Asetek Racing has confirmed a release window for two of its most anticipated upcoming sim racing peripherals, with the company’s new Dual Mode Shifter and Load Cell Handbrake scheduled to arrive in October 2026. The Danish manufacturer confirmed the timing through its official Asetek Racing account, following several months of previews and software preparations for both devices. Asetek has not yet announced an exact launch day or final retail pricing, but the October window means both products are now only weeks away from joining its expanding sim racing ecosystem. Asetek Dual Mode Shifter Combines Two Gearbox Types The most notable of the two products is the Asetek Dual Mode Shifter, which is designed to provide both H-pattern and sequential shifting from a single unit. That approach allows sim racers to move between traditional manual cars and sequential race cars without requiring two separate shifters mounted to the cockpit. Asetek has already started preparing its software ecosystem for the new hardware. RaceHub 4.5 introduced support for the Dual Mode Shifter and Load Cell Handbrake in August, despite neither device being commercially available at the time. The software update suggested that development was approaching its final stages, but Asetek had not previously provided a firm retail window. October 2026 is now the first clear indication of when customers should expect the hardware to become available. Asetek Load Cell Handbrake Also Arrives in October Launching alongside the shifter will be Asetek’s new Load Cell Handbrake. As its name suggests, the device uses load-cell technology to measure the force applied by the driver rather than relying exclusively on lever travel. That should make the handbrake particularly relevant for rally, drifting and rallycross simulations, where drivers often need to control how aggressively the rear wheels are locked rather than treating the handbrake as a simple
Sep 1, 2026 · via boxthislap.org
2026 eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Championship Series | Preview | Race 10 at Michigan Int’l Speedway September 1st, 2026 by Justin Melillo The road to $500,000 winds through the Irish Hills of Michigan as 10 drivers prepare to battle for four seats at the Championship table on Tuesday night. Michigan International Speedway plays host to the first round of the 2026 eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Championship Series Playoffs—a three-round affair that also visits Texas Motor Speedway and Kansas Speedway—that ultimately decides who makes the trip to the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Uptown Charlotte to fight for the Dale Earnhardt Jr Cup. Michigan might have ultimately been the most influential race to the finale, as Tucker Minter saw his chance at clinching slip away in the final laps, then his point haul evaporate in eNASCAR Overtime in an ill-timed spin while Steven Wilson came back from a poor strategy to steal the win and ticket to what would be his second title a month later. Can Minter get redemption, or will anyone else claim their seat on stage at the Hall? Coverage for the 10th round of the Championship Series season begins at 8 p.m. ET at eNASCAR.com/live and across iRacing social media channels. Tune in 15 minutes earlier to catch the Countdown to Green at 7:45 p.m. ET. 2026 eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Championship Series Playoffs Preview PREVIOUS RACE: GARRETT MANES FINALLY BECOMES A CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES WINNER It’s been a rough and windy road in the eNASCAR ranks for Garrett Manes. Entering 2026, Manes had four seasons under his belt since 2021, with only four top-fives to show for that effort, including a heartbreaking photo-finish loss at Daytona in 2022. Still, Manes kept it above the Relegation line until 2024, where he was forced down to the Qualifying Series and missed out
Sep 1, 2026 · via iracing.com
A new GT3 opportunity beckons for Max Verstappen. The four-time F1 world champion may step in for his own team, Verstappen Racing, during the final GT World Challenge Europe Endurance race of the season. GPblog understands there is a possibility that Verstappen will once again drive the Red Bull Mercedes-AMG GT3 car there - although nothing is confirmed yet. The three-hour race will take place on Saturday, 17 October, at the Portimao circuit in Portugal. The weekend clashes with the World Endurance Championship race in Barcelona, where Dani Juncadella and Jules Gounon will compete for the Alpine and Genesis hypercar teams, respectively. Although the WEC 6 Hours of Barcelona is scheduled for Sunday 18 October, It currently seems unlikely that