Gaming Factory has announced the free prologue to JDM titled JDM: Rise of the Scorpion will be available on PC via Steam, Epic Games Store and GOG. They’ve previously announced that they are collaborating with Mazda and are bringing their cars into the game.

After months of hard work and dedication from the team, you can now fully experience the excitement of Japanese racing. Check out the official release date trailer below. 

The upcoming prologue is a game introducing the narrative aspect of JDM: Japanese Drift Master. Players will discover the story of Hatori Hasashi and his way of becoming the titular ‘Scorpion’. An exemplary student and a son of a traditional Japanese family, he brings his pride and arrogance to the racetrack, where various rivals await.

Setting

The story of JDM: Japanese Drift Master takes place in a fictional Japanese prefecture, Guntama. This area is inspired by the mountainous region of Honshu. Players who are familiar with Japan’s famous drifting routes will find many resemblances to the real world.

Placing racetracks and areas close together that are far apart in reality allowed the developers to create a dynamic and diverse open map. In JDM: Rise of the Scorpion, players will see only a part of the world we prepared for the full version of JDM: Japanese Drift Master.

Features

Test Licensed Cars

Get behind the wheel of a car that is as fast as a scorpion attack. Gradually upgrade it with more modifications, then test its capabilities by racing against other drivers on narrow city streets and winding mountain roads.

Events

Face AI opponents on the track in various events.

• Drift Race – get as many points as you can drifting through tight turns and corners,
• Drift Battle – take on a 1-on-1 challenge where distance from your opponent translates into points,
• Grip Race – master your driving technique on the highway and cross the finish line first.

Plot-driven events await players, such as a race against Scorpion’s enemy Satoru, a clash for a date with Aoi, and a drifting duel with a confident friend, Ayumi. 

Story and Characters

Players will experience a racing game focused on story and unique narration, without using typical cutscenes. Instead, manga pages featuring the protagonists will bring the characters to life.

Drift and grip events featured throughout the playthrough will drive the heroes’ story forward. In addition to Hatori, players will meet an ensemble of side characters who will become important parts of the rising of the Scorpion.

• Aoi Ishida is a girl from a traditional family who has known Hatori since they were children. When they start dating, she supports him in every way she can, especially on the track.
• Ayumi Kurama is a rich girl raised by a single father who fulfills her every financial whim. She is successful in everything she does, including drifting. However, if victory is at stake, her friendship with Hatori may be at risk.
• Satoru Hayashi very quickly becomes Scorpion’s main rival. He is cheerful and reckless, but his family is poor, so he does not feel like a part of his school. Satoru’s car belonged to his uncle, a famous drifter. 
• Kaori Kato is Aoi’s best friend. This artistic girl works at a nearby paint shop. Independent and progressive, she always supports Aoi, even if she believes Hatori isn’t a good boyfriend.

Multifunctional Smartphone

While the smartphone is active, players can select one of its many available functions, for example, you can view messages from NPCs, check the status of an active mission and review previously completed missions, change your wallpaper, and much more.

Uncover new locations

The open world map of the upcoming prologue will be enhanced by previously unseen interesting areas and challenging roads.

• Drive back to the winding mountain roads around Haikama Lake, known from the JDM: Japanese Drift Master demo version. See how the area feels in this extraordinary racing experience.
• Take the route through Tengai Forest. It provides an ideal environment to practice and refine your driving skills. Take challenging turns and corners and learn how testing drift can be.

Each new location is a source of adventure and challenge. In the open world, players will experience a dynamic weather system. Atmospheric conditions change seamlessly and add realism to the game. Thanks to the day and night cycle, even casual rides in the open world can be surprising.

The free prologue JDM: Rise of the Scorpion is only an introduction to the story that will continue in the full version of the game. Characters portrayed in this unique introduction will return in JDM: Japanese Drift Master.

JDM: Rise of the Scorpion

Publisher: 4Divinity

Developer: Gaming Factory

Release Date: 2024-08-08

Epic Games Store, GOG, Steam

Discover the beginning of the story of the titular "Scorpion" through a story guided by manga panels. Take on the role of Hatori ‘Scorpion’ Hasashi - an offspring of a traditional Japanese family who became one of the best racers in the area. Strict parents and high school expectations couldn’t stop him from becoming a part of the drifting revolution!