JDM: Japanese Drift Master – What We Know So Far

This unique new game delivers an open-world touge street drifting experience, capturing the spirit of Japan’s iconic drift culture.

JDM: Japanese Drift Master Slides Into The Spotlight

The JDM: Japanese Drift Master journey began a year ago with the release of its official teaser trailer, which sparked both excitement and hesitation among drifting enthusiasts.

Many were pleasantly surprised by what they saw, while others questioned whether it was all fancy CGI and whether the team could pull a playable game out of the bag.

We get it. I mean, let’s face it – we’ve all been fooled by glammed-up game trailers in the past, only for the end product to be massively underwhelming.

Alongside the initial doubts, the name was also mocked, with gamers claiming it “sounds like another keyword-stuffed mobile app.”

The game’s development team, Gaming Factory, continued to silence the critics by relentlessly firing out additional teaser content that further backed up its intentions of being a serious contender in the somewhat limited drift sim genre.

As development progressed, the team announced a collaboration with Subaru, adding further authenticity to the game and showcasing the seriousness of the project. At this point, drifting fans started to listen to the hype.

The excitement ramped up further with the release of the official demo. After getting to experience the game, fans and initial critics were fully sold on the project. Once the demo was later pulled, they began eagerly awaiting the full version.

Release Date & Recent Updates

JDM: Japanese Drift Master’s PC release has been delayed to May 21, 2025. Gaming Factory has confirmed they will begin working on console ports (PS5/Xbox Series X|S) following the PC release.

The delay is to ensure quality and polish across all aspects of the game, which is the same reason they pulled the free Prologue titled ‘JDM: Rise of the Scorpion’ from Steam. The developers felt the free Prologue “no longer represents the final experience and quality” they aim to deliver.

This early release was a smaller version of the full game, which helped the developers understand what needed to be refined before the final release through community feedback.

Unlike bigger gaming studios, JDM‘s dev team has been actively engaging with the community through platforms like Reddit, YouTube, and Discord, building a connection with the fans.

They’ve repeatedly taken player feedback on board and already integrated suggestions into the game’s development.

The development team actually listens to what the fans say, too. The playable demo had over 750,000 downloads, and the developers rolled out five updates along the way.

After the demo ended, the team analyzed 2,000 feedback surveys, with plenty of honest, useful feedback being delivered. It’s a refreshing approach where we’re used to seeing games rolled out requiring endless fixing these days!

While players praised the demo’s in-game sounds, realistic tire and tarmac physics, and extensive customization options, some noted the need for optimization for lower-spec PCs, a concern the developers are currently addressing.

How Is JDM Different From Other Drifting Games?

One way JDM: Japanese Drift Master stands out is through attention to detail, showcased by the functional blinkers on the cars (what more could you want?!).

Jokes aside, these are small but significant touches you’ll notice throughout, which many enthusiasts will appreciate. They help to further create an authentic experience.

Another unique element is the game’s storyline, inspired by Initial D.

Rise of the Scorpion followed Hatori ‘Scorpion’ Hasashi, a young drifter who balances traditional Japanese family expectations with his passion for racing.

Hatori is a rebellious high schooler turned skilled street racer (hashiriya). His story introduces his friends, rivals, and love interests from the Japanese drifting scene.

The final Japanese Drift Master game introduces Touma, a Polish outsider navigating Japan’s underground drift scene, with an entirely new and interesting storyline delivered through 40+ manga-style cutscenes.

Check out this article to see how they went about the game’s manga approach.

Physics and Gameplay

JDM aims for a “simcade” sweet spot between realism and enjoyable arcade-y vibes.

If we had to explain it, it’s a mixture of the best of Forza Horizon, Need for Speed Heat, and CarX Drift Racing, sprinkled with a bit of Assetto Corsa’s realism, with Initial D’s storytelling along the way!

A standout feature of the demo was the tire physics, which we felt were even superior to those of Assetto Corsa. Assetto provides a “floaty” vibe without mods, rather than the true grip you need for full confidence in a drift car.

The approach positions JDM between the hardcore simulation of Assetto Corsa and the more arcade-style gameplay of games like CarX Drift Racing or Forza Horizon, helping JDM appeal to both sim enthusiasts and casual drifting fans.

