Umamusume: Pretty Derby was one of 2025's surprise hits. While released in Japan in 2021 and Korea in 2022, the racing/simulation title, in which you race as anthropomorphic horses, was released globally last year. It achieved an estimated three million downloads on Steam, and many more on mobile, built a huge fanbase, and won big at the 2025 edition of The Game Awards. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so with Umamusme building such an audience, it was only a matter of time before other games tried to iterate on its formula and take a share of its market. Step forward: Gallop Diva, "a story-driven horse racing game set in a prestigious girls’ equestrian academy," laden with AI-generated assets. Gallop Diva Is The AI-Slop Version Of Umamusume: Pretty Derby Gallop Diva is definitely trying to ride the coattails of Umamusume: Pretty Derby. While it doesn't feature anthropomorphic horse girls, it features "attractive" anime girls riding horses. Set in a "prestigious girls' equestrian academy", Gallop Diva also seems to take cues from Fire Emblem: Three Houses and similar games with its social elements, where "every conversation may be a trap." In principle, it sounds fine. An interesting mix of a sports title with strong social elements. That's until you look at the footage of the game. It comes with the now oh-so-common AI-generated content disclosure on Steam, which reads: "Some animations and scenes in the game are generated with the assistance of AI," and that may be the understatement of the century. Every part of this game looks like it was created with the most rudimentary AI software and prompts, stuffed with generic AI anime girls. It does not look good. The AI-generated content disclosure isn't the only one on Steam, either. Gallop Diva also comes with a
Jul 31, 2026 · via thegamer.com
Mega update: RaceRoom brings the DTM 2026 to the virtual track RaceRoom has released the DTM 2026 Pack, giving sim racers the chance to relive the 2026 DTM season on their home PC. This article is an automatically generated English version. The Great news for all DTM fans in RaceRoom: on 4 August, KW Studios will release a major update, bringing three new GT3 cars and a revamped model to the virtual racetrack, along with all the liveries from the current season. At the heart of the update are three brand-new GT3 racing cars: making their debut on the platform are the Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo, the Ford Mustang GT3 Evo and the Lamborghini Temerario GT3. Added to this is the revamped Evo version of Porscheâs reigning DTM championship-winning car: the 911 GT3 R, which is already featured in the game, receives a technical facelift in the form of the 911 GT3 R Evo. To go with this, the content update also brings the liveries of all DTM cars â including BMW, McLaren and Mercedes-AMG â into the game, featuring the individual designs of every single driver from the 2026 season. For other reasons, the Ferrari 296 GT3 is not included in the game. DTM racers can also look forward to the DTM Community Cup, a brand-new series of events that follows on directly from the ongoing DTM eSports Championship and is expected to kick off in the week after the big on-site finale at the Nürburgring. Here, all sim racers will be able to put the new cars through their paces straight away. In the DTM eSports Championship itself, the cars from the previous season will be used right up until the very end. As well as the new cars and liveries, the team from Fichtenberg is also
Jul 31, 2026 · via speedweek.com
We have prepared a digest of the top news for July 30, 2026, for Players readers. The Perfect Storm in Seoul: How GSL July 2011 Forever Changed StarCraft II and Esports Standards In July 2011, professional esports was on the brink of major changes. The young yet tremendously ambitious StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty was rapidly becoming one of the world's premier competitive disciplines. At the heart of this explosive growth stood South Korea—a country that had long been considered the birthplace of professional StarCraft. DRX Prepares for Listing on the Singapore Exchange South Korean esports organization DRX, known for its rosters in League of Legends, VALORANT, and Tekken, is working on listing on the Singapore stock exchange. Sim racing hardware manufacturer MOZA Racing has announced an official partnership with the Gran Turismo World Series championship. The agreement takes effect starting with Round 2 of the 2026 season, which kicks off on August 15. As part of the collaboration, the brand will gain advertising presence during tournament broadcasts and begin development of its first peripheral hardware compatible with PlayStation consoles. SEGA opens first Closed Network Test for Crazy Taxi: World Tour SEGA has announced the opening of registration for the first closed network test of Crazy Taxi: World Tour, which will take place from September 11 to 13 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series. Polish Esports Player Suspended for a Year Over Relatives' Bets at a League of Legends Tournament Riot Games has officially banned Polish mid-laner Jakub "Syzyf" Ruta for 12 months. The decision follows an investigation revealing that the esports player allowed a close relative to bet on matches he competed in during the Rift Legends 2026 Winter Split while playing for Onion Team.
