Dave Thompson Interview: Talking NASCAR Gaming and the Future!

[RaychelSnr]

It’s been nearly six months since Eutechnyx released their latest NASCAR simulation, NASCAR The Game: Inside Line. As we approach Summer and the heart of the NASCAR season, we wanted to check in with Dave Thompson, lead developer of Inside Line, and find out what the plans for this title are moving forward (hint PC gamers will be very happy!).

It was just last month that fans were treated to the new Gen-6 car and weekly highlight races in a DLC package that Eutechnyx made available, and now Dave was kind enough to sit down with us, and let us know what fans can expect in the immediate future and beyond.

Read More - Dave Thompson Interview: Talking NASCAR Gaming and the Future!

[Mo]

Re: Dave Thompson Interview: Talking NASCAR Gaming and the Future!

Well done Bob on the possible PC game breaking news

[footballfan41]

I'm up in the Air after OPS talking to him, cause he don't sound like he to much into the Game, maybe it's me, 1. Great for the PC game, Just make sure it's Sim...
2. I understand Gen 6 cars mode, But to make us pay for every1,..(Sucks)
3.PC will be the system they do Trucks n all to make it a Mod....

[Feldman011teen]

They don't deserve this title. The guy says there's no new patches expected, but they are working hard on their online interface? This game was a step backwards and it's completely broken.

[Rules]

Re: Dave Thompson Interview: Talking NASCAR Gaming and the Future!

I think right now it doesn't make sense for the license to be handed off too soon. How many times can we afford to have a Nascar racing game started from scratch? They are learning so it is a process!

Personally, I would much rather they focus their attention on the next generation systems so that we really have a great game coming in the near future. I like what they are doing here folks..........opening it up on the PC. With this comes modding / additions / improvements.

They are understaffed and until they bring on more experienced hands on deck, it will be slow going over the next few years. There is only one company that I wish had the license but I am going to leave it at that so they can continue to focus on their F1 series

[Flamehead]

Re: Dave Thompson Interview: Talking NASCAR Gaming and the Future!

There really isn't much to get excited about at all with this game. That said, the fact that it's coming to PC is a plus as modders will get it in shape in no time and make it respectable.

[bigdoc85]

I don't understand the lack of interest in next generation consoles for this game. Heck, I don't understand a lot of the decisions with this game. It's a great "foundation" but not supported at the level that many people are expecting.

[brandon27]

Re: Dave Thompson Interview: Talking NASCAR Gaming and the Future!

Really... a new release in 2014, that won't be on the next gen consoles?

Seriously, at that point, what's the point???

I did read that correctly right??

[sketchy1]

bla bla bla, we have no business making racing games and have no clue how to code them nor do we want to spend the money/time to support the products by fixing them, bla bla bla... no one give this company any $$$ and maybe they will go away.

[bigdoc85]

Re: Dave Thompson Interview: Talking NASCAR Gaming and the Future!

SMH

What the heck? It seems like everyone is interested in developing on the new consoles except them.

Really... a new release in 2014, that won't be on the next gen consoles?

Seriously, at that point, what's the point???

I did read that correctly right??

[Lieutenant Dan]

Re: Dave Thompson Interview: Talking NASCAR Gaming and the Future!

Thank you for the article, Bob! Nice writeup, as always my friend.

As to Dave's responses....hmmmmm. Based simply on the print, I have to agree with footballfan41. It's almost sounding like the air is going out of Dave's tires on this game/series.

Quite honestly if it weren't for our league, I am not sure I'd be playing Inside Line. It's quite fun in our league because of the good driving, respect, and banter. But offline it's still just too spotty, especially in comparison to another young driving series, F12012.

Granted that's Codemasters' third F1 title compared to Eutech's second NASCAR title, but Eutech has always seemed a bit lost compared to what Codies has done. Even if you go F12010 vs NASCAR: The Game the gulf between the two is enormous, especially from a SP point of view.

Eutech is going to have get it right in 2014. There will be no more room for 'close' or 'maybe one more year'. They need to deliver, especially in offline modes.

[XMrAngryEyesxX]

Make a next gen title with consoles that have more capabilities? Nah... we'll just stick around the current gen for awhile.

[celticfang]

How much of what he says is what the devs have been told to do by the publishers though?

[bluengold34_OS]

Re: Dave Thompson Interview: Talking NASCAR Gaming and the Future!

How much of what he says is what the devs have been told to do by the publishers though?

Good point Celtic. Dave has always been a straight shooter with me, but you never know how much publishers play a part in what in what they can say, or how they can say it.

[celticfang]

Good point Celtic. Dave has always been a straight shooter with me, but you never know how much publishers play a part in what in what they can say, or how they can say it.

Don't forget it's Activision publishing it as well (or was for NTG), so it's very, very likely they could have set down PR rules for the interview and told him what he could say or couldn't say, that is something a big publisher would definitely do.

Based on how Dave's been when I've spoken to him and an ex-employee (let's call him Bob Smith), Bob confired that Dave's a straight talking, no nonesense guy who cares about his projects, which makes me think Activision did step in and start telling him what to do. That'd cause anyone to lose enthusiasm for what they are doing if they get jerked around by a major publisher.

I'm going to be very, very cynical here, so bear with me.

Activision has never published a PC NASCAR game before, and they want to make a good impression on PC users, so they could send Dave prepared PR statements to use in interviews. I'm willing to bet if you took him out for drinks, off the record, he'd say what he really thinks.

EDIT: By that I mean that isn't the Dave I recognize giving the interview, unless he's either got bad news to give, is being coached by a publisher, or just is generally upset with the way the series is going. I've a mind to head up to their offices if anyone wants a soundbite from the team, it'll be in quote form mind you as I can't exactly attach a whole dictaphone and expect it to work.

Though the impression I get from Dave's interview is this:

We want to do stuff but we're coming up against a brick wall. I'd love for Dave and Co to keep the license and build on it. As for this and people complaining about no more patches

Dave Thompson -We are supporting the 2013 season with DLC content; there are no current plans to release another patch.

I'm not sure how it is for consoles,but don't the patches cost in terms of money? I think I read somewhere it's a sizeable fee to submit a patch and that it has to be a certain max size for the X360, then it has to be certified for both platforms and finally rolled out.

That is of course, if the publisher WANTS to patch the game. Not to bring Activision's certain other flagship franchise into this, but their record of patching games leaves a lot to be desired.