Driving simulation development specialist, Kunos Simulazioni and owner Digital Bros have announced that the racing sim franchise Assetto Corsa has reached a record sales of US$120 million.

Kunos Simulazioni, established in 2005 by founders Marco Massarutto and Stefano Casillo, was created with the goal of developing industry-leading driving simulation software. In 2013, Assetto Corsa went into early access on Steam and launched its full version in December 2014.

In August 2016, Digital Bros subsidiary, publisher 505 Games, released the game on PS4 and Xbox One and Assetto Corsa reached an entirely new console audience. The studio was purchased by Digital Bros in 2017. The franchise’s exponential growth has continued, with the release of Assetto Corsa Competizione on Xbox One and PS4 in 2020, with the game coming to next-gen consoles later this year. 

To further expand the Assetto Corsa franchise into eSports, the company has appointed Valerio Piersanti in December of 2020. Piersanti comes from Ferrari, holding the position of Head of Business Development. Piersanti undertakes the role of Kunos-Simulazioni Vice President for Licensing & Assetto Corsa Partnerships.

Piersanti said:

“I am excited about this challenge and joining the Digital Bros group organization and I would like to express my gratitude in particular to the Galante brothers for the trust they have placed in me.

Assetto Corsa is a brand that I have had the privilege of following with Marco Massarutto since the beginning, through to the collaboration set up with Ferrari.

Now the goal is to fully exploit the potential it has always shown, and consolidate its positioning and partnerships in a rapidly changing context.“

Due to limitations for on-track racing events, the demand for simulation racing in esports has created a renewed momentum for the industry. Using the franchise, Kunos Simulazioni has developed a new esports strategy, with champion drivers from the SRO Motorsports Group and F1 drivers such as Charles Leclerc competing against peers, and together with their partners, Kunos Simulazioni is looking forward to another successful SRO E-Sport GT series this spring.