The game features all 23 tracks from the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule, as well as drivers from several teams like Childress, Ganassi, Gibbs, Hendrick, Petty, Penske, Roush and Stewart-Haas.[2] A November update added the drivers of the 2016 NASCAR Next class, such as Todd Gilliland, Ty Majeski, Harrison Burton and others, though those drivers are only available in quick race mode.[3]NASCAR Heat Evolution also includes a dynamic AI and Speed Rating system that matches the players skill level.[2] Several different modes are built in the game, including a quick race mode, career mode, and a challenge mode.[2] In the challenge mode, players attempt to match or exceed current NASCAR records.[2]
On May 20, DMR officially announced the game at Charlotte Motor Speedway, partnering with Monster Games, who had developed NASCAR Heat and NASCAR: Dirt to Daytona. Monster President and Evolution lead developer Richard Garcia was a former member of the Heat design team.[1] Drivers Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, Brad Keselowski, Matt Tifft, and Ben Kennedy were hired by DMR to help develop the game.[6][7] The game is the first NASCAR game to be released on eighth generation consoles, with releases for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.[1]
The game received lackluster reviews from critics, who lamented the game's inability to keep users interested and the lack of improvement in online lobbies. Forbes gave the game a 5.8 out of 10, citing a "worthless" career mode.[14]FanSided gave the game a four out of 10, saying that it "came in dead last".[15]
