IMPORTANT PREMISE for beginners.

Assetto corsa competizione is a simulation program with which you can reproduce in a very realistic way the driving of GT cars on the most famous international circuits and it works, on the network, on the STEAM platform. It's not an arcade game like, for instance, Horizon Forza 4, so don't expect to easily drive a 280 km/h Ferrari 488 GT right away, get first in a circuit or achieve record lap times. 

1 - Warning: this game is available in multiplayer version only with an internet connection (it must be a fast connection), but you can download and simulate it directly on your PC.

2 - You have to register on the Internet on STEAM (https://store.steampowered.com/) with nickname and password.

3 - You must install the STEAM program (http://store.steampowered.com)with nickname and password

4 - Enter the STEAM web page

5 - The STEAM program for the game Race Setup competition requires an NTFS formatted disk and cannot be installed on a FAT32 filesystem. This is not written on the site before purchase, so check the formatting of your hard disk or SSD with a right click on Hard Disk Properties

Usually, the game works right away, but there may be problems. Here is the list provided by STEAM.

Common Steam error resolution:

• Restart your computer
• Clear download cache
• Repair the library folder
• Check local files
• Change download region (In Italy there are no servers)
• Reinstall Steam (http://store.steampowered.com/about/).
• Move the game folder
• Upgrade local network hardware
• Update the system and drivers
• Check firewalls
• Check antivirus software
• Check other programs and services
• Disable overclocking
• Check your online connection
• Check that the disk is not experiencing any errors
• Check your RAM for errors

6 - It sometimes happens that, before loading the game, the error 502 Bad Gateway appears on STEAM. Problems with busy server. Please wait and try again.

7 - Better to run the game from the desktop icon as Administrator

To buy it, on the official website https://www.assettocorsa.net/competizione/# the price is €44.99 while if you buy it directly from STEAM the cost is €39.99. The cost is still low for the graphics, cars, driving and circuits that are available. Excellent quality/price ratio.

When you launch the game you have the possibility of many choices, but it is better to start with SINGLE PLAYER to have some practice of the tracks and driving. 

The SINGLE PLAYER screen proposes you:

• PRACTICE to choose the time (day, night)  
• CIRCUIT. Leave Zolder because he'll be the first one when you face the championship.
• TEAM. Leave this option for later. Here you can build team and custom cars. But it is better to examine it later.

 Confirm with a click START SESSION.

 Here you can choose the SETUP of the car:

• CURRENT (is assigned by default SAFE PRESET)
• SAFE 
• AGGRESSIVE
• WET

Leave the setting as CURRENT SETUP. At the moment you are not yet able to change all the parameters that are assigned to each SETUP: TYRES, ELECTRONICS, FUEL & STRATEGY, MECHANICAL GRIP, DAMPERS, AERO.

Take a look below and you'll agree:

So, in the game you are in the pits and you have to go out for the test laps, so remember to engage 1st gear and accelerate.

After a few laps you can go back (click on the BACK button at the bottom left of the screen) and start the fun part, CHAMPIONSHIP.

ESC to return to the menu

BACK for the CHAMPIONSHIP

Click on CHAMPIONSHIP

NEW SEASON offers the possibility to adjust the PRELIMINARY SETTINGS, that is the number of opponents and the difficulty.

PRELIMINARY SETTINGS for beginners

• Opponent couNt 15-20
• Opponents skills 80%
• Opponent aggressiveness  30% or less
• Tyre consumption DISABLED
• Tyre SETS  UNLIMITED
• Brake temperature DISABLED
• Formation lap LAST CORNER
• Penalties  DISABLED

This is the default screen to be modified:

By clicking on START NEW CHAMPIONSHIP, the championship (consisting of a series of circuits) begins.

The first car that is proposed for driving is the Lamborghini Hurracan GT3, quite handy, but I prefer the Ferrari 488 GT3, more precise and for the particular noise of the gearbox and the engine.

Next to the name of the car you can choose (clicking on it) the TEAM and (clicking on it) the livery and the number customized by the game (to customize the car with your colors and drawings I wrote another review).

On the car you can turn on lights, rain light, direction indicators, etc.. The car rotates in 3D 360°

To view and select other cars click on the car name, in this case Lamborghini Hurracan GT3.

And these are the 9 cars available:

Click on CONFIRM.

Championship includes 10 tracks:

• Zolder
• Monza
• Brands Hatch
• Silverstone
• Paul Ricard
• Misano
• Spa- Francorchamps
• Hungaroring
• Nurburgring
• Barcelona-Cataluna

In DRIVE ASSISTS you have many choices, but as a beginner I recommend these:

STABILITY CONTROL is an electronic assist that helps the driver in controlling the car and braking, but it is prohibited by official regulations, by all official competitions. It is best to get used to driving without this assistance. Try driving at 80% for fun, but then leave it off.

To continue, click on CONFIRM and START WEEKEND

Here you can choose between

PRACTICE LENGHT > SKIP

QUALIFYING LENGHT > SKIP

RACE LENGTH > From 2x10 minutes to 2x60 minutes

STARTING POSITION > starting in the lead as a beginner is frustrating because you will be overtaken by almost all the other competitors at the first corner, (if you can pass it), so position yourself in the middle trying not to damage too many cars. AI is very sophisticated so if you make a mistake, it will be returned to you.

The graphic look is very nice, both in cars,

tracks

interiors

Conclusion:

Very realistic simulation

Outstanding graphics

Possibility of substantial help with driving

AI adjustable in difficulty

Great product.