{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2025}} {{Infobox video game | title = Project Motor Racing | image = Project Motor Racing NA cover art.jpg | caption = North American cover art featuring the Lamborghini SC63 (foreground), the Lister Storm (background), and the Lola T70 (background) | developer = Straight4 Studios | publisher = GIANTS Software | engine = GIANTS Engine 10 | platforms = {{ubl|PlayStation 5|Windows|Xbox Series X/S}} | released = 25 November 2025 | genre = Sim racing | modes = Single-player, multiplayer | director = William Ian Bell | composer = Stephen Baysted | designer = Doug Arnao<ref>{{Cite web|title=First GTRevival Gameplay Footage Revealed|url=https://racinggames.gg/article/first-gtrevival-gameplay-footage-revealed|website=RacingGames|date=2023-12-05|access-date=2025-11-29|language=en|last=Bigg|first=Martin|archive-date=7 February 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250207213438/https://racinggames.gg/article/first-gtrevival-gameplay-footage-revealed|url-status=live}}</ref><br>Austin Ogonoski<ref>{{Cite web|title=‘Our Team Lives And Breathes Motorsport’, Says Project Motor Racing COO|url=https://www.carthrottle.com/news/our-team-lives-and-breathes-motorsport-says-project-motor-racing-coo|website=CarThrottle|date=2025-07-14|access-date=2025-11-29|language=en|last=Bartholomew|first=Mike|archive-date=29 August 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250829072144/https://www.carthrottle.com/news/our-team-lives-and-breathes-motorsport-says-project-motor-racing-coo|url-status=live}}</ref> }} '''''Project Motor Racing''''' is a 2025 sim racing video game developed by Straight4 Studios and published by GIANTS Software. It is the latest game developed under the supervision of game director William Ian Bell, who previously led the creation of the ''Project CARS'' series under his previous company, Slightly Mad Studios.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hegevall |first=Petter |date=2025-09-29 |title=We talk to Ian Bell about Project Motor Racing |url=https://www.gamereactor.eu/we-talk-to-ian-bell-about-project-motor-racing-1609273/ |access-date=2025-11-03 |website=Gamereactor UK |language=en}}</ref> The game officially released on 25 November 2025 to widespread negative reception from critics and players.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McKeand |first=Kirk |date=2025-11-25 |title=New simulation Project Motor Racing launches on PC, consoles |url=https://www.espn.in/gaming/story/_/id/47096051/project-motor-racing-launch |access-date=2025-11-26 |website=ESPN |language=en}}</ref>
Less than two weeks after the game's release following poor reception, Straight4 Studios laid off an undisclosed amount of staff, citing a need to reduce the size of the team after "exploring every possible alternative".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hirons |first=Ryan |date=2025-12-08 |title=Project Motor Racing Developer Cuts Staff, But Remains ‘Determined’ |url=https://www.carthrottle.com/news/project-motor-racing-developer-cuts-staff-remains-determined |access-date=2025-12-08 |website=www.carthrottle.com |language=en}}</ref>
== Gameplay == ''Project Motor Racing'' features a detailed driver career mode for its single-player campaign, giving players the option to start with a budget ranging from an amateur beginning in low-cost race cars to a professional driver with immediate access to high-end sports cars, with a fourth option catering to historic motorsport.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Iwaniuk |first=Phil |date=2025-06-24 |title="Motorsport with consequences": Project Motor Racing arrives 25 Nov |url=https://www.topgear.com/car-news/gaming/motorsport-consequences-project-motor-racing-arrives-25-nov |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251001194832/https://www.topgear.com/car-news/gaming/motorsport-consequences-project-motor-racing-arrives-25-nov |archive-date=1 October 2025 |access-date=2025-11-03 |work=Top Gear |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref> Players also work with a sponsorship model, and may be punished or rewarded depending on the player's performance on track. Depending on the region of the in-game championship the player chooses to participate in, the standard payout per race may also be different in every car class.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-24 |title=YOUR MOTORSPORT CAREER IN PROJECT MOTOR RACING |url=https://projectmotorracing.com/newsArticle.php?articleCode=NjA1YTI3YTYx |access-date=2025-11-25 |website=Project Motor Racing Official |language=en |archive-date=6 September 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250906004521/https://projectmotorracing.com/newsArticle.php?articleCode=NjA1YTI3YTYx |url-status=live }}</ref>
