JDM: Japanese Drit Master set to add new cars, improved tuning and photo mode  

Today marks the long-awaited release of JDM: Japanese Drift Master. While sliding around is initially enjoyable, and the Unreal Engine 5 graphics shine, the experience becomes hollow after the first few hours, primarily due to its empty open world and lack of side activities.

Gaming Factory aims to rectify this and has released a roadmap showing what players can expect over the next nine months, split into three phases.  

One of our gripes with the game is its complicated tuning, with no simplified settings for casual players. According to a new roadmap on Steam, this is set to improve with quick-tune grip and drip presents, alongside new tuning parts and deeper wheel and tyre customisation. These improvements are expected to arrive in the first three months after launch.

Beyond that, the phase two update expected in the first six months will add a driving school expansion, custom vinyls and stickers, an expanded career mode and a photo mode. Additionally, Gaming Factory plans to introduce a split-screen mode, arena rally events, and new special events.

 Each phase is also set to add new cars to the roster alongside ongoing improvements to the AI, graphics and force feedback among other aspects.

JDM: Japanese Drift Master roadmap

Phase 1 – First three months after launch

• Improved car setup system
• Quick-tune car presets for grip and drift
• Deep rims and tyres customisation
• New cars
• New tuning parts

Phase 2 – First six months after launch

• Driving School expansion
• Custom vinyls and stickers
• Career mode extension
• Photo mode
• New cars
• New tuning parts

Phase 3 – First nine months after launch

• Split-screen mode
• Arena rally events
• New special events with manga chapters
• New cars
• New tuning parts

Ongoing

• UI/UX refresh
• AI improvements
• GPS navigation overhaul
• Additional wheel presets
• Event win/loss logic revamp
• Community feedback integration
• Force feedback settings overhaul
• Improved resolution and display options

JDM: Japanese Drift Master day one patch notes

Coinciding with today’s launch, a new patch update adds new missions including susihi deliveries and underground races, along with new difficulty settings and other improvements. You can check out the patch notes below.

New Open World Events

• Sushi Delivery – When roaming the open world you may stumble upon a Sushi Delivery event. Deliver the package in as good as possible condition, while driving with style, to earn additional money.
• Underground Races – Found when driving through the open world. There are two variations of this event: grip or drift focused. Bet your cash for a chance to win even more money, but you will need to show your skill first – earn enough points (drift) or make it to the finish line in the allocated time (grip) to get the reward. The more money you will bet, the more difficult the challenge will be.

Difficulty Settings

We’ve added three difficulty settings to the game: Easy, Medium, Hard. They are accessible from the Main Menu or the Pause Menu, under the Assists and Driving Settings. The new difficulty settings are scaling how well the AI opponents behave on track: how well they build-up their scores and how aggressively they drive on tracks during events.

Additional patch notes include:

• General Traffic AI improvements – cars in the traffic should behave more rationally. Their spawning points and animations have been improved.
• Traffic intensity optimization – we’ve optimized the amount of cars spawning on different graphics quality settings to improve the overall game’s performance.
• Traffic on/off option – we’ve added the option to turn the traffic on or off at any time – a perfect solution for people who want to master those tight corners in the open world. You can find this setting in the Assists & Driving options from the Game Menu or Pause Menu.
• Force Feedback – fixed the issues with force feedback technology when driving using a steering wheel.
• Upscaler fixes – fixed issues with FSR and XeSS upscaling technology.
• Story Campaign events – fixed minor issues with a variety of events for the Main Story Campaign.

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