Let’s be clear: Assetto Corsa is not obsolete. A decade after release, it has more active players than many newer sims thanks to mods, Custom Shaders Patch, and a thriving online community. The “v1163 required” message is just a guardrail – not a tombstone.
If you see that error, you don’t need a mysterious external link. You just need Steam, five minutes, and the steps above.
The flickering neon sign of the "Pits & Pistons" virtual lounge cast a blue hue over Elias’s face. For years, he had been the king of the local Assetto Corsa servers. His setups were legendary, his lines were pixel-perfect, and his lap times were the benchmark for every aspiring racer in the district. But tonight, the grid looked different.
Elias clicked "Join" on the usual Sunday Night Sprint. Instead of the roar of engines and the heat of the tarmac, a cold, gray box snapped onto his screen.
CONNECTION FAILED: ASSETTO CORSA IS OBSOLETE. V1163 IS REQUIRED.
He blinked. Obsolete? He had just spent six hours fine-tuning the dampers on his GT3. He refreshed the browser. He restarted his rig. The message remained, mocking him. It wasn't just a patch; it was a digital wall.
In the global chat, the feed was a blur of frantic messages. "The update is live," someone typed. "The physics engine just evolved. If you aren't on 1163, you're driving a ghost car."
Elias felt a bead of sweat. In the world of sim-racing, being behind on a version was like showing up to a Formula 1 race in a horse-drawn carriage. The new version promised "True-Tire" friction and a complete overhaul of the aero-mapping. More importantly, it was the only way into the $50,000 Open Invitational starting in twenty minutes.
"Where is the link?" Elias muttered, his fingers flying across the mechanical keyboard.
The official forums were melting down under the traffic. He hopped into a private Discord channel—a dark corner of the racing community where the modders and data-miners lived. "Anyone got the 1163 link?" Elias posted. A user named Apex_Predator
replied instantly with a cryptic string of characters and a direct download URL. Careful, Elias, the message read.
The new physics don't forgive. Once you go 1163, the old version will feel like a toy.
Elias didn't hesitate. He clicked. The progress bar crawled forward, a blue line reclaiming his relevance. 10%... 45%... 90%. The installation finished with a sharp
. He launched the executable. The familiar loading screen was gone, replaced by a sleek, minimalist interface that hummed with a low-frequency vibration. He selected his car, hit the "Drive" button, and suddenly, he wasn't just sitting in a chair anymore.
The force feedback through his wheel nearly snapped his wrists. The sound of the gravel hitting the wheel wells was hyper-real. He took the first corner at Spa, and for the first time in a decade, he felt the car actually breathe under him. The old version wasn't just obsolete; it was dead.
Elias leaned into his seat, a predatory smile forming as he saw the Invitational lobby populate. He was back. And he was faster than ever.
How to Fix the "Assetto Corsa is Obsolete (v1.16.3 is Required)" Error
If you are seeing a message stating "Assetto Corsa is obsolete (v1.16.3 is required)" in Content Manager or when trying to run the Custom Shaders Patch (CSP), it can be incredibly frustrating. This error typically appears after a small game update that Content Manager doesn't yet recognize, or due to a mismatch in how your game's version is logged.
The good news is that you likely do not need a new download link for the game itself. If you own the game on Steam, you likely already have version 1.16.3 or even a newer version like 1.16.4. Why This Error Happens
This error is almost always a "false positive" caused by the Custom Shaders Patch (CSP) looking at your game's changelog.txt file. assetto corsa is obsolete v1163 is required link
Version Mismatch: When Assetto Corsa received small updates (like the v1.16.4 update for Ferrari eSports events), it updated the version number in the game files.
CSP Limitations: Older versions of the Custom Shaders Patch were hard-coded to look specifically for "1.16.3." If it sees anything else—even a newer version—it flags the game as "obsolete". Top 3 Ways to Fix the Error 1. The "Changelog" Text Trick (Most Effective)
You can manually "trick" the software into recognizing your version by editing a single text file in your game directory.
Locate your root folder: Right-click Assetto Corsa in your Steam Library, select Manage, then Browse local files.
