Most esports genres have one or two titles that are flooded with players competing for the biggest of prizes. However, motorsport and racing games stand out since there is not one single esports game of the genre in which most players compete. Instead, there is huge diversity of games that have their own variations of tournaments and competitions. Each of the ensuing titles have considerable competitive fan bases that come together in order to fight it out for mouthwatering prizes. The world of esports racing is easily accessible, so just turn on your consoles (or PC) and immerse yourself in a thrilling edge-of-the-seat setting.
Photo by Senad Palic on Unsplash
From simple car racing and dirt rallies to arcade racing and motorcycle titles, here are the best esports titles of the genre to jump in and have your heart’s fill of adrenaline rush. Note that the majority of racing games played competitively are either simulator or simcade games.
Assetto Corsa Competizione
One of the most recent entries in the simulation genre is ACC, and what a treat the game has turned out to be among fans. With five different modes: Single Player, Multiplayer, Career, Championship, and Special Events, it offers a plethora of modes and variations in the style of play. With more than 100 tournaments recorded via publicly-accessible game rankings, Competizione is an enhanced version of its previous versions not only when it comes to multiplayer features, but also in terms of its gameplay, such as the introduction of dynamic weather, night driving and well-adept AI. If there’s one racing game you have to play, make it this one, and sure it won’t disappoint you, as you race through of world’s most famous circuits in your GT3/GT4 supercar.
- Developer: KUNOS-Simulazioni Srl
- Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox, Windows
- Release Date: September 12, 2018
RaceRoom
Developed by Microsoft Windows, RaceRoom is arguably the most welcoming entry on this list because of its free-to-play model. One encounters a realistic and level playing field that connects racing enthusiasts from all around the world, along with a delicious range of racing cars, without one investing a single penny. The developers have thoroughly integrated sponsored competitions and other free events to allow gamers the full experience of premium content. However, additional tracks, cars etc. can bought individually or as packs through in-game currency called vRP (reputation) which can be purchased via Steam. The graphics are top-notch, the gameplay is sublime, and the amount of thought put behind the game can be experienced as soon as you hit the gas.
- Developer: Sector3 Studios
- Platforms: Windows
- Release Date: February 12, 2013
MotoGP 22
MotoGP 22 takes motorbike racing to the next level with its ultra-realistic game settings that include enhanced braking systems, play of weather, more grippy racing surfaces and a host of other features. It also introduces a new split screen mode to better integrate co-op and online play. However, its standout feature is the inclusion of the historic 2009 MotoGP season where Valentino Rossi, Casey Stoner, Dani Pedrosa and Jorge Lorenzo all breathed down each other’s’ necks until the very end. All 17 Grand Prix from 2009 will be divided into chapters, bringing back to life one of the most memorable seasons ever in motorbike racing history. MotoGP is the benchmark against which biking games are set, making it a great one to dive in if you are a superbike enthusiast.
- Developer: Milestone
- Platforms: Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, Windows
- Release Date: April 21, 2022
iRacing
This is one that could be touted to be the daddy of multiplayer racing games due to its reputation as the world’s premier motorsports racing simulation. Arguably the most realistic driving experience coupled with the perk of playing directly on the publisher’s servers via a subscription-based model makes iRacing a unique racing game. It features a cockpit-only view when driving unlike its counterparts and also models its rules and regulation on real motorsport events, thus offering an ultra-realistic racing experience. Of course, one would be better off investing in a force-feedback steering wheel and real pedals, which is a costly but truly hardcore way to fully immerse oneself into the thrilling world of iRacing. It has more than 160,000 active members, and the biggest and the most lucrative tournaments take place in this game, with some of them offering up to $300,000 in prize money.
- Developer: Motorsport Simulations
- Platforms: Windows
- Release Date: August 26, 2008
Gran Turismo 7
A no-brainer entry. If iRacing is the daddy of multiplayer racing games, GT7 is the godfather. The legacy brought upon by Gran Turismo since its premier release for the first generation of consoles back in 1997 is staggering to say the least. The latest entrant to the long-running racing simulation series is no less fun with its superb realism and fantastic race tracks that span three different continents: America, Asia-Oceania and Europe. Having been released only recently, back in March 2022, GT7 will take its time to grow in the world of online multiplayer racing games. The Gran Turismo World Series, started in 2018, is one of the most famous racing esports tournaments held in the world, thanks to Gran Turismo’s stature as a game-changer.
- Developer: Polyphony Digital
- Platforms: PlayStation
- Release Date: March 4, 2022
Esports betting is the thing of the future. With sports betting now the norm, it won’t be long before the trend shifts in the favor of esports, and racing games are there at the very top, in the midst of lucrative competitions and tournaments.
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