NASCAR 09
Encyclopedia
NASCAR 09 is the twelfth installment in the EA Sports NASCAR series
, it is the sequel to 2007 game NASCAR 08
. It is developed by EA Tiburon
and released on the PlayStation 2
, PlayStation 3
, Xbox 360
and mobile phone
s in North America on June 10, 2008. On March 12, 2008, EA announced Jeff Gordon
as the cover athlete for NASCAR 09. Through the career mode, "Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup", Gordon leads a mentoring program, a new feature offered in NASCAR 09. This is also the third EA Sports
NASCAR video game
to appear on a handheld system for Mobile phone
version.
In October 2007, Electronic Arts
moved the PlayStation 2
game development to a new studio in North Carolina
to be able to get better information with the NASCAR teams in an attempt to improve the game. The PlayStation 3
and Xbox 360
versions of the game were still made at the old studio.
Due to the development team using certain resources to work on key features in the game, no car manufacturers were present in this year's title.
To date, this is the last NASCAR game to be produced by EA, and the last NASCAR game for the PlayStation 2, after suffering from slumping sales, the difficulty of installing new features, and the lack of popularity. In 2009, NASCAR Kart Racing
was released, replacing any 2009 installment for the annual series. It may be EA's last game before their exclusive license with NASCAR expires. Yet the door to NASCAR games for the PlayStation 2 has been shut, as Polyphony Digital's Gran Turismo 5
was not featured for the sixth-generation console.
For game players in Canada, while the game was still released only in English, the instruction manual and box cover were bilingual, with text in both English and French.
(PlayStation 2
only), NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
, the NASCAR Nationwide Series, and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. One new feature in NASCAR 09 is "Own The Track". This allows the player to compete against friends or other gamers and own all 22 tracks in the Sprint Cup Series. Also new is the new "Sprint Driver Challenge", in which the player complete challenges in all sorts of situations to earn rep and performance points. In the game there are two driving styles available for the player to choose from: Normal and Pro. The Pro driving style is more suited for experienced players, while the Normal mode is better suited for beginners.
NASCAR games. For only the second time in the franchise's history (first appearing in EA's NASCAR Sim Racing for PC), a car customization template is available online which creates endless possibilities for personalization. Players are only able to see their friends' custom designed car skins when racing against them online, not non friends. The online connectivity of Paint Booth allows players to download a car template from EASports.com and import it into editing programs, such as Adobe Photoshop
, giving users a multitude of design options. They can then upload those images into the game and show off their dream machine on the track. After EA lost the NASCAR license, the Paint Booth application was removed from the EA Sports website.
The demo was released on May 29 on Xbox Live
and June 5 on the Playstation Network.
Best Buy
released the game with a special edition cover featuring Elliott Sadler
, who receives sponsorship from Best Buy. Sadler previously appeared on the cover of NASCAR 07
.
Downloadable content (for money) was added in July 2008; among the content was the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
road course
for the Nationwide Series and new car paint schemes for the Sprint Cup and Nationwide. This content is available for Xbox 360 and PS3 as of August 8. Also, there are three downloadable paint scheme packs that feature special paint schemes for cars already in the game. For example, there is Kyle Busch's Snickers car and Carl Edwards' Aflac and Claratin car in the first pack. They are just like the other cars in the game with no manufacturers. They cost 200 MS points on Xbox LIVE as of April 1. It is also available for PS3. As of May 25, 2010 the downloadable content(commonly referred to as DLC) was removed from the Playstation network due to lacking sales.
gave the Xbox 360
a score of 6.5/10 and the PlayStation 3
version a score of 5.9/10. The reviewer noted that the overall presentation was lacking excluding Jeff Gordon's green screen
mentoring in the game. He was also generally disappointed with the gameplay saying, "The controls are decent, and the Sprint Driver Challenges are quite fun. But the racing itself is a tepid, repetitive experience with no flair". The reviewer also noted that the PlayStation 3 version suffered from texture rips, clipping and slowdown while the Xbox 360 version had a smoother framerate. GT Games noted that although it was an improvement on the 2008 version, the game lacks even in the basic things one would expect in a NASCAR game. For example, there are no manufacturer's logos, such as the Ford Fusion, Chevrolet Impala, etc., and a severe lack of licensed drivers, even in the Sprint Cup.