Exploring The Guntama Prefecture

JDM brings virtual Japan to life with its expansive open world of Guntama Prefecture.

You get to drift between Ichikara City, a neon-lit district inspired by Tokyo, across 250km of roads, introducing replicas of real-world landmarks like Himeji Castle and Daikoku-inspired parking areas.

It’s reminiscent of the freedom found in Forza Horizon, which finally enables drifters to enjoy what the Japanese touge mountain roads offer. (It’s about time someone did, Playground Games!)

The location offers incredibly diverse landscapes, from the tourist-friendly areas surrounding Haikama Lake to the challenging downhill slopes and mountain passes deep in the touge, and even through heavily urbanized cityscapes.

You need to drift your way through the traffic going about their day, which includes authentic JDM rides and quirky kei cars to further add to the true Japanese experience.

In addition, the game incorporates dynamic systems, which even Assetto Corsa has yet to master (without mods), although Kunos finally intends to do so for the upcoming EVO game.

Day and night cycles transform the visual landscape, while the weather system can suddenly turn a clear day into a wet, slippery challenge where you have your work cut out with avoiding the unforgiving touge guardrails.

Real, well-known Japanese drifting hotspots inspire the in-game touge roads of JDM. Sliding through the legendary mountain passes and city streets allows players to appreciate what the birthplace of drifting culture has to offer.

The team hasn’t yet confirmed that online multiplayer will be available. However, they teased that they were not ruling it out after the initial release, stating, “At the moment we are focusing on single player, but we don’t rule out adding multiplayer gameplay in the future. ;)”

For those with sim setups, there’s support for most major hardware, including handbrakes, shifters, wheelbases, and pedals.

Further down the line are rumors of potential expansions, such as adding Okinawa-inspired coastal roads.

Car List

The team has gone to great lengths by 3D scanning real-world cars for the game.

As showcased in their news update, they recreated iconic (mostly JDM) cars down to the smallest details, including accurate interior models and functioning gauges, mirrors, blinkers, and the ability to operate the pop-up headlights.

The confirmed licensed brands include Mazda, Subaru, Nissan, and, most recently, Honda.

Although the game’s full car list has yet to be revealed, we’ve been monitoring the sneaky appearances in the teasers. Here’s what we’ve seen so far:

• BMW E36 M3
• BMW E46 M3
• Honda Civic
• Honda NSX
• Mazda Miata MX-5 (NA and NB) – Or Eunos, if truly JDM!
• Mazda RX-7 FD
• Mazda RX-8
• Nissan 350Z (Also featured in Rise of The Scorpion)
• Nissan Fairlady (240Z)
• Nissan Silvia PS13 (180SX)
• Nissan Silvia S14 (200SX/240SX)
• Nissan Silvia S15 (200SX)
• Nissan Skyline GT-R PGC10 (Hakosuka)
• Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R
• Subaru BRZ (First and second gen)
• Subaru Impreza WRX STI (Bug eye)
• Toyota Corolla Levin AE86
• Toyota Sprinter Trueno AE86
• Toyota GR Supra
• Toyota Supra MKIV

Whether all of these cars will feature in the final game is yet to be seen, as many changes have happened along the way.

Despite initial teasers showing the Toyota Corolla AE86, Toyota licensing remains unconfirmed. They may opt for fictional names for models like the AE86 and GR Supra.

However, since we saw the Civic early on and the team only just announced the Honda partnership, there’s still hope that Toyota will also be included before release.

Toyota is well-known for having difficulty getting official licenses, and even Forza Horizon struggled with this in the past.

With that said, Honda isn’t easy, either, as Tokyo Xtreme Racer fans will know!

Tuning & Customization

The tuning section brings comprehensive fine-tweaking and customization options that rival the depth found in established franchises like Forza.

Suspension adjustment allows full customization of ride height, spring rate, dampers, camber, caster, toe, and stabilizer bars, allowing you to fine-tune your rides for optimal performance in various track conditions and driving styles.

Performance upgrades are a core feature, enabling power, handling, and overall performance upgrades through a wide range of modifications.

You can fine-tune the ECU, suspension geometry, and gear ratios to create specific grip or drift setups.

