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Motorsport Games NASCAR license is reportedly in flux after anonymous reports that the exclusive license with NASCAR and Motorsport Games is “all but dead”. Now, if this does happen, another developer will obviously have to come in, but who? Here are some ideas for game developers to release a brand new NASCAR console video game.
This may not receive a complicated reception from the fanbase because of the relationship Codemasters has with EA. However, the track record with Codemasters is pretty good. Their F1 game franchise is well-received year in and year out, so they have a good track record with racing games. Plus, working with EA means that the game will be published by a major publisher.
A major publisher does not automatically mean a good game as EA Sports games have not been particularly well received by all fans in recent years, but Codemasters knows what they are doing. As long as they prioritize NASCAR and do not put it on the back burner to F1.
This is one of the most popular options amongst the fanbase. Sure, the most recent NASCAR Heat Series received its’ fair share of criticism, but the games gradually got better as time went on. Recently being acquired by iRacing also means that NASCAR would put both console games and simulations under one umbrella.
The two developed World of Outlaws together, and that was fairly well received. Given the two’s track record, they could be an interesting and fairly popular option to get the next license.
Milestone is a bit of an oddball, but their track record is intriguing. They have primarily worked on motorcycle games like Moto GP and Monster Energy Supercross. However, in 2021, they both developed and published Hot Wheels: Unleashed which was a surprise hit.
This would be new territory for Milestone as they have not developed a stock car-based video game. Hot Wheels is there, but that is nothing like NASCAR for obvious reasons. It may take some time for this game series to find its footing, but that is the case with pretty much every developer.
Yes, we already mentioned Monster Games, but iRacing developed iRacing all by themselves. Is it possible that they could do their best to port a version of iRacing with the NASCAR license to consoles? That is a tall, tall order, and it is very unlikely.
The major issue with this is that a console port of a PC game typically yields mixed results. If the game is also too simulation-based, it could alienate a large part of the gaming fanbase. However, it could be done, but the real question is should it be done?
Aside from these developers, NASCAR would be taking a chance on a relative unknown. Turn 10 Studios develops Forza, but that is exclusively an Xbox franchise. Polyphony Digital develops Gran Turismo, but that is exclusively a Play Station game. NASCAR wants their game on multiple consoles, not just one.
These developers on this list are the ones with track records, but, NASCAR could go to a completely random developer. Motorsport Games was a major publisher, and we all know how that turned out. Who knows who the next NASCAR game will be developed by?
