NetEase, with support from Codemasters, is attempting to bring sim-racing from the big screen to the little one with Racing Master.
So, following an interview with the team behind the game, let's take a look at what we know now!
Release date
The game has already been play-tested once, with players providing a host of useful feedback for the team. This will be followed by another playtest later in 2021, likely in Q3.
Unfortunately, we don’t yet have an exact release date yet either, although the devs did say that they “will share a specific date as soon as [they] can”.
Tracks and locations
We know from the trailer that there are a number of city circuits in the game already, with these tracks being based around the world.
Well, we now know that from launch there will be even more. This includes "urban, countryside as well as wilderness tracks”. Excitingly, the game will even feature real-life tracks.
We don't yet know what these real-world tracks will be, but they may be ready by the release of the next playtest.
Future content
For those looking to play the game for a while, the future is bright. The team has promised more content for a long while to come, in a variety of formats.
The developers said that “the launch is just the beginning”, with “additional vehicles, tracks, and gameplay modes” as well as a “range of fun and unique experiences and events”.
We can’t wait to see what LTMs and more the team decide to add to Racing Master.
EGO engine on mobile
Arguably the biggest selling point of the game is Codemasters proprietary EGO engine being built-in. This allows for incredibly realistic physics.
The team has taken a number of technological steps to ensure the engine’s smooth-running on mobile. Even in compatibility with UE4, which is incredibly difficult for a phone to do.
This will allow for seamless gameplay and an incredibly immersive experience. As the team said, “A lot of work has been done to ensure everything works perfectly”, so this really should be the real deal for mobile racing games.
Pocket-sized sim
One of the biggest questions surrounding the game is how has the team managed to take sim-racing to mobile.
Firstly, the game is built on Unreal Engine 4 and makes the game look incredibly lifelike. The controls have also been expertly designed to add to the immersion as much as possible, meaning the driving experience is as close to life as it should be.
Finally, the camera placement and sound have been well-optimised to make sure the “driving experience feels authentic”.