Interesting conversation and good points on both sides of the discussion.
I do think however what's lacking here is the understanding that both titles are completely different at virtually every level.
To be perfectly honest, I'm not even sure how you can compare the two because one is essentially singleplayer (mostly) with a multi-player component and the other is a fully fledged MMO?
Personally I like both titles but I do favor iRacing however that is because iRacing fills a need for me that no SP Racer ever really has.
Having said that, I'll try and keep it as neutral as possible and just stick to the facts.
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Assetto Corsa excels at both visuals and audio like nothing currently on the market right now with the possible exception being Game Stock Car. It is the only other title to my knowledge that uses laser scanning technology in track design and works hand in hand with vehicle manufacturers.
AC has terrific mod support and I have no doubt will go onto a long and illustrious career of being infinitely moddable spawning a wide array of original content as well as existing mods ported over from the rFactor Community.
The Multi-player component of Assetto Corsa will most likely see the highest amount of competent racers in a SP/MP title as it has been eagerly awaited by pretty much all in the sim racing community.
Even before Assetto Corsa was available as a tech demo, many were touting it to be "the most authentic racer ever" without ever turning a lap. This should give you some idea of how desperate people are for a competent sim racer these days.
These are all great things that work in AC's favor and for many will be enough to enjoy the game, probably for years.
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iRacing takes a different approach to sim racing by creating a subscription based MMO licensed progression system. Due to the never ending development cycle and exceptional licensing system, a monthly fee is required to maintain the title.
Based off a good chunk of code stripped from Nascar Sim Racing 2003, iRacing is certainly not the prettiest title on the market and its sound engine certainly could use some attention.
From a visual standpoint the only portion of iRacing that looks decent by today's standards are the vehicle models.
Even with the eventual integration of DX11 and Open GL support, I find it difficult to believe it will ever look at good as Assetto Corsa.
Even if their engine is capable of those visuals they simply must make design compromises in the interests of stable frame rates for grids of up to 30 cars (more in league races).
Tracks are an area where iRacing excels and you'd be hard pressed to notice any difference between it and AC aside from AC having newer laser scanned versions of each track.
iRacing is a dedicated Multi-player only game with a licensing system that pits you against other human drivers of similar skill sets.
iRacing is not currently moddable and will never be.
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If you're read this far you're probably wondering why you'd ever consider iRacing and that is a fair question indeed because on paper Assetto Corsa trumps iRacing in most categories.
The above takes into account however that your needs are only that of a casual racer looking for a quick race now and then.
It's those who want more depth, more commitment and an understanding of proper racecraft that choose iRacing as it has no equal in this regard.
I'll attempt to list the differences below between the two titles so as to give you an idea of why I think they both fill completely different niches:
1. Core:
- Assetto Corsa: At its core, Assetto Corsa is a single-player, multi-configurable sim racer with an additional multi-player component. Players are given a number of presets and custom control options allowing for a wide range of immersion for players of all skill levels.
Players are given the freedom to race in a Career Mode, Weekend Race or Quick Race and can load virtually any vehicle class onto the road at the same time.
At any time the player is free to suit up and drive every available vehicle in every available class either solo, against AI or other players.
- iRacing: iRacing is a promotion based system where new players are allowed only to compete in a set number of cars/tracks in both Road and Oval.
All drivers start off as Rookie's and must advance beyond this license level to unlock more cars/tracks at the D-License Level.
Players are promoted quite quickly if they adhere to the rules and drive cleanly and responsibly. Those who cannot do so will find themselves driving with other reckless drivers and may remain in this lower class for many months.
New license levels bring with them the opportunity to drive new cars/tracks however each must be purchased separately.
Added to the monthly subscription fee this can cost a hefty sum when compared to Assetto Corsa.
2. Gameplay:
- Assetto Corsa: Given the wide range of configurability in AC it can easily satisfy everyone from the casual gamer to the racing pro. The racing is often fast, intense and very satisfying even against AC's reasonably competent AI.
Included is a multi-player component if you wish to take to the track against other human players.
Currently there are not a lot of tracks available but I'd expect this to change over the course of time.
- iRacing: Initially the player starts off with limited access to cars and tracks but access opens up as license progression is realized.
Since there is no AI in iRacing, you are always pitted against other human opponents of all skill levels (in Open Practice) and similar skill levels (in Race).
iRacing is very much structured around progression through racecraft and as such will only appeal to those willing to put in the time to learn it.
