Let’s Tune!
Ossu!
We've received a lot of messages from you regarding car tuning in Japanese Drift Master, so here comes a new devlog. Today, we'll delve into various modification options and explain how to set things up for an enjoyable ride. We'll start with a brief description of two in-game events, how to adjust your vehicle for them, and then move on to more detailed settings. Let’s tune!
[h2]Drift Event[/h2]
In a drift event, the goal is to score as many points as possible for controlled drifting. Factors include speed, angle of drift, and drift length. Uninterrupted drifts also earn a combo multiplier, crucial for achieving the best score.
Configuring your car here is largely a matter of personal preference, but controlled drifting requires breaking traction—there's no one-size-fits-all recipe. Seek an optimal balance between grip and power to maintain the drift without sacrificing too much traction.
PS. In this case, the steering angle is your friend—the more, the better! ;)
[h2]Grip Event[/h2]
A grip event is the opposite of a drift event—here, the focus is on reaching the finish line as quickly as possible. You'll encounter events where you need to achieve the shortest lap time and classic races against opponents to be the first to cross the finish line.
Similarly, configuring your car here is mostly a matter of personal preference, but generally, the more grip you set, the better.
[h2]Realism[/h2]
In the game, you can modify various mechanical and visual parts, much like in real life. Spoilers or additional aerodynamic parts can noticeably alter the car's drag and downforce while modifying the exhaust affects both performance and sound. You'll have access to a full range of parts with different impacts on your car. Of course, at the beginning, you might not afford "top-shelf" parts and may need to save up or settle for "basic" modifications.
[h2]Steering[/h2]
Steering angle, the angle of rotation, is the maximum possible turn of the wheels in degrees. Drifters desire this because it allows for high-angle drifting and helps recover when things get a bit too wild. Remember that suspension primarily influences handling.
[h2]Gearbox[/h2]
Smart gear ratio changes will give you what you need from your car. Shorter ratios make the car accelerate faster and initiate drifts more easily, while longer ratios result in a higher top speed but take longer to reach it. Like with everything, moderation is key, and too short or too long ratios can do more harm than good.
[h2]Differential[/h2]
When a car takes a turn, the inner wheel covers a shorter distance than the outer wheel. To maintain stability, the inner wheel must rotate more slowly. The differential mechanism ensures it receives a smaller portion of the torque and slows down, allowing the outer wheel to spin faster. This helps the car navigate turns smoothly.
Setting the differential to 100% means both wheels always rotate at the same speed, transmitting the same torque to both. This is particularly desirable in drifting and lets you unleash the engine's potential. In time trials (grip), it might not be necessary, as the car could become too oversteer. For grip, a less aggressive differential setting is usually better. Like with suspension, it's an individual choice, and there's no definitive answer to what settings are better.
[h2]Brakes[/h2]
Brake pressure is simply the force applied by the brakes. While one might think more is better, excessive pressure can be a hindrance, hence the ability to adjust it. Brake balance refers to the distribution of braking forces between the front and rear axles. The default balance is 75% to the front and 25% to the rear, influencing the car's behavior and stability during braking. Adjusting this balance entirely to the front allows the car to burn rubber with ease but can lead to significant understeer during corner braking. As for handbrake force, the more, the better for drifters, as it makes locking the wheels easier. :)
[h2]Wheels[/h2]
Wheels are the direct link between the car and the road, significantly influencing its handling. Wider tires mean more grip, and to fit wider tires, you need wider rims—visual changes here go hand in hand with changes in handling.
Greater grip is an advantage in time trials, but drifting, it requires more power to induce a drift. Aside from size, the tire model is also crucial, as they differ in grip under various conditions.
Theoretically, a wider wheelbase means more grip, but unlike changes in tire width, it's an almost imperceptible change. The wheelbase allows us to "push" the wheel outward, mainly for visual aesthetics, so the wheel aligns nicely with the fender width. If we can't afford to mount a sufficiently wide rim that aligns with the fender or if it would excessively increase the car's grip, spacers come to the rescue, helping "push" the wheel without changing its width.
As many experts as there are, there are opinions. When customizing your car for drifting, it's essential to be guided by your preferences and experiment to find that "golden mean." We hope we've shed some light on the tuning options in JDM, and that the information from this devlog proves useful. Thanks for all the messages that come to us every day. We're here for you, and our goal is to create a game that satisfies all drift fans. Visit our Discorda, and remember to add Japanese Drift Master to your Steam wishlist. Until next time.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1153410/Japanese_Drift_Master/
Let’s Drift!
Gaming Factory