the two Verstappen Racing drivers will do both events in one weekend. For Verstappen's team, that would mean only Chris Lulham is available, while three drivers are needed for the car. Since that weekend in October falls exactly between the Singapore and US Grands Prix, there is an opportunity for Verstappen himself to step in. This has not been confirmed, but the rumor was already circulating during the GT World Challenge weekend at the Nurburgring, where several other GT3 drivers told GPblog that the likelihood of it happening is high. In this scenario, only one more driver would be needed. According to the rumor mill, Verstappen would like five-time IndyCar champion Alex Palou alongside himself and Lulham in the car. The Spaniard previously contested the Indy 8 Hour in a Mercedes-AMG GT3 in 2024. However, that reportedly will not happen this time. For now, it remains unknown which drivers will form the line-up if Gounon and Juncadella indeed both skip Portimao - and if they are set to miss it in the first place. WEC and GTWC try to let
Sep 1, 2026 · via sports.yahoo.com
A community-developed workaround has managed to get NVIDIA DLSS 5 Neural Rendering running inside Automobilista 2, despite Reiza’s simulator having no native support for the technology. The experimental implementation was shared by Reiza forum member Ace, who has published screenshots, comparison images, video footage and a complete installation guide. The results show noticeable changes to lighting, shadows and the way cars integrate with their surroundings, but there is a substantial catch: performance. This is not an official Automobilista 2 feature, nor has Reiza Studios announced DLSS 5 support. Instead, the setup combines ReShade with several community-developed tools to feed the information required by NVIDIA’s Neural Rendering system into AMS2. DLSS 5 Is Running in Automobilista 2 — Unofficially NVIDIA officially announced DLSS 5 in March 2026. Unlike the better-known DLSS Super Resolution technology, one of its major new components is Neural Rendering, which uses an AI model to modify lighting, materials and other aspects of the rendered image in real time. Automobilista 2 was never announced as a DLSS 5 title. In fact, AMS2 does not provide native DLSS integration at all. That has not stopped the modding community. A guide published on the official Reiza Studios forum demonstrates DLSS 5 Neural Rendering operating in AMS2 through a chain of ReShade add-ons and community tools. The workaround effectively has to create information that an officially supported DLSS implementation would normally receive directly from the game engine. This includes supplying the neural-rendering system with the current frame, depth information and estimated motion vectors before returning the processed result to the image. It is an impressive technical experiment, but it should not be confused with native integration. What Does DLSS 5 Change in AMS2? The most noticeable differences appear around lighting and the visual grounding of cars within the environment. According to
Sep 1, 2026 · via boxthislap.org
Lando Norris explained that he can be now more forceful in shaping McLaren's present and future. Last week, it was announced that the defending world champion signed a contract extension with the Woking-based team that will keep him on board until the end of 2030. Speaking to Sky Sports News, the Briton explained that he has learned over the years how to share his thoughts and when he should and should not talk. He began: "In terms of how much power you have as the driver and as an individual, in the first few years, you're not going to overstep any mark. I'm certainly not going to raise my voice above someone else, kind of thing." The Briton then highlighted the importance of now being a leader in McLaren's project. "With time, you learn that my role is not simply just driving the car. It's also how can I be a leader, how can I lead the team, how can I be a voice for all the people that work here, all the guys and girls? How can I push them to do better, to be better? As well as pushing myself, of course. And how can we all work and do that as a team?" He continued: "I've just learned the power that I can have and influence I can have over directions that we work in as a team. Of course, I never want to abuse that, but at the same time, I know that I'm in a position where I can be forceful to try and get what I want, from a car, from the team, from people around me. "And that's a very important thing. You've got to utilise that, I think, as an athlete, no matter what sport you're in. You've got to know how
Sep 1, 2026 · via gpblog.com
