We've Been Checking Out The Closed Alpha Of Free-To-Play Auto Club Revolution

In case you haven’t heard of it, Auto Club Revolution is a free-to-play online racing simulator that is undergoing a facelift, and will soon re-emerge as ACR 2.0. The current game lets players race in multiplayer events with others from around the world to build up their personal racing career. Cars, tracks and events can all be customised to each player’s liking.

The community has been set up so that players can interact with each other forming car clubs, sharing information or challenging competitors to race. The social aspect combined with the advanced AI and refined graphics make it hard to believe ACR remains free-to-play.

The updated version is currently undergoing testing, and a lot has changed since the last ACR alpha test closed. The development team has been hard at work improving camera views, multiplayer matchmaking and server connections. The most noticeable improvement comes from the interior camera, which can now be used in most of the cars. Reflections of the dash can now be seen on the windscreen, and shadows dance across the interior. The rear view mirror is amazingly helpful now, as it more accurately depicts the opponents trailing behind your car.

Since last year’s launch of the alpha test in China, the team has worked with different network configurations to ensure players get connected with the server quickly, and they are able to stay on without disconnection issues. This major improvement isn’t evident to players when it’s running smoothly, but the moment there are server connection issues, as you know, all hell breaks loose. ACR Technical Director, Craig McHugh, was happy to announce, “We’re far from finished and will continue making improvements but already the whole process feels far slicker.”

Once you’re in the game, and you’ve selected your ride and event, the matchmaking takes over for online play. This feature was also given a lot of attention in the few months since the last release, as it was one of the popular complaints in the feedback forums; the new queue system has been redrawn to make more competitive races. No matter how improved the matchmaking process is, there is always room for those sore losers who will use improper matching as an excuse for their poor finish.

The developers were able to give answers to some of the pressing questions gathered in the feedback forum. Here are a few of the most popular questions and answers:

Is there any chance that the “Top Gear Test Track” will make an appearance in 2015?
Unfortunately, there is little chance. Let’s send a petition to Clarkson, Hammond and May - after all, who can resist the team ACR ;-)

New manufacturers?
This one is a big huge YES! We have some exciting new additions coming to ACR! We’re not ready to reveal who just yet but feel free to give us your suggestions – who should we be asking next to join the ACR universe?!

Will there be drift races?
This one we can’t confirm but our marketing team have seen it on the board of suggestions

What will we be able to race? Here is the unofficial car list as of February, 2015:
Pagani Zonda F
Ford Focus RS500
BMW Z4 GT3
Nissan GT-R R35
Nissan GT-R NISMO R35 GT3
Mini John Cooper Works
Opel Astra OPC Nürburgring 2012
McLaren MP4-12C GT3
Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 2012
BMW M5 F10 Sedan 2012
BMW 1 Series M Coupé
Jaguar XFR
Renault Twingo
Volvo C30 T5
Volkswagen Beetle 2.0 TSi 2012
Mitsubishi Eclipse GT 2009
Renault Clio Renaultsport 200 Cup 2009
Infiniti G35 Coupé 2008
Ford Focus ST 2008
Ford Focus ST 2012
Mazda Mazda3 MPS 2009
Volvo S60 T6 AWD R-Design 2010
Opel Astra OPC Nürburgring Edition 2008
Renault Mégane Renault Sport 250 Cup 2010
Volkswagen Golf R 2009
Volkswagen Golf R32 2005
Mazda RX-8 Type RS 2008
Volkswagen Scirocco R 2010
Dodge Challenger SRT8 2008
Chevrolet Camaro SS 2009
Ford Shelby GT500 2006
BMW 135i Coupé 2008
Mazda RX-7 Spirit R 2002
Hyundai Genesis Coupé 380 GT 2012
Nissan Fairlady 370Z 2009
Vauxhall VXR8 2007
Acura NSX 2005
BMW Z4 sDrive35is 2013
Dodge Charger SRT8 2011
Jaguar XKR-S 2008
BMW Z4 M Coupé 2006
Cadillac CTS-V 2009
BMW M3 E92 Coupé 2008
BMW M5 E60 Sedan 2005
Nissan Skyline R34 NISMO GT-R Z-Tune 2005
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X FQ400 2009
Bentley Continental GT Speed 2007
TVR Tuscan S 2005
TVR T350 T 2003
Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 2008
Ford GT 2005
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 2004
Dodge Viper SRT10 2010
Mosler Raptor GTR MT900
TVR Typhon 2005
McLaren F1 1992
Gumpert Apollo S 2010
McLaren MP4-12C 2011
Koenigsegg CCX 2006
Pagani Zonda Cinque 2009
Bugatti Veyron EB 16.4 2005
Koenigsegg Agera 2010
Pagani Huayra 2012

ACR is being created by the independent studio Eutechnyx. The studio is based in the UK with over 175 employees spread between its Gateshead location and offices in the US and China, and has over 350 worldwide game titles, most of them racing games. If you want to get in on the testing action, register here as a beta tester. You will receive an invitation within a few weeks to join Team ACR and get in on the next round of tests. The list of tracks continues to expand, and the studio is currently looking for input on what tracks players want to race. Don’t be shy, sign up for testing and leave some feedback. Maybe your favourite track will make it into the game.