How to Evaluate an Early Access Driving Simulator

Early access driving simulators can be a gamble—some are nearly complete, others are barely playable. This guide walks you through a practical, step-by-step evaluation so you can decide whether a specific early access title is worth your money and time right now, or if you should wait for a later update.

What You’ll Need

• A PC or console that meets the simulator’s listed minimum requirements (check the store page).
• A gamepad or steering wheel/pedal set (if the sim supports them).
• About 2–3 hours of uninterrupted testing time.
• A notepad or spreadsheet to track your findings.
• Access to the simulator’s official Discord, forum, or Steam community page.
• A stable internet connection (for updates and online features).

Step-by-Step

1. Read the store page and developer roadmap. Look for the “Early Access” section. Note the developer’s stated plans: what features are missing, what is planned, and the estimated timeline. Check if the last update was recent (within 2–3 months) or if the project looks abandoned.
2. Check the system requirements and compare them to your hardware. Early access games are often poorly optimized. If your PC is just at the minimum, expect lower framerates and more bugs. Write down your CPU, GPU, RAM, and storage type (SSD vs HDD).
3. Watch recent gameplay footage, not just trailers. Search YouTube for videos from the last month. Look for unedited gameplay, not highlight reels. Pay attention to frame rate, pop-in, physics glitches, and UI issues.
4. Read recent user reviews and filter for playtime. On Steam, filter reviews to “Most Helpful” and sort by “Recent.” Look for reviews from people with 10+ hours—they’ve seen more than the first 30 minutes. Ignore reviews that complain about missing features that are clearly listed as “planned.”
5. Visit the official Discord or forum. Look for a “Bug Reports” or “Known Issues” channel. See how active the developers are: do they reply to bug reports? Do they post patch notes? A silent developer is a red flag.
6. Buy the game and immediately test the core driving loop. Within the first hour, ask these questions:
   • Does the car respond predictably to steering, throttle, and brake inputs?
   • Is the force feedback (if using a wheel) informative or just noisy?
   • Can you adjust the field of view, graphics, and control bindings?
   • Does the game crash or stutter during normal driving?
7. Test the specific features you care about. If you bought it for VR, play 30 minutes in VR. If you want multiplayer, join a server. If you want mod support, try installing one mod. Don’t assume features work just because they’re advertised.
8. Check the save system. Early access games often wipe saves between updates. See if your progress is stored locally or in the cloud. Read the dev notes to see if a wipe is planned.
9. Time your session. Play for at least 2 hours total, ideally in one sitting. That’s the Steam refund window. If you hit a game-breaking bug in the first 90 minutes, you can still refund.
10. Compare against the current best-in-class. Ask yourself: does this early access sim already do something better than the established titles (like Assetto Corsa, iRacing, or Forza)? If not, what’s the unique selling point? If the answer is “nothing yet,” wait.
11. Decide based on your tolerance for bugs. If you’re the type who gets frustrated by minor glitches, this genre may not be for you in early access. If you enjoy watching a game evolve and reporting bugs, it can be rewarding.

Common Mistakes

• Judging a sim by its trailer. Trailers are curated. Always watch raw gameplay.
• Ignoring the refund timer. Steam’s 2-hour window is your safety net. Don’t play beyond it if you’re unsure.
• Expecting a finished product. Early access means missing content, placeholder assets, and unfinished physics. That’s the deal.
• Buying for promised features. If the feature isn’t in the current build, don’t pay for it. Only pay for what’s playable today.
• Not checking the update cadence. A game that hasn’t been updated in 6 months is effectively dead, even if the store page still says “Early Access.”
• Forgetting to test with your specific hardware. A sim that runs great on a high-end PC may be a slideshow on your mid-range laptop.

Tips

• Use the Steam refund policy as a trial. Buy, test for 90 minutes, then decide. If you refund, you lose nothing but time.
• Look for a demo or free weekend. Many early access sims offer a free demo during Steam Next Fest or on their own website.
• Check the modding community. A strong mod scene can extend the life of a sim even if the developer slows down. Look at Nexus Mods or RaceDepartment for active mods.
• Read the patch notes before buying. If the latest patch fixed a bug you saw in a review from a month ago, that’s a good sign.
• Ask current players directly. On Discord, ask “What’s the most annoying bug right now?” You’ll get honest answers.
• Set a personal budget. Decide how much you’re willing to lose if the project is abandoned. Treat early access like a Kickstarter with a playable demo.

Troubleshooting

What if the game crashes on launch? First, verify the game files (Steam: right-click → Properties → Local Files → Verify Integrity). Update your GPU drivers. Check the official Discord for known launch issues. If it still crashes, refund within 2 hours.

What if the force feedback feels wrong? Try the default preset for your wheel model. Many early access sims have incomplete FFB tuning. Check the forums for community-recommended settings. If it’s still unplayable, that’s a core issue—consider refunding.

What if the framerate is too low? Lower the graphics settings, especially shadows and anti-aliasing. Turn off motion blur. If it’s still below 30 fps on minimum settings, your hardware may not be up to the task. Check if the game uses Unreal Engine 5—that’s notoriously heavy.

What if the online multiplayer is empty? Check the player count on SteamDB. If it’s under 50 peak players, you’ll struggle to find races. Join the Discord to see when the community organizes events.

What if a bug wipes your save? Back up your save folder manually (usually in Documents or AppData). Report the bug to the developer. If saves are wiped often, that’s a sign the game isn’t ready for primetime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worth buying a driving simulator in early access? It depends on your tolerance for bugs and missing features. If you want a polished experience, wait for full release. If you want to support development and don’t mind rough edges, it can be worth it.

How long do early access driving simulators typically stay in development? It varies widely—from 6 months to several years. Some never leave early access. Check the developer’s history and update frequency for clues.

Can I get a refund if I don’t like it after 2 hours? Steam’s standard refund policy is 2 hours of playtime within 14 days of purchase. Some developers have more generous policies, but don’t count on it.

Will my wheel/pedals work? Most early access sims support common wheels (Logitech, Thrustmaster, Fanatec) but may have limited force feedback settings. Check the store page or forums for your specific model.

How do I know if the developers are still active? Look at the last update date, the developer’s recent posts on Discord/forums, and whether they respond to bug reports. A game with no updates in 6 months is a red flag.

What’s the difference between early access and a beta? Early access is a paid, public release intended for ongoing development. A beta is usually a free or pre-order bonus test phase that ends before launch.

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