How To (actually) Controller

This guide will tell you how to get the most out of Assetto Corsa using a controller. Don't let gatekeepers stop you from having fun with this game.

Start

Here's what my game looks like when I'm playing with controller:

A bit overkill:


Cruising:


Content Manager:

Firstly, you'll have to have Content Manager installed. It is an absolute must have to any AC player.

Get it here: https://acstuff.ru/app/

Make sure you're on the latest version available. Do this by going into settings located in the top right of the window, and then clicking on Custom Shaders Patch near the top left. Here you can modify all of your csp settings.




Become An Enjoyer:

Make sure you enjoy your experience and ignore any gatekeepers that say things like "you have to play in first person".

Gamepad FX

Gamepad FX is a feature provided by our gracious lord and saviour Ilja, which allows users to create scripts that assist the user with their inputs. There are some default options, but what we want are more advanced scripts created by users.

There are lots of scripts available on RaceDepartment, THE place to get mods, and for this guide I'll be using A7-Assist since that is what I use. Feel free to download and try others if you want to experiment.

A-7 Assist: https://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/a7-assist-gamepad-fx.53941/

The page also provides further details on how it works and how to setup your settings for that particular script.

Alternatively, there's loads of other scripts you can try all on racedepartment that are usually titled gamepadfx.

Modding!

Once, you've created an account and download the mod, extract it's contents ready for you to grab.

Open Content Manager and head to Settings -> Custom Shaders Patch -> Gamepad FX


Gamepad FX should be on the left under extensions, if it isn't make sure you are on the latest version. This is where you select which script you want to use.

Either:

use your file explorer or steam to head to your AC root folder and navigate to "assettocorsa\extension\lua\joypad-assist"

Or

Open the script drop down menu, right click on any script, click View In Explorer, and click on joypad-assist in the address bar.

You should be here:



Once you are in the joypad-assist folder, drag the scripts you have downloaded into here, in this case the folder should be named "base_custom_akey1". To check if the folder is a script, inside should be a "assist.lua" and a "manifest.ini".

Head back to the drop down menu and select the script, which is, for us, A7-Assist V1.


Done!

Third Person

Playing in third person with a controller is natural. The default chaser camera isn't exactly great. Luckily, our lord and saviour Ilja also has an chaser cam extension!

Located in extensions Chaser Camera allows us to customize how the chaser cam works.




The chaser cam I use is BACC - Forza Horizon, which aims to replicate Forza Horizon's chaser cam.

BACC - FH: https://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/bacc-forza-horizon-better-arcade-chaser-camera-for-csp.49738/

The page includes details on how to set it up, so I'll just go over how to install it.

Just like we did with the Gamepad script, use the same methods as before except we are heading to chaser-camera in "assettocorsa\extension\lua\"




Luckily, the creator of BACC has nicely packaged it ready to just be dropped directly into the root folder, you can tell by the folder structure "extension\lua\chaser-camera". Noticing if a mod is structured for you is a skill anyone who mods AC should know! If it isn't then drag the script into chaser-camera. To tell if it is a script it should have a "camera.lua" and a "manifest.ini".

Follow the creator's settings and done!

Extras

The GT HUD in the first screenshot:
https://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/gran-turismo-hud.28888/

I'm using the latest Pure, it is patreon only:
https://www.patreon.com/peterboese

I'm using a preview build from Ilja's patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/x4fab

My CSP settings are basically default:
https://acstuff.ru/s/vuI__V

My video settings are pretty maxed out, although you can lower settings without ruining the look:
https://acstuff.ru/s/qF_SLq

[the_hunter303✠]

Any guides for M&K ?

[hesitrack]

@Djee nah i used controller for about 100 hours before getting a wheel, i used to race first person a lot, it works fine and feels smooth too. But if i had to give any advice, for f1 using controller, bonnet cam is best!

[Djee]

Quite a late reaction to this, not sure if I will get a response but this guide is mainly for 3rd person view.
Is 1st person not enjoyable on controller what so ever?

[Bogdan]

isnt a7 assist just for drifting? i use "forza settings" ( from a youtube tutorial), 70% stability control and no gamepad fx for my nordschleife laps and a7 assist for drifting

[R Y U Z A K I]

in some cars the gamepad fx mod when breaking locks the steering wheel any fix for that ?

[blazikS]

Lately I've been using the MasterFX script, and it feels really good, even better than Advanced Gamepad Assist and A7 Assist. I highly recommend anyone reading this to download it, it's great for circuit - grip racing

[∆Ω Reach40sNuts ∆Ω]

this a paid mod no?

[tommy]

A7-Assist V1 doesnt show up in the drop down menu... what do I do

[Ash]

just an update for the newer version of A7assist (v1.0.1):
you can now edit the gamma and deadzone in the assist.lua file found in
assettocorsa\extension\lua\joypad-assist\base_custom_akey1

My settings are:
STICK_DEADZONE = 0.09 (adjust as necessary)
STICK_GAMMA = 1.47

My PB on Akina 2022 is 4:45 in the RX7, and 4:46 in the R34 GTR.
Drifting is still super easy as it's the main focus of the script, grip racing is harder, but if you use the minimum amount of drift, you can still drive faster than a good portion of wheel users.

The main problem I have with this script is when turning into a low speed corner. The steering wheel doesn't turn in fully, but you can rotate the car with trail-braking and braking drifts, and maybe a bit of Scandinavian flick.

There's really not much of a difference between grip and drift lines if you do it right, you'll only lose a few seconds against the best drivers.

Another script is AC-X, which is better for grip racing but worse for drifting.

[Cheemstar]

If you don't want to do heavy modding or scripts another way to make the controller more usable is messing with the dead zones and gamma options in the content manager. Works to make cheap wheels feel better too.