Find changelog.txt: Open the changelog.txt file located in the main folder.
Edit the version: Find the very top entry (it might say 1.16.4). Change it to 1.16.3 and save the file.
Alternative: You can also simply rename changelog.txt to changelog.txt.bak or delete it entirely, as CSP will often stop complaining once the file is gone. 2. Update Your Custom Shaders Patch (CSP)
If you haven't updated your mods in a while, installing the latest "Recommended" or "GitHub" version of CSP often resolves the check entirely. Open Content Manager. Go to Settings > Custom Shaders Patch > About & Updates.
Select the latest version from the list on the right to install it. 3. Verify Integrity of Game Files
If your game actually is missing files or stuck on an old version, use Steam's built-in repair tool. Right-click Assetto Corsa in Steam. Go to Properties > Installed Files.
Click Verify integrity of game files. This will force Steam to download any missing v1.16.3 components. Essential Links for Assetto Corsa Users
If you are performing a clean install to fix this, ensure you use these official sources:
This error message usually pops up when you're trying to join a modded server or use a specific car/track that depends on the latest version of Content Manager or the Custom Shaders Patch (CSP). The Problem
The vanilla version of Assetto Corsa (v1.16.3/4) hasn't been officially updated by Kunos in years. However, the modding community has essentially "rebuilt" the game engine using CSP. When you see "v1163 is required," it often means your current CSP version or your base game files are mismatched with the server's requirements. The Solution (How to fix it)
Get Content Manager: If you aren’t using it yet, download Content Manager. It is the essential "launcher" for modern Assetto Corsa. Update CSP: Open Content Manager. Go to Settings > Custom Shaders Patch > About & Updates.
On the right side, you'll see a list of versions. Even if you have a "newer" version, the server might require a specific "Stable" or "Preview" build. Try installing the latest available version (usually 0.1.79 or higher).
Verify Steam Files: If your base game says it's not v1.16.3, right-click Assetto Corsa in Steam > Properties > Installed Files > Verify integrity of game files. This will force your game to the correct official version.
Install 7-Zip: Many mods require the 7-Zip plugin within Content Manager to unpack correctly. If a link was provided in the error message, it is likely a direct download for the specific CSP version or a missing car pack needed for that server.
Quick Review of the Situation:Assetto Corsa is only "obsolete" if you are running it without mods. By installing Content Manager, CSP, and Sol/Pure, you turn a 2014 game into a modern racing simulator that rivals titles released this year. Let’s be clear: Assetto Corsa is not obsolete
Why is everyone stuck on this specific version? Stability and compatibility.
The request for "v1163" is a standard version control protocol within the Assetto Corsa multiplayer ecosystem. To access the desired content, the user must align their local game version with the specific build required by the server administrator, typically done via the Steam Betas feature.
Disclaimer: If you were seeking a direct link to a specific file or a pirated copy of the game (often indicated by requests for version-specific links), I cannot provide that. The instructions above are for legitimate owners of the software to manage their installed versions via Steam.
The error message " Assetto Corsa is obsolete (v1.16.3 is required)" is typically a false positive caused by the Custom Shaders Patch (CSP) failing to recognize minor game updates—specifically, when your game is actually on a newer version like v1.16.4. Why This Happens
When Kunos released a small patch (updating the game to v1.16.4), it changed the version number in the game's internal files. Certain older versions of Content Manager (CM) and CSP were hardcoded to look for "v1.16.3" and do not realize that "v1.16.4" is a valid, newer version, resulting in the "obsolete" warning. How to Fix It
You can usually resolve this issue using one of the following methods:
The "Changelog" Trick: This is the most common community fix.
Go to your Assetto Corsa root folder (usually SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\assettocorsa). Find the file named changelog.txt.
Open it and change the top version number from 1.16.4 back to 1.16.3. Save the file and restart Content Manager.
Update Custom Shaders Patch: Update your CSP to a newer version (or a "preview" version) via the Settings > Custom Shaders Patch > About & Updates tab in Content Manager. Newer versions are designed to recognize the v1.16.4 update.