Jul 31, 2026 · via players.com.ua
Formula 1 Rumor: Verstappen tipped to confirm Red Bull stay at Zandvoort (GMM) Max Verstappen (pictured) could finally confirm at Zandvoort that he will remain with Red Bull through 2028, according to former Formula 1 driver Robert Doornbos. Verstappen was again photographed holidaying with Toto Wolff and their respective partners in Sardinia, around the yachts both regularly use in the area. Related Article: Formula 1 News: Verstappen again vacations with Toto Wolff However, Mercedes has not pursued the Dutchman as aggressively this year, while recent links with McLaren would require Verstappen to leave his long-time Red Bull environment to join Zak Brown’s customer-engined team alongside fellow champion Lando Norris. Doornbos believes the realistic alternatives have now disappeared. “In the coming month we will get some news,” he said on the Pit Talk podcast. “The future of Max Verstappen is most likely to be announced in Zandvoort. This is the last Grand Prix in the Netherlands.” “It’s a big moment for Red Bull to keep Max on board and be able to attach him until 2028. That’s the contract he’s already signed.” “It is only fair to the team to say that publicly to the media and to Red Bull: I will stay with you, so that we can focus on 2027.” “That will be an important topic of conversation.” He believes Verstappen has now “missed the boat” for an immediate move. “He has to stay with Red Bull,” said the Dutchman. “The alternatives have been dropped.” “I don’t see it happening again that Mercedes is pushing for Max, as they’ve done in the past. Of course they already have the next superstar in their own team.” Doornbos was referring to 19-year-old championship leader Kimi Antonelli, while he doubts Mercedes would want to place Verstappen alongside the Italian. “Marketing-wise, that would
Jul 31, 2026 · via autoracing1.com
Rideshare "Stimulator" is an Uber driver sim set in a city full of weirdos that I'm hoping is satirical enough to pull the concept off Pedal about halfway to the metal Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 developer Saber Interactive clearly like to keep themselves busy, as today they've announced the next game that they're publishing. It's called Rideshare "Stimulator" (I should note those quotation marks are a part of the title), and it is essentially a game all about being an Uber driver for a city full of oddballs. Saber are no stranger to sim games, it's a big part of their bread and butter, and for the most part this is no different. As a rideshare driver, you need to pick up passengers and get them where they want to go, all while obeying the rules of the road, occasionally circumventing them if you're in a bit of a rush. How you drive and how well you look after your car is something your passengers will pick up on too, which might affect things like your rating, reviews and tips. You'll want those tips too, as you need to pay for all of your repairs and carwash trips yourself. All of this, by and large, is generally what a real rideshare drive has to consider as well. The concept had me raise my guard a touch as I think gamifying labour that is notoriously exploited and underappreciated always feels a tad icky. But it does appear that developer Unigine are taking the satirical route here, as the passengers you pick up seem to lean towards the kind of person who you'd never want in your car. One passenger may note how he's not banned from all aquariums, just the one, another may claim birds control the traffic lights, and
Jul 31, 2026 · via rockpapershotgun.com
NASCAR and iRacing Studios Debut Official Gameplay Trailer NASCAR and iRacing Studios today debuted the official gameplay trailer and announced that NASCAR 26 will be available for pre-order beginning today, July 29. The newest game in the franchise will launch September 18 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam, introducing the biggest gameplay evolution yet with Dynamic Track technology, cross-platform multiplayer, an enhanced driving model, burnout celebrations, a standalone mode featuring The Chase, and an all-new Peak Performance training mode, making it the most authentic NASCAR experience ever delivered on console. Watch the official gameplay trailer here. “Our fans told us they wanted