JDM: Japanese Drift Master News

JDM: Japanese Drift Master delivers a true simcade experience, allowing you to explore the scenic roads of Guntama at your own pace. Whether you prefer to cruise leisurely, dive into the story of Touma and his friends, or fine-tune your ride to dominate the drift and grip scenes, the game offers something for every driving enthusiast.

Tuning your car can feel overwhelming at first, given the wide range of customizable parts and performance stats you can tweak, but no worries - we got you! To make things more straightforward, we’ve created a video guide to help you navigate the tuning shops and build your perfect machine.

[h2]Check out the Drift Tuning Presentation video:[/h2]
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[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
[h3]How to Tune a Drift Car [/h3]
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We are aware that each driver has their own unique playstyle and preferences, so we encourage you to experiment with different combinations and settings. Adapting a car for drifting involves many variables, but a few core rules always hold true - you can think of them as a base during your fine-tuning adventure. What are they?

• For optimal drifting performance, you’ll want to maximize horsepower and torque. In fact, you can never have too much power, especially when you lose some of your speed through heavy friction. And while the engine follows the rule of "the stronger, the better", the suspension setup is where the real magic happens.
  
• Lowering the suspension is the best way to increase stability when drifting. The same goes for stiffer suspension variants, which will provide a grounded, road-hugging sensation while keeping tilting and rocking to a minimum.
  
• Invest in a proper angle kit, being an essential element during long, deep drifts and maximize your turning range.
  
• The wheel alignment and tilt adjustments are so unique and varied as drivers of Guntama themselves. Do not hesitate to experiment, although if you'd like, you can back up your decisions with these suggestions: negative tilt for the front wheels and slight toe-out alignment near-zero degrees for the rear wheels.

Do you still feel like you need more specific information and examples? Be sure to take advantage of the sample drifting setup down below.



[h3]Sample drifting setup - ready for you to use and modify![/h3]
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Handling:

• Use Fully Adjustable Coilover Suspension, stiffer sway bars and adjustable control arms to fine-tune your wheel angles.
  
• Choose a professional steering system (angle kit) to maximize turning range.
  
• A welded differential is recommended for maintaining a consistent drift.
  
• Nitrous has minimal impact on drift handling (such insights will mainly benefit the most experienced players and are tailored to their personal preferences), so focus on suspension and steering instead. On the other hand, you may want to mount larger, more powerful brakes.

Suspension Height:

• Lower the car, so the wheels sit just inside the wheel arches, but ensure they don’t rub when driving. This change will grant you more stability on the road.
  
• Stiffen the suspension to prevent excessive body roll, but don't overdo it. For drifting, a more balanced suspension setup that allows for controlled body roll and weight transfer is generally preferred, as it helps to maintain the balance between traction and slip, making the car more responsive to throttle inputs.

Wheels and Alignment:

• Front wheels: Tilt them to around -3 degrees for better turn-in response.
  
• Rear wheels: The rule here is simple - if you have tuned a car with much horsepower, keep them close to 0 degrees to maintain the best traction.
  
• Wheel alignment: Slightly toe-out (-0.2) the front wheels and toe-in (+0.1) the rear wheels.

[h3]Put your garage to good use[/h3]
We hope you enjoyed this look at drift-oriented car tuning and picked up some valuable tips on modifying your car in JDM: Japanese Drift Master! Our goal is to provide a realistic yet accessible tuning system, ensuring that all players - whether newcomers or seasoned enthusiasts - can enjoy the thrill of customization and performance optimization. No matter what challenges you take on in the game, you’ll have the tools to build an incredible machine that suits your playstyle.



If you have any questions about tuning mechanics, feel free to ask in the comments or join our Discord server, where our team is always excited to welcome new members to the community. Don’t forget to ‘Follow’ the game on Steam for the latest updates and announcements! The launch is almost here - see you on the streets of Guntama on May 21st, 2025!



Let’s Drift,
Gaming Factory

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[h3]GAMING FACTORY - UPCOMING RELEASES[/h3]
We're not only a developer but also a publisher. If you like JDM, maybe take a look at what other titles we have gearing up for launch. Who knows, maybe you'll come to love them, as much as we do!
Thanks!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1385290/Pizza_Slice/

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2708880/Ghost_Keeper/

Get ready to put the pedal to the metal because JDM: Japanese Drift Master is joining the Sport-Acular Festival on Steam! Starting April 9th, you’ll find us among some of the most adrenaline-fueled games out there—so don’t miss this chance to check out the festival page and celebrate high-speed action with us!

[h3]New Gameplay Stream Throughout the Festival![/h3]
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Want a fresh look at JDM: Japanese Drift Master before launch? For the duration of the festival, a new gameplay stream will be playing on our Steam page – showcasing the latest improvements in an honest, uncut gameplay from the game's first chapter. Whether you're a die-hard drifter or just discovering the game, it’s the perfect time to see what awaits you on the streets of Guntama



[h3]Mark Your Calendars – Launching May 21st![/h3]
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The wait is almost over! JDM: Japanese Drift Master hits the road on May 21st. Make sure to add it to your wishlist, follow our page, and join our community on Discord as we count down to the big day!

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



Let’s Drift
Gaming Factory



[hr] [/hr]
[h3]GAMING FACTORY - UPCOMING RELEASES[/h3]
We're not only a developer but also a publisher. If you like JDM, maybe take a look at what other titles we have gearing up for launch. Who knows, maybe you'll come to love them, as much as we do!

