iRacing now holds the NASCAR console video game license, and the fans are already asking for the features they want in the game. We posed the question to the fans ourselves, Which features do fans want in the next NASCAR video game?
A Deeper Career Mode
Most of the fans wanted to see a solid career mode, and there are two basic variations of it. Either they want an owner-type career mode, or they want a “Fight to the Top” or “Dirt to Daytona” type career where you work your way up through all series. The type we will get likely depends on whether or not Xfinity and Trucks are in the next game.
It might be more realistic to see a NASCAR Thunder 2004-esque career mode at least early on. However, if they add the lower series later on, maybe they can allow the player to choose their path. Either you can start from the Cup Series, or you can work your way up through the lower series.
Marcus Gomez wants to see a return to the NASCAR Thunder 2004 style career mode.
Joey Parker wants an owner mode in the game.
Kaleb Kochensparger wants to see a fight to the top type career mode.
Improved Physics/Driving Model/Tire Wear and Damage Model
Some people are pointing to improved physics whether that be driving, tire wear, or the damage model. The NASCAR Heat games were particularly heavily criticized for their lackluster physics. This is something that iRacing may be able to fix.
Given their history of developing a high-end racing simulation, they know how to make a car driver realistically. They also know how to make a good damage model and good crash physics. This has a chance to be one of the major strong points of the new game.
Knox_Nightmare wants to see the damage and wear more realistic.
When talking about realism, SlitStridersFTW is specifically looking at blowovers and flips.
Paint Booth/Trading Paints
Many fans were also calling for a revamped paint booth, or even access to Trading Paints due to iRacing involvement. A paint booth could possibly happen with the next game, but Trading Paints may be a bit more complicated as it has never happened on consoles before. However, it would be awesome if something like that could happen.
Those who love to create their own paint schemes can create them, and post them on a site that either is or is like Trading Paints for the console game. This allows people to show off their incredible paint scheme work, and it allows other players to race those really cool paint schemes. It could be great for everyone involved to both showcase and appreciate their creativity.
The Return of the Rival System
The Daily Downforce social admin jumped on this train as well, but the rival system was a staple of some of the later EA Sports NASCAR titles. Drivers would get upset or happy with you based on how you raced them, and it sometimes would have dire consequences. Some complained that this system was a bit too crazy if you got into too much of a rivalry with someone, but it is still a cool idea.
This is a more advanced AI mechanic, so, it may not happen immediately for the first game released by iRacing. However, it could be a fun mechanic at some point down the road.
Tommy Ratliff wants a more realistic rival mechanic.
Will Dorado points out that the old rival system is actually quite realistic for modern-day NASCAR.
Get the Basics Right
Some people have very basic expectations for the next game. Given how glitchy of a mess NASCAR 21: Ignition is, some people just want a functional video game. This is an understandable expectation, especially given the fact that this will be the first NASCAR game iRacing makes.
It takes a lot to get a video game completely off the ground, and the first iteration in a series is always going to be a bit lacking in deeper features. It may take time before some of the more intricate features fans are asking for are implemented. As long as the game works, then these fans are okay with it.
Lostital2x wants to see them use NASCAR Thunder 2004-NASCAR 07 as the base.
Cruel Superman just wants a realistic, functioning NASCAR game.
David Rhodes is keeping his bar low.
Some of these features may happen immediately, while others may not. It will be interesting to see what iRacing does with their first NASCAR game.
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