iRacing Studios to build the next NASCAR console game, and they delivered,” said Nick Rend, Vice President of Interactive & Emerging Platforms at NASCAR. “The response to NASCAR 25 reflected the momentum we’re seeing around NASCAR video games, and NASCAR 26 takes another meaningful step forward with improvements across the entire experience, from how the cars drive and tracks evolve to cross-platform play that brings the community together. This is the most complete and authentic NASCAR console game we have delivered.” NASCAR 26 will build upon the success of NASCAR 25, developed by iRacing, which launched on PC and consoles last fall. This year’s game, which features NASCAR star Kyle Larson as its cover driver, once again includes four NASCAR series – the NASCAR Cup Series, O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, Craftsman Truck Series, and ARCA Menards Series – with real drivers from each series, along with a groundbreaking new dynamic track feature that evolves over the course of every race weekend. Built in collaboration with NASCAR and powered by iRacing Studios’ industry-leading simulation technology, NASCAR 26 continues the franchise’s commitment to delivering an authentic representation of the sport both on and off the track.
Jul 31, 2026 · via autoracing1.com
IMSA News: McLaren Trophy America Joins IMSA for 2027 Season in Long-Term Deal McLaren Trophy America will race under the sanction of the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) starting in 2027, following the signing of a long-term agreement. The move underscores the continued expansion of McLarenâs high-performance one-make racing platform and positions the series within North Americaâs premier sports-car environment. –by Mark Cipolloni– Founded in 1969 to organize open-wheel racing, IMSA has sanctioned sports-car endurance events across the region since 1971. Today it stands as the leading sportscar and GT racing organization in North America and one of the most respected motorsport bodies worldwide. Since 2014 it has delivered top-level endurance racing through the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. McLaren Trophy was created to give McLaren road-car customers a direct route into competitive racing. Amateur enthusiasts compete in purpose-built McLaren Automotive race cars derived from the successful GT4 platform. Freed from restrictive regulations, McLaren engineers have enhanced the carsâ aerodynamics, performance, and handling. The latest evolution, the Artura Trophy Evo, was unveiled in 2024 and coincided with rule changes that opened the series to professional driver line-upsâan intentional step designed to widen the talent pool feeding McLaren Motorsportâs growing factory driver program. This summer, selected drivers from both the European and American Trophy series will be invited to the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking for a formal driver-assessment program. Successful candidates could earn places in the 2027 McLaren Motorsport factory driver lineup. The initiative highlights the strategic role McLaren Trophy now plays as a key rung on the manufacturerâs motorsport ladder, guiding both drivers and teams toward the highest levels of endurance racing. Giorgio Sanna, Head of Motorsport at McLaren Automotive, said: âThe prospect of racing on the IMSA package is a very exciting one for McLaren Trophy America. IMSA, like McLaren,
Jul 31, 2026 · via autoracing1.com
Formula 1 2026: New Regulations, Active Aero and the Rise of Sim Racing The 2026 Formula 1 season has become the most talked-about turning point in years. A completely overhauled set of technical regulations has forced every team to rethink car design from the ground upâlighter chassis, redesigned power units, and, for the first time, active aerodynamics that adjust in real time depending on track position. Paddocks and fan forums alike are buzzing with the same question: which teams adapted fastest, and which ones got the concept wrong? Pre-season testing already hinted at a shake-up in the competitive order. Some traditionally strong outfits struggled to correlate their simulation tools with real-track behavior, while smaller teams used the reset as a chance to close the gap. This is not a single rule change. It is a convergence of several