NASCAR Heat Evolution DLC Scheduled to Arrive on February 17

[Steve_OS]

Another NASCAR Heat Evolution DLC is scheduled to arrive on February 17. The free DLC will include quite a few new paint schemes. The team also mentions more will be announced before it is released, so stay tuned.

Quote:

Pit Pass 5: Fan-favorite paint schemes including Tony Stewart’s final ride and Joey Logano’s Pennzoil 50th Anniversary Penske scheme are headed your way. In addition, players ages 21 & up can race in Kevin Harvick’s Busch schemes for the first time ever in a NASCAR video game. Pit Pass 5 will be available for FREE on February 17 on Xbox One, PS4, and Steam.

FREE paint schemes include:

• Tony Stewart: Bass Pro Shops/Ducks Unlimited, #AlwaysRac14g
• Kevin Harvick: Busch Light, Busch Light (Chase), Busch, Busch (Chase), Orange Busch Hunting (Chase), Busch Throwback
• Joey Logano: Mosaic Shell-Pennzoil, AAA (Chase), Mosaic Shell-Pennzoil (Chase – Round of 16), Mosaic Shell-Pennzoil (Chase – Round of 12), Mosaic Shell-Pennzoil (Chase – Round of 8), Mosaic Shell-Pennzoil (Chase – Round of 4)
• Chris Buescher: CSX (Chase)
• Carl Edwards: Arris (Chase)
• Austin Dillon: Breast Cancer Awareness/American Ethanol (Chase)
• Chase Elliott: Mountain Dew, Kelley Blue Book
• Landon Cassill: ThePeteStore.com
• Michael McDowell: Thrivent Financial
• Casey Mears: Geico Sonoma, Geico Texas
• Paul Menard: Menards/Richmond Water Heaters, Menards/Moen, Menards/Dutch Boy
• Regan Smith: Citizen Soldiers
• Ryan Ellis: Dustless Blasting, Union/EJ Wade
• Matt DiBenedetto: Texas Police, NASCAR Heat Evolution #49, JAS
• Trevor Bayne: AdvoStrong

[brandon27]

Well, at least they're free this time. No surprise here that the DLC is paint schemes.


I'm anxiously awaiting to hear what the additional details are.


Hopefully the "more to be announced" includes the rule changes and new driver roster for this season. Either that, or the game is pretty useless as this new Nascar season is about to get under way. That's the puzzling part in the timing of their release last year to me.

Hopefully the "more to be announced" also includes some enhancements to the game itself, and it's controls. Mainly Traction & stability control, mini map. Thing's to allow the player to customize the gameplay model the way they like. But I think that's asking a bit much at this point in the cycle.


However, if you look at the announcement on their website, all they seem to say is that the list will be updated. So, that likely just means more paint schemes.

Those Harvick Busch schemes are nice to have though. I love that these guys finally found a way to make it work to get the alcohol sponsors into the game. It's so nice to not see the "Brad K" Blue Deuce out there and instead actually see the Miller Lite one.

I'm still bitter about what this game was for it's initial price point, but I'm optimistic for it's future if they can keep building on it. I feel like Unity is always going to hold it back though, especially from a visuals standpoint. That decision is curious to me still.

[Turbojugend]

I too paid $60 at launch and was very disappointed with what I got. The more I play (which isn't often), the more I see the framework of something with potential, but it still isn't there yet.

In 2017 we have a new brand logo, new brand sponsor, and all-new rules. All of which are going to make this game feel even more dated unless further updates address this. I have a feeling this is all coming in the form of a sequel though.

And speaking of sequels, please move away from Unity if there is ever to be one. You don't build a $60 AAA sports game with this engine, it's like building a condo out of Lego bricks.

[brandon27]

Quote: Originally Posted by Turbojugend

I too paid $60 at launch and was very disappointed with what I got. The more I play (which isn't often), the more I see the framework of something with potential, but it still isn't there yet. In 2017 we have a new brand logo, new brand sponsor, and all-new rules. All of which are going to make this game feel even more dated unless further updates address this. I have a feeling this is all coming in the form of a sequel though. And speaking of sequels, please move away from Unity if there is ever to be one. You don't build a $60 AAA sports game with this engine, it's like building a condo out of Lego bricks.

Agreed on all fronts.

But, if they dont update the sponsor and race formats in the coming weeks, I have a hard time believing we'd get a new game any time soon. I mean, this one hasn't been out very long on it's own. Obviously they couldn't possibly have expected the rule changes, I mean, they just couldn't have when they released this back in September, or whatever it was. However that being said, it's obvious for a lot of reasons that they probably should have waited to release this game until now, even if part of that is hindsight.

I don't doubt there will be a sequel at some point. I'm sure acquiring all of the licensing required for the tracks, sponsors, teams, etc was not cheap, so I'd be shocked if we don't see something.

Personally, If I was them... I'd roll out an update with new sponsor and race format changes as soon as possible. Update the drivers list to reflect the current roster and try and tighten up the game play to fit more with feedback I'm sure they've received. Then, just roll with it this season. Stick with some DLC and such for the season, because if they can improve the experience of the game itself, it should continue to provide some revenue. Then... get working on a new version for debut prior to Daytona next year.

Alot of this could have been prevented by not rushing to get this out prior to the chase last year.

I do love these DLC packs though. It's nice to have so many paint schemes. Too bad they charged for most of them, but the free ones were an awesome addition. Its nice to see them support the title that way. Although I do wish it was done more with improving the game instead.

Just have to hold out hope they announce something more than more paint schemes before release of this DLC, because you're right. The foundation is great.

[ILuvMN81]

Quote: Originally Posted by brandon27

...I don't doubt there will be a sequel at some point. I'm sure acquiring all of the licensing required for the tracks, sponsors, teams, etc was not cheap, so I'd be shocked if we don't see something. Personally, If I was them... I'd roll out an update with new sponsor and race format changes as soon as possible. Update the drivers list to reflect the current roster and try and tighten up the game play to fit more with feedback I'm sure they've received. Then, just roll with it this season. Stick with some DLC and such for the season, because if they can improve the experience of the game itself, it should continue to provide some revenue. Then... get working on a new version for debut prior to Daytona next year. Alot of this could have been prevented by not rushing to get this out prior to the chase last year.

YES! This.

I enjoy this game and really wished they hadn't over-hyped and then seemingly rushed it. They blew a great opportunity and turned off many people to their product. I'm hoping they'll take their time for the sequel, listen to the feedback of customers that stuck with them and then release something between Nov 2017 and Feb 2018. Have day one updates to paint schemes and if it's the latter date, rosters and schedule. They can offer pit passes monthly or however if they want to add alternate schemes and challenges, etc.

I've started following the Exec. Producer of NHE on Twitter (@TheSeanWilson) and he's actually kind of open about what's coming, to a certain extant. We can expect a 2017 paint scheme pack sometime before the 500 and it looks like they'll update the driver roster too as an extension of that.

As for rules package...probably shouldn't count on it. Mr. Wilson was asked if the DLC was going to be schemes, schedules and/or rules and his answer was "some of those". Conversely, The official NHE Twitter said "probably not" when someone asked about the new rules. It will look kind of odd if the cars are 2017 schemes while the rules are 2016 and the signage, logos, etc at tracks still have Sprint (or some generic logo) as the sponsor but that might be what we have to settle for.

Lastly, not surprised if they wait for another game to implement all 2017 things beyond the paint schemes. I'd assume a lot of programming will need to be done to include the new race style and points system and to make them actually work and it wouldn't be worth it to rush that at all.

We'll see. I'm an easy guy to please so I'm happy we have a somewhat proper NASCAR game at all.