X-Play
gave the game a positive review, giving it a 4/5, praising the graphics, racing, and career mode, but noted that it has a clumsy interface and that EA's online policies needed a lot of work. In their video review they said the A.I.
is "fairly fair, nothing crazy, just alright".
was the only NASCAR-themed game produced by EA for the 2009 season. EA's exclusive license as NASCAR's official video game producer expired in 2010. In September 2010, Activision was announced as the distributor for a NASCAR game, to be developed by Eutechnyx
, with direct involvement from NASCAR. The first game, NASCAR The Game: 2011, was released on March 29, 2011 for Xbox 360
and PS3 Also, the EA Servers were shut down August 11, 2011 3:37 CT.
EA Sports NASCAR series
The EA Sports NASCAR series was a series of NASCAR video games published by EA Sports. The series began with NASCAR 98 and NASCAR 99 in 1997 and 1998. EA Sports released NASCAR Thunder 2002 in 2001, and ever since then, Jeff Gordon , Dale Earnhardt, Jr. ,and Tony Stewart were on the cover...
, it is the sequel to 2007 game NASCAR 08
NASCAR 08
NASCAR 08 is the eleventh installment of the EA Sports NASCAR series. It was developed by EA Tiburon and released for PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. This is the earliest that EA has released a NASCAR game...
. It is developed by EA Tiburon
EA Tiburon
EA Tiburon is an Electronic Arts video game development studio located in Maitland, Florida, United States founded in 1994. It is located just north of the Orlando, Florida downtown area. It was formerly known as Tiburon Entertainment, which was acquired by EA in 1998.The studio is most well known...
and released on the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
, PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
, Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
and mobile phone
Mobile phone
A mobile phone is a device which can make and receive telephone calls over a radio link whilst moving around a wide geographic area. It does so by connecting to a cellular network provided by a mobile network operator...
s in North America on June 10, 2008. On March 12, 2008, EA announced Jeff Gordon
Jeff Gordon
Jeffery Michael "Jeff" Gordon is a professional NASCAR driver. He is the driver of the #24 Drive to End Hunger/DuPont/Pepsi Chevrolet Impala. He is a four-time Sprint Cup Series champion and a three-time Daytona 500 winner. He is third on the all-time wins list, with 85 career wins, and has the...
as the cover athlete for NASCAR 09. Through the career mode, "Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup", Gordon leads a mentoring program, a new feature offered in NASCAR 09. This is also the third EA Sports
EA Sports
EA Sports is a brand of Electronic Arts that creates and develops sports video games. Formerly a marketing gimmick of Electronic Arts, in which they tried to mimic real-life sports networks by calling themselves "EA Sports Network" with pictures or endorsements of real commentators such as John...
NASCAR video game
NASCAR video games
NASCAR, the most popular motorsport in the United States, has worked with video game developers to design several video games. In 2003, EA Sports received an exclusive console license to produce NASCAR games, eliminating Papyrus and Hasbro Interactive as competitors. In May 2009, IRacing.com...
to appear on a handheld system for Mobile phone
Mobile phone
A mobile phone is a device which can make and receive telephone calls over a radio link whilst moving around a wide geographic area. It does so by connecting to a cellular network provided by a mobile network operator...
version.
In October 2007, Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts, Inc. is a major American developer, marketer, publisher and distributor of video games. Founded and incorporated on May 28, 1982 by Trip Hawkins, the company was a pioneer of the early home computer games industry and was notable for promoting the designers and programmers...
moved the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
game development to a new studio in North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
to be able to get better information with the NASCAR teams in an attempt to improve the game. The PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
and Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
versions of the game were still made at the old studio.
Due to the development team using certain resources to work on key features in the game, no car manufacturers were present in this year's title.