radical shifts happening at once: a new hybrid power unit format with a much higher share of electrical power, active front and rear wings that reduce drag on straights, lighter and narrower cars, and sustainable fuel requirements across the grid. Engineering budgets have surged in response. Teams are pouring resources into simulation, correlation between wind-tunnel and track data, and rapid setup iteration during race weekends. Some organizations have even restructured entire departments around the new rules, hiring specialists in battery chemistry and active-aero control software who simply were not needed under the old regulations. When it comes to mobile gaming, it is important that platforms are convenient and perform quickly. For example, Nightwin Casino offers more than 2,000 games from providers such as NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, and Evolution, and all of them are optimized for iOS and Android devices. Users expect fast loading, secure login, prompt payments, and easy navigation, as well as the ability to play instantly without downloading. Active Aerodynamics
Jul 31, 2026 · via autoracing1.com
In terms of officially licensed Super Touring race cars, RaceRoom is far ahead of the competition, and it is set to extend that lead later this year with two more. The Ford Mondeo and Peugeot 406 have been confirmed as in development, and work-in-progress images have been shared. The Mondeo was set apart from the rest of the 1990s touring car era by using a V6 engine, which required some trick engineering by British firm Prodrive to lower its centre of gravity and adjust its weight balance. That’s the model seen here, one of the later Mondeos, which were significantly more competitive than earlier examples, this one being either a 1999 or 2000 specification. This is identifiable not just by the swooping headlights, but also the dramatically wider track and snug front wings compared to the 1997 and 1998 versions. While the Ford finally achieved a British Touring Car Championship in 2000, the Peugeot could only dream of such success, failing to win a single race in that series. It was a different story in Germany, however, as Laurent Aïello took it to the big German manufacturers in their own championship, the STW, claiming the title in 1997. He also finished runner-up in 1998 and third in 1996, by far and away the most successful driver of a 406. Aïello would move to the BTCC and Nissan in 1999, although the Primera won’t be coming to RaceRoom soon, sadly. “The only car we are not touching at the moment is the Nissan Primera as there was no chance to get a license done with Nissan,” said RaceRoom’s Director of Strategy and Sales, Christian Wacker-Baur. He was also able to confirm that the Mondeo came about thanks to a new Ford licensing deal that also included the Mustang GT3, which will
Jul 30, 2026 · via traxion.gg
Publisher GIANTS Software and developer Straight4 Studios today launch the free Aussie Rivals Pack, bringing the 2013 Holden Commodore VF and a completely reworked 2013 Ford Falcon FG to all players as part of a significant new update for Project Motor Racing. Update 2.1 delivers major improvements across content, physics, online racing, immersion, presentation, and close-quarters racing. Alongside the new free content, players can expect a complete rebuild of the GT4 and GT3 classes, a phased Join-in-Progress rollout, Alpha triple-screen support, further PC VR enhancements ahead of a late-summer release, improved collisions, a new Ranked Notification Join feature, and graphical enrichments throughout the game. The Free Aussie Rivals Pack The free Aussie Rivals Pack brings one of touring car racing’s great rivalries to Project Motor Racing: Holden versus Ford. The pack includes the 2013 Holden Commodore VF and a completely reworked 2013 Ford Falcon FG, giving players two modern V8 touring car icons built for curb-hopping aggression, rear-wheel-drive attitude, and elbows-out racing. GT4 and GT3 Class Handling and Physics Overhaul Guided by new CCO Aris Vasilakos, Update 2.1 delivers a full car-by-car GT4 and GT3 rebuild from the wheels up, using new manufacturer-derived data alongside a complete tire simulation remake to improve handling feel, tire behavior, and class authenticity. Quality of Life Improvements with Update 2.1 - Join-in-Progress. Players are now able to join supported online sessions after they have started, making it easier to connect with friends, communities, leagues, and public races without waiting for the next full restart. - Ranked Notification Join. Players registered for a ranked session no longer need to stay on the registration screen while they wait. Once registered, they can return to other areas of the game. When the ranked session is ready, a notification will appear, allowing them to join directly from wherever
