A new sim racing title is in development, and its creators claim it will revolutionise virtual motorsport. Boxenstopp, the game in question, is set to compete with the likes of iRacing, Le Mans Ultimate, and Assetto Corsa EVO, offering what it calls a radically different take on racing simulation. Rather than securing expensive licences for real-world tracks and vehicles, the developers have chosen to focus on fictional alternatives and an aggressive approach to community-driven content.
Players can expect to race on tracks with names such as ‘Bilverstone’, ‘Buzuka’, and ‘Bockenheim’—clear nods to their real-life inspirations, but altered just enough to sidestep licensing fees. According to co-CEO Bunai Semery, this move is both a cost-cutting measure and a pragmatic reflection of how players already engage with mod content. “When you can download any mod track without a licence for free anyway, we thought ‘What’s the point of paying a six-figure yearly retainer fee for real names and accurate laser scans?’” he stated.
Cars in Boxenstopp follow a similar philosophy. They are recognisable, certainly inspired by existing racing vehicles, but not legally identical. This deliberate ambiguity will allow the community to expand the in-game roster through shared creations, effectively crowdsourcing a key part of the experience. And while realism is the advertised goal, traditional sim racing features such as tyre wear, rain, or driver swaps have been cast aside. These, Semery argues, are only appreciated by a tiny portion of players and not worth the development cost.
More controversially, Boxenstopp will include a deeply integrated in-game sales ecosystem. Players will be able to scan QR codes during gameplay to purchase branded merchandise and themed NFTs, a concept Semery refers to as “the only true integrated sales loop in sim racing”. He openly acknowledges that monetisation, not simulation depth, is the studio’s top priority. “By focusing primarily on an in-game sales pipeline, we believe that our shareholders will receive maximum value, which is the most important element,” he said. “Even if this game turns a profit and creates a loyal following, if we don’t make at least $4 billion at release, we will immediately cancel development. All the gaming giants do this, so it must work.”
Despite this tongue-in-cheek bravado, the team insists the driving physics will be “world-class”. They are reportedly being built from scratch, although they may bear a suspicious resemblance to the legacy ISImotor engine in certain areas. Multiplayer, too, will take a novel approach, using a ranking and point system borrowed from shooter titles like Call of Duty. This, they claim, better reflects the competitive nature of modern racing—at least in the virtual world.
Boxenstopp is slated to launch its closed beta in 2031, with an open beta, early access, and a tentative full release in 2037. However, as with many aspects of the project, even that isn’t set in stone. “Version 1.0 is not really necessary and may never happen,” Semery remarked. Those eager to get involved early can now sign up for the beta test, with the first 100,000 registrants guaranteed a lifetime supply of marketing emails.