In both single-player and multiplayer, players can race up to 31 AI opponents. Console versions, however, are limited to 15 AI opponents in single-player, prioritizing stable, high-quality play at 1440p and 60 fps.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bigg |first=Martin |date=2025-11-24 |title=Project Motor Racing limits offline AI opponent numbers on PS5 and Xbox Series X{{!}}S |url=https://traxion.gg/project-motor-racing-limits-offline-ai-opponent-numbers-on-ps5-and-xbox-series-xs/ |access-date=2025-11-25 |website=Traxion.GG |language=en-US}}</ref>
Some vehicle classes and circuits are represented as unlicensed, directly resembling real-world vehicles, locations, and car classes in all but name. This includes Brianza (Monza Circuit), Lexington (Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course), Northampton (Silverstone Circuit), San Marino (Imola Circuit), Takimiya (Okayama International Circuit), and the JP1/JP2 class (Super GT GT500).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Ashraf |first=Amirul |date=2026-04-27 |title=Project Motor Racing DLC Temporary Delisted |url=https://gamermatters.com/project-motor-racing-dlc-temporary-delisted/ |access-date=2026-05-27 |website=Gamer Matters |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Development == William Ian Bell, former CEO of Slightly Mad Studios, announced in 2022 that a new game under his supervision was in development under the name ''GTR Revival'', a nod to ''GTR'' and ''GTR 2'', which were games that Bell was involved in developing as part of SimBin. According to Bell, much of the new team working on the game included previous staff from SimBin and Slightly Mad Studios that worked on the ''GTR'' and ''Project CARS'' series.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bigg |first=Martin |date=2022-09-22 |title=GTR Revival is the long-awaited successor to GTR2 |url=https://racinggames.gg/article/gtr-revival-is-the-long-awaited-successor-to-gtr2 |access-date=2025-11-25 |website=RacingGames |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Straight4 CEO Talks About Their Next-Gen Racing Simulator|url=https://segmentnext.com/straight4-ceo-racing-simulator/|website=SegmentNext|date=2023-05-25|access-date=2025-11-30|language=en-US|first=Hunter|last=Miche|archive-date=26 April 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250426234036/https://segmentnext.com/straight4-ceo-racing-simulator/|url-status=live}}</ref> The game would also be developed with "zero publisher input".<ref>{{Cite web|date=2022-11-09|title=Slightly Mad founder is very mad at EA for killing Project CARS|url=https://metro.co.uk/2022/11/09/slightly-mad-founder-is-very-mad-at-ea-for-killing-project-cars-17727444/|access-date=2025-11-25|website=Metro|language=en|last=Beckwith|first=Michael|archive-date=24 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124010349/https://metro.co.uk/2022/11/09/slightly-mad-founder-is-very-mad-at-ea-for-killing-project-cars-17727444/|url-status=live}}</ref> It was later renamed ''GT Revival'', and again as ''Project Motor Racing'' in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harrison-Lord |first=Thomas |date=2024-07-16 |title=GTRevival renamed Project Motor Racing in GIANTS Software publishing deal |url=https://traxion.gg/gtrevival-renamed-project-motor-racing-in-giants-software-publishing-deal/ |access-date=2025-11-04 |website=Traxion.GG |language=en-US |archive-date=8 September 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250908022837/https://traxion.gg/gtrevival-renamed-project-motor-racing-in-giants-software-publishing-deal/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The game uses Straight4 Studios' Hadron proprietary physics engine, which runs alongside GIANTS Engine 10, the engine used on the ''Farming Simulator'' series.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Harrison-Lord|first=Thomas|date=2025-08-17|title=Why Project Motor Racing’s dynamics aren’t, and can’t be, related to Project CARS|url=https://traxion.gg/why-project-motor-racings-dynamics-arent-and-cant-be-related-to-project-cars/|access-date=2025-11-03|website=Traxion.GG|language=en-US|archive-date=5 September 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250905193408/https://traxion.gg/why-project-motor-racings-dynamics-arent-and-cant-be-related-to-project-cars/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Farming Simulator GIANTS Engine powering Project Motor Racing|url=https://gamescout.co.uk/2024/08/farming-simulator-giants-engine-powering-project-motor-racing/|website=GameScout|date=2024-08-20|access-date=2025-11-29|language=en-GB|first=A. K.|last=Rahming|archive-date=13 July 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250713181207/https://gamescout.co.uk/2024/08/farming-simulator-giants-engine-powering-project-motor-racing/|url-status=live}}</ref> It previously utilized Unreal Engine 5 in an early test build previewed by game designer Doug Arnao in 2023.<ref>{{cite web |date=2023-12-21 |title=GTRevival In-Game Video – Ferrari 296 At Sebring |url=https://www.bsimracing.com/gtrevival-in-game-video-ferrari-296-at-sebring/ |access-date=2026-05-24 |website=Bsimracing}}</ref>
