VRHow / Games / Project CARS 2
Project CARS 2 in VR
What edition and platform should you choose?
The VR-capable edition documented by the official sources is the Windows PC version distributed through Steam. Steam lists Slightly Mad Studios as developer, BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment as publisher, and explicitly labels the product “VR Supported” with “Full 12K & VR Support.” The same listing now carries a notice that Project CARS 2 is no longer available on the Steam store, so a new purchase may not be possible there. Check ownership and legitimate availability before planning a build around it; VRHow is not recommending third-party keys or unverified copies.
Do not treat a console copy as a VR edition. BANDAI NAMCO's contemporary FAQ confirmed HTC Vive and Oculus Rift support, but answered “no” when asked about Xbox Play Anywhere and said there were no plans for PSVR support at launch. That is the evidence available here: it does not establish PSVR, PSVR2, Xbox VR, or a native Quest release. The FAQ is from 2017, so it should not be read as a promise about later headset runtimes.
How PC VR access works
- Use a Windows PC that meets the Steam listing's published requirements below.
- Install Steam and the owned Project CARS 2 PC edition, if you already have access to it.
- Connect a supported PC VR headset through the PC's normal VR runtime. Steam identifies the game as VR Supported; the publisher specifically names Oculus Rift and HTC Vive.
- Start the headset/runtime first, then launch the game from Steam and choose its VR presentation if prompted. Menu wording can vary by runtime and game build, so follow the on-screen prompts rather than assuming a Quest-native install path.
A Quest owner therefore needs a PC-to-headset streaming or Link arrangement to use this PC game. That is PCVR access, not a native Quest app; the official Project CARS 2 sources checked here do not document a Quest store edition or a Quest-specific compatibility list. The sources also do not document a current OpenXR, Steam Link, Air Link, or cable-specific setup for this title, so those choices should not be presented as officially verified game requirements.
Official PC requirements
Steam publishes the following requirements for the PC edition. They are not a VR performance guarantee, and the page does not say that they are headset-specific:
| Tier | Published requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum | Windows 10 (plus listed specific versions of Windows 7); Intel Core i5-3450 at 3.5 GHz or AMD FX-8350 at 4.0 GHz; 8 GB RAM; GTX 680 or equivalent; DirectX 11; broadband internet; 50 GB storage; DirectX-compatible sound card. |
| Recommended | Windows 10; Intel i7-6700K; 16 GB RAM; Nvidia GTX 1080 or AMD Radeon RX 480; DirectX 11; broadband internet; 50 GB storage; DirectX-compatible sound card. |
These are old published specifications, and Steam notes that its client supports Windows 10 and later from January 1, 2024. The listing does not provide a current headset-by-headset GPU table, frame-rate target, render-resolution recommendation, or performance result. Do not infer that meeting the minimum guarantees comfortable VR.
What makes this useful in VR?
This is a seated driving experience rather than a room-scale controller game. The official Steam description lists more than 180 race and road cars, career progression, IndyCar, oval racing and rallycross, dynamic surface and weather physics, loose-surface racing on ice, dirt and mud, and a full 24-hour cycle. It also describes accessible gamepad handling and wide-ranging wheel support. The publisher says the PC version can import custom liveries, while in-game livery creation is not supported.
The publisher's FAQ adds practical sim details: Project CARS 2 includes configurable multi-class racing, adjustable AI aggression and strength, a pit engineer who can advise on setups, and deep tuning options. Damage can be visual and mechanical, with repairs selected through pit strategy. These features make a wheel-and-pedal setup attractive, but the official sources do not require a wheel: Steam expressly documents gamepad handling. Choose the controller you already use, then add a wheel only if you want more physical feedback and control.
Buying and compatibility checklist
- Already own it on Steam? Verify that it remains in your library; the store page says it is no longer available for new purchase.
- Using Quest? Plan for PCVR streaming or Link to a Windows PC. Do not look for a native Quest installation based on the PC listing.
- Using PSVR or a console? The checked publisher FAQ does not confirm a PSVR edition and specifically said PSVR was not planned at launch. It also does not establish current PSVR2 support.
- Checking a PC? Compare against the exact Steam minimum and recommended figures above, then leave headroom. VRHow has not independently tested performance or compatibility.
The official record confirms PC VR support, but it leaves current runtime behavior, newer headset models, console/PSVR updates, and present-day acquisition options unresolved. Treat those as unknowns rather than compatibility claims.
Sources
- Steam: Project CARS 2 store page — VR Supported label, PC requirements, features, publisher/developer, and no-longer-available notice.
- BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment: Project CARS 2 Frequently Asked Questions — publisher-confirmed HTC Vive and Oculus Rift support, PSVR launch position, and game features.