On November 23rd 2023, Hutch Studios launched a beta test of NASCAR Manager to Android and IOS Devices in the US, UK, CA Regions. I was lucky enough to be able to access the IOS Version of this Game and here is my thoughts and review of this beta version
NASCAR Manager by Hutch Studios was announced in September 2023 and shortly after this announcement without any public knowledge, The Game reportedly launched in different regions as gameplay videos and more started popping up in October 2023 with gameplay showing only two available tracks, California Speedway and Daytona International Speedway (upon beta’s release Richmond Raceway and Talladega Superspeedway have been added to the roster).
Fans found some of these gameplay videos and showed their displeasure with Hutch and how the game was looking so far as people were hyping it up to be like NASCAR Manager ‘15 by DMI/704 Games
First Thoughts: The game throws you into a tutorial that feels a bit too long for an average mobile game. The driver avatar’s look like a AI generated Images, you can tell off the hauler as of right now that there is zero NASCAR connection outside of the very little tracks, no drivers, teams etc. the tire and fuel model feels so unrealistic that you have to pit every single lap which is insane to me considering that not even NASCAR 21 Ignition had that issue.
You have to be online on the game 24/7 during your playtime which I feel is kinda unnecessary as the matchmaking is bugged (example: a 337 score player matches up with a 585 score player and the lower scored player wins and dominates).
The “Asset Market” is where the microtransactions come in and like all companies they need to make money but seriously $100 bucks for the best type of currency, and to get the most decent loot in the market is kinda ridiculous if you ask me for a “Freemium” game.
The “NASCAR Pass” is a time-limited progression system that provides you with rewards for playing and earning Trophies in the game.
There are two milestone tracks – the Free NASCAR Pass and the Premium NASCAR Pass.
Rewards on the Free NASCAR Pass can be claimed for free as you collect trophies and complete milestones. Rewards on the Premium NASCAR Pass are locked by default and can only be claimed after activating the Premium NASCAR Pass via an in-app purchase.
You can upgrade to Premium at any point when a NASCAR Pass is active, and claim all the rewards that you reached up to your current milestone, according to Hutch Studios.
Also, reportedly from the NASCAR Manager Discord server: “It is currently taking 24 hours to unlock just 1 milestone” – ‘AroKai’
What need to come to the game
Real life drivers: there is no doubt that this game in the near future needs real life NASCAR drivers. If they want this game to be a success and not die off the planet they need real life drivers as soon as possible.
More Tracks: like I said earlier this is a beta, and having a limited amount of tracks is understandable. Hutch Studios have stated that in future updates the schedule in game will be synced to the actual schedule, which is leading me to believe that we will get more tracks come time for the Daytona 500.
Fan Thoughts:
Final Thoughts: despite this being a beta and still a bit buggy and it feels like a cash grab more than anything at this point and it doesn’t point out as a true NASCAR Manager game. It feels like a fan game more than anything that someone made and did not finish.
I will have to give this game so far a 5/10, as it needs work, and I mean a lot of work if it wants to shine. It needs to show potential to the fans and new audiences in the mobile gaming market but what do you think this game needs!
Tag @SectatorMedia and @JackhammerJT to continue the conversation over on X!