To date, this is the last NASCAR game to be produced by EA, and the last NASCAR game for the PlayStation 2, after suffering from slumping sales, the difficulty of installing new features, and the lack of popularity. In 2009, NASCAR Kart Racing
NASCAR Kart Racing
NASCAR Kart Racing is a kart racing video game that was released for the Wii console on February 10, 2009. The game features fourteen real world NASCAR drivers and ten fictional drivers. The cover drivers are, from left to right, Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Tony...
was released, replacing any 2009 installment for the annual series. It may be EA's last game before their exclusive license with NASCAR expires. Yet the door to NASCAR games for the PlayStation 2 has been shut, as Polyphony Digital's Gran Turismo 5
Gran Turismo 5
is the fifth edition of the Gran Turismo racing video game series. Developed by Polyphony Digital and published by Sony Computer Entertainment, it was released for PlayStation 3 on November 24, 2010...
was not featured for the sixth-generation console.
For game players in Canada, while the game was still released only in English, the instruction manual and box cover were bilingual, with text in both English and French.
Features
Jeff Gordon mentors the player in the new "Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup" career mode that has a completely revamped 3D menu interface. With Jeff's help, the player signs contracts, builds their reputation, and earns performance points by winning in the NASCAR Whelen Modified TourWhelen Modified Tour
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is a stock car racing series owned and operated by NASCAR in the Modified division. The Modified division is NASCAR's oldest division, and its one of two open-wheeled divisions...
(PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
only), NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
Craftsman Truck Series
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is a pickup truck racing series owned and operated by the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing...
, the NASCAR Nationwide Series, and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. One new feature in NASCAR 09 is "Own The Track". This allows the player to compete against friends or other gamers and own all 22 tracks in the Sprint Cup Series. Also new is the new "Sprint Driver Challenge", in which the player complete challenges in all sorts of situations to earn rep and performance points. In the game there are two driving styles available for the player to choose from: Normal and Pro. The Pro driving style is more suited for experienced players, while the Normal mode is better suited for beginners.
Setups
The game also allows the driver to build his own car from the ground up. Over one million setup combinations are available to make the car handle better and run faster.Paint Booth
Also new to NASCAR 09 was the Paint Booth Customization Feature, similar to Papyrus'Papyrus Design Group
Papyrus Design Group, Inc. was a computer game developer founded in 1987 by David Kaemmer and CEO Omar Khudari. Based in Watertown, MA, it is best known for its series of realistic sim racing games based on the NASCAR and IndyCar leagues, as well as the unique Grand Prix Legends. Papyrus was...
NASCAR games. For only the second time in the franchise's history (first appearing in EA's NASCAR Sim Racing for PC), a car customization template is available online which creates endless possibilities for personalization. Players are only able to see their friends' custom designed car skins when racing against them online, not non friends. The online connectivity of Paint Booth allows players to download a car template from EASports.com and import it into editing programs, such as Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop is a graphics editing program developed and published by Adobe Systems Incorporated.Adobe's 2003 "Creative Suite" rebranding led to Adobe Photoshop 8's renaming to Adobe Photoshop CS. Thus, Adobe Photoshop CS5 is the 12th major release of Adobe Photoshop...
, giving users a multitude of design options. They can then upload those images into the game and show off their dream machine on the track. After EA lost the NASCAR license, the Paint Booth application was removed from the EA Sports website.
The demo was released on May 29 on Xbox Live
Xbox Live
Xbox Live is an online multiplayer gaming and digital media delivery service created and operated by Microsoft Corporation. It is currently the only online gaming service on consoles that charges users a fee to play multiplayer gaming. It was first made available to the Xbox system in 2002...
and June 5 on the Playstation Network.
Best Buy
Best Buy
Best Buy Co., Inc. is an American specialty retailer of consumer electronics in the United States, accounting for 19% of the market. It also operates in Mexico, Canada & China. The company's subsidiaries include Geek Squad, CinemaNow, Magnolia Audio Video, Pacific Sales, and, in Canada operates...
released the game with a special edition cover featuring Elliott Sadler
Elliott Sadler
Elliott William Barnes Sadler is a NASCAR driver. He currently drives the #2 OneMain Financial Chevrolet Impala for Kevin Harvick Inc. in the Nationwide Series. He is one of only 23 drivers to have won in each of NASCAR's top three series...
