NASCAR Heat Evolution

NASCAR Heat Evolution is a racing video game developed by Monster Games and published by Dusenberry Martin Racing. The game was released in North America on September 13, 2016 for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Microsoft Windows. It is the follow-up to the 2015 release of NASCAR '15 Victory Edition and the first developed by Monster Games since NASCAR: Dirt to Daytona was released in 2002.[1]

Not to be confused with NASCAR Heat.
NASCAR Heat Evolution
Cover art featuring Carl Edwards
Developer(s)Monster Games
Publisher(s)Dusenberry Martin Racing
SeriesNASCAR Heat
EngineUnity
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
Release
  • NA: September 13, 2016 (2016-09-13)
Genre(s)Racing, Sports
Mode(s)Single player, multiplayer

Gameplay

The game features all 23 tracks from the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule, as well as drivers from several teams like Childress, Ganassi, Gibbs, Hendrick, Petty, Penske, Roush and Stewart-Haas.[2] A November update added the drivers of the 2016 NASCAR Next class, such as Todd Gilliland, Ty Majeski, Harrison Burton and others, though those drivers are only available in quick race mode.[3] NASCAR Heat Evolution also includes a dynamic AI and Speed Rating system that matches the players skill level.[2] Several different modes are built in the game, including a quick race mode, career mode, and a challenge mode.[2] In the challenge mode, players attempt to match or exceed current NASCAR records.[2]

Development

In 2015, Dusenberry Martin Racing, then known as DMi Games, acquired the NASCAR license from Eutechnyx[4] in a deal lasting through 2020.[5] The company's President Ed Martin formerly worked for Papyrus Design Group, Hasbro Interactive, EA Sports and Eutechnyx, who developed the NASCAR Racing, NASCAR Heat, EA Sports NASCAR and NASCAR The Game series, respectively. CEO Tom Dusenberry was the founder and president of Hasbro Interactive.[4]

Drivers

On May 20, DMR officially announced the game at Charlotte Motor Speedway, partnering with Monster Games, who had developed NASCAR Heat and NASCAR: Dirt to Daytona. Monster President and Evolution lead developer Richard Garcia was a former member of the Heat design team.[1] Drivers Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, Brad Keselowski, Matt Tifft, and Ben Kennedy were hired by DMR to help develop the game.[6][7] The game is the first NASCAR game to be released on eighth generation consoles, with releases for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.[1]

To determine the cover driver, the highest-placing Toyota driver in the Sprint All-Star Race was selected;[6] the eligible drivers were Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Denny Hamlin, Matt Kenseth, and Martin Truex Jr.[8] Edwards won the cover driver competition with a fourth-place finish.[9]

A sequel to the game, released fall 2017, was released on September 12. The move came as DMR rebranded as 704Games.[10]

Reception

The game received lackluster reviews from critics, who lamented the game's inability to keep users interested and the lack of improvement in online lobbies. Forbes gave the game a 5.8 out of 10, citing a "worthless" career mode.[14] FanSided gave the game a four out of 10, saying that it "came in dead last".[15]

References
  1. Good, Owen S. (May 20, 2016). "NASCAR makes current-gen console debut this fall with NASCAR Heat Evolution". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved May 20, 2016.
  2. Makuch, Eddie (May 20, 2016). "First NASCAR Game for PS4, Xbox One Announced". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 27, 2016. Retrieved May 20, 2016.
  3. "NASCAR Heat Evolution Update #3 – NASCAR Heat Evolution". Archived from the original on 2016-11-30. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
  4. Kato, Matthew (January 19, 2015). "New Company Gets Exclusive NASCAR Rights". Game Informer. Retrieved May 20, 2016.
  5. "Dusenberry Martin Racing announces NASCAR Heat Evolution". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Media Group, LLC. May 20, 2016. Archived from the original on August 11, 2017. Retrieved May 20, 2016.
  6. Jensen, Tom (May 20, 2016). "Dusenberry Martin Racing to unveil new NASCAR video game". Foxsports.com. Concord, North Carolina: Fox Sports Digital Media. Archived from the original on September 10, 2018. Retrieved May 20, 2016.
  7. "The Making of NASCAR Heat Evolution: History". YouTube. DMR NASCAR Heat. June 29, 2016. Archived from the original on 12 August 2016. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  8. Kato, Matthew (May 20, 2016). "Monster Games Returns With NASCAR Heat Evolution". Game Informer. Retrieved May 20, 2016.
  9. Albert, Zack (May 22, 2016). "Carl Edwards rallies from miscues for top-five spot". NASCAR.com. Concord, North Carolina: NASCAR Media Group, LLC. Archived from the original on March 5, 2017. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  10. "NASCAR Heat Evolution publisher rebrands, plans sequel and mobile game". Archived from the original on 2017-03-23. Retrieved 2017-03-22.
  11. "NASCAR Heat Evolution". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 2017-09-20. Retrieved 2017-09-23.
  12. Kato, Matthew (13 September 2016). "NASCAR Heat Evolution Review – The Return of That Racing Spirit". Game Informer. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  13. S Good, Owen (22 September 2016). "NASCAR Heat Evolution review". Polygon. Archived from the original on 15 February 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  14. Reviews, Forbes Games. "'NASCAR Heat Evolution' Review: DNF". Forbes. Archived from the original on 2016-11-29. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
  15. "NASCAR Heat Evolution Review: Coming In Dead Last". App Trigger. 2016-09-15. Archived from the original on 2016-11-29. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
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