For enthusiasts of the racing simulation game Assetto Corsa, the desire to enhance and personalize the gaming experience often leads to exploring mods. In this guide on how to get mods on Assetto Corsa PC, we will delve into the vibrant world of user-created modifications that can elevate your racing adventure. Assetto Corsa’s modding community offers a plethora of car models, tracks, and visual enhancements, allowing players to tailor their experience to perfection. This introduction aims to spark curiosity about the expansive possibilities awaiting players who seek to enrich their Assetto Corsa gameplay by tapping into the diverse and dynamic world of mods available for the PC version.
Brief overview of the popularity of Assetto Corsa
Assetto Corsa has become one of the most popular and acclaimed racing simulators for PC gamers. First developed and published by Kunos Simulazioni in 2014, Assetto Corsa prides itself on an authentic and realistic driving experience with superb graphics and physics modeling. Since its initial launch, the game has built a reputation for offering a huge amount of content and customization through the use of player-created mods.
Mods, or modifications, allow players to customize and enhance Assetto Corsa by adding new cars, tracks, graphics options, and gameplay tweaks. Mods are created by the Assetto Corsa community and can usually be downloaded for free. While the base game already includes a diverse roster of tracks and vehicles, mods expand and augment the content exponentially.
From historic F1 cars to fictional circuits, mods allow players to shape the game to their interests. They also enable adjusting graphics and physics to achieve the preferred balance of realism and playability. Overall, mods are a major part of Assetto Corsa’s identity on PC, contributing enormously to its long-term enjoyment and activity.
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How To Get Mods On Assetto Corsa Pc
With a dedicated modding community, there are tons of mods available for Assetto Corsa. The main places to find AC mods are on sites like RaceDepartment, Assetto Corsa forums, and Facebook groups. Some key types of mods include:
- Tracks – Custom fictional tracks, recreations of real tracks, and more. Popular tracks include LA Canyons, Lake Louise, and Shutoko Revival Project.
- Cars – Additional cars from various brands and time periods. Notable car mods include classics like the Ferrari F40 and McLaren F1, and modern hypercars like the Bugatti Chiron.
- Graphics & Visuals – Graphics mods like SOL and Pure improve the visuals. Reshade offers extensive graphical tweaking and customization.
- Apps & Utilities – Apps like Content Manager and CrewChief add useful features to the base AC experience.
When looking for mods, quality is key. Seek out mods from reputable creators known for their high standards and dedication. Check reviews and ratings to identify the standout mods worth trying. Some mods really enhance and expand AC in exciting ways.
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Installing Mods
Installing mods for Assetto Corsa on PC requires some file organization and following the proper steps to get mods working correctly. Here is a step-by-step guide to installing Assetto Corsa mods:
Understanding the File Structure
The main folders and files you need to know about for mod installation are:
- Assetto Corsa – This is the main game folder, usually located in C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common for the Steam version of the game.
- mods – This folder needs to be created in the main Assetto Corsa folder if it doesn’t already exist. This is where all mods will be installed.
- content – Some mod packages will include a content folder that contains files that need to go in the main content folder of the game.
Installation Steps
- Download the desired mod – usually in a .zip or .rar compressed file.
- Extract the compressed mod folder and look for any special installation instructions included.
- Copy the main mod folder directly into the mods folder of the game. For example, if the mod is called RealisticTires, you would copy the RealisticTires folder into Assetto Corsa/mods.
- If the mod came with a content folder, merge those files directly into the main content folder of the game. Overwrite any duplicate files it asks about.
- Start the game and enable the mod (and any included apps) in Content Manager.
- Test that the mod loads correctly in practice mode before racing.
With the correct files installed in the mods and content folders, most mods should install smoothly. Always read the full mod description for any special instructions needed for that specific add-on.
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Configuring Content Manager
Content Manager is a custom launcher and mod manager for Assetto Corsa. It’s highly recommended to use when installing mods, as it simplifies the process of enabling and disabling mods.
To configure Content Manager:
- Download and install the latest version of Content Manager. Follow the installation prompts.
- Launch Content Manager. Go to Settings > General and enable “Custom Shaders Patch” and “Sol” under “Graphic Options.” This allows support for visual enhancement mods.
- Under “Games,” enable “Custom Game Patches” and select “Custom Shaders Patch” patch. This injects the mod into the game upon launching.
- Go to Settings > Content and set your Assetto Corsa installation folder under “Game Installation Folder.” This is usually under Steam/steamapps/common.
- Under “Mods,” choose your main mods folder. This is where all your downloaded mods should be installed.
- Check “Enable Content Manager integration” under each mod to activate it. Adjust the load order if needed.