RENNSPORT is heading into the coming months with a shift in priorities that puts the simulator’s overall performance ahead of simply adding more content. The developer has shared the results of its second community survey and confirmed that a significant portion of its efforts throughout the rest of 2026 will focus on addressing AI behavior, steering wheel compatibility, console stability, and the overall cockpit experience. Artificial intelligence becomes the top priority The behavior of computer-controlled opponents has emerged as the biggest concern raised by players. The issue is not limited to how fast or competitive the AI is, but rather how the cars make decisions during a race. RENNSPORT acknowledges problems involving unnatural changes of direction, insufficient spatial awareness, and collisions that can occur without an obvious reason. Situations such as unexpected braking on a straight, cars coming to unexplained stops, or crashes caused by poor awareness of their surroundings can have a particularly negative impact on players who prefer to compete offline. The company says it is allocating additional resources to improve this area of the simulator. The immediate goal will be to establish a new behavioral foundation with the Kings of the Ring update, scheduled for September. The studio’s approach is ambitious: virtual drivers should become more predictable, develop a better awareness of the position of other cars, and compete while following more coherent racing lines. This is therefore not simply a matter of adjusting the difficulty level, but rather a revision of the logic that determines how the AI understands and responds to what is happening on track. RENNSPORT has also made it clear that this evolution will not end with a single update. Artificial intelligence will be treated as an ongoing development process, meaning further adjustments are expected in future versions. Force Feedback and steering wheels
Sep 1, 2026 · via boxthislap.org
“Pro controller” used to mean paying almost console money for a gamepad with two paddles and an important-looking case. GameSir’s September line-up is much more disruptive: its new esports-focused controllers start at AU$139.95 and bring magnetic sticks, trigger stops and absurdly fast input reporting to the sensible side of AU$200. The strongest value play is the GameSir Tarantula 8K PC, launching in Australia on September 4 for AU$139.95. It is a wired, 180-gram controller with an 8,000Hz polling rate, a claimed 0.5ms response time, second-generation TMR sticks, micro-switch face buttons and nine remappable inputs. That is an esports spec sheet at the price of a normal premium controller. It will not magically fix bad crosshair placement—sadly, no amount of orange plastic can do that—but it removes several hardware excuses without demanding a luxury budget. RELATED: The Future of Xbox Is Peripherals and Accessories Pro controller features without the pro-controller tax The headline number is 8,000Hz, meaning the Tarantula can report input to a PC up to 8,000 times each second. The practical benefit is fresher input data and lower potential latency, although the difference will be subtle beside monitor refresh, game performance and the player’s own reaction time. It is an advantage, not a downloadable talent pack. The more persuasive upgrade may be the TMR sticks. Tunnelling magnetoresistance is a magnetic sensing technology designed to avoid the physical contact that wears down traditional potentiometer sticks. In plain English: smoother movement and better long-term resistance to stick drift. We have seen the same durability conversation reshape niche hardware, including Stage Tour’s Hall Effect gaming instruments. GameSir reached the low weight by removing the battery and vibration motors. That sounds like subtraction because it is, but competitive players often prefer a light wired pad with no wireless interference and less hand fatigue.
Sep 1, 2026 · via poptopic.com.au
On September 18, a Game and eSports Event to be Held at Dongdaemun DDP 9월 18일, 동대문 DDP에서 게임·e스포츠 행사 열린다 2026.09.01 12:41 UTC+9 AI Summary Seoul is hosting GES 2026 at DDP from September 18 to 20, bringing together major gaming exhibitions, esports tournaments, and hands-on community events. The Seoul Metropolitan Government and Seoul Business Agency are hosting Game· e-Sports·Seoul 2026 (hereinafter GES 2026) at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) from September 18 to 20. Hall 1 of the DDP Art Hall is going to be packed with gaming experiences and exhibitions. Heavy hitters like Com2uS, SEGA Publishing Korea, NetEase Games, and ActozSoft, alongside esports heavyweights such as DRX Academy and Gen.G Esports, are