NASCAR announced a new partnership for a standalone mobile game with Hutch Games. Hutch Games also developed F1 Clash, a multiplayer mobile game, and Top Drives. While not a console video game, this is still quite important to NASCAR gaming, so, what do we know about this game?
What Do We Know About the Game So Far?
The press release did not give really any specific information on the game, saying specifics will be revealed “In due course”, but we can learn from what Hutch Games has developed before. Hutch Games developed F1 Clash which is sort of an F1 Team Manager and Ultimate Team mash-up. You can either buy or unlock new packs of cars and you play races as a team manager against others.
It’s an interesting concept, and it will be interesting to see how that can be translated to a NASCAR game. Obviously, the dynamics of an F1 team are very different from the dynamics of a NASCAR team, so, it would not be a one-for-one copy of Formula One. It could be more similar to Top Drives.
Top Drives is similar in that you can unlock or buy different cars and race them against other cars in different tests. The emphasis is more high on strategy than actually racing the car, similar to F1 Clash.
Therefore, it is important not to expect a RealRacing 3 style game where you actually drive a race car, rather, you are more of a team manager with these games. Obviously, nothing has been officially announced about the game, but this is what Hutch Games generally creates.
What Does This Mean for NASCAR Gaming?
The biggest thing a game like this does is expand NASCAR Gaming’s portfolio. Even if a console NASCAR video game is not announced yet, NASCAR is getting ahead of the curve in expanding the net of games they can release to the public. It is important to do this, and it will be great to see once NASCAR has a console game to completely round out its portfolio.
However, this game is not going to move the needle for NASCAR gaming. It is a nice thing to have, but the NASCAR gaming community is not going to be fully satisfied until there is a completely new, functional console NASCAR video game. Until then, this mobile game is not going to feel like the supplemental piece that it should be.
In the Stands
With that being said, fans showed some optimism for this game. Even though many said they just wanted a new console video game.
LSTNSCRFN said that he was not expecting this, and the good things he has heard about F1 Clash means he is likely optimistic.
@SportsRebo is begging for a good console or PC game.
HOll0W is very excited about this game’s release.
Tyler wants a console game.
Ron Swanson says it all for Wolf.
This game is not the console game that many hoped for, but it is something. Hopefully, it is received as well as F1 Clash is, and it could be a nice thing for NASCAR mobile gaming.