With the number of emails I get about JDM: Japanese Drift Master, you’d think I was part of the development team. However, despite having 21 emails in the last 10 months, yesterday’s was actually something I wanted to see in my inbox. Gaming Factory has announced that the “Simcade” racing game will be releasing in the spring of 2025. Here is what the press release says about the upcoming release:

“We are pleased to announce that JDM: Japanese Drift Master will be released in spring 2025! The game will take players to Japan’s scenic and challenging tracks, offering an exceptional driving experience, dynamic racing, and licensed car models. A rich story campaign and a host of additional challenges are in the pipeline, allowing players to fully immerse themselves in the world of Japanese cars and drifting culture.“

Alongside the announcement of a release window, a new trailer has dropped showcasing the district of Ichikara, a vibrant fictional portion of Tokyo that you’ll race and drift around. Including licensed cars like Mazda, Subaru, and Nissan, all three of which are in the top 15 car brands in the US.

The press release goes on to describe JDM: Japanese Drift Master as “a simcade racing game that combines a realistic driving experience with the accessibility of arcade games. This allows players to feel like real drifters without the need to sacrifice months of their time majoring in driving physics. Attaining smooth and easy-to-learn gameplay always was and is our end goal.

Immerse yourself in the world of JDM: Japanese Drift Master and experience the story of a foreigner who wants to make a name for himself in the Japanese drifting scene. Enter a world of speed and precision, where earning respect means competing fiercely to become the best hashiriya behind the wheel. Get ready for a thrilling adventure on the roads of Guntama prefecture!” For those that need the translation, because not everyone snorts Yakuza and Tokyo Drift, hashiriya just means a young person who likes driving fast and dangerously on public roads. A yob, if you will.

However, if you can’t wait till spring to really get hands-on with JDM, there is a demo available now that is shown as mostly positive on Steam. For the time being, you can check out JDM: Rise of the Scorpion, where you’ll play as Hatori, racing through the countryside around Haikama Lake.

I’m excited for JDM: Japanese Drift Master, if only to maybe not see a monthly email or two, and to maybe get hands-on with the full release this spring when it comes out. Part of me wants to say JDM is giving me reminders of the 2000s Need for Speed games, and I say that with love for the likes of Carbon, Underground, and Most Wanted (2005). Hopefully, we get a release date sometime early next year and we can all wishlist it if we haven’t already (I have). JDM: Japanese Drift Master will be available on Steam, Epic, and GOG next year, with consoles worked on post-launch.

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