Overview
rFactor 2 was released by Image Space Incorporated in March 2013 as the successor to the original rFactor (2005), and has been developed by Studio 397 (based in Apeldoorn, Netherlands) since they took over the source code and branding in 2016. The first Studio 397 update in December 2016 made rFactor 2 Steam-exclusive and removed the previous subscription model. In May 2017, an open beta introduced DirectX 11 and initial VR compatibility via SteamVR.
The defining characteristic of the rFactor lineage — carried through into rFactor 2 — is genuine professional use. As Wikipedia notes plainly: "rFactor 2 is designed to be modified and used by professional racing teams for driver training and race car development." This is not marketing language; rFactor's open, modifiable physics engine has made it a tool of choice for teams wanting to build custom vehicle models for development purposes, a use case that goes well beyond consumer gaming.
Professional Driver Training: A Genuine Industry Tool
Few consumer-available racing simulators can claim direct use in professional motorsport. rFactor 2's open and modifiable physics model has made it attractive to racing teams for exactly this purpose: building accurate models of real race cars for driver familiarisation and car development testing. For Engineering, Computing, and Physics curriculum contexts focused on simulation, modelling, and motorsport engineering careers, this professional pedigree is rFactor 2's strongest credential — even where the consumer-facing polish lags behind competitors.
Content and Steam Workshop
35+ free/paid cars and tracks included
Silverstone
Formula E
McLaren
Mercedes
Bentley
Renault
Mixed-class road racing
Dynamic weather + day/night
Tyre wear / flatspotting
First-Run Surprise: Steam Workshop Subscription Required
A common first impression, captured by one Steam reviewer: "after downloading the game and starting it for the first time, my first reaction was 'WTF? What do you mean there are no tracks or cars installed?' A bit of searching revealed that in order for any content to be downloaded and installed, you need to follow at least one item from Studio 397 in the Steam Workshop." After subscribing to Workshop content, that reviewer ended up with 40 tracks and 20+ cars but also 40GB of additional storage used. For school deployment, build in time for this Workshop setup step before the first lesson — it is not optional and is not obvious from the base install.
Curriculum Value
User interface / accessibility
4.6
VR Reports: Mixed, Including Discomfort Reports
One critical Steam review described the VR experience in stark terms: "the VR experience at times can be frustrating... headache-inducing, seizure-causing loading screens that stutter and flash rapidly." While not every user reports this, it appears frequently enough in community discussion to warrant caution. Teachers planning VR sessions with rFactor 2 should test thoroughly with their specific headset and hardware combination before classroom deployment, and have a flatscreen fallback plan.
What the Community Says
Wikipedia / Image Space IncorporatedProfessional use
"Like its predecessor rFactor, rFactor 2 is designed to be modified and used by professional racing teams for driver training and race car development."
Steam Store descriptionEsports-ready
"rFactor 2 features mixed class road racing with ultra realistic dynamics, an immersive sound environment and stunning graphics, perfect for top-level esports and a rich single-player experience."
Steam community (first impressions)Mixed
"When rF2 is firing on all cylinders, you're running on a well made track with well made cars in the right time of day and it can be great fun. The track selection seems like someone just threw a dart at a wall to pick tracks though — it feels a bit unfocused."
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths
- Genuine professional racing team use for driver training
- Deep, modifiable physics engine
- SteamVR support since 2017
- 35+ free/paid licensed cars and tracks (Formula E, McLaren, Mercedes, Bentley)
- Dynamic weather with realistic puddle build-up
- Tyre damage and flatspotting simulation
- Esports-grade multiplayer foundation
- Continuously developed (RaceControl online system, 2023+)
Considerations
- Steam Workshop subscription required to get any content
- Dated graphics and unintuitive menu system reported
- VR loading screens reported as uncomfortable by some users
- Individual car/track purchases (controversial pricing change)
- Online community described as fading in some reviews
- 79% Steam positive — lower than most competitors reviewed
