Motorsport Games will Remove NASCAR titles after iRacing Sale

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Key Takeaways

  • Motorsport Games removing NASCAR games from digital storefronts a year after selling license to iRacing.
  • Games like Heat 5, Rivals, and Ignition will be gone in a month, but will remain available to play.
  • Decision to delist due to setbacks post-release, including bugs and graphics flaws, leading to MSG surrendering project.

As a long-time NASCAR gaming enthusiast, I can’t help but feel a mix of emotions as Motorsport Games delists their NASCAR games from digital storefronts. On one hand, it’s disappointing to see titles like Heat 5 and Rivals disappear from the online landscape, especially considering the time and money invested in mastering them.

Motor Racing Games plans to take down NASCAR games like Heat 5, Rivals, and Ignition, along with their downloadable content, from their digital marketplaces within a year after transferring the license to iRacing. In about a month’s time, these titles will no longer be accessible online.

The studio made an announcement on their social media platform, revealing that December 31, 2024, is the final day to make purchases. But don’t worry, this change won’t impact your current library, so you can still access the games after that date. Additionally, MSG has planned some special sales and promotions for December as a last opportunity before they close shop.

Motorsport Game Delisting, Not a Surprise

The move to withdraw (delist) was made as per the terms of previous agreements, following the sale of the NASCAR license by Motorsport Games (MSG) last year. Due to numerous challenges encountered since the controversial launch of Heat and Ignition, MSG was forced to relinquish the project.

Players have found numerous grounds for discontent, ranging from game-crippling glitches to subpar visual performance. Even after updates following launch, Motorsport Games has struggled to satisfy the NASCAR gaming enthusiasts.

The $5 million purchase of the license was considered a gamble given the unappealing track record in the stock-racing series. However, a glimpse of NASCAR ’25, the new official game iRacing has been working on, proves the investment may have been worth it.

iRacing stands out due to its racetracks modeled using LIDAR technology, which attracts many racing simulation fans. The fact that it collaborates with actual racing leagues such as FIA, IMSA, and NASCAR lends a sense of authenticity and anticipation to the game.

It’s anticipated that iRacing will release NASCAR ’25 during autumn of the coming year for personal computers (PC), PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.

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2024-11-30 02:08