NASCAR comes back to console video games, with the Unreal Engine
Stock car racing will be returning to consoles and PC in the fall, and there is a new engine underneath.
NASCAR 21 Ignition will be available for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Windows PC and Windows PC on Oct. 28. It’s the second NASCAR title published by new label Motorsport Games, a subsidiary of the global media company Motorsport Network, best known for its Motorsport.com website.
Dmitry Kozko (Motorsport Games’ chief executive) said to Polygon that the product is something they’ve been working on for more than two years.
This is an important statement, as NASCAR Heat 5 was largely a quick-notice reconditioning. The development cycle was also affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the abrupt end of Monster Games’ run building.
The NASCAR Heat series, spanning 2016 to 2020, was built in the Unity engine, which gave its components a no-frills look. NASCAR 21 Ignition “has no of the Unity components,” Kozko stated. It has most likely nothing, except for some concepts from previous games 704 Games published.
Since 2019, Motorsport Network was a part-owner of 704 Games. This spring, it became its majority owner. Motorsport Games also acquired Studio 397, the makers of high-end PC racing simulators and rFactor2. After Studio 397 and Motorsport Network had teamed up to host two pandemic events last June, the 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual and the spring’s Formula E Race at Home Challenge, that deal was made.
Studio 397’s technology is also part of NASCAR 21 Ignition. __S.34__ “Officially, it is not meant to be a simulator where drivers can operate it. The main purpose is to bring it to everyone and make it available to them.”
Motorsport’s sudden doubling down is surprising considering the poor history of NASCAR in video games licensing since EA Sports left. Koko admitted bluntly that the previous series doesn’t meet modern triple-A [development] standards. I don’t understand why no one has made the necessary investment to create this type of title. But I’m happy to be the one who will continue to manage our licenses for the next ten years.
Koko stated, “That’s why it was so simple to start from scratch and say, ‘If you were to take the most up-to-date technology today from the largest of the guys — the EAs around the world, what would you do?’
Motorsport Games will apply this approach to other major time racing licenses. Some of these have only had limited video games presence. Motorsport Games will bring the Indianapolis 500 to consoles and computers in 2023 since Codemasters’ IndyCar Series 2005 on Xbox and PlayStation 2.
Koko’s Division will also produce licensed games for 24 Hours of Le Mans, which saw a closeup in the Oscar-nominated Ford V Ferrari film. Koko stated that Le Mans, the signature event for the FIA World Endurance Championship, will be held around the same time as IndyCar Series. The BTCC game will arrive in 2022.
“I have a lot of game developers, guys with 20-30 years of experience each. Koko said that Forza Horizon was beautiful and made other things possible. “And I’m proud of the team who didn’t come out of the game industry. That is part of our passionate bunch of people who will challenge the norms of these games.”
NASCAR 21. Ignition will launch an updated version for Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5 shortly after October’s launch. Older console owners will also get a free upgrade, Motorsport Games stated. It brings back the classic modes of play such as multi-season careers, online multiplayer or racing in the current year as real-life drivers. Thursday’s news release also mentioned that created drivers and teams would have more customization options. MRN Radio, NASCAR’s long-standing radio network, provides commentary to support the broadcast.
Motorsport Network founder Kozko stated that they were born from a media company. We believe that with a focus on different racing disciplines, our company could create an economy-of-scale opportunity to create really, really great experiences.