Jul 30, 2026 · via capsulecomputers.com.au
There is an inherent whimsy and heart-pumping infectious energy that has made kart racers some of the most approachable yet infinitely entertaining racing games out there. Distinctly different from realism-focused sim racers like Gran Turismo or Forza, kart racers are more defined by high-energy arcade gameplay, memorable characters and tracks, and using items mid-race to take down enemy racers and win the race. However, the truth of kart racing as a genre is that it's completely dominated and defined by the Mario Kart franchise. From the original Super Mario Kart's popularization of the franchise in 1992 to the latest prominent release in Mario Kart World, the franchise is so synonymous with the kart racing genre that every other attempted entry will inevitably be compared to Nintendo's gem. Many middling wannabe Mario Kart clones fall to the wayside and are ignored by gamers who could simply play the latest entry in Mario's series. However, a select few kart racers live up to the legacy of this iconic franchise and provide actual competition within the kart racing genre. 'Blur' (2010) From a purely visual standpoint, Blur doesn't exactly look like your classic kart racer, as it doesn't have the cartoony antics and instead has the look of your more traditional arcade racer. However, while the game may have the look of something like Need for Speed, its gameplay attempts to act as a bridge between real-world racers and the chaotic world of kart racers. The downloadable title uses the real-world cars and locations of grounded racers, but has a central gameplay more similar to a kart racer, with dynamic power-ups and weapons to use against other racers. The underrated video game is certainly elevated thanks to the expertise of the development team responsible, Bizarre Creations, who were behind both high-energy arcade games
Jul 30, 2026 · via collider.com
Fanatec remains Gran Turismo World Series official partner, devices used at events Following an announcement from Moza Racing and Gran Turismo about a new official World Series partner, Polyphony Digital and Fanatec have clarified their relationship. Wait, there are two official partners of the Gran Turismo World Series that make sim racing equipment? Yes, it would seem so Fanatec remains an official partner, and its devices will be used for the remainder of the 2026 season Fanatec remains a partner of the Gran Turismo World Series, and crucially, will have its sim racing products used by competitors for the rest of the 2026 season. One press release Traxion received talked only of this partnership, whereas the Gran Turismo website mentioned Moza “as an official peripheral partner”. It certainly didn’t clearly state that there were to be two concurrent wheel partners. “Fanatec remains the Official Steering Wheel Partner of the GT World Series. There has been no change to our partnership with Fanatec regarding the GT World Series or their position as the official hardware supplier at live events,” reads today’s statement from the Sony first-party studio. “Fanatec equipment will continue to be used at Gran Turismo World Series live events as the official hardware, providing a consistent competitive environment for the world’s top drivers. Be sure to check out Round 3 in Singapore in October and the World Finals in Shibuya, Tokyo in December.” Be that as it may, it’s certainly a unique scenario to have two official partners of the World Series that both produce racing game peripherals. Round 2 will be broadcast on the 15th August 2026, as a non-live event to plug the gap left by the cancelled Abu Dhabi entry. Discussion 0 Comments Join the discussion Join Traxion.gg to start discussing with members. Already a member?
