Project Motor Racing's launch was supposed to be a triumph, a spiritual successor to the beloved Project Cars and GTR series. But instead, it turned into a chaotic disaster, leaving players and critics alike scratching their heads. What went wrong? Let’s dive into the mess and uncover the details that most reviews might gloss over.
The game’s highly anticipated release on Tuesday quickly spiraled into a PR nightmare. Just hours after launch, the game’s lead, Ian Bell, admitted on social media that they had ‘effed up’ (https://x.com/bell_sms/status/1993427699264901444?s=20&ref=the-race.com). Initial player complaints were met with quick suggestions from the developers to tweak settings, but it soon became clear that the issues were far deeper than mere launch-day glitches. Apologetic statements followed (https://projectmotorracing.com/newsArticle.php?articleCode=YjU4NjVlOTQy&ref=the-race.com), revealing that a rushed day-one patch was largely to blame.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Why release a patch for a game that Bell himself described as a ‘solid build’? If the original version was stable, why rush out an update that introduced more problems than it solved? Bell explained that ‘some bugs crept in’ due to his team working grueling shifts until 4 a.m. to prepare the patch. Yet, this raises questions about the development process and quality control. Was the pressure to meet deadlines prioritized over delivering a polished product?
The patch has been cited as the root cause of many issues, from unplayable car categories to erratic AI behavior. For instance, the LMDH class, featuring top-tier cars from the World Endurance Championship, is currently unplayable on Xbox. These cars veer unpredictably, ignore player inputs, and make racing feel more like a lottery than a skill-based challenge. Even the entry-level Mazda MX-5s, intended for beginners, feel unresponsive and cumbersome.
And this is the part most people miss: The AI opponents in PMR seem oblivious to the player’s presence, reminiscent of early PS1 games. Collisions with AI cars often result in the player’s car being flung off the track while the AI remains unaffected. Bell acknowledged that ‘some AI code’ has been reverted, but it remains to be seen if collision physics will be rebalanced. This isn’t unique to PMR—many modern racing games struggle with player/AI interactions—but for a £60 title, it’s a glaring oversight.
Another disappointment is the limited number of AI opponents on consoles. While PC players enjoy 32-car grids, console players are stuck with just 15. For a game focused on endurance racing, this feels like a step backward. Even the 1990s classic TOCA 2 managed 16-car grids and superior AI, making PMR’s limitations harder to justify in 2025.
Here’s a thought-provoking question: Is it fair to charge premium prices for a game that feels unfinished? PMR’s standard Xbox version costs £60, with the ‘Year 1’ season pass bundle reaching £87.99. Given the limited car categories, fewer than 20 unique tracks, and widespread issues, the value proposition is questionable. While the developers have promised fixes, they admit that significant changes will take time and require engine-level adjustments.
It’s easy to criticize, but let’s not forget the human element. The developers poured countless hours into this project, and their disappointment is palpable. Yet, players also invest their hard-earned money, expecting a polished experience. The question now is whether PMR can recover from this disastrous start and live up to its potential.
What do you think? Is PMR a salvageable project, or is it too late to win back players’ trust? Let us know in the comments!
