Assetto Corsa Is Obsolete V1163 Is Required Fix Extra Quality Fix | Popular | TIPS |
The error message " Assetto Corsa is obsolete (v1.16.3 is required)
" in Content Manager (CM) is typically a version-detection bug that occurs when the Custom Shaders Patch (CSP) fails to recognize your game version. Quick Fix: Edit the Changelog
The most effective way to bypass this error is to manually "tell" the game it is on version 1.16.3 by editing a text file. Navigate to your Assetto Corsa root directory (usually steamapps\common\assettocorsa Locate a file named changelog.txt
Open it with Notepad and find the very first version number at the top (e.g., it might say Change that number to and save the file. Restart Content Manager. "Extra Quality" & Visual Fix Guide
If you are specifically trying to fix visual issues or enable Extra Quality The error message " Assetto Corsa is obsolete (v1
settings in CSP, follow these steps to ensure a clean, high-fidelity setup:
3. Fix "Obsolete" Car/Track Content
If the error appears when loading a car or track:
- Update the mod – Check RaceDepartment / Overtake.gg for newer versions.
- Reinstall the car/track via Content Manager (drag & drop the .7z/.rar file into CM).
- Use CM's "Update" feature: Go to the car/track → Version → Check for updates.
Step 1: Verify Your Current Game Version
Open Content Manager (not the default Kunos launcher). Go to Settings > Assetto Corsa > About. Look for "Game version." It must say 1.16.3.
- If it says 1.16.4 or 1.16.2, proceed to Step 2.
- If it says 1.15.x, you must fully reinstall the game via Steam.
What Does "Assetto Corsa is Obsolete" Actually Mean?
First, let's decode the jargon. Kunos Simulazioni stopped officially updating Assetto Corsa years ago. The final official Steam build is v1.16.3 (commonly shortened to v1163). However, the modding community—specifically the brilliant minds behind Custom Shaders Patch (CSP) and Content Manager—have pushed the game far beyond its original limits. Update the mod – Check RaceDepartment / Overtake
When you see "Assetto Corsa is obsolete," it does not mean your game is too old to run. It means the version of CSP you are trying to use (often versions 0.1.79 or 0.2.x) requires a specific, verified game executable that matches the behavior of v1163.
Why the "Extra Quality" Fix is Crucial The "Extra Quality" setting in CSP controls high-end visual features:
- Grass FX: Realistic 3D grass tufts.
- Smart Shadows: Dynamic shadow cascading.
- Lighting FX: True Global Illumination (GI).
- Rain FX: The immersive particles on your windshield.
When your game is "obsolete" (or rather, misaligned with CSP expectations), these features break. Cars may render with black windows, tracks may lose their surface, or the game may crash entirely. This is not a GPU issue; it is a version control issue.
The "Kn5" Mod Conflict
Some mod cars come with outdated kn5 encryption that tricks the server into thinking you have a different build. Step 1: Verify Your Current Game Version Open
- Fix: Go to
assettocorsa/extension/textures/and delete any file namedobsolete_fix.dds. Then, in Content Manager, go to Content > Cars and click "Update all previews" – this forces a rescan of all models.
3. Adjust Extra Quality Settings
If you're trying to fix extra quality settings, this might involve adjusting graphics settings within the game or configuring mod settings.
- In-Game Settings:
- Launch Assetto Corsa and go to Options > Graphics.
- Adjust settings like texture quality, shadow quality, and anti-aliasing to your preference or to see if it resolves the issue.
Step 2: The Steam Integrity Fix (Restores v1.163)
- Right-click Assetto Corsa in Steam > Properties > Installed Files.
- Click "Verify integrity of game files."
- Steam will detect missing or modified files and redownload the official v1.163 executable.
- Crucial: After verification, do not let an old auto-updater mod overwrite the exe. Some "Real Head Motion" or "FFB Clip" tools try to patch the exe. Disable those temporarily.
The Great Schism of 2021
Here’s the interesting part: Kunos Simulazioni stopped updating Assetto Corsa’s core executable (acs.exe) years ago. The official final version is v1.16.4.
So why do elite modding groups (like RSS, VRC, and certain private leagues) demand v1163?
Because v1163 doesn't exist in the official timeline. It’s a phantom build.
In reality, "v1163" is community slang for a specific, patched memory layout required by Custom Shaders Patch (CSP) v0.1.79 and later. When CSP hooks into the game, it rewrites the version string. If the server expects the specific hexadecimal handshake of that patched state, and you’re running vanilla v1.16.4, the server declares you a ghost: obsolete.