During development, Straight4 Studios introduced a 'Factory Driver Program', an invite-only beta test that was limited to experienced sim racers and professional racing drivers, in which the developers used as a resource to gain development feedback.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hegevall |first=Petter |date=2025-09-26 |title=Project Motor Racing's Factory Driver Programme signs legendary driver Tetsuya Yamano |url=https://www.gamereactor.eu/project-motor-racings-factory-driver-program-signs-legendary-driver-tetsuya-yamano-1608693/ |access-date=2025-11-25 |website=Gamereactor UK |language=en}}</ref> In addition to the beta test, they also acquired professional racing driver and former The Stig on ''Top Gear'', Ben Collins, as a consultant.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Stig Talks Simulator Realism|url=https://www.gamereactor.eu/blogs/petter/442633/The+Stig+Talks+Simulator+Realism/|website=www.gamereactor.eu|date=2023-06-06|access-date=2025-11-28|language=en|last=Hegevall|first=Petter}}</ref> Stephen Baysted was also acquired as a composer for the game.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Stephen Baysted: Audio Director on Project Motor Racing|url=https://projectmotorracing.com/newsArticle.php?articleCode=NmY1NGI4ZjA2|website=Project Motor Racing Official|date=2024-07-22|access-date=2025-11-28|language=en|archive-date=25 June 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250625005148/https://projectmotorracing.com/newsArticle.php?articleCode=NmY1NGI4ZjA2|url-status=live}}</ref> Collins and Baysted were previously involved in the ''Project CARS'' series.<ref name="Ben">{{cite web|title=FORMER STIG BEN COLLINS IMPRESSED WITH PROJECT CARS|url=http://www.wmdportal.com/projectnews/former-stig-ben-collins-impressed-with-c-a-r-s/|work=WMD Portal|date=1 November 2011|access-date=3 December 2016|archive-date=4 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150604105357/http://www.wmdportal.com/projectnews/former-stig-ben-collins-impressed-with-c-a-r-s/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Music Respawn! Stephen Baysted Revs Into High Gear For Project Cars 2!|url=https://www.wshu.org/culture/2017-10-17/music-respawn-stephen-baysted-revs-into-high-gear-for-project-cars-2|website=WSHU|date=2017-10-17|access-date=2025-11-28|language=en|first=Kate|last=Remington|archive-date=8 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208062447/https://www.wshu.org/culture/2017-10-17/music-respawn-stephen-baysted-revs-into-high-gear-for-project-cars-2|url-status=live}}</ref>
Some vehicles teased in preview images by Straight4 Studios, including a selection of Ferrari race cars,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Haustein |first1=Yannik |date=2023-10-19 |title=GTRevival: What We Know So Far About Straight4’s Upcoming Sim |url=https://www.overtake.gg/news/gtrevival-what-we-know-so-far-about-straight4%E2%80%99s-upcoming-sim.1424/ |access-date=2026-05-24 |website=Overtake.gg}}</ref> did not make the final release. No statement has been released by Straight4 Studios.{{Citation needed|date=May 2026}}
=== Post-release === Shortly after release, Straight4 Studios released a statement acknowledging the game's issues, while also promising a road map for future updates to the game.<ref name=":1" /> On 8 December 2025, Straight4 Studios announced its decision to reduce the size of its development team in the wake of ''Project Motor Racing''<nowiki/>'s issue-filled launch. Despite this, the studio reiterated that it would remain "committed to deliver all the DLC in the Year 1 season pass".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Minniss |first=Connor |date=8 December 2025 |title=Straight4 Studios Lay Off Unknown Percentage Of Workforce After Flawed Project Motor Racing Release |url=https://www.overtake.gg/news/straight4-studios-lay-off-unknown-percentage-of-workforce-after-flawed-project-motor-racing-release.3940/ |website=OverTake.gg}}</ref>
