NASCAR 21: Ignition Releases in 10 Days to High Expectations from Fans

NASCAR 21 Ignition Coming Soon 01.jpg
With just over one week to go until NASCAR 21: Ignition is released, there is optimism in the NASCAR community based on what Motorsport Games has revealed so far about the upcoming title.

A few months ago, when it seemed like Motorsport Games had a major announcement every few days, one of the biggest pieces on news surrounding the game developer and publisher was the reveal of NASCAR 21: Ignition. The concept of a racing title using the Unreal 4 engine for visuals and rFactor’s physics engine for the driving experience seems like a sim racer’s dream come true.

The title focuses on the NASCAR Cup Series, and Motorsport Games has been deliberate in distancing themselves from the NASCAR Heat game series. The Heat series had developed a reputation for underwhelming fans of NASCAR, and the hope is that Ignition represents a rebirth of the official title of one of the most popular auto racing series in the world.


Reception of the subsequent game teasers and trailers on the official Motorsport Games YouTube channel has been overwhelmingly positive, with each receiving 95% or more likes. The team has also given the public a few peaks behind the curtain as far as the development of the cars and tracks, and an introduction to some of the members of the development team.

NASCAR 21: Ignition was even playable for NASCAR event attendees recently. Motorsport Games brought the game to select races in recent months for fans to try. While some cell phone footage shot at the live demos has popped up on YouTube, it’s difficult to say whether the title will live up to its potential. Questions have been raised about the level of customization possible in Ignition, and some footage seems to hint at flaws in the AI. But, with the full game not yet shown and many post-release updates surely still to come, there is optimism in the community that NASCAR 21: Ignition will be the game fans have been waiting for.

NASCAR 21 Ignition Coming Soon 02.jpg


NASCAR 21: Ignition is scheduled for release on the 28th of October on PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Be sure to check back with RaceDepartment for a full review shortly after release. Let us know what your expectations are for this title in the comments below.
About author
Mike Smith
I have been obsessed with sim racing and racing games since the 1980's. My first taste of live auto racing was in 1988, and I couldn't get enough ever since. Lead writer for RaceDepartment, and owner of SimRacing604 and its YouTube channel. Favourite sims include Assetto Corsa Competizione, Assetto Corsa, rFactor 2, Automobilista 2, DiRT Rally 2 - On Twitter as @simracing604

Comments

Premium
Great to see most driving games getting released. For myself, I have plenty of games that already satisfy my racing needs. Any more would be even more saturation. This title would need to be over the top good for me to try it.
 
Premium
I’m actually excited for this. I haven’t played a proper NASCAR game since NASCAR Racing 4 back in the day. I’m keen to pick this up if it reviews well.
 
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Only THREE boring marques - Ford, Chevy and Toyota - on mostly samo-samo ovals. Just not interesting enough.
 
Interesting, I hope it's successful for the nascar fans.

Does the game feature dynamic track/tires and multi groove racing lines?

I don't have any time for another game in my library and get my oval fix from iRacing as it features grass root racing, dirt ovals, gander camping truck, Xfinity, cup, etc.
 
NASCAR is the one driver that has never interest me, and I've raced the semi trucks in Automobilista but it's good to see any sim racer get exposure.
 
As this is the first MSG title to carry RFactor2 physics I'm interested to know if they will keep the physical tyre model or go for something simpler and dumbed down.

I mean, would a PS4 be capable of running full-fat Rf2 physics AND a full field with pretty graphics or will it be another Madness style hatchet job? I'm hoping the answer isn't as obvious as it seems...
 
Premium
I'm not really interested in this title, but it's reception from Sim enthusiasts will determine how excited I allow myself to get about their future Btcc, Indycar and LeMans games!!
Yeah, not a nascar fan myself, but I feel similar. It's not the reception for me, it might be hugely popular, but what they did with the rFactor 2 tech will be interesting to me. Did they go full sim or did they dumb down rF2?

This will really indicate to us simracers how serious MG is about sim racing and what that means for their work on rF2 or rF3.
 
Yeah, not a nascar fan myself, but I feel similar. It's not the reception for me, it might be hugely popular, but what they did with the rFactor 2 tech will be interesting to me. Did they go full sim or did they dumb down rF2?

This will really indicate to us simracers how serious MG is about sim racing and what that means for their work on rF2 or rF3.
I hear they have fixed FCY :roflmao:
 

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