bringing exhibitions, new game demos, and on-site events. Local indie and small-to-medium developers in Seoul are getting in on the action too. The Seoul Game Joint Pavilion in the Art Hall corridor is hosting hands-on experiential events. Meanwhile, the NEXUS Co., Ltd. Play Zone Joint Pavilion is holding the presentation and award ceremony for the Seoul Playup AI Game Challenge, developed in collaboration with NC AI. Hyundai Motor Company is operating a sim-racing experience booth. On top of that, the finals of the Hyundai N x Racing Master Cup are kicking off, featuring top-tier players representing major Asian regions including South Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. A series of esports matches will unfold across Art Hall 2 and the special esports stage in the conference hall at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP). Art Hall 2 will host the opening Round 1 of the Hyundai N Virtual Cup (Gran Turismo 7). Expect matches featuring domestic sim-racers, influencer event matches, and the 2026 Seoul Cup University Sim-Racing League. Over at the conference hall, we have the PUBG Weekly Series (PWS): Phase 2 pro matches, the
Sep 1, 2026 · via gamemeca.com
G-STAR will open its first pop-up store ahead of the event and introduce an exclusive admission package developed with KREAM. The pop-up will also offer an early look at G-STAR's strategy to broaden its scope beyond gaming into areas including mobility and webtoons. The G-STAR Organizing Committee said on Aug. 31 that it will operate a "G-STAR 2026" pop-up store at Iconic Square on the fourth floor of Hyundai Department Store Pangyo from Sept. 1 to Sept. 6. The pop-up will debut the "G-STAR 2026 Special Pass," developed in collaboration with KREAM. The package includes a business-to-consumer (BTC) admission ticket, a "Yumi's Cells" collaboration keyring and promotional card, and a KREAM voucher. During the pop-up period, the Special Pass will be sold at an early-bird price of up to 33% off the regular price. The venue will also feature a Hyundai Motor sim-racing experience zone. Visitors will be able to try simulation racing, offering content that combines gaming and automobiles. Content related to the webtoon "Yumi's Cells," which participated in creating this year's G-STAR key visual, will also be featured. Collaboration merchandise and official G-STAR goods will be unveiled first at the pop-up, alongside on-site events offering Special Passes and invitations. Starting Sept. 7, the day after the pop-up ends, the Special Pass will be sold exclusively through KREAM. Reservations for regular BTC admission tickets will begin Sept. 29 on G-STAR's official website. G-STAR 2026 will be held at BEXCO in Busan from Nov. 19 to Nov. 22. The organizing committee has made "expanding its reach" a key vision for this year's event and is broadening content linked to other industries, including mobility and webtoons, alongside its collaboration with KREAM.
Sep 1, 2026 · via thelec.net
When Moza Racing told me it was sending over one of its latest simulator setups, I assumed I knew what was coming. A racing wheel, presumably, given that most of my experience with simulator hardware has involved driving cars quickly. So when a rather large box arrived containing the Moza R5 Pro Truck Driving Simulator bundle, it was something of a surprise. This clearly wasn't the racing wheel I had expected. Instead, there was the expected 6Nm wheelbase and a set of pedals, but instead of Moza's small (slightly too small for some) standard 280mm ES racing wheel, there was a thoroughly massive 400mm steering wheel designed for the considerably more agricultural business of driving trucks. And that immediately got me thinking about SnowRunner. SnowRunner was my COVID-era obsession. While a lot of people took shelter from the pandemic-splattered reality of the outside world in cosy games like Animal Crossing, I spent far too many hours grinding enormous trucks across impossible terrain, hauling improbable loads ridiculous distances and experiencing previously unheard-of levels of frustration when everything went wheels-up at the last bend. The highs were correspondingly ridiculous, particularly when a well-timed winch saved hours of hard work. So that's where I ended up spending most of my time with the R5 Pro, rather than the more obvious Euro Truck Simulator 2 or American Truck Simulator. As it turns out, a truck simulator wheel makes an awful lot of sense for a game where the objective is often less about getting somewhere quickly and more about persuading a 12-tonne truck up a muddy hill without burying it axle-deep in a swamp. That's a big wheel The first thing you notice about the Moza setup is just how enormous that truck wheel is. At 400mm, it's considerably larger than the wheels normally
