Backlash to Project Motor Racing launch continued, as influencers and average simmers raging about the rollout plagued with glitches and not ready for release. We reported on the first day’s disaster for the title.
The simracing spotlight shone brightest on Project Motor Racing’s full release yesterday (November 25), now available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S for $59.99.
Billed as the spiritual successor to the Project CARS series, it boasts 70 authentic cars, 28 laser-scanned tracks, and Day One mod support—allowing immediate community tweaks to physics and visuals.
Early adopters praised its graphical fidelity, especially with AMD’s newly integrated FSR 4 upscaling technology, which enhances realism without taxing hardware. French outlet ConsoleFun highlighted its console debut, noting seamless cross-play potential for multiplayer lobbies.
However, the launch has been mired in criticism. Reviewers slammed its unpolished state, with The Drive calling it “not ready for prime time” and suggesting it belongs in early access at best—citing buggy AI, inconsistent physics, and optimisation woes that plague even high-end rigs.
Negative steam ratings have not helped the PMR cause
Traxion.gg echoed this, reporting severe community backlash over handling quirks and graphical glitches, leading to a “Mostly Negative” Steam rating within hours. Slightly Mad Studios (SMS) responded swiftly, with lead designer Ian Bell affirming the team is “not backing away from challenges.”
A detailed fix roadmap is expected imminently, prioritising physics overhauls and VR support. Community sentiment on X was split: Spanish simracer @ARSGP_Sim decried the rushed release as a “shitshow,” while others like @Bratiszka celebrated Black Friday bundles for RaceRoom as a safer bet.
Adding fuel to the fire, a bombshell exposé surfaced alleging ties between a key game designer and far-right affiliations, dubbed a “N@zi problem” by indie outlet Powerhouse Takahashi.
The article, shared widely on X by users like @ARSGP_Sim and @izan5555, detailed past controversies from Ian Bell’s tenure at Motorsport Games, prompting calls for accountability. SMS has yet to comment, but the story amplified refund demands.