Game

BeamNG.drive FAQ

Below is a list of questions and answers to the most commonly asked questions about BeamNG. Please refer to this list before creating a topic on the forums to ask your question.

General questions

“When it’s ready”

Estimate dates would be enthusiastically misinterpreted as officially guaranteed release dates, so we prefer to stay quiet until after the new version is out.

Just sit tight, enjoy the current version, and check the mod repository if you want additional content ;-)

At the moment, our primary focus is on the Windows platform, and we cannot confirm whether support for other platforms will be available in the future.

While some users have reported success using emulators, virtual machines, and compatibility layers to run BeamNG.drive on non-Windows systems, we cannot guarantee the stability or performance of these methods. Additionally, it’s worth noting that methods which work for one specific version may not necessarily be compatible with older or newer versions. We do not provide official assistance or support for these use cases, and users attempt these at their own risk.

Please be aware that experimental Linux support is available, but may not offer the same level of stability and performance as on Windows.

BeamNG offers support for Linux in experimental mode as covered in this announcement.

You can check this forum thread for solutions to any issues you may experience.

Yes, BeamNG.drive is compatible with various cloud gaming services, including GeForce Now.

However, it is important to note that the use of emulators, virtual machines, and compatibility layers may or may not work reliably. While the game may function on one specific version, there is a possibility that it may encounter issues or break when using older or newer versions. We are aware of the issue and investigating the problem. Unfortunately, we can’t provide any information about possible date of the fix.

For the best experience and optimal performance, we recommend playing BeamNG.drive on officially supported platforms and configurations.

BeamNG.drive is only available on PC. We advice you don’t download any app that claims to be BeamNG.drive for Android/iOS/etc, as they are extremely likely to be malicious software, possibly containing malware.

Currently BeamNG has experimental VR support. To learn more about the VR support and how to set it up, please refer to our official documentation.

Online multiplayer is a common request, and we are keeping an eye on it, but has never been part of the originally promised features. It is unlikely to happen in the short term.

Offline multiplayer is available in the form of multiseat. For more info, check the “How can I play with multiseat” section.

It’s not planned at the moment.

We’re aware that split screen would be a logical complement to the existing multiseat feature, however it’s not currently at the top of our priorities, so it’s unlikely to happen in the short term.

As a compromise for this lack of splitscreen, the ‘Orbit’ camera will automatically zoom out while you use multiseat mode, keeping extra players on screen:

We provide our own Workshop alternative, both integrated in-game as well as web-based, with automated mod update downloads and other features.

The motivation for using our own rather than Steam’s offering is:

  • We want to support those of you who didn’t buy the game through Valve’s platform. Non-Steam users also deserve the right to enjoy a good mod repository.
  • Workshop does not allow for proper moderation and makes it harder for us to ensure mods are working correctly and won’t break the game.
  • Our mod repository allows us to easily help modders. Making modders’ life easier means more and better mods.
  • Our mod repository allows for both automatic and manual mod installation.

Remote control apps for Android and iOS are not available for BeamNG.drive and there are no immediate plans to revive them in the near future.

You can submit your ideas and suggestions by visiting the dedicated section of our forum: Ideas and Suggestions Forum

Before posting your idea, we recommend searching the forums to see if someone has already suggested something similar. This can help avoid duplicate submissions and allow you to support existing ideas if you find them valuable.

BeamNG.drive is DRM free. You can download from Steam/Humble bundle and install it as many times as you wish.

If you own the game on Steam, you simply have to login to your Steam account and the game will be in your Library ready to be installed.

If you are using the Humble Bundle ZIP/Installer version, the procedure is the same as updating the game, which can be found here: Updating the game with Humble Bundle

If you’re unable to locate BeamNG.drive in your Steam library, we recommend reaching out to Steam Support for assistance.

They will be able to provide you with the necessary guidance to resolve this issue.

We have no plans to reduce the price of the game or make it free. However, if you add BeamNG.drive to your Wishlist, you will be notified if the game goes on sale.

Additionally, you can participate in our community events hosted on our Discord server and forums for a chance to win a free game key.

Gameplay questions

To optimize your experience with BeamNG.drive, we recommend consulting our detailed system requirements outlined in the official documentation.

Additionally, we encourage you to engage with fellow players on our official Discord server or visit our forums to exchange insights and tips on system preferences. This interactive community space allows for sharing experiences and learning from others’ setups for an optimized gaming experience.

If you encounter any issues while playing BeamNG.drive, we encourage you to report them promptly to ensure a smooth gaming experience.