Aug 31, 2026 · via drivencarguide.co.nz
This Week in iRacing | September 1st to September 7th, 2026 August 31st, 2026 by Justin Melillo Welcome back to This Week in iRacing, your guide to the daily, even hourly racing that members can get into, based on where their license level is at. There are also some special series that run at specific times that anyone can jump into, with the right credentials, that offer a more meaningful sim racing experience. Here are a few of the highlighted series taking place this week — 2026 Season 3, Week 12 — from September 1st to September 7th in 2026. iRACING SPECIAL EVENTS iRacing’s Special Event calendar features a selection of the world’s most compelling races across numerous disciplines. Whether you’re interested in stock cars or sports cars, open-wheel formula cars or sprint cars, sticking to pavement or playing in the dirt, running solo or racing with a team of your closest friends, our Special Events have something for everyone! iRACING SOUTHERN 500 The next special event on the 2026 iRacing Special Event calendar is the iRacing Southern 500. The iRacing Southern 500 is the fourth of five full-length races placed on the NASCAR iRacing Series calendar. With its roots buried deep in NASCAR’s past, Darlington Raceway has long been the host of a Labor Day tradition, with one of the longest, most grueling races at their place that’s often called “Too Tough To Tame”. Running the current NASCAR Cup Series cars at the current day edition of the Lady in Black, available in both fixed setup and open setup variety. For more information on iRacing Southern 500 -> CLICK HERE For more information on the 2026 iRacing Special Events calendar -> CLICK HERE WEEKLY RACING SERIES These are the series that are not confined to the iRacing seasons, that
Aug 31, 2026 · via iracing.com
5 Brands You Might Not Realize Are Owned By Corsair We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Anyone who has built a custom desktop PC in recent years definitely knows Corsair's iconic ship sails logo. For years, Corsair built its empire on the unsexy, high-stakes components that keep gaming rigs humming, like RAM sticks and power supplies designed to survive marathon gaming sessions. Heck, Corsair might've even built the world's most insane standing desk. If you've ever assembled a battlestation in the past couple of decades, you've likely seen some of the brand's fantastic components at stores like Micro Center and Best Buy. Fast forward to today, and the gaming landscape looks radically different. Players are no longer satisfied with just having a fast graphics card. New setups demand studio-grade streaming gear, competitive gamepads with rear paddles, ultra-custom mechanical keyboards, and immersive racing cockpits. Corsair understood this, but instead of building all of these complex products itself from scratch, the PC titan went on a massive (but calculated) shopping spree to acquire other companies that were already doing those things. Over the past decade, some of the most influential, trend-setting names in gaming and creator tech were quietly brought under a single corporate roof. Some of these sub-brands maintain such fiercely independent identities that everyday consumers have no clue they are technically buying from the exact same company that made their computer's colorful cooling fans. From elite content-creation gear to luxury simulation rigs, here are five prominent brands you probably didn't realize are owned by Corsair. Elgato If you've watched any live broadcast on Twitch or YouTube over the past several years, you've likely seen Elgato gear in action. The company is hardware royalty when it comes to the live streaming economy. It single-handedly made external capture
Aug 31, 2026 · via bgr.com
Retro top-down racer Pretend Cars Racing 2 exits Early Access Retro-themed top-down racer Pretend Cars Racing 2 has emerged from Steam Early Access, offering authentic motorsport vibes and a track editor at a budget price. PCR 2 leaves Steam Early Access today (31st August 2026) Features track editor, dynamic day-to-night cycle and wet weather Includes 37 tracks and seven car classes at launch Pretend Cars Racing 2 has exited Steam Early Access today, with the full release boasting a comprehensive career mode, 37 tracks inspired by real-world venues and seven decade-spanning car classes. Those of us of a certain age who remember classics like Super Cars II or Micro Machines will feel right at home with PCR 2, considering the obvious gameplay similarities, but the extra authenticity