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Motorsport Games has confirmed that a new NASCAR game will be ready for 2021, and it will not be a continuation of the Heat series.
NASCAR 21 will represent a new start for Motorsport Games’ NASCAR simulations and will be powered by Unreal Engine and acclaimed rFactor 2 physics from Studio 397. Motorsport Games acquired Studio 397 and rFactor 2 in March of this year. The 2020 NASCAR Heat 5 was built with Unity.
Switching to Unreal Engine means better graphics, says Motorsport Games.
“What’s really exciting is that we worked with the rFactor team at 397, which are known for their physics, and also change the engines from our previous engine to Unreal and then combine the two,” George Holmquist of Motorsport Games says IGN. “Using the Unreal engine just brings the graphics [and] the gameplay in a more AAA style of play. More than the NASCAR Heat franchise we’ve had before. I think this is something our clients are looking for. If you’ve seen the screenshots at this point, it’s definitely a step up from our previous franchise.
Holmquist is optimistic fans will find a lot to love about NASCAR 21’s expected level of visual fidelity and handling quality, but he also wishes players would find themselves stuck in the paint feature that is being added to this racing reboot – apparently the “most requested feature outside of the core gameplay.”
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“One of the biggest things fans have asked for is more personalization,” says Holmquist. “We’ve always had the option of making a custom car and stuff like that, but we’ve really spent a lot of time bringing a legitimate paint booth to the game. I think this will be the one that fans will be very excited about. It’s really off to a good start. We’ve spent a lot of development resources here. We’ve created a lot of cool schematics already, just testing the spray booth right now.
“The paint booth is what people are asking for right in the community, and it’s something we’re delivering in this first iteration of the new franchise. “
More personalization has been a priority for the team.
Holmquist is aware that NASCAR is regularly seen as a taste acquired by people outside the fan community, but believes it is probably one of the simpler racing formats for potential new fans.
“NASCAR is loved or not loved,” concedes Holmquist. “There doesn’t seem to be a lot of common ground with the fans.”
“From an accessibility perspective, we actually think NASCAR Oval Racing really helps people enter our ecosystem, especially with the accessibility options that we include in this game.
“I think what’s underestimated is the proximity to the race. And the assumption that you’ve just put the gas on the ground and you’re going around in circles. I challenge anyone to go to a NASCAR race and then see if that’s what you really feel afterwards because it’s a whole other thing to see 40 cars going around the track averaging 160-200 miles per hour within a few centimeters of each other. It’s just a very different experience.
Not shown: monkeys, soccer balls
NASCAR 21 will be the first of the next series of racing simulations from Motorsport Games built following the acquisition of Studio 397.
“So there is definitely pressure,” says Holmquist. “There is internal pressure. There is external pressure. There is pressure from partners. There is certainly a pressure coming down.
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“I think a lot of people think we took the risk of changing engines. We could have done what everyone else would have done, right? The easy way out would have been to create [NASCAR] Heat 6, add quality of life features, sell it, move on, flip the game over and over. That’s just not what we want to do at the Motorsport Games. There is a lot of pressure for this game, as you know, because we have the other games, like BTCC and other licenses coming up, and obviously this is going to be a reflection for the consumers, the media – even our partners. and future partners – of our capabilities.
“And obviously our goal is to create a portfolio of motorsport racing games that people really enjoy and that really spread the passion for gaming and motorsport, which are starting to be very similar, especially with esports. “
Motorsport Games hopes the future is bright.
According to Holmquist, the studio’s approach to NASCAR 21 will become the foundation on which it builds.
“Unreal is not going anywhere,” he said. “The physics of rFactor will not go anywhere but will improve. So we are also looking to the future; that every game iteration – NASCAR, BTCC, etc. – will get better and better. This is therefore our first flag on the ground.
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“It’s very important for us to make sure this game is of a quality that our users expect, and it’s a step up from the Heat franchise.”
Motorsport Games has not confirmed a release date for NASCAR 21 but more details will be revealed in the coming months.
Luke is a game editor in IGN’s Sydney office. He’s more of a touring car guy, but he really, really loves Days of Thunder. A lot. You can find him on Twitter every few days @MrLukeReilly.
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