JDM: Japanese Drift Master News

It’s time to crown our first JDM Champions! The leaderboards have been buzzing with activity, and we’re thrilled to see so many incredible high scores and fast times. Now, let’s look at the final results for November and celebrate this month’s top racers!

[h3]🏆 November JDM Champions 🏆[/h3]

Drift Challenge:

• **鸭子冬天拉肚子好** with an impressive score of 546 573.
  

Grip Challenge:

• Kapien with a blazing time of 03:17.588.
  

Congratulations to our Champions! If you’d like to join the Discord Hall of Fame, hop into our server and reach out to our community manager, Julian. You will only need a Discord account connected to your Steam account so we can confirm your Steam ID.

But don’t put those controllers down just yet—the competition continues! The leaderboards are being reset today, giving everyone another chance to claim the top spot for next month. Let the competition resume!

[h3]How to join the JDM Champions Challenge?[/h3]
Launch the demo-prologue JDM: Rise of the Scorpion and navigate to Challenge Mode from the main menu. Choose your race type - Grip or Drift - and start competing for the top spot on the leaderboards.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1364930/JDM_Rise_of_the_Scorpion/

Are you ready to claim the title of December’s JDM Champion? Share your excitement in the comments and don’t forget to react to this devlog! Got a score you’re proud of or want to connect with other racers? Join the JDM Discord and show off your skills to the community!

The full version of JDM: Japanese Drift Master is racing your way in Spring 2025! Make sure to hit the follow button on our Steam page to stay in the loop with all the latest news and updates.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1153410/JDM_Japanese_Drift_Master/

Let’s Drift,
JDM

We know true racers thrive on the thrill of competition, so we’ve got something special lined up for you. Do you think you have what it takes to dominate the Challenge Mode leaderboard in the prologue of JDM: Rise of the Scorpion?

[h3]Prove your skills and earn your place among the elite JDM Champions![/h3]

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1364930/JDM_Rise_of_the_Scorpion/

This Friday, November 29th, we’ll reset the leaderboards for the Grip and Drift challenges. But don’t worry, the nicks of those who secured the top spot until then will be immortalized in our Hall of Fame and rewarded with an exclusive Discord Role to showcase their achievement.

The competition doesn’t end there! With the leaderboards refreshed, you’ll have another shot at glory. We’ll announce new champions at the end of every month! So gear up, hit the track, and make your mark!



There’s still time to make a name for yourself - use the remaining days to climb the leaderboard and secure your spot in the Hall of Fame. The title of JDM Champion is within your reach!

Note that vulgar, discriminating, or otherwise inappropriate nicks will ban you from obtaining the title. We will also not tolerate cheating.

Challenge Mode is a single-player mode in the prologue demo JDM: Rise of the Scorpion where you can test various vehicles on closed tracks. To take your shot at the JDM Champions challenge, simply head to Challenge Mode from the main menu and select your preferred race type. Compete for the top spot on the Drift and Grip leaderboards—new champions will be crowned every month on our dedicated Discord channel!

What do you think of our competition? Are you ready to take on the challenge? Share your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to leave a reaction to this devlog. Join our Discord community to connect with fellow racers, ask questions, and chat with our team. We’ve got plenty of exciting events planned to keep the adrenaline pumping as we gear up for the big launch!

Be sure to add JDM: Japanese Drift Master to your wishlist and press the follow button on our Steam page! Join us in counting down to spring 2025.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1153410/JDM_Japanese_Drift_Master/

Let’s Drift,
Gaming Factory

It’s time for another Q&A session! The development of JDM: Japanese Drift Master has come a long way, and we know you’ve got plenty of questions that need answers. A lot has changed since the demo version, so consider this devlog your most up-to-date source of information.

We’re thrilled by your curiosity, and while some answers will have to wait, we promise there’s a lot to look forward to. With the premiere getting closer, plenty of surprises and reveals are lined up in the months ahead. Don’t miss a beat—join the JDM Discord and follow our social media for all the latest updates!



We’ve compiled the most frequently asked questions from the community into one place just for you—check it out!

Q. When will there be a JDM launch?
A. The game is scheduled to be released in Spring 2025.

Q. Will JDM be available for consoles?
A. At the moment our main focus is on the PC version. For the console release information follow our announcements.