added by solo developer Patricio Marin is impressive. PCR 2 features a day-to-night cycle, wet weather, multi-class racing (yes, there are WEC-style prototypes and GT3 cars), and lets players fully edit driver names and vehicles (‘Battery Voltas’ need not apply). Perhaps the game’s most important feature is its track editor, with players able to share and download community creations via Steam Workshop support. Two-player local split-screen play is also possible, with players able to rope in friends thanks to Steam’s Let’s Play Together mechanic. All in all, PCR 2 seems to be a thorough collection of the best bits of retro-themed top-down racing games, and it looks like a bargain too, given its £7.15 / $7.99 price tag on PC. Discussion
Aug 31, 2026 · via traxion.gg
The only way to get behind the Ford Mustang GTD’s wheel in Australia Ford has ruled out right-hand drive production of the Mustang GTD, but those wanting to know what it feels like to get behind the wheel will soon have that chance. Ever since Ford launched the Mustang GTD, it has said it only plans to make the supercharged pony car in left-hand drive, ruling it out – mostly – for Australia. However, the success of the Mustang GTD, as well as Ford’s latest performance push, has led sim racing giant Moza Racing to launch an officially licenced steering wheel, largely replicating that of the winged sports car. Said to be inspired by the Mustang GTD’s steering wheel rather than a like-for-like replica, its central ‘horn’ pad and flat-bottomed design mimic that of the exclusive car, though its button placements are more akin to GT3 racers. Measuring 330mm in diameter, it incorporates a 2.99-inch HD display which can be customised to each user’s desires, including using the graphics design of the Mustang GT3 race car, while behind the rim sit GTD-inspired gear paddles. Compatible with Moza bases and third-party bases through other methods, the wheel hasn’t yet been priced, though it’s likely to be a fraction of the cost of the real thing. Of course, there will be at least one Ford Mustang GTD in the world with right-hand drive, after Melbourne’s Mustang Motorsport announced earlier this year it’s converting founder Craig Dean’s example locally. Alongside the reveal of the Mustang GTD sim racing wheel, Moza also unveiled multiple Mercedes-licenced wheels, as well as a replica of the Porsche 911 GT3 RS's steering wheel.
Aug 31, 2026 · via torquecafe.com
A new week brings a new set of Gran Turismo 7 Daily Races, with three fresh events now live and running through next Monday, September 7. Race A is the bite-sized one this week, three laps of Suzuka in the Honda Civic Type R (EK) Touring Car on Sports Mediums, with a Grid Start and False Start Check to keep everyone honest off the line. It’s a fun combo that makes for a good warm-up before the week’s bigger events. Race B sends Gr.3 machinery to the Watkins Glen Long Course for five laps on Racing Mediums, rolling start, with brake balance the only setting left open. Race C returns to the 24 Heures du Mans Racing Circuit for fourteen laps in the five Le Mans hypercars, an exact repeat of the race that ran on June 22. At the better part of an hour, it’s comfortably the meatiest event of the three. Early reaction in the forums’ GT7 Daily Race Discussion thread has been positive on the week as a whole, with Watkins Glen drawing the most enthusiasm and shaping up as the popular pick. The Le Mans combo has its fans too, though it’s a long that can spread a thinning field out a little too much. The Civic, meanwhile, has been stirring some pleasant nostalgia for older Gran Turismo games. All three races are still running on Update 1.71’s reworked physics, and the GT7 Physics thread remains the place to compare notes on how the new handling model feels in competition if you want to weigh in. GT7 Daily Races (August 31): Race A - Track: Suzuka Circuit (3 laps) - Car: Honda Civic Type R (EK) Touring Car — Event-Specified - Power/Weight/PP Limit: BOP (M) - Tires: Sports Medium - Settings: Specified - Start Type: Grid
Aug 31, 2026 · via gtplanet.net
