2017 Team Update & More Releases on February 21 For NASCAR Heat Evolution ($9.99)

[Steve_OS]

A 2017 team update for NASCAR Heat Evolution is scheduled to arrive on February 21 for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC. The update will include an updated driver roster, sponsors, schedule, and paint schemes for $9.99. Head on over to Game Informer to read more.

Quote:

While 2017 is a year full of changes for the real-life sport, this update is more focused on rosters than rules. As such, aspects of the real-life season such as the stages format for races or the new Phoenix start/finish line are not included in this update. Publisher DMR hasn't officially announced the next NASCAR game, but has stated that it intends to release a NASCAR game annually. So, we're sure the new rules and changes for 2017 will be available in a different title in the future.

UPDATE: (2-14) More details can be seen on the official website.

Quote:

Due to the production timeline, the 2017 Team Update does not include the recently announced rule changes, Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series branding, or any track changes such as the new Phoenix Start/Finish line.

Full list of drivers and paint schemes:

Stewart-Haas Racing

• Kurt Busch – 41 Monster Energy
• Kevin Harvick – 4 Jimmy John’s
• Clint Bowyer – 14 Mobil 1
• Danica Patrick – 10 Nature’s Bakery

Joe Gibbs Racing

• Daniel Suarez – 19 Arris
• Kyle Busch – 18 M&M’s
• Denny Hamlin – 11 FedEx
• Matt Kenseth – 20 DeWalt
• Matt Tifft – 19 Tunity

Hendrick Motorsports

• Jimmie Johnson – 48 Lowe’s
• Dale Earnhardt Jr. – 88 Nationwide Insurance
• Chase Elliott – 24 NAPA
• Kasey Kahne – 5 Farmer’s Insurance

Team Penske

• Brad Keselowski – 2 Brad K
• Joey Logano – 22 Shell / Pennzoil

Furniture Row Racing

• Erik Jones – 77 5-Hour Energy
• Martin Truex Jr. – 78 Bass Pro Shops

Chip Ganassi Racing

• Kyle Larson – 42 Target
• Jamie McMurray – 1 McDonald’s

Wood Brothers Racing

• Ryan Blaney – 21 Motorcraft / Quicklane

Roush Fenway Racing

• Bubba Wallace – 6 Leidos
• Trevor Bayne – 6 Advocare
• Ryan Reed – 16 Lilly Diabetes
• Ricky Stenhouse Jr. – 17 Fastenal

Richard Childress Racing

• Austin Dillon – 3 Dow
• Paul Menard – 27 Peak Antifreeze / Menards
• Ryan Newman – 31 CAT

Richard Petty Motorsports

• Aric Almirola – 43 Smithfield

JTG Daugherty Racing

• AJ Allmendinger – 47 Kroger
• Chris Buescher – 37 Cottonelle

GoFas Racing

• Matt DiBenedetto – 32 Can-Am

GMS

• Ben Kennedy – 96 Jacob Companies

Germain Racing

• Ty Dillon – 13 GEICO

Front Row Motorsports

• Landon Cassill – 34 Love’s
• David Ragan – 38 Florida Lottery

Circle Sport/Leavine Family Racing

• Michael McDowell – 95 K-Love

BK Racing

• Joey Gase – 23 Best Home Furnishings

Brad Keselowski Racing

• Austin Cindric – 19 Draw Tite
• Chase Briscoe – 29 Cooper Standard

NASCAR Next

• Harrison Burton – 12 Dex Imaging

[jeebs9]

Quote: Originally Posted by Steve_OS

A 2017 team update for NASCAR Heat Evolution is scheduled to arrive on February 21 for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC. The update will include an updated driver roster, sponsors, schedule, and paint schemes for $9.99. Head on over to Game Informer to read more.

This is what they should do with all sports games.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[bravesfan1984]

What a shame they can't include Miller Lite and Busch in the 2017 update. Makes the 9.99 price tag even more of a head scratcher. I'm not sure why they aren't included, but seeing that Brad K car again is disappointing.

[brandon27]

This is another mis-step for this title IMO. There's likely no way I'm going to pay $9.99 for this. Especially since, I'd assume in Canada it's going to be more expensive than that.

I really don't understand what these guys are thinking. It feels like the message is... hey, here's some more new paint schemes, and updated schedule and drivers list to give you 50% of a new game that's still got it's flaws but uh, those new rules... naw... We'll give you those in a new title down the road for another $60 bucks.