Q. Is it possible to leave the car and move on foot across the map?
A. No. It’s a car driving game only. As much as we would want to provide you with an option to walk around Guntama, it would steer our attention away from what’s really important here - drifting in beautiful cars at scenic Japanese vistas.

Q. How can we get a free key to the game?
A. We’re not offering free keys to the game per say, but we occasionally host various contests in which you can win a key. Follow our social media and join our Discord to never miss your chance to win one. Join the fun! ➡️ JDM LINKTREE

Q. Is there a YouTube or Spotify playlist with music in JDM?
A. We have a playlist available on Spotify. It’s not a full JDM OST yet, but we promise to build it up for launch! ➡️ JDM PLAYLIST

Q. Will there be DLC or updates after the release?
A. Yes, the initial release is only the beginning for JDM. Expect content updates after release. We will share more details closer to the game's launch.



Q. Will there be optimization for Steam Deck?
A. Optimization of the game is extremely important to us, we are constantly working to make our game as accessible as possible for everyone. At this point, we can't promise that yet, because we are still in the production phase, but we will certainly let our players know everything before the release.

Q. Will the players be able to modify the drift physics of the cars?
A. Of course! There will be a robust tuning system in place, where you will be able to tune your car to any needs, be it drift, grip, or even drag. Expect more detailed info on the subject next year.

Q. Is JDM: Rise of the Scorpion and JDM demo the same thing?
A. Yes they are. JDM: Rise of the Scorpion launched as a separate store product, but has been moved since to the main JDM: Japanese Drift Master store page as a demo to avoid player confusion.

Q. Is there a list of steering wheels supported by the game?
A. Not at this time. However, we’ve seen and taken to heart all of your feedback and hardware requests from the JDM: Rise of the Scorpion. We are working on the new binding system and we’re continually adding new devices to the game. We want as many devices as humanly possible to work for the launch of JDM.

Q. Will there be a possibility to set a point wherever you want on the map (to guide you to the place)?
A. Yes, you will be able to mark a spot through an in-game GPS system that will find you the route to your destination, making it easier for you to navigate our open world.

Q. Maybe it's confidential, but will the map be fully explorable, or will you have to unlock the regions one by one?
A. The map will be fully explorable from the beginning. The moment you hit play, you will be able to drive to any of our beautiful landmarks and soak in the Japanese road atmosphere. Note that story events will unlock with your progression and will need to be completed before the next unlocks and becomes visible on your map.



Want to dive deeper into the production process or share your ideas? Write down your questions as comments to this devlog. We might not answer them immediately, but they will serve as a basis for the next Q&A round. For a more engaging discussion, join our Discord server to connect with the community and the JDM team directly! If you never want to miss a beat about all the latest JDM news, be sure to hit that Follow button on the game’s main Steam Page! Don’t forget to follow us on social media and, if you haven’t done so already, be sure to add JDM: Japanese Drift Master to your Steam wishlist.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1153410/JDM_Japanese_Drift_Master/

Let’s Drift,
Gaming Factory

We know you’ve been itching to get your hands on the full release of JDM: Japanese Drift Master and we’re pleased to say we have a release window set!

[h2]Conquer the streets of Guntama in Spring 2025![/h2]


With all of the feedback we have received from you after the release of the demo-prologue JDM: Rise of the Scorpion and the countless hours we spent talking to you on various events throughout the year, we dove deep into polishing the details and improving the overall quality of the game, so you can get the best possible experience on day one.

We thank you for your patience and believe us when we say that we are as excited for the launch as you are, or even more. Continue reading for some additional information on what you can expect from the final release.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1153410/JDM_Japanese_Drift_Master/

Let’s begin with the new trailer for JDM: Japanese Drift Master, giving you a sneak peek into the new location – Ichikara, which you will find in the full version of the game. This lively metropolis, inspired by Tokyo’s most modern districts, is packed with neon lights, towering billboards, and stunning skyscrapers that truly come alive both day and night. With references to legendary movie locations and spots treasured by drift and car enthusiasts, Ichikara offers an unforgettable atmosphere for racers and fans alike.

Mark your calendars for the first quarter of next year and experience the thrill of Japanese street racing like never before.