TOYOTA Motor Philippines has opened qualifiers for the 2026 TGR Philippines Esports GT Championship, giving aspiring racers another chance to move from the virtual world into actual motorsport. The esports season comes just after the conclusion of Race Weekend 3 of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippine Cup last Aug. 15, continuing Toyota’s effort to connect sim racing with its real-world racing program. The TGR Philippines Esports GT Championship has become more than just a competition for Gran Turismo players. Previous winners have gone on to compete in the TGR Philippine Cup, showing that quick hands and good racecraft behind a simulator can eventually lead to a seat in an actual race car. Qualifying runs from Aug. 17 to Sept. 13 this year and can be done either online or at selected Toyota GR performance dealerships. For participants without their own PlayStation setup, onsite qualifying is available at Toyota Makati, Toyota Alabang, Toyota Silang Cavite, Toyota San Fernando Pampanga, Toyota Calamba, Toyota Cebu City, Toyota Otis, Toyota Commonwealth, Toyota Manila Bay, Toyota Global City, and Toyota Santa Rosa. Those who prefer to qualify from home will need a PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5, a copy of Gran Turismo 7, an active PlayStation Network account and a PlayStation Plus subscription. All participants, whether competing online or onsite, must register in advance to secure a qualifying schedule. The biggest change for 2026 is the addition of a Junior Class aimed at younger competitors. Racers aged 18 and below will compete separately, while participants aged 19 and above will enter the Sporting Class. Previously, all drivers competed in a single category, with the top three eventually earning the chance to represent the Philippines in the regional finals. This year, the top 10 fastest drivers from the Sporting Class and the top 10 from the
Aug 31, 2026 · via manilatimes.net
Sennheiser and Mercedes-Benz are joining forces to bring automotive-inspired precision and high-fidelity audio to the gaming world. The two brands announced their new partnership at gamescom, the world’s largest gaming event, where they introduced a special gaming edition of Sennheiser’s HD 620S headphones. The collaboration combines Sennheiser’s expertise in premium audio with Mercedes-Benz’s reputation for engineering precision and performance. The companies say the partnership is aimed at gamers and automotive enthusiasts who value detailed, immersive experiences. A Headset Designed for Competitive Gaming The centerpiece of the collaboration is the HD 620 Mercedes-AMG Edition, a gaming-focused version of the HD 620S designed for competitive gamers and streamers. The headphones are built around detailed sound reproduction and passive noise isolation, allowing players to focus on subtle audio cues during intense gameplay. From identifying distant footsteps to detecting environmental sounds, Sennheiser says the headset is designed to make small details easier to hear when they matter most. Johann Evanno, Category Director for Sennheiser Consumer Hearing, emphasized the importance of sound in modern gaming. He noted that audio can play an important role in creating an immersive environment while also helping players react to important in-game cues. Boom Microphone Adds Communication Flexibility The HD 620 Mercedes-AMG Edition comes with Sennheiser’s HD 500 BAM boom arm microphone, providing a dedicated solution for voice communication during gaming sessions and streams. The microphone is designed for clear speech pickup and hands-free communication. It can also be detached, allowing the headphones to transition from gaming duties to more traditional music listening for users who want an audiophile-focused experience. The combination gives gamers a setup that can serve both competitive play and everyday high-fidelity listening. Bringing Automotive Performance Into Gaming The partnership also explores the similarities between real-world driving and virtual gaming. Both environments rely heavily on sound and
Aug 31, 2026 · via androidguys.com
The Direct Drive wheelbase market is expanding again in 2026. New manufacturers are moving into higher torque classes, established brands are replacing older flagship hardware, and console users will soon have more options below the traditional premium price point. Following Gamescom 2026, several additional wheelbases have now joined an already busy year for sim racing hardware. The most important upcoming products include PXN’s new S16 and S23, Sim-Lab’s DDS26 and DDS39 TorqueSync, three console-focused Revosim systems and Thermaltake’s developing G15 platform. Meanwhile, MOZA, Fanatec, SIMAGIC and Simucube have already released or started taking orders for significant new Direct Drive hardware during 2026. One important distinction applies before comparing specifications. Manufacturers describe torque differently. Some quote constant or sustained torque, while others specify maximum or peak output. Fanatec even separates holding torque from temporary peak overshoot. The figures below therefore reproduce the terminology supplied by each manufacturer rather than treating every Nm rating as an identical measurement. Upcoming Direct Drive Wheelbases