Those looking to simply jump into a race and trade paint will likely be confined to lower license levels and/or removed from the service entirely.
Given this is a subscription based service with a licensed progression based system, it is necessary for iRacing to remove problematic drivers in the interests of clean racing and racecraft.
They are not heavy handed by any means and will attempt to educate the driver first but should that prove futile you will be removed from the service.
3. Experience:
- Assetto Corsa: AC for all it's bells and whistles is not much different than your average racing game.
While being visually stunning and boasting some of the industry's best sound for a Racing Sim, it is still just a game. It's approachability is either its greatest strength or greatest weakness; either relying on what kind of racer you choose to be.
As in all single-player racing sims, the AI can be somewhat incompetent at times and are cursed by the same issues that racing AI have suffered for over a decade.
While AI can drive side by side sometimes, they will knock each other off the track, knock you off the track and not hesitate to trade paint should you be on their line.
As with most racing AI, they often struggle to get through tight spaces quickly or cleanly and all of them have their obvious "slow points" where you always gain massive time on them.
Racecraft is not integrated into Assetto Corsa at all. Instead, AC relies on a variable AI experience/strength system for each AI driver meaning some are more likely to make mistakes than others.
Drive 6 or more laps at Spa and you'll see the difference; the more competent AI drivers will be either crashed out (by the lesser AI) or leading the race.
NOTE: The above is based off 2 races at Spa with 20+ AI on 100% strength over 15 laps. Both times I gridded in last place and finished first on the final lap. Also worth mentioning, my car was one of the few undamaged during the course of the race.
- iRacing: Those looking to experience racecraft at the highest possible levels in a game will be right at home here. Very much like virtually every other true sim on the market of any genre, iRacing has a somewhat steep learning curve.
It can take drivers many months to learn how to race cleanly and progress their career however even the cleanest and most careful of racers will experience frustration as well.
Given iRacing is strictly a human vs human experience you will have to contend with thousands of competitors of vastly different skill and competence levels.
Even the cleanest and fastest racer can be taken out on the last lap by someone who drops a tire on the grass and spins into them. Its horribly frustrating but incredibly invigorating at the same time.
Unlike your typical racing sim, you are invested in iRacing financially, mentally and often physically. You never suit up without having to protect your license and it is this system that makes the racing stand well above the rest.
4. Value:
Given its monthly subscription fee and cost of additional cars/tracks, iRacing is certainly the more costly of the two options. It's not uncommon to spend upwards of $200 over the first year in iRacing, I know, I've done it myself.
This may be too much an investment for many which is understandable especially if you expect to pay the sum all at once.
The nice thing about iRacing however is you can buy only what you want instead of being forced into a certain path which few games offer to my knowledge.
iRacing also tries to help ease the financial burden by offering loyalty discounts, special promotions and even pays you in credits to complete series throughout the year.
Given the progression system and its tight integration into learning the art of racecraft, you find yourself hundreds of hours into the game without even realizing it. It tracks every lap you turn, every incident you have and to date iRacing has turned over 1 Billion Laps.
When compared against the average Assetto Corsa Steam install, you may get a few hundred hours (maximum usage) out of AC before you tire of it; iRacing will see you in the thousands of hours likely.
Of the two I'd still lean toward iRacing being the more costly however on a ROI basis I'd lean heavily in favor of iRacing.
Then there's the subject of racecraft which I've touched on numerous times above and this again is where iRacing stands apart. iRacing is the only title to offer a full suite of racecraft 101 videos created in conjunction with the Skip Barber Driving School.
iRacing is also continually working with Nascar so if you're an Oval guy then you won't find better anywhere else.
On the road side, iRacing is now working with Team Mazda and is currently integrating Blancpain GT Series rules into it's GT3 Series.
Conclusion:
Both iRacing and Assetto Corsa are unarguably amazing titles and there is plenty of room for both of them to co-exist.
Both have their strengths and weaknesses however the biggest strength of both is that of choice. If you want to hop into an approachable sim, have some fun and turn some laps then Assetto Corsa may be the best available option for you.
If on the other hand you're looking for more depth, commitment and are willing to put in the time to learn proper racecraft as you race then iRacing may be your game of choice.
Regardless of which you choose, both are fun and I don't feel committing to one over the other (or both in unison) is a bad choice.
