JDM: Japanese Drift Master: Everything you need to know

It’s a great time to be a fan of racing games and Japanese car culture. After nearly 20 years, Tokyo Xtreme Racer made a surprise comeback earlier this year. But there’s another Japanese-infused driving game coming around the corner: JDM: Japanese Drift Master.

With a rich open world to explore, gorgeous Unreal Engine 5 graphics and an Initial D-inspired storyline, JDM: Japanese Drift Master could be a sleeper hit when it slides onto Steam this year.

Here’s everything you need to know about JDM: Japanese Drift Master in one handy article.

What is JDM: Japanese Drift Master?

JDM: Japanese Drift Master is an open-world, narrative-driven driving game developed and published by Gaming Factory, an independent studio based in Poland. As the name suggests, the game embraces Japanese car culture, putting drifting and car customisation at the forefront.  

Setting JDM: Japanese Drift Master apart is a storyline that sees you play as Touma, a Polish driver looking to rise up the ranks of his local underground street racing scene.

The story will be told in colourful Manga-style cut scenes, with Gaming Factory teasing players can expect a story filled with “drama, action, and even love.”

Players will hone their sideways driving skills in Guntama, a fictional take on Japan set in an open world with over 250 kilometres of winding mountain roads, serene villages and city streets to roam around.

Although Guntama is a fictionalised take on Japan, the developer has recreated real-world landmarks, including Himeji Castle – the largest castle in Japan.

Japan is one of the most requested locations for open-world driving games like Forza Horizon, and JDM: Japanese Drift Master will finally fulfil that fantasy. Traffic, dynamic times of day and weather effects will bring the environment to life.

The location’s diversity perfectly complements Tokyo Xtreme Racer, which instead focuses solely on highway racing across the Shuto Expressway.

JDM: Japanese Drift Master follows last year’s free prologue, JDM: Rise of the Scorpion, which was delisted on 3^rd February as Gaming Factory feels it “no longer reflects the quality of the full game.”

Release date: When is JDM: Japanese Drift Master coming out?

Following several delays JDM: Japanese Drift Master skids onto PC on 21^st May 2025 via Steam, Epic and GOG. It was initially slated for 2024 before being pushed back until 26^th March 2025. A few weeks before the planned March release, the game was delayed again to May.

Gaming Factory says the delay is necessary to allow “extra time for the final polish” and “refine every detail” to “deliver a game that meets and exceeds expectations.”

Unlike Tokyo Xtreme Racer, the version released in May will be the full game; not an Early Access launch. Pricing details are still to be confirmed.  

Will JDM: Japanese Drift Master come to consoles?

When it launches in March, JDM: Japanese Drift Master will only be available on PC. However, console players won’t miss out, as Gaming Factory intends to port it to other platforms as soon as possible.

“Consoles are a big part of our publishing plans,” Lead Game Designer Wojciech Babiński told Traxion when asked about console versions. “Once the PC version is out, we’ll shift our focus to porting.”

Babiński added that “it’s too early to provide a release window” for the console versions, but assures players “don’t have to wait too long.”

Car list

Unsurprisingly, JDM: Japanese Drift Master’s car roster comprises Japanese manufacturers, featuring licensed models from Honda, Mazda, Nissan and Subaru, with more to be announced ahead of the launch. 

Every car is fully customisable with cosmetic and mechanical modifications, from installing ECUs to fitting exhausts.

In terms of car handling, Gaming Factory describes JDM: Japanese Drift Master as a simcade game with a “solid simulation backbone” and “arcade layers added on top,” striking a balance between fun and challenging.  

As a result, each car will feel distinct to drive, with options to adjust the handling whether you want to prioritise grip, drifting, or somewhere in between to suit your driving style.

A full car list is yet to be revealed, but here are the cars confirmed so far:

Honda

• Honda NSX second-generation

Mazda

• Mazda MX-5 (NA)
• Mazda MX-5 (NB)
• Mazda RX-8
• Mazda RX-7 (FD)

Nissan

• Nissan 350Z
• Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) 
• Nissan Fairlady/240Z
• Nissan Skyline GT-R (First generation, PGC10)
• Nissan Silvia S15 – Not yet seen with licenced branding 

Subaru

• Subaru Impreza WRX STI (Second generation, ‘bug eye’)
• Subaru BRZ (First generation, ZC6)
• Subaru BRZ (Second generation, ZD8)

Will JDM: Japanese Drift Master support steering wheels?

For those who want a more engrossing driving experience, Gaming Factory has confirmed that JDM: Japanese Drift Master will support a range of steering wheels on PC. A compatible steering wheel list is not available, but Gaming Factory is adding presets for wheels in preparation for launch.

JDM: Japanese Drift Master gameplay and trailers

Since its announcement, JDM: Japanese Drift Master has been showcased in various trailers and gameplay videos showing the game’s stunning Unreal Engine 5 graphics, cars, game modes and location.

Another video lets you watch the game’s Manga-style opening cut scene previewing the storyline:

Will JDM: Japanese Drift Master have online multiplayer?

JDM: Japanese Drift Master will be a single-player-only experience when it launches in May. However, Gaming Factory isn’t ruling out adding multiplayer in the future for those who want to enjoy some online drifting duels with other players.

“At the moment, we are focusing on single player, but we don’t rule out adding multiplayer gameplay in the future,” Gaming Factory wrote on Steam.

JDM: Japanese Drift Master system requirements

Here are the minimum and recommended system requirements you’ll need to run JDM: Japanese Drift Master:

Minimum

• Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
• OS: 64-bit Windows 10
• Processor: Intel i5-7400 or Ryzen 5 2600
• Memory: 8 GB RAM
• Graphics: Intel Arc A580 or GeForce GTX1660 or Radeon RX580 8GB
• DirectX: Version 12
• Storage: 16 GB available space

Recommended

• Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
• OS: 64-bit Windows 10
• Processor: Intel i5 10400f or Ryzen 5 3600
• Memory: 32 GB RAM
• Graphics: Intel Arc A770 or GeForce RTX3060Ti or AMD Radeon RX6700
• DirectX: Version 12
• Storage: 16 GB available space

Steam Deck support is yet to be confirmed. Given the open-world setting and high system requirements, there’s a good chance you will have to lower the graphics settings to make it run smoothly if it’s compatible.

Are you looking forward to JDM: Japanese Drift Master? Let us know in the comments below.