Still to Arrive PXN S16 and S23 PXN delivered one of the biggest wheelbase surprises of Gamescom 2026 with the S16 and S23, its most powerful Direct Drive bases to date. The S16 provides a claimed 16 Nm of constant torque, while the S23 raises that figure to 23 Nm constant, moving PXN considerably beyond the affordable and entry-level hardware with which the company has traditionally been associated. Both bases use a 24-bit magnetic encoder, dual-core processing and a real torque sensor. PXN also lists intelligent temperature management and software configuration through PXN SimRacing. The torque sensor is particularly notable because the base can measure its actual output rather than relying only on motor calculations when managing force feedback. PXN allowed Gamescom visitors to drive the S16 alongside its GT ONE steering wheel and Vector X pedals, so the hardware
Aug 31, 2026 · via boxthislap.org
The committee announced Monday that it will open the pop-up store from Sept. 1 to 6 at the Hyundai Department Store's Pangyo branch, south of Seoul, marking the first time the annual show has staged such an offline event ahead of the main exhibition. This year's show is scheduled for Nov. 19 to 22 at BEXCO in the port city of Busan. The Special Pass, developed in partnership with resale platform KREAM, bundles a business-to-consumer admission ticket, a collaboration keyring and promotional cards featuring the popular webtoon "Yumi's Cells," and a KREAM voucher. Visitors to the pop-up store can buy the pass at an early-bird rate discounted by up to 33 percent. The venue will also host a Hyundai Motor Company sim-racing experience zone, allowing visitors to sample the intensity of mobility e-sports in a blend of the gaming and automotive industries. Following the pop-up, the pass will go on sale through the KREAM platform starting Sept. 7, while general admission tickets will be sold from Sept. 29 via the official website under a fully advance-booking system. AJP Takeaways • Gstar 2026 organizing committee on Aug. 31 unveiled a new KREAM-partnered "Special Pass" bundle and said it would open the show's first pre-event pop-up store from Sept. 1 to 6 at Hyundai Department Store's Pangyo branch, south of Seoul. • The Special Pass, bundling a business-to-consumer ticket, "Yumi's Cells" webtoon merchandise and a KREAM voucher, sells at an early-bird rate discounted up to 33 percent. • The pop-up, featuring a Hyundai Motor Company sim-racing zone, marks the marketing lead-up to Gstar 2026, South Korea's largest gaming exhibition, running Nov. 19 to 22 at BEXCO in Busan. Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.
Aug 31, 2026 · via ajupress.com
Several major PC hardware developments could affect sim racers planning an upgrade over the next few years. Memory manufacturer SK hynix expects tight memory supply to continue through 2030, AMD has accidentally revealed important details about its next Zen 6 desktop platform, and an unfinished version of NVIDIA’s DLSS 5 Neural Rendering technology is already being tested by modders. There is also an important development for console racers. Xbox Insiders can begin testing a new system today that links supported physical games to digital entitlements while allowing the original disc to continue working. Taken together, these developments could affect how much future sim racing PCs cost, which upgrade paths remain available and how upcoming rendering technologies perform. RAM Prices Could Remain a Problem for Years SK hynix CEO Kwak Noh-jung expects the current memory semiconductor shortage to continue through the end of 2030. The company sees continued AI demand as a major factor and is expanding production capacity, including a new Indiana facility expected to begin mass production of next-generation HBM4E products in 2029. That does not mean consumer DDR5 prices are guaranteed to remain at today’s levels until 2030. The market for HBM used in AI accelerators differs from desktop DRAM. However, manufacturers are dedicating substantial resources to high-value AI memory, and continued pressure across the wider memory industry could make another period of extremely cheap desktop RAM less likely. For sim racers, memory capacity has become increasingly relevant. iRacing currently lists 16 GB as its minimum and recommended configuration, while its high-end specification calls for 32 GB or more. Le Mans Ultimate recommends 16 GB. Drivers who also run telemetry tools, overlays, streaming software, browsers or other applications alongside the simulator can add further memory pressure. This makes RAM pricing worth considering when planning a new sim racing
Aug 31, 2026 · via boxthislap.org