Now when you launch Assetto Corsa through Content Manager, any enabled mods will automatically be loaded into the game. It’s an easy way to try out different mods without hassle. Be sure to read the descriptions for each mod for additional configuration tips.
Launching with Mods
Once you have installed your desired mods, it’s time to launch Assetto Corsa and try them out. The easiest way to launch AC with mods enabled is through Content Manager.
Content Manager is an app that provides an intuitive interface for managing your AC content and mods. After installing Content Manager, open it and go to Settings > General. Make sure “Custom Shaders Patch” and “Custom Shader Patch [Tray Icon]” are enabled.
Now when you launch Assetto Corsa through Content Manager, CSP will automatically be loaded along with any mods you have installed. This streamlines the process so you don’t have to manually activate mods each time.
It’s a good idea to test your mods in a practice session first. Try launching a practice session on a track using a car you installed mods for. Open the Content Manager live tuning menu while in-session and ensure your visual mods like SOL are working properly. Drive around and test different conditions to check for issues.
If you notice visual artifacts, glitches, or strange behavior, you likely have a compatibility issue between mods. Try disabling or uninstalling new mods one by one until your game runs smoothly again. Don’t forget to activate/deactivate mods using the Content Manager menu rather than deleting files while troubleshooting.
Some common problems with mods include:
- Incompatible visual mods causing glitches
- Car mods crashing the game on launch
- Track mods missing textures, objects, or surfaces
- Too many script mods causing performance hits
Take the time to properly test and configure your mods for a smooth experience in Assetto Corsa. Check mod forums and communities if you are unable to resolve issues on your own. With a properly modded setup, you’ll be enjoying AC like never before.
Graphics & Visual Mods
Graphics mods can significantly enhance the visuals and immersion in Assetto Corsa. Some popular types of graphics mods include:
- ReShade & SweetFX – These graphics mods add image enhancements like ambient occlusion, depth of field, color vibrance and more. ReShade or SweetFX mods can make Assetto Corsa look more realistic.
- SOL – SOL is a must-have graphics mod that adds rain effects and weather transitions to Assetto Corsa. With SOL, you get rain droplets on the screen, dynamic wet surfaces, puddles, and water spray from cars.
- Custom Shaders Patch – This opens up Assetto Corsa to many more advanced graphics mods. The Custom Shader Patch is needed for most visual enhancers like SOL and ReShade to work properly.
To install graphics mods like SOL, first install Content Manager if you don’t already have it. Then download the graphics mod like SOL and add the mod files to the “sol” folder under “assettocorsa/content/weatherfx”. You may need the Custom Shader Patch as well.
In Content Manager, go to Settings > Custom Shaders Patch and configure the settings like refresh rate, weather effects and ReShade mods. Enable the SOL weatherFX under “WeatherFX settings”. You can tweak the intensity of rain and weather transitions too.
For optimal performance, it’s recommended to disable anti-aliasing in Assetto Corsa if you are using intensive shader mods. Start with reduced graphics settings and slowly increase them as your PC can handle. Graphics mods add load so monitor FPS and visual quality. With the right mods and settings, Assetto Corsa can look incredibly realistic!
Car Mods
One of the most popular types of mods for Assetto Corsa are additional high-quality cars. The base Assetto Corsa game already includes a decent selection of vehicles, but the modding community has created thousands more. These range from ultra-realistic vehicles from modern manufacturers to historic race cars to more exotic creations.
When searching for car mods, look for ones that emphasize accurate modeling and physics. Many modders spend huge amounts of time perfecting every detail of a car, down to elements like suspension geometry and engine parameters. The very best car mods drive nearly indistinguishably from their real life counterparts.
Some notable places to find quality Assetto Corsa car mods include:
- RaceDepartment – This site hosts mods for many racing games, and has one of the largest repositories of AC mods. Sort by rating to find the highest quality options.
- Assetto Corsa Forums – The official AC forums have dedicated mod sections. Respected modders often post their work here first.
- YouTube – Many modders showcase their work in YouTube videos. The video description usually contains download links.
- Discord – Several Assetto Corsa Discord servers allow modders to share WIPs and collaborate.
When installing car mods, be selective and focus on quality over quantity. Too many low-grade car mods can negatively impact performance. Curate a selection of your favorite vehicles across different classes and eras to enhance your virtual garage.
Track Mods
One of the most popular types of mods for Assetto Corsa are tracks, which allow you to race on new circuits not included in the base game. There are two main categories of track mods – recreations of real world race tracks, and fictional fantasy tracks created just for the sim racing community.