, who receives sponsorship from Best Buy. Sadler previously appeared on the cover of NASCAR 07
NASCAR 07
NASCAR 07 is the tenth installment of the EA Sports' NASCAR video game series. It was developed by EA Tiburon and released on September 6, 2006 for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and PlayStation Portable. This was the last NASCAR edition to be released exclusively on sixth generation consoles.The NTSC...
.
Downloadable content (for money) was added in July 2008; among the content was the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is a motor racing circuit, venue for the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix, NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series and Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series....
road course
Road racing
Road racing is a general term for most forms of motor racing held on paved, purpose-built race tracks , as opposed to oval tracks and off-road racing...
for the Nationwide Series and new car paint schemes for the Sprint Cup and Nationwide. This content is available for Xbox 360 and PS3 as of August 8. Also, there are three downloadable paint scheme packs that feature special paint schemes for cars already in the game. For example, there is Kyle Busch's Snickers car and Carl Edwards' Aflac and Claratin car in the first pack. They are just like the other cars in the game with no manufacturers. They cost 200 MS points on Xbox LIVE as of April 1. It is also available for PS3. As of May 25, 2010 the downloadable content(commonly referred to as DLC) was removed from the Playstation network due to lacking sales.
Reception
IGNIGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
gave the Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
a score of 6.5/10 and the PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
version a score of 5.9/10. The reviewer noted that the overall presentation was lacking excluding Jeff Gordon's green screen
Chroma key
Chroma key compositing is a technique for compositing two images together. A color range in the top layer is made transparent, revealing another image behind. The chroma keying technique is commonly used in video production and post-production...
mentoring in the game. He was also generally disappointed with the gameplay saying, "The controls are decent, and the Sprint Driver Challenges are quite fun. But the racing itself is a tepid, repetitive experience with no flair". The reviewer also noted that the PlayStation 3 version suffered from texture rips, clipping and slowdown while the Xbox 360 version had a smoother framerate. GT Games noted that although it was an improvement on the 2008 version, the game lacks even in the basic things one would expect in a NASCAR game. For example, there are no manufacturer's logos, such as the Ford Fusion, Chevrolet Impala, etc., and a severe lack of licensed drivers, even in the Sprint Cup.
X-Play
X-Play
X-Play is a TV program about video games, known for its reviews and comedy skits...
gave the game a positive review, giving it a 4/5, praising the graphics, racing, and career mode, but noted that it has a clumsy interface and that EA's online policies needed a lot of work. In their video review they said the A.I.
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence is the intelligence of machines and the branch of computer science that aims to create it. AI textbooks define the field as "the study and design of intelligent agents" where an intelligent agent is a system that perceives its environment and takes actions that maximize its...
is "fairly fair, nothing crazy, just alright".
Future of Series
As of 2011, this is the most recent installment of EA Sports NASCAR Series. Electronic Arts has stated they would not make another title due to slumping sales, lack of popularity, and the difficulty of installing any new features. NASCAR Kart RacingNASCAR Kart Racing
NASCAR Kart Racing is a kart racing video game that was released for the Wii console on February 10, 2009. The game features fourteen real world NASCAR drivers and ten fictional drivers. The cover drivers are, from left to right, Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Tony...
was the only NASCAR-themed game produced by EA for the 2009 season. EA's exclusive license as NASCAR's official video game producer expired in 2010. In September 2010, Activision was announced as the distributor for a NASCAR game, to be developed by Eutechnyx
Eutechnyx
Eutechnyx is a computer and video games developer, founded in 1987 as Zeppelin Games and also briefly known as Merit Studios Europe. They are based in Dunston, Gateshead in the United Kingdom...
, with direct involvement from NASCAR. The first game, NASCAR The Game: 2011, was released on March 29, 2011 for Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
and PS3 Also, the EA Servers were shut down August 11, 2011 3:37 CT.