On 25 March 2026, Straight4 Studios released version 2.0 of the game, treating the update as a "soft relaunch". The update included an overhauled user interface, updates to the tire model, enhancements to graphics, bug fixes, and a preview of a new DLC featuring JGTC and Super GT race cars.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Iwaniuk |first=Phil |date=2026-03-15 |title=Project Motor Racing 2.0 update “rebuilds and refines major parts of the sim” |url=https://www.topgear.com/car-news/gaming/project-motor-racing-20-update-rebuilds-and-refines-major-parts-sim |access-date=2026-05-27 |work=Top Gear}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ismail |first=Adam |date=2026-03-25 |title=Project Motor Racing 2.0 Update Is a Major Improvement After a Disastrous Launch |url=https://www.thedrive.com/news/project-motor-racing-2-0-update-is-a-major-improvement-after-a-disastrous-launch |access-date=2026-05-27 |website=The Drive |language=en-US}}</ref> Originally licensed content, the DLC was temporarily delisted and later re-released, with Straight4 Studios losing the rights to the "GT500" name.<ref name=":0" />
On 18 May 2026, Straight4 Studios announced Aristotelis Vasilakos had joined as Chief Creative Officer. Vasilakos previously worked as a physics developer under Kunos Simulazioni.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harrison-Lord |first=Thomas |date=2026-05-18 |title=Former Assetto Corsa vehicle dynamics chief joins Project Motor Racing |url=https://traxion.gg/former-assetto-corsa-vehicle-dynamics-chief-joins-project-motor-racing/ |access-date=2026-05-27 |website=Traxion.GG |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Reception == {{video game reviews | MC = (PC) 64/100<ref name="MC_PC"/><br/>(PS5) 58/100<ref name="MC_PS5"/> | IGN = 5/10<ref name="IGN"/> | OC = 16% recommend<ref name="opencritic">{{Cite web|title=Project Motor Racing Reviews|url=https://opencritic.com/game/19196/project-motor-racing|access-date=2026-02-15|website=OpenCritic|language=en}}</ref> }} ''Project Motor Racing'' received "mixed or average" reviews from critics, according to review aggregator website Metacritic.<ref name="MC_PC">{{Cite web|title=Project Motor Racing critic reviews (PC)|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/project-motor-racing/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|website=www.metacritic.com|access-date=2026-02-15|language=en}}</ref><ref name="MC_PS5">{{Cite web|title=Project Motor Racing critic reviews (PS5)|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/project-motor-racing/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5|website=www.metacritic.com|access-date=2026-02-15|language=en}}</ref> Fellow review aggregator OpenCritic assessed that the game received weak approval, being recommended by 16% of critics.<ref name="opencritic"/>
Writing for ''IGN'', Luke Reilly described the game as "an early access game that hasn’t actually been identified as such." Reilly felt many aspects of the game were unfinished, including AI behavior, penalty system, career mode, and graphical fidelity, describing the overall racing experience as "frustratingly close to being entirely decent". While he credited the game's strict focus towards racing cars, Reilly was equally critical of the cars' inconsistencies with regards to vehicle physics across different cars, ranging from "compliant" to "undriveable".<ref name="IGN">{{Cite web|title=Project Motor Racing Review|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/project-motor-racing-review|website=IGN|date=2025-11-28|access-date=2025-11-28|language=en|first=Luke|last=Reilly}}</ref>
Community response to ''Project Motor Racing'' was highly critical upon release, with criticism focused on the game's handling, force feedback, AI behavior, and performance optimization issues. On Steam, the game received "very negative" reviews from players.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Noah |first=Steve |date=2025-11-26 |title=Project Motor Racing Launches to Criticism as Developers Outline Fixes |url=https://www.operationsports.com/project-motor-racing-launches-to-criticism-as-developers-outline-fixes/ |access-date=2025-11-26 |website=Operation Sports |language=en-US}}</ref> Straight4 Studios released a statement shortly after release, acknowledging the game's issues, while also promising a road map for future updates to the game.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title='Falls hopelessly short' - Project Motor Racing's troubled start|url=https://www.the-race.com/gaming/what-is-going-on-troubled-project-motor-racing-game/|website=The Race|date=2025-11-26|access-date=2025-11-28|language=en|last=Freeman|first=Glenn}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
Category:2025 video games Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games Category:Racing simulators Category:PlayStation 5 games Category:Windows games Category:Xbox Series X and Series S games