AIGameGuides.com v4/27/2025

JDM: Japanese Drift Master is revving up to be a standout in the racing game scene, promising an open-world drifting experience steeped in Japanese car culture. Set for release on May 21, 2025, by Gaming Factory, this Unreal Engine 5 title has already sparked excitement with its free prologue, JDM: Rise of the Scorpion. But as players test the tarmac, reports of bugs and complaints are surfacing. From performance hiccups to gameplay gripes, here’s a deep dive into the JDM: Japanese Drift Master bugs and issues players are encountering—and what they mean for the full launch.

Performance Woes: The Biggest JDM: Japanese Drift Master Bugs

One of the loudest JDM game complaints centers on optimization. Players testing Rise of the Scorpion on mid-range PCs (like RX580 or GTX 1650 Ti) report frame rates dipping to 15-25 FPS, even on low settings. Stuttering persists across graphical presets, a red flag for a game built on Unreal Engine 5’s demanding framework. For comparison, titles like Forza Horizon 5 run smoother on similar hardware, highlighting Japanese Drift Master optimization issues as a key concern.

AMD CPU users (e.g., Ryzen 5000 series) face additional stuttering tied to Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO), with workarounds like disabling it in BIOS offering only partial relief. Launch crashes linked to an "OPENXR" error also pop up, fixable by deleting the openxr_loader.dll file—but it’s a hassle many wish wasn’t necessary. These JDM: Japanese Drift Master bugs suggest the game’s engine needs serious tuning before launch.

Hardware Headaches: Steering Wheels and Specs

Controller compatibility is another sore spot among JDM Rise of the Scorpion bugs. While the game supports wheels like the Thrustmaster T300RS, early prologue builds had spotty recognition, leaving sim racers frustrated. Updates have patched this, but initial impressions linger. Meanwhile, players with GPUs below the 6GB VRAM minimum (e.g., GTX 1650 Ti with 4GB) report lag despite meeting other specs, fueling JDM game complaints about unclear hardware requirements. Laptops with RTX 3050Ti and 16GB RAM still struggle, hinting at stricter-than-advertised demands.

Gameplay Glitches: Beyond the Technical

Beyond tech troubles, some JDM: Japanese Drift Master bugs hit the gameplay itself. Using tools like Cheat Engine to tweak currency in Rise of the Scorpion broke the in-game store, locking prices at zero and blocking purchases—a self-inflicted glitch, but one exposing shaky code. Event balance also drew flak, with some challenges feeling overly punishing in early builds, though patches have softened this. These issues, while minor, add to the pile of Japanese Drift Master optimization issues players hope get ironed out.

Player Complaints: What’s Driving the Frustration?

Optimization aside, JDM game complaints extend to the experience. Drifting mechanics split the crowd—newbies from arcade titles like NFS Heat find sustaining drifts tricky, while sim fans call steering imprecise compared to Assetto Corsa. The “simcade” balance leaves some unsatisfied, with one Reddit user quipping, “It’s too annoying for arcade, too loose for simulation.” Visuals dazzle, but car models have been dubbed “cheap” next to mobile racers, denting immersion.

The prologue’s removal from Steam in February 2025—because it “no longer represents the final quality,” per Gaming Factory—left some feeling misled. Music shifts from gritty phonk to Eurobeat also irked players expecting a darker vibe. And with delays pushing the release from 2024 to May 2025, skepticism about polish is growing.

Developer Response: A Light at the End of the Tunnel?

Gaming Factory isn’t ignoring the noise. Hotfixes for Rise of the Scorpion tackled car performance, steering, and event balance, while the delay to May signals a commitment to quality. Community engagement on Discord and Reddit earns them points—unlike bigger studios, they’re listening. But with JDM: Japanese Drift Master bugs like optimization still looming, the pressure’s on to deliver a smoother ride.

What’s Next for JDM: Japanese Drift Master?

As JDM: Japanese Drift Master nears its May 21, 2025, PC launch (with PS5 and Xbox ports to follow), these bugs and complaints spotlight areas needing work. Performance optimization tops the list—without it, even the stunning Guntama prefecture and licensed JDM cars (Nissan, Mazda, Subaru) might not save the day. For drift fans craving an Initial D-style thrill, the potential’s there, but the execution’s still in the pit stop.

Have you hit these JDM Rise of the Scorpion bugs? Drop your thoughts below, and stay tuned for updates as we near launch. For more on JDM: Japanese Drift Master, check our full game preview!

Further Resources

JDM: Japanese Drift Master Steam Page:

Official game page with developer updates, system requirements, and community reviews. Check the "View update history" section for patch notes addressing bugs like steering fixes or performance tweaks.

URL: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1498590/JDM_Japanese_Drift_Master/

Gaming Factory Official Website:

Provides the latest news, trailers, and devlogs straight from the source. Look for announcements about the May 21, 2025, release delay and quality improvements.

URL: https://jdmgame.com/

JDM: Japanese Drift Master Discord:

Active community hub where developers respond to bug reports (e.g., AMD stuttering) and players discuss optimization issues firsthand.

URL: Join via official invite link on Steam or jdmgame.com

Community and Review Resources

Steam Community Discussions for JDM:

Players post detailed bug reports (e.g., OPENXR crashes, VRAM issues) and workarounds like deleting openxr_loader.dll. Search for threads on "performance" or "stuttering."

URL: https://steamcommunity.com/app/1498590/discussions/

Reddit - r/JDMGame:

Community feedback on Rise of the Scorpion bugs (e.g., store glitches with Cheat Engine) and drifting mechanics complaints. Look for posts from early 2025 for the latest sentiment.

URL: https://www.reddit.com/r/JDMGame/

Drifted.com - JDM Delay Article:

Covers the April-to-May 2025 delay, echoing the article’s point about quality focus and prologue delisting due to outdated representation.

URL: https://www.drifted.com/jdm-japanese-drift-master-delayed-again/

News and Updates

Traxion.gg - JDM Delay and Trailer:

Details the shift from 2024 to Spring 2025, with insights on new content like the Ichikara location, tying into optimization complaints.

URL: https://traxion.gg/jdm-japanese-drift-master-release-slips-to-spring-2025/

MonsterVine - JDM Release Update:

Confirms the May 21 release and developer intent to polish, supporting the article’s note on Gaming Factory’s response to feedback.

URL: https://monstervine.com/jdm-japanese-drift-master-races-to-release-on-may-21-2025/

OverTake.gg - Tuning Update:

Highlights planned tuning features, offering context for why delays might address gameplay complaints like drifting feel.

URL: https://www.overtake.gg/news/jdm-japanese-drift-master-set-for-spring-2025-release-with-huge-tuning-update/

Technical and Troubleshooting

Gaming Factory Devlog on Steam:

Direct dev posts (e.g., April 11, 2025, delay announcement) detail bug fixes (steering presets, event balance) and quality goals.

URL: https://steamcommunity.com/app/1498590/allnews/

YouTube - JDM Gameplay and Bug Reports:

Player-uploaded videos showcase lag, stuttering, and drifting issues on various hardware, visually backing the article’s claims.

URL: Search "JDM Rise of the Scorpion bugs" on YouTube