BeamNG.drive

BeamNG.drive is a vehicle simulation by BeamNG GmbH, whose core is real-time soft-body physics. Instead of treating cars as largely rigid models, the game simulates numerous components and connections of a vehicle, so bodywork visibly deforms in collisions and damage affects handling.

The focus is on freedom of play: vehicles can be configured in detail, tested in open environments and used in different scenarios, time trials or freely assembled experiments.

BeamNG.drive has been in Early Access on PC since May 29, 2015, and on PlayStation 5 since Oct 19, 2026. Both versions are still being developed.

With the PS5 launch, local split-screen and new physics features also came to the PC version.

BeamNG.drive runs on Windows PC and natively on PlayStation 5 since Oct 19, 2026. On PC, there is also an experimental Linux version and a native version for Windows on ARM processors.

The PS5 version supports local split-screen for up to four people, as well as DualSense vibration and adaptive triggers. VR and mods are not part of the launch feature set there.

In free roam mode, vehicles and environments can be used as a sandbox without a fixed goal. There are also scenarios, time trials and a career mode with more structured progression. Vehicles range from compact cars to large commercial vehicles and can be extensively modified, including wheels, suspension and engine.

The official descriptions mention twelve large open environments with very different track and terrain types. This means the range runs from realistic driving tests to deliberately extreme physics experiments.

For Windows, BeamNG lists at least a Ryzen 5 1600 or Core i5-8400, 16 GB RAM, a DirectX 11 graphics card with at least 6 GB VRAM – such as Radeon RX 570 or GeForce GTX 1060 – and 60 GB of free storage. Recommended are a Ryzen 7 3700X or Core i7-9700, 32 GB RAM and at least 8 GB VRAM, for example Radeon RX 6700 or GeForce RTX 3060.

For the experimental Linux version, BeamNG requires a Vulkan-compatible GPU with suitable drivers and recommends Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or SteamOS. For VR, OpenXR and at least 8 GB VRAM, recommended 10 GB, are listed.

Soft-body physics is the technical foundation of BeamNG.drive. Vehicle components are simulated continuously instead of showing damage only through prepared animations. Collisions can therefore deform body structures, affect suspension and wheels, and change how the vehicle handles afterwards.

BeamNG describes the physics as a real-time system that continuously calculates the components of a vehicle. It is this combination of driving dynamics and physically realistic damage that sets the simulation apart from classic racing games.

On PC, modding is a permanent part of the concept of BeamNG.drive. The open sandbox systems can be expanded with community content, vehicles and maps, while the World Editor lets you create your own scenarios and environments.

On PlayStation 5, this feature set is limited at launch: mod support is not yet available there, and the PC tools for creating mods, as well as the World Editor, have not currently been announced for console.

BeamNG.drive has been available in Early Access on PS5 since Oct 19, 2026. The console version offers soft-body physics, freely drivable environments and local split-screen for up to four people.

DualSense vibration and adaptive triggers are supported. Mods and VR are not part of the PS5 version's feature set at launch.

BeamNG.drive supports local split-screen for up to four players on PS5 and up to 64 on PC. On PC, a large number of participants requires correspondingly powerful hardware. All players get their own vehicle and can drive freely together.

Seven competitive modes are available, including racing, chase, drift, derby, drag racing, rock crawling and vehicle football. Players can also ride as passengers in other players' vehicles.

BeamNG.drive has a native Windows on Arm version. On compatible PCs, players can choose between the native version and an emulated x64 version. Native execution is meant to offer advantages, especially under heavy processor load.

The Steam SDK features and the Steam overlay are not included in this ARM version.