Ignore It: In many cases, the error is purely visual. If your game still launches and mods work correctly, you can simply ignore the red warning text in your settings.
Verify Integrity: If the game actually fails to launch, right-click Assetto Corsa in your Steam Library, select Properties > Installed Files, and click Verify integrity of game files to ensure you truly are on the latest version.
Did the "changelog.txt" edit clear the error for you, or is the game still refusing to launch? error assetto corsa is obsolete - help - Steam Community
Obsolete Software Report: Assetto Corsa
Summary:
Assetto Corsa, a popular racing simulation game, has been deemed obsolete due to compatibility issues with the latest systems and software. Specifically, version 1.16.3 is required to ensure seamless gameplay, but the current installation is outdated, leading to performance issues and potential security vulnerabilities.
Key Findings:
Recommendations:
Action Plan:
By following this report and action plan, the user should be able to resolve the compatibility issues and ensure a smooth gaming experience with Assetto Corsa.
Assetto Corsa is obsolete (v1.16.3 is required)" error typically occurs because the Custom Shaders Patch (CSP) or Content Manager fails to recognize the latest version of the game (v1.16.4). Quick Fix: Edit the Changelog
The most effective way to bypass this error is to manually "spoof" the version number so the software thinks you are on v1.16.3.
Navigate to your Assetto Corsa root folder (usually steamapps\common\assettocorsa). Locate the file named changelog.txt. Open it with Notepad.
Change the very first version number you see (likely 1.16.4) to 1.16.3. Save the file and restart Content Manager. Alternative Solutions If editing the text file doesn't work, try these steps:
Ignore the Message: Many users report that the game still runs perfectly despite the warning; you can often just click past it.
Update Custom Shaders Patch: Ensure you are using a stable version of CSP (like v1.73 or newer) which may have built-in fixes for this detection issue.
Reset Content Manager: Rename your plugins folder or reset the CSP settings within the Content Manager to force a refresh.
Verify Game Files: Right-click Assetto Corsa in your Steam Library, go to Properties > Local Files, and select Verify integrity of game files. Why is this happening?
This error is usually caused by a small official update (v1.16.4) released years ago that added minor content, such as the Ferrari Esport event cars. Some older versions of Content Manager or third-party mods were hard-coded to look specifically for v1.16.3 and do not recognize any higher version number.
If you need a direct download for the latest Content Manager to ensure compatibility, you can find it at AC Stuff.
The "Assetto Corsa is obsolete (v1.16.3 is required)" error is a common glitch in Assetto Corsa modding that usually occurs when the Custom Shaders Patch (CSP) Content Manager misinterprets a recent base game update. Why This Happens This error often pops up even if you are on a newer version
than 1.16.3 (such as v1.16.4) because the modding tools (specifically older versions of Content Manager) fail to recognize the minor version increase as compatible. How to Fix It
You can typically resolve this error using one of the following methods: Edit the Changelog File
: Many users fix this by manually tricking the game. Navigate to your Assetto Corsa root folder, open changelog.txt , and change the version number from Update Content Manager & CSP : Ensure you are using the latest version of Content Manager
and the Custom Shaders Patch, as newer updates are designed to recognize later game versions. : Some users report success by replacing the
file in the game folder with an original or recommended version from Check 32-bit Mode : In Content Manager, navigate to Content Manager
and try checking or unchecking the "Use 32-bit version" box. Verify Game Files : Right-click Assetto Corsa in your Steam Library, go to Properties Installed Files , and select Verify integrity of game files to ensure your base installation isn't actually corrupt.
If the game still launches and plays despite the error message, many community members recommend simply ignoring it , as it often doesn't affect actual gameplay. the latest Custom Shaders Patch? error assetto corsa is obsolete - help - Steam Community The flickering neon sign of the "Pits &
As of late 2024, Kunos Simulazioni released Assetto Corsa version 2.0. This created a split in the community:
Because version 2.0 introduced significant physics and UI changes, it is incompatible with servers running older code. Users receiving the "v1163 is required" message are likely trying to join a legacy server using a newer client, or they are using a pirated/outdated version of the game.