Thanks!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1385290/Pizza_Slice/

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2708880/Ghost_Keeper/

From the initial concept to the final version, JDM: Japanese Drift Master has come a long way. As we created new gameplay features and showcased exciting updates, we couldn’t help but reflect on the incredible journey this project has taken. Built by true enthusiasts, JDM is a game crafted with passion and dedication to bring an authentic drifting experience to life.

[h3]Check out the video and see how the gameplay has evolved over the years:[/h3]

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
[h3]Concept[/h3]
From the start, our goal was to create a simcade racing game that would introduce the art of drifting to a wider audience. Inspired by titles like Initial D and Fast & Furious: Tokyo Drift, we envisioned a story-driven experience. However, the way we wanted to present that story evolved significantly over time.

Initially, we explored a Visual Novel-style approach with character illustrations, but we soon sought a way to make the narrative feel more mature and immersive. You can read more about this evolution in our devlog on concept art.

Developing the gameplay and open-world map was a challenge, but having a strong foundation in physics kept us focused on our vision. With simcade driving mechanics as our core, we never lost sight of what we wanted to create.


[h3]The First Demo[/h3]
Steam Next Fest 2023 was the first opportunity for players to download and experience JDM: Japanese Drift Master firsthand. The response was incredible—our game ranked #1 in daily active players among all of the showcased demos! We were thrilled by the overwhelming attention and invaluable feedback from the community.

This first demo only featured a small portion of the open-world map that will be available in the full version, but the love for the Japanese countryside setting was undeniable. Players embraced the atmosphere, and their insights helped us refine and improve the game even further.

The demo was live for four months and was downloaded over 750,000 times! With such an amazing response, we were more motivated than ever to keep pushing forward and turn JDM into the ultimate racing adventure you’ve been dreaming of!


[h3]JDM: Rise of the Scorpion[/h3]
In August 2024, we launched a demo-prologue that introduced a storyline for the first time! Players got to experience the origin story of Hatori ‘Scorpion’ Hasashi, one of the key rivals in the full version of the game, where they will face off against the main character, Touma. This free prologue not only showcased our refined driving mechanics but also gave players access to a larger portion of the map and our unique manga-inspired storytelling.

With later updates, we introduced Challenge Mode, which kept the game thriving for months. Players honed their drifting and racing skills, competing in monthly leaderboards where we crowned the top drifters and grippers.

Throughout this time, we gathered valuable feedback on the story, gameplay, and optimization, all of which played a crucial role in polishing the upcoming full version.


Remember to add JDM: Japanese Drift Master to your wishlist and hit that ‘Follow’ button! Your support means the world to us, especially in these final days before the release. Join our Discord and count down to the premiere with our amazing community!

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


Let’s Drift
Gaming Factory

There’s a fair chance that when you think of drifting, a particular genre of music comes to your mind—Eurobeat. Originally born in Europe, this high-energy dance music became synonymous with the thrill of street racing, thanks to the Internet and countless videos pairing its fast beats with drifting action. The legendary anime Initial D cemented its place in car culture, making Eurobeat an essential part of the Japanese drifting scene.

That’s why JDM: Japanese Drift Master wouldn’t be complete without it. We want players to truly feel the intensity and adrenaline of drifting, accompanied by a soundtrack they already associate with racing games and Japanese street racing in general. Without further ado, please enjoy the official music video for our original Eurobeat track:

[h3]Kamil Hasselhoff, Naski, Marga - LIFESHIFTFIRE! (from JDM: Japanese Drift Master)[/h3]

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
Be sure to add it to your gaming playlists—we hope this catchy beat stays with you for a long time, making your racing and drifting adventures even more exciting!

The song made its debut yesterday alongside the latest JDM: Japanese Drift Master trailer at the Future Games Show. We're incredibly grateful for the spotlight, giving us the chance to showcase many exciting aspects of the upcoming game. If you missed the show, check out the trailer here:

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
Music plays a huge role in JDM: Japanese Drift Master. In the game, you will find various radio stations, playing music spanning throughout a variety of genres: beginning from Eurobeat and EDM and ending on J-Rock and Nu Metal. We hope everyone will find a beat that becomes a true energy shot for their drifting action!



We have some exciting announcements coming your way in the next few weeks, so stay tuned! If JDM: Japanese Drift Master is already on your wishlist, don’t forget to hit that ‘Follow’ button on our Steam page to always stay updated on the latest news. The road to launch is getting shorter, and we can’t wait to cross the finish line with all of you! Join our Discord server and be part of our amazing community.

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

Let’s Drift,
Gaming Factory

Quality is king.
Quality has been the driving factor for us since the project’s inception.
Quality remains all that matters to us today.

Because of this mindset and after very careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to move the launch of JDM: Japanese Drift Master.

[h3]The updated release date is scheduled for May 21st, 2025.[/h3]

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
Our goal is to ensure that the product you buy not only meets your expectations but exceeds them. We want you to have a seamless experience from the get-go and the additional time will help us polish the fine details of the game.

You’ve been with us for a long time now. Your dedication, critical feedback and words of encouragement have always been the driving factor behind the sweat we put into the project every day. We believe that your faith in us needs to be duly rewarded, so we ask for your patience and understanding as we do the final polishing touches on JDM: Japanese Drift Master.

We will be showing more of the game’s features in the upcoming weeks, including a deep dive into our tuning system. We also have a few surprises lined up for you so be sure to follow our announcements on Steam, by wishlisting and following.



[h3]We also encourage you to join our Discord channel, where you can talk with us directly.[/h3]




Let’s Drift,
Gaming Factory

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