Jul 30, 2026 · via traxion.gg
For decades, sim racing was built around a single obsession: reproducing the behaviour of a car as accurately as possible. A simulator’s quality was measured by its tyre model, its weight transfer, its suspension response, its aerodynamics and the fidelity of its force feedback. The more convincing the relationship between wheel, car and tarmac, the more prestige the product carried. That criterion still matters. It is no longer sufficient. In 2026, good physics are the starting point, not a complete value proposition. The leading simulators have reached such a high level of technical competence that the deepest differences are no longer found only in how a tyre gives up grip, but in everything surrounding the act of driving: progression, consequences, competition, interface, artificial intelligence and the sense of belonging to an ecosystem. The modern sim racer does not just want the car to behave believably. They need a reason to switch it on. Physics as the price of entry Technological progress has closed part of the distance that once separated the most advanced simulators from everything else. Specialist studios have long since mastered fixed time steps, force handling, inertia matrices, tyre deformation and the interaction between temperature, pressure and wear. This does not mean every title offers the same level of realism. Substantial differences remain in how each engine represents the limit of adhesion, aerodynamic balance, chassis torsion or the transition between dry and wet running. But for a large share of the audience, several reference products already deliver driving that is plausible, coherent and communicative enough. Beyond a certain threshold, physics improvements produce diminishing returns. A user can clearly feel when a car is artificial, unpredictable or excessively forgiving. Telling two advanced thermal degradation models apart, on the other hand, demands experience, specialised hardware and controlled test conditions, the
Jul 30, 2026 · via boxthislap.org
This week’s new Online Time Trial is a study in contrasts. Gran Turismo 7 pairs the Chevrolet Camaro Z28 ’69, one of Detroit’s quintessential muscle cars, with the Village layout at Alsace on Sports Hard tires. The Z28 was Chevrolet’s answer to Trans-Am rules of the era, packing a high-revving small-block V8 built specifically to squeeze under the series’ 5.0-liter cap. It’s old-school American muscle in the purest sense: long hood, live rear axle, and a fun challenge to hustle through corners. Introduced back in GT Sport, the Alsace fictional circuit sits in the foothills of the Vosges mountains of France, with a road surface that rises and falls with the land. Throwing a heavy ’69 muscle car through that kind of elevation change, on Sports Hard tires no less, should make for a demanding lap. Figure on needing something under 2:20.000 for gold. There’s also a week left on last week’s event, which keeps the Gr.2 field at Fuji International Speedway on Racing Medium tires. That one closes August 6. GT7 Lap Time Challenge – July 30 - Track: Alsace – Village - Car: Chevrolet Camaro Z28 ’69 - Power/Weight/PP Limit: Low Speed - Tires: Sports Hard - Settings: Fixed GT7 Lap Time Challenge – July 23 - Track: Fuji International Speedway - Car: Gr.2 - Power/Weight/PP Limit: Mid-Speed - Tires: Racing Medium - Settings: Fixed Online Racing Event Want to race this week’s combo instead of chasing it solo? The SNAIL Racing League runs casual online races each week using the active Time Trial’s car and track, and anyone’s welcome to join. Head over to our forums for more information! Accessing Online Time Trials If you’ve not jumped into one of these before, you’ll first need to unlock Sport Mode by completing Menu Book 9 (“Championship: Tokyo Highway
Jul 30, 2026 · via gtplanet.net
Mumbai Falcons Racing (MFRL) has appointed India women's cricketer Jemimah Rodrigues as the brand ambassador for the F1 Sim Racing India Open 2026. She joins cricketer Shreyas Iyer, who is also associated with the initiative. The nationwide championship aims to identify Indian sim racing talent, with participants competing for a chance to progress through the tournament. As part of the event, Time Trials will be held at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi from July 30 to August 1. According to the organisers, the championship carries a prize pool of ₹2 crore, which will be used as a driver development fund to support emerging racing talent. Ameet Gadhoke, managing director, Mumbai Falcons Racing, said, "Formula 1 is evolving rapidly, and so is its audience. More youth and female audiences are following the sport than ever before, making this the right time to create opportunities that are open to everyone with the passion and talent to succeed. Jemimah represents the confidence, ambition and sporting excellence that resonates with this new generation, and her association strengthens our vision of building a