Aesthetic mods are equally important in JDM culture, and the game doesn’t disappoint here, either.

The teasers feature many of the finest JDM wheels and body kits, including popular kits like Rocket Bunny.

You can also tweak finer details, such as adding bōsōzoku-style exhausts, allowing fans to create unique, eye-catching builds.

There’s also a dedicated paint shop where you can choose from classic two-tone designs to wild liveries and custom decals.

Stand-Out Features

Alongside the open-world Japan drifting experience, the game has plenty of unique features, with these being a few of the most notable.

In-Game Sounds

Original recordings of real car sounds add an additional layer of realism to the demo. You can check out their amusing approach to creating the sounds in the video below:

Mobile Integration

The game incorporates a virtual smartphone that serves multiple functions. It’s an immersive way to adjust vehicle settings, interact with the game world, track objectives, and personalize your in-game experience without disrupting gameplay.

Realistic Traffic

You’ll get to weave through the busy Japanese traffic, including various rarely-seen JDM vehicles, road markings, and signs.

Open-World Environment

Explore winding mountain roads and drift your way through busy urban areas.

Weather Dynamics

Conditions can change rapidly, forcing you to adapt your driving style from clear, grip-friendly conditions to sudden, slippery rainstorms.

Time Progression

The day-night cycle adds another layer of complexity. There’s nothing quite like the vibes of sliding through the touge with your pop-up headlights on full beam!

System Requirements

The game supports various control methods, including a gamepad, steering wheel, and keyboard. All control setups promise realistic driving physics, so you don’t need to rush out and get a wheel just yet – even if it is recommended!

Minimum requirements:

• Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
• OS: 64-bit Windows 10
• CPU: Intel Core i5-7400 or AMD Ryzen 5 2600
• Memory: 8 GB RAM
• Graphics: Intel Arc A580, GeForce GTX1660 or Radeon RX580 8GB
• DirectX: Version 12
• Storage: 16 GB available space

Recommended requirements:

• Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
• OS: 64-bit Windows 10
• CPU: Intel Core i5-10400F or AMD Ryzen 5 3600
• Memory: 32 GB RAM
• Graphics: Intel Arc A770, GeForce RTX3060Ti or AMD Radeon RX6700
• DirectX: Version 12
• Storage: 16 GB available space

Will JDM: Japanese Drift Master have what it takes to answer the long-standing cries of Forza Horizon fans eagerly awaiting a true Japan-based open-world drifting game? We can’t wait to find out!

In the meantime, why not experience what our free touge drifting games offer? We have two perfect Drifted exclusives for you to enjoy – Drift Hunters MAX and Touge Drift & Racing.

JDM: Japanese Drift Master FAQ

This section covers some of the most commonly asked questions about the game.

Will JDM: Japanese Drift Master support VR?

There’s currently no official confirmation of VR support for the game.

Are there plans for console versions of the JDM: Japanese Drift Master?

Yes, the team has repeatedly stated that the game will come to consoles – expected to be PlayStation (PS5) and Xbox (Series X|S).

Will the game feature licensed cars or fictional vehicles?

The game includes licensed and possibly fictional vehicles inspired by real Japanese cars.

Currently, Mazda, Subaru, Nissan, and Honda are confirmed. However, they’re still finalizing licenses and seemingly trying to secure a Toyota partnership.

Is there a multiplayer mode?

While multiplayer isn’t expected at the initial release, it’s likely to follow later. The team teased, “we don’t rule out adding multiplayer gameplay in the future. ;)” in a Steam Community post.

Will there be mod support for JDM: Japanese Drift Master?

Official mod support hasn’t been announced, but it’s a popular request from the community.

Since the final game will be based on Unreal Engine 5, which is fantastic for modding (as recently seen with Tokyo Xtreme Racer), it’s looking promising.

Are there plans for post-launch DLC or expansion packs?

The developers haven’t revealed specific plans for DLC, but we expect to see ongoing support after the release.

As mentioned above, there are rumors of an Okinawa-inspired update further down the line.

Will the game have cross-platform play?

As the game is currently only confirmed for PC, cross-platform play won’t be available yet.

However, the team has confirmed they will be working on console versions following the PC release, so there’s a chance that we’ll get to see crossplay introduced at a later date.

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