An interesting picture has been making the rounds on social media of a NASCAR Fan Council survey. In the survey, NASCAR asks the fans what features they feel are important in the next NASCAR video game. Let’s go through each of these features, and see which ones absolutely need to be in the next NASCAR console game.
Inclusion of International NASCAR Series
As intriguing of a feature as this could be, U.S. NASCAR fans just do not care that much about the international NASCAR series. These series are not even readily available to watch on TV in the United States anyway. Maybe down the road at some point, they could be included, maybe even as DLC. However, it seems a bit early to include something as niche as this in the video game.
Team Owner Career Mode
iRacing has never developed a career mode before, and, typically, an owner mode is a later addition to a video game. The NASCAR Heat games did not have an owner mode option until later in the series, and Eutechnyx never had an owner mode option in any of their three games. The EA Sports games sort of had an owner mode in the NASCAR Thunder days, but you only had the option to be an owner-driver of a single-car team.
Inclusion of Local/Touring NASCAR Series
Again, this is usually a feature included later in a NASCAR game franchise’s life cycle. No game featured the Xfinity or Truck Series alongside Cup until NASCAR Dirt to Daytona, and the NASCAR Heat games waited until the second game to include the lower series. It would be nice to have, and if they can include it, it would be a great feature. However, it’s not out of the question that we may have to wait for this feature.
Ability to Build Custom Cars
Now, it is a bit unclear what NASCAR meant like this because when people think of custom cars, they usually think of a paint booth. However, they have a paint booth as one of the features listed on this survey. So, it’s uncertain what exactly NASCAR means. If they mean custom setups, then that is a must-have. If they mean building your own car from the ground up, that may be nice to have, but it is a cool concept.
Realistic Physics
Realistic physics has to do with gameplay and the driving model. This HAS to be a top priority from the beginning of the game being developed. Until the gameplay is good, then every feature around it is not worth a lot. There needs to be a delicate balance though. It has to be easy enough to pick up and play for new players, but it has to be realistic enough for the more skilled players.
Driver Career Mode
This is a basic feature in literally every motorsports game. At the very least there needs to be some sort of a driver working your way up the ranks in the Cup Series type of career mode. It may not be quite as fleshed out as other games, but, it is iRacing’s first NASCAR career mode. It will take time for it to be built as time goes on.
Accurate Track Models
You’re kidding, right? Why was this even included in the fan survey? This is literally the most basic level of the video game. If you have a not properly banked Daytona or Richmond feeling like a repave, then it is not a proper NASCAR game. This is as basic as basic gets.
Ability to Design Custom Paint Schemes
This has not been properly included since the Eutechnyx games. The paint booth needs to not only exist, but the schemes need to be usable in other modes. There should be a way to customize paint schemes. in career mode or take schemes online. This needs to be good from day one.
Overall, it will be interesting to see how many of these features are included in the next game. Will it all be included in the future at least?