In our documentation, you can find detailed instructions on how to do so: https://documentation.beamng.com/support/reporting_issues/

You can change the ‘userfolder’ location by using the Game Launcher > Manage User Folder > Move User Folder button.

Managing mods in BeamNG.drive is a straightforward process, and we’ve provided a comprehensive tutorial in our official documentation to guide you through it. For detailed instructions on removing, installing, or fixing mods, please visit our Mods Management Tutorial. This resource offers step-by-step guidance, ensuring that you can enhance your gaming experience with ease.

Important tips:

  • Download mods only from reliable sources to ensure their authenticity and safety.
  • Be cautious when downloading files from third-party websites; this is done at your own risk.
  • Avoid using an excessive number of mods simultaneously (ideally 20-30). Some mods may conflict with each other, leading to potential issues.

Please navigate to the repository and when you encounter the pop-up window prompting you to reactivate mods, you can click on “I accept risks, reactivate mods.”

This option is designed to allow you to enable your mods in the game. If after that your mods remain deactivated, ensure that you have enabled online features in the game options, found in the “other” section at the very bottom. Enabling this feature is crucial for the proper functionality of mods.

It’s important to note that mods are created by players and may experience issues after major updates while their creators work on updating them. As such, we do not offer official support for mods. The message is provided to inform players about potential risks associated with using mods.

Safe Mode Activation
To start the game in Safe Mode, ensuring a basic and stable environment, please refer to our comprehensive guide in the official documentation.

Detailed instructions can be found here: https://documentation.beamng.com/support/launcher_support_tools/safe_mode/

Cache Clearing
If you encounter issues related to cached data, such as performance issues or unexpected behavior, clearing the cache may resolve the issue.

We have provided step-by-step instructions in our documentation to guide you through the process.Check out the details here: https://documentation.beamng.com/support/launcher_support_tools/clear_cache/

Multiseat is a form of offline multiplayer. where several players drive their own vehicle in front of a shared computer screen. Each player must have its own controller connected to that computer.

  • Scenarios: just open any multiseat scenario (they have an identifying icon), and each player can simply steer left/right in his controller to choose their vehicle.
  • Freeroam: spawn several cars, then go to Options > Gameplay > enable Multiseat. When you are finished, disable Multiseat again.

TL;DR: Please take a look at this video for a very rough and simplified overview of how cars handle under and over the limit:

First of all, rest assured that physics realism is one of our top priorities! We are always open to criticism, and are delighted to be proven wrong and corrected. For this, facts and data are most welcome, as it’s the only sane way to improve the physics core calculations and the vehicle setups.

That said, most realism-related complaints can be explained by a lack of speed sensation. If you add the G-forces app to the UI, you can verify cars generate realistic values during cornering, braking and acceleration.

The lack of speed sensation can be explained by any of the following:

  • Not using a first person cockpit camera
  • Not using an appropriate FOV angle for your screen setup (specially if using a single screen)
  • Not managing a consistent framerate above 25FPS (this throttles the physics core down to slow motion, which will be deceiving)
  • Not using a good steering wheel with force feedback
  • Not feeling the G-forces through your body, nor the vibrations transmitted by the chassis to the seat
  • Not being afraid of dying or of repair costs
  • Not going fast enough, instead driving too aggressively, due to not knowing how to extract the available grip out of a car. For example, using a keyboard/gamepad and steering full lock while cornering will leave some grip unused, just like it would in real life. Etc.

If cars seem too hard to control, check these possibilities:

  • Are the corners in game really as wide as you think they are? Think about the corner radius of up to several kilometers of real life highways where speed limits are 60mph or 120kph
  • Do you really drive your real life car as fast through similar corners as in game? (verify using a gps-based speedometer, but remember to always drive safe!)
  • Does the car have the same driving aids (ABS, TC, ESC) as the car you’re used to driving in real life?
  • Does the car have the same drivetrain layout? For example, many street cars are FWD and impossible to spin out under throttle.
  • Does the car have a similar differential setup as the car you’re used to driving in real life? A different differential can make the difference between spinning out at each corner, versus happily smoking the inner wheel without a hint of oversteer.
  • Are your inputs similar to what you would do in real life under similar conditions? Switch to the ‘Driver’ camera and observe how fast and how far the steering wheel rotates, and compare to real life driving and racing videos.
  • Etc

Related threads with useful information:

You can easily customize key bindings, including the commonly used WSAD keys, in BeamNG.drive through the in-game menu. Follow these steps to reassign keys to your preferred controls:

  1. Navigate to the “Options” menu, which can usually be found in the main menu or accessed while in-game.
  2. In the “Options” menu, select the “Controls” tab.
  3. Under the “Controls” tab, choose the “Vehicle” section.
  4. Here, you will find the option to reassign keys for various controls, including WASD.

