View source for Software:NASCAR Heat (series)

{{short description|Video game series}}
{{Infobox video game series
| title = NASCAR Heat
| image =
| caption = 
| genre = [[Software:List of NASCAR video games|NASCAR]], Auto racing, [[Software:Sim racing|Sim racing]]
| developer = [[Company:Monster Games|Monster Games]]<br>Dusenberry Martin Racing<br>[[Company:704Games|704Games]]
| publisher = Dusenberry Martin Racing<br>[[Company:704Games|704Games]]<br>Motorsport Games
| platforms = [[Software:Android (operating system)|Android]], [[Software:IOS|iOS]], [[Software:Microsoft Windows|Microsoft Windows]], [[Engineering:PlayStation 4|PlayStation 4]], [[Engineering:Xbox One|Xbox One]], [[Engineering:Nintendo Switch|Nintendo Switch]]
| first release version = ''[[Software:NASCAR Heat Evolution|NASCAR Heat Evolution]]''
| first release date = September 13, 2016
| latest release version = ''[[Software:NASCAR Heat 5|NASCAR Heat 5]]''
| latest release date = July 7, 2020
}}
'''''NASCAR Heat''''' is a series of [[Software:List of NASCAR video games|NASCAR video games]] developed and produced by [[Company:Monster Games|Monster Games]] and [[Company:704Games|704Games]], who has held the license to publish NASCAR video games since 2015. The first game in the series to be published in the series was ''[[Software:NASCAR Heat Evolution|NASCAR Heat Evolution]]'', and the latest game to be released in the series was ''[[Software:NASCAR Heat 5|NASCAR Heat 5]]''.

==History==
In May 2016, Monster Games announced the first NASCAR video game to be released for [[Engineering:PlayStation 4|PlayStation 4]] and [[Engineering:Xbox One|Xbox One]]. The working title was ''NASCAR Heat Evolution'', and Dusenberry Martin Racing was named a co-developer.<ref name="Makuch">{{cite web |last1=Makuch |first1=Eddie |title=First NASCAR Game for PS4, Xbox One Announced |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/first-nascar-game-for-ps4-xbox-one-announced/1100-6440007/ |website=GameSpot |access-date=September 16, 2020 |date=May 22, 2016}}</ref> DMR had previously acquired a NASCAR license in January 2015.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kato |first1=Matthew |title=New Company Gets Exclusive NASCAR Rights |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2015/01/19/new-company-gets-exclusive-nascar-rights.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121014627/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2015/01/19/new-company-gets-exclusive-nascar-rights.aspx |url-status=live |archive-date=January 21, 2015 |website=GameInformer |access-date=September 16, 2020 |date=January 19, 2015}}</ref> Released in September, the game received lackluster reviews for not including enough features.<ref name="ForbesNHE">{{cite web |last1=Mazique |first1=Brian |title='NASCAR Heat Evolution' Review: DNF |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/games/2016/09/24/nascar-heat-evolution-review-dnf/#5adb28425233 |website=Forbes |access-date=September 16, 2020 |date=September 24, 2016}}</ref> A sequel, ''[[Software:NASCAR Heat 2|NASCAR Heat 2]]'', was released on September 12, 2017, and included the Xfinity Series and Camping World Truck Series in addition to the Cup Series, which NHE exclusively featured.<ref name="PolygonNH2">{{cite web |last1=Good |first1=Owen S. |title=NASCAR Heat 2 review |url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/9/12/16290976/nascar-heat-2-review |website=Polygon |access-date=September 16, 2020 |date=September 12, 2017}}</ref> ''[[Software:NASCAR Heat 3|NASCAR Heat 3]]'' was released on September 7, 2018, and featured the fictional Xtreme Dirt Tour.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Errington |first1=Tom |title=NASCAR Heat 3 game release date revealed |url=https://www.autosport.com/gaming/news/137276/nascar-heat-3-release-date-revealed |website=Autosport |access-date=September 16, 2020 |date=July 7, 2018}}</ref> On September 14, 2019, ''[[Software:NASCAR Heat 4|NASCAR Heat 4]]'' was released.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Torres |first1=Luis |title=Harvick, Stewart and Gordon Represent NASCAR Heat 4 Cover |url=https://motorsportstribune.com/harvick-stewart-and-gordon-represent-nascar-heat-4-cover/ |website=Motorsports Tribune |date=6 July 2019 |access-date=September 16, 2020}}</ref>

For ''[[Software:NASCAR Heat 5|NASCAR Heat 5]]'', 704Games replaced Monster as developer and brought on Motorsport Games as publisher.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kato |first1=Matthew |title=NASCAR Heat 5 Makes Pit Road Adjustments |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/preview/2020/05/06/nascar-heat-5-makes-pit-road-adjustments |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200509104100/https://www.gameinformer.com/preview/2020/05/06/nascar-heat-5-makes-pit-road-adjustments |url-status=live |archive-date=May 9, 2020 |website=GameInformer |access-date=September 16, 2020 |date=May 6, 2020}}</ref> The game was released in early July, a departure from the traditional September date; as an effect, the developers focused on smaller improvements.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kato |first1=Matthew |title=What's In Store For The Future Of NASCAR Heat |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2020/05/06/whats-in-store-for-the-future-of-nascar-heat |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200509104107/https://www.gameinformer.com/2020/05/06/whats-in-store-for-the-future-of-nascar-heat |url-status=live |archive-date=May 9, 2020 |website=GameInformer |access-date=September 16, 2020 |date=May 6, 2020}}</ref>

In July 2021, Motorsport Games confirmed that they would be discontinuing the NASCAR Heat branding, it will be using the rFactor 2 physics engine and the [[Unreal Engine]] for the upcoming official NASCAR game.<ref name="Ign12July2021">Reilly, Luke ''[https://www.ign.com/articles/motorsport-games-confirms-nascar-21-new-engine-new-physics Motorsport Games Confirms NASCAR 21; New Engine, New Physics]'', at IGN, July 12, 2021</ref> The game's name was later unveiled as ''[[Software:NASCAR 21: Ignition]]'', and is set to be released in October 26 and 28.