more inclusive motorsport community. If more young girls begin to see motorsport as a sport they can actively participate in, we will have achieved something meaningful." Commenting on the association, Jemimah Rodrigues said, "I've always believed that sport has the power to challenge perceptions and open doors for the next generation. Cricket has given me opportunities I could only dream of as a child, and I hope this programme inspires more young girls to believe that no sport is out of reach. Formula 1 and motorsport are attracting a whole new generation of fans, and it's exciting to be part of an initiative that gives young people a chance to compete, learn and dream bigger. Cricket and racing both demand quick decision-making, consistency
Jul 30, 2026 · via afaqs.com
RaceRoom has confirmed when sim racers can expect its next platform update and car content: 4th August 2026. It follows a wave of announcements in recent days, with new DTM (GT3-spec) cars, an all new HUD and notable multiplayer improvements. There are also track upgrades for Monza and the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Four new GT3 cars Thanks to a new DTM 2026-season DLC pack, which includes the current season livery designs and all cars apart from the Ferrari 296, the following four fresh cars will be available: Aston Martin GT3 Evo Ford Mustang GT3 Evo Lamborghini Temerario GT3 Porsche 911 GT3 R (2026 update) This marks the first time the Mustang is available for the platform, and it arrives in current Evo spec. Meanwhile, the Aston Martin marks the first time the British brand has ever appeared in RaceRoom. Then there’s the Temerario, marking its sim racing debut, anywhere, in the KW Studios-created title. A lot of ‘marks’ and ‘firsts’ there, but it’s important. The DTM 2026 pack that includes the four cars and liveries will cost €29.99. New HUD The on-screen information during races has been re-designed, something that is now closer to the fresher designs seen in the multiplayer user interface, for example. Current positions, timing and maps are said to be clearer, and the whole display can be customised. The location and size for each element can be changed, and you can switch on or off sections as you please. The MFD is also updated to match, with tyre info, session-aware standings, timing, a full instrument cluster, a status strip for penalties and messages and a dedicated chat/system message log. Expanded multiplayer grids Now, in the future, RaceRoom is hinting at even more online dedicated server multiplayer changes, but for now it’s been tinkering under the hood, and
Jul 30, 2026 · via traxion.gg
from GUILLEMOT (EPA:GUI) GUILLEMOT CORPORATION: 2026 first-half turnover / Strong consumer demand and a second half with a strong lineup of major product launches Carentoir, July 30, 2026 2026 first-half turnover Strong consumer demand and a second half with a strong lineup of major product launches Key highlights - First-half turnover of €49.6 million (-4%) in a demanding market, driven by strong end-consumer demand (“sell-out”). - A strong lineup of major product launches in the second half of the year. - 2026 targets remain unchanged: 5% turnover growth and operating profit of 5% of consolidated turnover. Unaudited data (€m) | 2026 | 2025 | Change | | |---|---|---|---| | Second quarter | ||| | Thrustmaster gaming accessories | 22.1 | 24.2 | -9% | | Thrustmaster total | 22.1 | 24.2 | -9% | | Hercules digital devices | 2.3 | 2.5 | -8% | | OEM | 0.1 | 0.0 | - | | Hercules total | 2.4 | 2.5 | -4% | | Total | 24.5 | 26.7 | -8% | | First half | ||| | Thrustmaster gaming accessories | 44.8 | 46.2 | -3% | | Thrustmaster total | 44.8 | 46.2 | -3% | | Hercules digital devices | 4.7 | 5.5 | -13% | | OEM | 0.1 | 0.0 | - | | Hercules total | 4.8 | 5.5 | -13% | | Total | 49.6 | 51.7 | -4% | In the first half of 2026, the Group generated turnover of €49.6 million (-4%). This reflects the planned discontinuation of the Thrustmaster T300 RS racing wheel, though end-consumer sales momentum remained strong. Against an uneven international backdrop, the Group demonstrated its adaptability and resilience across all of its markets. The North American market saw strong growth over the period, driven in particular
Jul 30, 2026 · via webdisclosure.com