Real World Circuits
Some of the most impressive track mods are laser-scanned recreations of iconic real world circuits. Modders have painstakingly modeled circuits like Spa Francorchamps, Bathurst, Laguna Seca, and many more. These recreations aim to mimic every bump, curb, and nuance of the real track using high definition 3D models and textures. Driving these circuits in Assetto Corsa gives you an authentic simulation of racing on the real track.
Popular real world circuit mods:
- Spa Francorchamps
- Nurburgring Nordschleife
- Mount Panorama Bathurst
- Laguna Seca
- Silverstone
- Monza
- Suzuka
- Long Beach
Fictional Tracks
In addition to real circuits, there are also a huge selection of fictional tracks created specifically for Assetto Corsa. These range from original designs to tracks inspired by real world locations. Fictional tracks allow modders creativity in track design unbound by recreating an existing circuit.
Some notable examples of popular fictional tracks:
- Lake Louise
- Shutoko Expressway
- LA Canyons
- High Force
- Black Cat County
- Tokyo Expressway
Whether you want to virtually drive real race tracks or experience new fictional layouts, Assetto Corsa’s track mods greatly expand your options to race on new circuits. Exploring fresh tracks is an excellent way to keep the racing excitement alive.
Apps & Utilities
There are several handy apps and utilities that can enhance the Assetto Corsa experience and make modding easier.
CrewChief
One of the most popular apps is CrewChief, an immersive spotter and engineer app that provides audio feedback during races. CrewChief will give you information about opponents around you, lap times, flag signals, and more. It really brings the race engineer experience to life.
Content Manager
Content Manager is an essential utility for managing your mods and launching Assetto Corsa with different combinations. This app lets you enable/disable mods, try different preset configurations, update mods, and launch with a single click. Using Content Manager makes modding Assetto Corsa much smoother.
Helicorsa
For an even more immersive experience, Helicorsa adds an articulated player model into the cockpit. You can look around and see your driver body move realistically as you turn the wheel and work the pedals. It increases the sense of presence in the car.
Sidekick
Sidekick provides overlay information during gameplay like track maps, leaderboards, and delta time/speed. It’s a handy way to improve your driving without taking your eyes off the track.
With the vibrant modding community around Assetto Corsa, there are tons of ways to customize the experience to your liking. Don’t be afraid to experiment with apps and utilities to find the enhancements that work for you.
Tips for Mod Users
When installing and using mods for Assetto Corsa on PC, it’s helpful to keep a few tips in mind:
Updating Mods
It’s important to stay on top of mod updates, as new versions can fix bugs, improve compatibility, and add new features. Check sites like RaceDepartment regularly to see if your installed mods have been updated. When updating mods, be sure to fully uninstall the previous version before installing the update.
Avoiding Broken/Incompatible Mods
With Assetto Corsa’s modding community constantly putting out new content, it can be frustrating to install a mod only to find it doesn’t work or causes crashes. Read comments on mod downloads to check for compatibility issues or bugs before installing. Test one mod at a time to identify any problem mods. And make sure all your installed mods are designed for the same version of Assetto Corsa.
Uninstalling Mods
If you install a mod that isn’t working or want to remove mods you no longer use, uninstalling is easy. Locate the mod’s folder in the “Content” folder and delete it. This keeps the rest of the mods intact. For car skins, delete the folder with the skin’s name from “AssettoCorsa\content\cars.” And for tracks, look in “AssettoCorsa\content\tracks” and delete the track folder.
FAQs
Q1: Can I get mods on Assetto Corsa PC from the official game store?
A1: No, mods are not available in the official game store. They’re created by the community and can be downloaded from various modding websites.
Q2: Are mods free for Assetto Corsa PC?
A2: Yes, the majority of mods for Assetto Corsa PC are free. However, some premium mods may come with a price tag, so check before downloading.
Q3: Can mods affect the performance of Assetto Corsa PC?
A3: Mods may impact performance. Ensure your PC meets the system requirements, and be selective with mods to avoid potential issues.
Q4: How do I install mods on Assetto Corsa PC?
A4: Installation involves copying mod files to the game’s “mods” folder. Detailed instructions are usually provided by mod creators on download pages.
Q5: Can I use mods in online multiplayer races on Assetto Corsa PC?
A5: Compatibility varies. Some servers allow mods, while others may require a vanilla game. Check server rules before joining online races with mods.
Conclusion
In conclusion, delving into the world of mods on Assetto Corsa PC can transform your racing experience. By following the outlined methods on how to get mods on Assetto Corsa PC, you can seamlessly unlock a diverse array of user-created content, adding depth and personalization to your virtual racing adventures.