September Update
The latest news on the September Update from Studio 397
Le Mans Ultimate, the official game of the FIA World Endurance Championship and 24 Hours of Le Mans is preparing to do battle stateside in the second Downloadable Content (DLC) pack, which goes on sale Tuesday 24th September. The Texan shootout at the Circuit of Americas hosts the French flair of Alpine and the adventures of Isotta Fraschini as well as a whole host of free content, quality of life updates and new gameplay feature, Co-op mode in the latest drop.
The spirit of Le Mans heads to the USA, with the arrival of the Circuit of the Americas to Le Mans Ultimate. COTA returned to the FIA World Endurance Championship calendar in 2024 and creates its own unique set of challenges to sports car racing teams. From the dry desert heat to its challenging nature and flow of the circuit –the Texan lap offers fast and flowing turns in sector one and tight and twisty sections in the second half of the lap.
The Alpine A424, from the French sports car manufacturer –conjures up the magic and mystique of sports car racing from yesteryear. It’s angular, purposeful looks, complete with vibrant Mecachrome 3.4-litre V6 engine note makes the A424 stand out on the FIA WEC grid. A new car to the 2024 season, the pace and momentum of Alpine has been building with every round. Can you get them over the line and claim that first win for ‘le bleu’?
The Tipo 6 Competizione from boutique Italian manufacturer Isotta Fraschini completes the 2024 FIA WEC Hypercar grid in Le Mans Ultimate. The car and team have all the ingredients for success, and players will be able to continue the legacy for the indie marque, taking the fight to the establishment behind the wheel of the Tipo 6 Competizione. How high up the points can you climb?
The red, white and blue inspired pack two will be available to purchase at an early access price via Steam for just £9.99 / €11.99 /$12.99 on the 24th September. The 2024 DLC Season Pass is also available, allowing players to access the latest content the minute it is ready to be brought into the game. Priced at just £39.99 / €45.99 / $48.99, the pass offers a saving of almost 25% compared to purchasing all four packs individually. The 2024 Season Pass bundles together all four packs, which includes the four new 2024 Hypercars, four iconic circuits and seven of the closely matched GT3 cars which will come in the two final larger packs.
Players who have already purchased the money saving Season Pass will automatically receive the latest content when they update the game via Steam on the 24th September.
Further to the optional DLC pack and Season Pass, all Early Access players will be able to experience fresh content, updates and a new game mode as part of the September update.
Players will be able to update the game on Steam on the 24th September, and by doing so, Le Mans Ultimate fans will receive a whole host of liveries to take to the track, as well as updates to try. Several Hypercar liveries from Le Mans including the two one off entry Cadillacs, the historic themed Proton Competition Porsche 963 as well as the JOTA Porsche, Mobil1 Celebration livery from COTA. All of these and all the Le Mans specific number board options for each Hypercar will be in your virtual garage at the end of the month.
The hugely competitive LMP2 class featured at the 24-hour classic in June this year and the popular category is a favourite in Le Mans Ultimate. All players will now be able to drive a further 16, new official 2024 liveries in offline or online race modes next week.
Following feedback from the Community Survey, some features have been brought forward, to be included in the latest game update. These include Save and Resume as well as Season Select. A feature high on the wishlist – Save and Resume will allow the player to complete longer races by saving the progress during a single player Race Weekend endurance race and resume the progress at a later date.
Season select will enable the player to compete against cars from the current FIA WEC season or go back in time to relive the golden centenary season from 2023.
An early version of Co-op mode becomes the latest gameplay feature in Le Mans Ultimate – allowing players to play with friends, take on race challenges and compete against other teams on a global leaderboard via an asynchronous gameplay mode. Players can form a team with friends and take on some of the biggest tests in sports car racing. Racing against the AI on track – as a collective team, you will earn points based on position, overtakes and clean conduct which gets tallied up as the race duration unfolds. The final score collected as a team will place you on a leaderboard, ranking you against other teams around the world.
And the best part… you can race your way, in your own time, before passing the race onto your teammate. Immersing yourself deep into strategic decisions at the pitstop, discuss with your teammates the big calls before handing the baton onto the next driver – building a strong dynamic for a successful sportscar racing team. Complete your stint at a time that suits you and your teammates, as you not only work around the challenges on track as well as the everyday life of family and work commitments or time zone constraints.
“The last few months have been really productive for Studio 397,” explained Studio 397 CEO Stephen Hood. “We have made great strides in content development and we are delighted to offer plenty for the community to get their teeth into this month. The second DLC pack introducers another new circuit to the game, with the challenging COTA – a new circuit for many to learn. We are also delighted to complete the Hypercar field with two very unique and interesting cars from Alpine and Isotta Fraschini. Two cars with their own, strong and supportive fanbases – which will hopefully provide plenty of competitive battles online.
“As well as the DLC we have plenty of free content for all Early Access supporters. As well as a few new Hypercar liveries we have an entire grid of LMP2 cars ready to be enjoyed. We know that class is loved by many of the Le Mans Ultimate community. Those looking for a more enjoyable playing experience will also be able to save progress and resume at a later date in single payer mode, as well as a fresh UI and navigation in the menus to provide a more cohesive user journey.
“Co-op is something many have been patiently waiting for, and we are delighted to bring the first version to the game. Life can be pretty hectic, so we have created a fun and dynamic game mode allowing you to race with friends and take on challenges in your own time – when it is convenient to you. Playing with friends is a big priority for us in developing the need for teamwork in sportscar racing, and this is a big first step to open up other opportunities for future game modes, challenges and even qualification into esports events.
“For those eagle-eyed, you will have noticed the Hypercar grid is now complete. This means we have started work on LMGT3 content – which I know so many of you have been craving. We hope to have the third 2024 DLC pack and more gameplay features ready by the end of the year, as well as the next free car to go alongside it all.”
Sim racers will be able to wishlist the second pack on Steam ahead of going on sale later this month. Those not yet on the grid can take advantage of the base game introductory price of £24.99/ €29.99 / $32.99 until the 30th September, when the price will then be set at £29.99/€34.99 / $37.99 to reflect the increase in content and game play features. The base game features all of the Hypercars and circuits from the 2023 Centenary season as well as the classic LMP2 and GTE cars. Those already clocking the hours can also download the 2024 BMW M Hybrid V8 Hypercar for free via Steam today.