If you encounter issues with certain keys not responding, such as “A”, it’s advisable to ensure that the binding isn’t conflicting with other functions or controls. Adjusting conflicting bindings should resolve any issues with specific keys not functioning as expected.

You can find detailed information about compatible steering wheels for BeamNG.drive in our official documentation.

Please visit our controller support page for a comprehensive list of supported steering wheels and related information.

Open the Controls menu from the main or in-game menu (the game controller pad icon), and click the “Force Feedback” tab at the top. Make sure you have your wheel connected, then click “Enable Force Feedback”.

For more detailed information, please visit the steering wheel setup page.

If you own the game on Steam, follow the following guide to have Steam download any modified/corrupted files from the game’s directory: Verify Integrity of Game Files

If you use the Humble Bundle ZIP/Installer version, it’s necessary to download the game again. See here

I've made edits to the map / vehicles, what should I do next?

If you’ve made edits to a map or a vehicle and need to manage them, start by accessing your user folder. Within this folder, identify the specific files you’ve edited and wish to manage. You can then proceed to remove or replace these files to either revert to the original state or update your changes.

For detailed instructions on how to access and manage your user folder, please refer to our official documentation available here. This resource provides comprehensive guidance, ensuring you can efficiently handle any edits made to game files in BeamNG.drive.

If you wish to completely revert all changes, consider clearing the game cache. This step ensures a fresh start without any lingering modifications. Refer to our documentation for guidance on clearing the cache.

To customize the unit system (eg. change mph to km/h) and in-game settings, follow these steps:

  1. Launch BeamNG.drive and enter the main menu.
  2. Navigate to the “Options” menu.
  3. In the “Options” menu, look for the “User Interface” section.
  4. Within the “User Interface” section, you’ll find the “Unit System” option.
  5. Click on “Unit System” and select your preferred unit system from the available options (e.g., metric or imperial).

Additionally, you can adjust other in-game settings, such as graphics, audio, and gameplay settings, from the Options menu. These settings can be customized to enhance your gaming experience.

Please note that the “Beginner Racing License” achievement has been moved from the career section to the “ETK Driver Experience” within the game. To earn the “Beginner Racing License” achievement on Steam for BeamNG.drive, follow these steps:

  1. Launch BeamNG.drive through your Steam client.
  2. Go to “ETK Driving Experience Center”
  3. Access the in-game map by pressing the “M” key on your keyboard.
  4. In the map interface, look for “Driver Training”.
  5. Complete the challenges and training exercises to enhance your driving skills and progress toward earning the “Beginner Racing License” achievement.
  6. As you successfully complete the required tasks, you will unlock the achievement on Steam.

To locate missions while in Freeroam mode in BeamNG.drive, simply press the “m” key on your keyboard. This will bring up the map and missions menu, allowing you to select and start missions.

To personalize your license plate in BeamNG.drive, follow these steps:

  1. Open the game and navigate to “Options”
  2. Select “General”
  3. Look for the option labeled “Use Steam name for license plate” and make sure it is enabled.
  4. Additionally, ensure that your graphics settings are set to at least “normal” level.

With these settings in place, your license plate will reflect your chosen customization.

For more in-depth guidance and a step-by-step tutorial on creating your own unique license plate, refer to our detailed tutorial available here.

Forum questions

This is not possible. As notified in the registration phase, usernames cannot be normally changed once set.

If your username reveals your real name, other private information or you made an error when creating it, you can contact us to have it changed through the support form.

If you have been banned from the BeamNG.drive Discord or forums and believe it was a mistake, you can submit an appeal by contacting our support team.

Please provide relevant details, such as your username and the circumstances surrounding the ban, to help us investigate the situation promptly.

For content creators

You can upload BeamNG.drive gameplay videos to YouTube and monetize them without any restrictions. You are also allowed to make use of clips from official videos, although you are not allowed to re-upload them entirely.

You may also include information about the game or a Steam Store URL in the description, but make sure to set the game category to BeamNG.drive in your video’s settings (Category: Gaming, Game Title: BeamNG.drive)

If you require a dedicated license for your project, please contact us through media@beamng.com