If they were smart, they would update the rules ASAP, even if it takes more time. Then, get back to work on finishing the game, and get everything ready for a new feature packed game ready for release in February 2018. I said it in the other thread, the decision to release this game last fall was mind boggling, and it really could have avoided a lot of headaches for these guys if they waited to release it now with current cars, schedule, drivers, rules, and with some of the common features in racing games that are missing.

It's a shame because there's a lot to enjoy. Heck, I've run almost 200 races even though I haven't entirely enjoyed them lol I ran a 100% distance race at Michigan over the weekend and I did have fun. I won't lie. That being said though, just so much left to be desired, and asking me to spend another $10 to update to a 2017 season, that really isn't the 2017 season is just a bit much for me. I appreciate the effort to bring it somewhat in line with the new season, but if you aren't going to go all the way and add the rules package, why are you asking me to pay for it now, when essentially it's going to follow in a new game. I get it, updating the new race rules would take a lot of work, and it's only been fairly recently announced but, take some time with it then. At least then it's more worthwhile to me when asking me to pay for it. If you're going to do it, do it all, then I'd be comfortable with paying for it. I wouldn't even flinch.


The big problem was the release window, and the impact of the rule changes which was obviously out of their control. However releasing as late as they did in the Nascar season put them in a bad spot now because of the rules changes. It's too early to release a new game obviously, so the solution IMO should have been update this one fully. Ride it out with some patches/additions, some more DLC paint packs as the season rolls on, then hit me with a new title prior to Daytona next year.

Sorry for the rant, but I love Nascar. I love Nascar games. As I've learned to accept this one's flaws it's grown on me as I've run over 200 races with it I've begun to enjoy it for what it is, but the neglect to make it so much more on their part is a concern for me. They're in a tough spot with the curveball they got thrown with the rules, no doubt about that, the response though from them, is less than ideal IMO. I still have faith in these guys, but it's far from what it once was.

[Turbojugend]

I feel your frustration Brandon. I'm in the same boat, this game is far from perfect but I've come to accept it for what it is. It's obvious that DMi is passionate about racing but at the same time this is a very small dev team with a very limited amount of resources. I mean, "Unity" pretty much says it all right there, doesn't it?

Also, I believe the NASCAR brand has devalued a bit over years. Gone are the days when a mega-giant such as EA would step and throw their entire muscle into developing a NASCAR game. I just don't see that happening unless the entire landscape of the sport changes and there's a massive surge in popularity.

In all honesty, I will probably end up buying the 2017 update. I want to check out the new schemes and rebranding, and $9.99 isn't a whole lot when they're throwing other free stuff at us in the same month. FWIW, I did end up buying the Darlington throwbacks and it's pretty cool as the other cars actually use the throwback schemes when you race on that track.

[ILuvMN81]

Basically, I agree with what brandon27 said.

I may get this if I win a gift card drawing at work or something along those lines but I'm not spending $10 of my earned money for this "sort-of" update.

I'll add:

Yes, It's exciting to see the rosters, schemes and 2017 schedule but the sport is changing so dramatically this year that it's going to feel weird running 2017 cars on Sprint Cup branded tracks with the 2016 points system and rules.

I have hope for the future and enjoy the game for what it is...but the hope is getting slimmer with this odd decision. They're starting to move towards cash-grab territory and that's where I feel like I want to walk away.

[bravesfan1984]

I believe NASCAR games would benefit the most of any other sports title in doing new game releases every 2-3 years, meanwhile providing updates/patches to keep it current. I'll probably cave in and get the 2017 update considering I haven't purchased any other DLC, but did pay full retail for the game on release. I'm just a NASCAR junkie and have always played them more than any other game...going back to NASCAR 98 (I'd spend hours in the mall when the toy store had this set up to play lol)

[Turbojugend]

Quote: Originally Posted by bravesfan1984

What a shame they can't include Miller Lite and Busch in the 2017 update. Makes the 9.99 price tag even more of a head scratcher. I'm not sure why they aren't included, but seeing that Brad K car again is disappointing.

Does anyone know why this is? I thought the beer sponsors were just an age verification issue. That Brad K car is a freakin' eyesore.

Plus, Danica just switched sponsors and DMi confirmed there will be no further updates to this 2017 update. It's going to be outdated before it's even released.