.5 update. This milestone is set to introduce highly anticipated content, including the BMW M2 Coupé and the laser-scanned Watkins Glen International circuit. This update follows the 0.4 release, which successfully integrated ranked racing into the platform.
Key Development Facts: Assetto Corsa EVO
| Feature / Milestone | Status / Detail |
|---|---|
| Developer | Kunos Simulazioni |
| Engine | Proprietary Kunos Engine (New) |
| Career Mode | Economy/XP system cancelled; Reworked Academy planned |
| Latest Major Update | Version 0.5 (Upcoming) |
| Confirmed New Content | BMW M2 Coupé, Watkins Glen |
| Console Release | Estimated Late 2027 (PC 1.0 dependent) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the career mode changed?
Kunos Simulazioni stated that the economy-based system did not align with the feedback received during Early Access. The studio has opted to focus on pure driving mechanics and a reworked Academy mode to better suit the simulation-heavy audience.
When will Assetto Corsa EVO be released on PlayStation 5 or Xbox?
While a specific date has not been confirmed, historical data from previous Kunos releases suggests a console launch typically follows the PC 1.0 release by nine to twelve months. Current estimates place a console debut in late 2027.
What happened to the XP and in-game cash?
These features have been entirely removed from the development roadmap. Players will no longer need to “earn” currency to unlock vehicles or upgrades within the core simulation environment.