JDM: Japanese Drift Master News

Today, we're taking you on a walkthrough of the interface development process for Japanese Drift Master. The UI (User Interface) is an extremely important element, so we want to share with you the design choices and challenges we have encountered during its creation.


[h2]Essentials[/h2]
It is important to remember that a game is, first and foremost, a product to be used. So when designing the interface, usability comes first. We want players to be able to get to the place or option they want quickly and efficiently, without being taken out of the rhythm and atmosphere of the game.


[h2]Inspirations[/h2]
When designing the JDM interface, we drew a lot of inspiration from Japanese pop culture, including anime and manga, as well as the extensive drift and car culture. We want our production to reflect the true atmosphere of the Cherry Blossom Country and provide you with as much fun as possible.


[h2]Challenges[/h2]
The options in the game are very extensive and have a lot of settings. We can configure, buy, sell cars, and we have many modes to choose from. The same goes for the menus. We were challenged by the variety of options and yet, we wanted everything to be consistent and clear.


[h2]Cooperation[/h2]
In graphic design, it is crucial to maintain good communication between several departments. The UX department, which deals with usability, passes this information on to the designer, who combines it into a single, coherent graphical style. A smooth flow of information and an understanding of how the graphics work in the game engine will ensure that production runs smoothly and without unnecessary misunderstandings. ;)


We hope that this behind-the-scenes look at the interface design has given you a few tidbits of information and insight into the work we put into Japanese Drift Master. If you want to keep up to date with the latest news, join us on Discord, where you can communicate directly with us and share your insights and ideas. It's a great place for true drift fans! Also, don't forget to add JDM to your Steam wishlist so you don't miss any updates.

Thank you for your support and for being part of our community. See you in the next devlog!

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


LetsDrift
GamingFactory

Today we take you behind the scenes of the sound creation process for Japanese Drift Master! We've put together an amazing journey through the process for you to see and hear how the sounds of engines, crashes, and collisions are created. So sit back and buckle up, because here we go!



[h2]Process[/h2]
We record the cars with a combination of microphones from different brands. During the session, we record elements of the car such as the engine, air intake, different perspectives of the exhaust, and the interior. All the tracks are processed in a special program that creates assets using effects and processes, which can then be modified and efficiently implemented into a coherent whole. This gives us complete freedom when it comes to rendering sound in the game. We can decide how much we want to hear from each element of the car, which is useful for the different driving angles, for example. For example, a view from the front bumper will sound different to a view from outside the car.


[h2]Diversity[/h2]
The sound inside the car is achieved by creating a separate mix for all the audio in the game. Both the sounds of the engine, exhaust, and what happens outside the car (collisions, ambiance, tire squeal) go through processes that simulate the space inside the car. Special samples are recorded to allow us to do this. This gives us complete freedom to work and does not force us to create different sets of sounds for the camera outside and inside the car. As for what happens outside, we try to make it interesting, both sonically and visually. Our artists have created a very atmospheric world, which we try to enhance with sound. As a curiosity, we would add that a lot of the recording was done in Japan, but that's a story for another post. ;).


[h2]Challenges[/h2]
One of the characteristics of car games is that they have a pre-defined sound framework. When creating the audio for a model of an existing car, it would be good to reflect its actual sound, especially if the title is also aimed at car enthusiasts. Access to some vehicles is quite limited, and the matter is even more difficult if you are looking for a production model without any modifications that would affect the sound. Creating a realistic sound for a large number of different cars and balancing this with our vibrant, open world is by far our biggest challenge.



We want the sounds of cars, crashes, and collisions to be as realistic as possible, so we put a lot of effort into it. Although the process is quite demanding, we have a lot of fun doing it, as you can see in the video below.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
Remember to enter the ongoing gas station branding competition for Japanese Drift Master, where you can win early access to the demo and full version of the game, among other prizes. More information can be found here: Let’s Refuel. Join our Discord and add JDM to your Wishlist on Steam!

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


LetsDrift
GamingFactory

In our latest livestream, celebrating the DREAMHACK FESTIVAL, we took you for a ride around the Pira Park track. We're aware that you probably have a bunch of questions, so in this devlog, we'd like to tell you a bit about this location.



[h2]Drift School[/h2]

Pira Park is a fictional track where you'll be able to hone your drifting skills. As you could see in our gameplay, at this location, you'll find a space for doing donuts, an area to practice figure eights, as well as a track where you'll be able to refine your style and cornering techniques, and much more!

Especially for you, we've prepared a short video that showcases how the spot looks!

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
[h2]Contest[/h2]

We'd like to remind you about the gas station branding contest that we announced some time ago! If you haven't seen the rules yet, we refer you to the previous devlog. We've prepared fantastic prizes for the winner! Good luck to all participants, and if you have more questions, feel free to join us on our Discord!



Let’s Drift!
Gaming Factory

Are you ready? Is everyone in their seats? Whether you're in front of your computer, on your mobile or on the drift track, the important thing is that you're here with us! We've just started streaming the latest gameplay from Japanese Drift Master. Be sure to check it out!


After the show, be sure to check out our Discord , where you can share your thoughts and opinions with other drift enthusiasts, or chat with the developers! Add JDM to your wishlist on Steam and stay tuned for more information! And if you don't know about our competition yet, check out the Let's Refuel devlog and the rules. See you soon!

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


Let’s Drift
Gaming Factory

Japanese Drift Master parked at another festival! This time it is the popular DreamHack Beyond, which we are very proud of.

DreamHack Beyond, is a celebration of the gaming community with various tournaments, competitions, broadcasts, and more! The event runs from August 18th to August 27th. You can find JDM in the COMING SOON section, along with other upcoming titles.

You know us a little, and you know that we love these occasions, so get ready for a surprise!


[h2]Streaming[/h2]
We would like to invite you to another streaming of JDM gameplay! This time we'll be taking a trip around the track together - Pira Park! Book your time today (i.e. 18.08.2023) at 8:30 PM CEST, because it's going to happen. Start your engines and see you at the stream drift lovers!


[h2]Contest[/h2]
This a reminder of the competition we announced a week ago! If you haven't seen the theme and rules yet, check out the previous devlog. We have some great prizes in store for the winners! We wish good luck to all participants, and if you have any further questions, feel free to visit our Discord!

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


Let's Drift!
GamingFactory