A standalone mobile game, ''NASCAR Heat Mobile'', was released on April 25, 2017.<ref>{{cite web |title=704Games releases NASCAR Heat Mobile |url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2017/04/25/704games-releases-nascar-heat-mobile/ |website=NASCAR.com |access-date=September 16, 2020 |date=April 25, 2017}}</ref>

==Gameplay==
''Heat'' has been criticized throughout its run for having little and low-quality presentation.<ref name="PolygonNHE" /><ref>{{cite web |last1=Mazique |first1=Brian |title='NASCAR Heat 4' Review: The Good, The Bad And The Bottom Line |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/games/2019/10/02/nascar-heat-4-review-the-good-the-bad-and-the-bottom-line/#1fda6b6f5477 |website=Forbes |access-date=September 16, 2020 |date=October 2, 2019}}</ref> The games feature playable challenges that unlock driver tutorials,<ref name="PolygonNH2" /> and a single-player test mode was added for ''Heat 5''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mazique |first1=Brian |title=NASCAR Heat 5 Review: Steady, Consistent And Safe |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/games/2020/07/08/nascar-heat-5-review-steady-consistent-and-safe/#2dec968750c8 |website=Forbes |access-date=September 16, 2020 |date=July 8, 2020}}</ref>

===Physics===
''Heat'' games feature a controller vibration when drafting.<ref name="ForbesNHE" /> They also dynamic [[Engineering:Artificial intelligence|artificial intelligence]].<ref name="Makuch" /> The game features a default [[Engineering:Automatic transmission|automatic transmission]], criticized for not carrying enough momentum.<ref name="PolygonNHE" /> The game has been described as a mix of arcade and simulation.<ref name="ForbesNH3">{{cite web |last1=Mazique |first1=Brian |title='NASCAR Heat 3' Review: In Search Of A Higher Spot On The Podium |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/games/2018/09/09/nascar-heat-3-review-in-search-of-a-higher-spot-on-the-podium/#5072c1103db9 |website=Forbes |access-date=September 16, 2020 |date=September 9, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Gassner |first1=Mitchell |title=NASCAR Heat 3 review - Rubbing is Racing |url=https://www.gamespace.com/reviews/nascar-heat-3-review-rubbing-is-racing/ |website=GameSpace |access-date=September 16, 2020 |date=September 18, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Kanal |first1=Samarth |title=NASCAR Heat 3 review |url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/us-scene/nascar/nascar-heat-3-review |website=Motor Sport Magazine |access-date=September 16, 2020 |date=October 12, 2018}}</ref> Between ''Heat 3'' and ''Heat 4'', the developers redid physics at a number of tracks,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Good |first1=Owen S. |title=NASCAR Heat 4 review: Set up for a big win |url=https://www.polygon.com/reviews/2019/9/10/20859016/nascar-heat-4-review-ps4-xbox-one-pc |website=Polygon |access-date=September 16, 2020 |date=September 10, 2019}}</ref> and also revamped the game's artificial intelligence.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kato |first1=Matthew |title=NASCAR Heat 4 Review - Pit Stop Adjustments |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/review/nascar-heat-4/nascar-heat-4-review-pit-stop-adjustments |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190916043522/https://www.gameinformer.com/review/nascar-heat-4/nascar-heat-4-review-pit-stop-adjustments |url-status=live |archive-date=September 16, 2019 |website=GameInformer |access-date=September 16, 2020 |date=September 10, 2019}}</ref>

===Multiplayer===
The series started with a bare-bones multiplayer option.<ref name="ForbesNHE" /> Beginning with ''Heat 3'', the eNASCAR Heat Pro League was sanctioned on the console,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Good |first1=Owen S. |title=The newest esports league might be the future of stock car racing |url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/1/2/18165409/nascar-heat-3-enascar-pro-league-esports |website=Polygon |access-date=September 16, 2020 |date=January 2, 2019}}</ref> although NH3's online package was still criticized by reviewers.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kato |first1=Matthew |title=NASCAR Heat 3: Finding Some Grip |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/review/nascar-heat-3/finding-some-grip |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913043025/https://www.gameinformer.com/review/nascar-heat-3/finding-some-grip |url-status=live |archive-date=September 13, 2018 |website=GameInformer |access-date=September 16, 2020 |date=September 9, 2018}}</ref>

===Career===
''Heat'' games allow players to create a custom character in Career mode.<ref name="ForbesNHE" /> ''Heat Evolution'' was criticized for having little to no plotline in Career mode,<ref name="PolygonNHE">{{cite web |last1=Good |first1=Owen S. |title=NASCAR Heat Evolution review |url=https://www.polygon.com/2016/9/22/13002854/nascar-heat-evolution-review-ps4-xbox-one |website=Polygon |date=22 September 2016 |access-date=September 16, 2020}}</ref> but did allow users to improve their car through a series of upgrades.<ref name="PolygonNH2" /> ''Heat 2'' introduced a new "Hot Seat" feature where players started in a part-time season before progressing to full-time.<ref name="PolygonNH2" /> In ''Heat 3'', players could own their own team in any series.<ref name="ForbesNH3" />

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{NASCAR video games}}

[[Category:Racing simulators]]
[[Category:Android (operating system) games]]
[[Category:IOS games]]
[[Category:Windows games]]

{{Sourceattribution|NASCAR Heat (series)}}