- Primary Subject: Need for Speed / Forza Horizon (Automotive Licensing Analysis) - Key Update: An analysis of why major car manufacturers like Honda and Toyota historically avoided street racing video games and how licensing policies have shifted over time. - Status: Confirmed - Last Verified: July 30, 2026 - Quick Answer: Automakers avoid street racing games due to concerns over illegal themes, police chases, and car damage models, though Toyota eventually returned to sim racers. I have spent a stupid number of hours outrunning cops in cars I will never afford, and for most of that time I never questioned the garage. You take what the game gives you. It was only when I went hunting for one specific car and could not find it anywhere in the list that I started paying attention to the gaps. A racing game's roster gets settled in a licensing meeting long before it reaches the design team, and the two most famous holes in that roster belong to Honda and Toyota. The Honda Gap Is Real, But Not the Way Fans Tell It If you grew up on the Need for Speed tuner era, you remember the moment you realized there was no Civic to build. That absence hardened into folklore over the years: Honda hates street racing games and always has. The actual record is messier. Honda and Acura have appeared across the series for decades, just unevenly. The NA1 Acura NSX was in the original The Need for Speed back in 1994, disappeared, then came back as the NA2 in ProStreet in 2007. The second-generation NSX turned up in Payback in 2017. When EA rebooted the franchise as plain Need for Speed in 2015, Honda arrived in force, with the Civic and the NSX both drivable in a game built
Jul 30, 2026 · via racinggames.gg
Triple screens and reworked GT cars arrive in Project Motor Racing Project Motor Racing has received one of its biggest patches yet, with Update 2.1 delivering a major overhaul for several popular racing classes, new multiplayer features and a long-awaited display option for serious sim-racing setups. Rather than simply adjusting a few numbers under the bonnet, the update makes substantial changes to how many of the game’s most important cars feel on the track. The headline improvements focus on the GT3 and GT4 categories. Every car in these classes has been updated with revised suspension geometry, aerodynamics, differentials, gear ratios, turbo response, weight distribution and braking behaviour. The tyre simulation has also been reworked, making temperature management, sliding and long-term wear much more important during a race. Drivers who push too aggressively could now overheat their tyres and lose performance much faster, while smoother racers may be able to stretch their stints. Adjustable brake ducts introduce another strategic choice, improving cooling when opened but creating additional aerodynamic drag. Old GT3 and GT4 setups may no longer behave correctly after the overhaul, although the update includes refreshed default configurations for several circuits. More online racing and triple-screen action Update 2.1 also improves multiplayer by allowing racers to join active Practice and Qualifying sessions in supported custom lobbies. Hosts can skip Practice, ranked competitors receive notifications when their races are starting, and several connection and lobby-restriction issues have been fixed. One of the most exciting additions for dedicated sim racers is PC triple-screen support. The feature is currently labelled as an early Alpha implementation, meaning it may still have rough edges, but it gives players with three-monitor cockpits a much better way to experience the game. VR remains in Alpha as well, with the patch fixing positioning, interface and custom-lobby problems. The
Jul 30, 2026 · via dlcompare.com
If you thought your sim racing rig was complete, MOZA is here to tell you that your wallet is not safe. The simulation giant has officially dropped one of its biggest product announcements to date, spanning racing, aviation, heavy machinery, and full-cockpit motion hardware. Leading the charge is the MOZA HMA150 Haptic Motion System, a four-actuator setup that brings full 3DOF motion to your seat. Alongside it, MOZA has refreshed its direct drive racing line, expanded its force feedback flight gear, launched a dedicated farming controller, and rolled out AI software that physically guides your hands around a racetrack. Here is everything you need to know about MOZA’s massive hardware explosion and what it will cost you here in Australia. Shake, rattle, and roll with the MOZA HMA150 For years, getting a true motion rig involved buying expensive industrial actuators and routing miles of messy cabling to giant external control boxes. The MOZA HMA150 changes that by embedding the controller logic directly into each actuator body. Built around four individual HMA150 Haptic Motion Actuators, the system translates telemetry data into pitch, roll, and heave. You will feel every heavy braking dive, weight transfer through high-speed sweepers, elevation change, and violent curb strike directly through your seat. The technical specifications on these struts are no joke. They offer 150 mm of total travel, top speeds of up to 300 mm/s, and acceleration forces exceeding 1G under supported load conditions. If you happen to be a heavier driver or have a heavy steel rig, the system supports a maximum platform payload of 350 kg. High-frequency tactile vibration effects can also rumble up to 200 Hz to simulate engine revs and road surface textures. To prevent you from slamming into the floor when turning the rig off, MOZA has included controlled descent protection
Jul 30, 2026 · via techau.com.au