[h3]Watch the trailer now:[/h3]
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
[h3]What awaits you in the full version of the game?[/h3]

Unique story: Immerse yourself in an engaging narrative presented through hand-drawn manga pages and follow the story of a foreign driver trying to make a name for himself on the streets of Japan. Over 40 story-oriented challenges await you, alongside dozens more side quests that will keep you immersed in the world of JDM.

Huge world: Explore a vast, open world, created from real-life locations scattered across Japan and mixed to create our fictional prefecture - Guntama - a true paradise for drift racing. With over 250 kilometers of main roads, featuring scenic vistas, challenging mountain passes, bustling city streets, and serene rural areas, you will have plenty of spots to hone your driving skills.

Licensed cars: Get behind the wheel of fully licensed cars from renowned brands like Nissan, Subaru, or Mazda. Each of the cars was fully scanned and meticulously modeled, and their engine sounds were recorded—all for an authentic and immersive driving experience.

Advanced tuning options: Customize and fine-tune your cars with a wide range of tuning options, from modifying car parts, to visual mods, unique paint jobs and even full mod kits, allowing for a truly personalized racing experience.

Variety racing events: Experience a diverse range of racing events that test your skills. From high-speed circuit races and intense drift challenges to time trials and special head-to-head battles and drag showdowns. Each event offers unique gameplay dynamics and opportunities to showcase your mastery behind the wheel.


We are working hard to deliver the best game possible to all of you, and we truly appreciate your feedback, understanding and support. In the meantime, you can immerse yourself in the world of JDM by playing our free prologue, JDM: Rise of the Scorpion. It's the perfect way to get a taste of the atmosphere, immerse yourself in the story, and feel the excitement of what's to come.

Don't forget to add JDM: Japanese Drift Master to your Steam wishlist to stay updated on all the latest news and announcements. Also, join our Discord community to connect with fellow drifters, share feedback, and get the inside scoop on what's coming next!

Let’s Drift
Gaming Factory

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Beat the Streamer contest! Over the past two weeks, we've watched the leaderboard light up with some incredible laps, and we're thrilled by the skill and dedication shown by the community. From daring drifts to precision racing lines, you’ve truly showcased the best of what JDM: Japanese Drift Master has to offer.



Before diving into the results, we’d like to extend a huge thank you to our streamer friends who set the pace and inspired such fierce competition: MARQUIS, Gucio1846, Pan Tutaj, neutreN, TAT GOR, MSX, Dec Games, LPN05, DiePixelHelden, polman.

Your participation and enthusiasm made this event an unforgettable experience for everyone involved. Now, without further ado, here are the winners of the Drift and Grip categories!

[h2]🏆 Competition Winners 🏆[/h2]
[h3]Grip Category[/h3]

• Winner 1 - Kapien – 03 : 17 : 588
  
• Winner 2 - NetRex_Mohito – 03 : 17 : 702
  
• Winner 3 - Pietterson – 03 : 18 : 115
  

[h3]Drift Category[/h3]

• Winner 1 - Hikkoid – 469 509
  
• Winner 2 - WilliamSS85 – 450 281
  
• Winner 3 - julien – 425 071
  

[h2]🥇 Prizes 🥇[/h2]
Each of these skilled racers has earned:

• Early Access Key to the full version of JDM: Japanese Drift Master (to be distributed at a future date prior to the official launch).
  
• An exclusive Discord role: “Drift Beast” or “Grip Beast.”
  

Additionally, all participants in the competition will receive a special Discord role: “JDM Challenger” as a token of our appreciation for joining the event and showing off their racing spirit!

[h3]Check out the video with the highlights of the Beat The Streamer contest:[/h3]
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
The winner must contact the organizer to claim their prizes. Contact should be made via email: [email protected] or send a DM on Discord to our Community Manager: Julian.

[h2]What’s Next?[/h2]
Stay tuned for more events and challenges coming your way! Make sure to add JDM: Japanese Drift Master to your Steam wishlist and join us on Discord for future contests, sneak peeks, and community updates. This is just the beginning of a thrilling journey with JDM, and we’re excited to bring even more action to the track.

Thank you all again for your dedication, passion, and competitive spirit. We look forward to seeing you out on the track in future challenges!

Happy drifting, and see you in the next devlog!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1153410/JDM_Japanese_Drift_Master/

Let’s Drift!
Gaming Factory