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704Games
704Games
704Games
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704Games Company (formerly known as Dusenberry Martin Racing) is an American video game developer and publisher based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The company acquired the license to be the exclusive developer of NASCAR video games in January 2015 and has since released six console games and a mobile game.

Key Information

The company has a long-standing relationship with the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) and has the exclusive rights to develop and publish video games featuring the NASCAR brand.

History

[edit]
Dusenberry Martin Racing logo

704Games was formed as Dusenberry Martin Racing in January 2015, a subsidiary of HC2 Holdings, who acquired the license to develop NASCAR video games from Eutechnyx that month.[1][2] As a result of the acquisition, DMR received NASCAR '15, a video game that Eutechnyx had been developing.[3] Dusenberry Martin Racing secured $8,000,000 in equity capital in April.[4]

NASCAR '15 was published and released by DMR on May 22, 2015.[3][5] The company was also beginning the development of its first video game, NASCAR Heat Evolution while collaborating with Monster Games.[2] The game was released on September 13, 2016.[6][7][8] In 2017, NASCAR Heat Mobile was released as a soft launch exclusive to Canada on March 8 and was released in the US on April 24. In the same year, a sequel to NASCAR Heat Evolution, NASCAR Heat 2, was released on September 12, and was followed by NASCAR Heat 3 in the following year on September 7.[9]

In 2017, DMR rebranded to 704Games (taken from Charlotte's area code (704)) and hired former NASCAR Media Group President, NASCAR Senior Vice President, and DMR chairman Paul Brooks as CEO.[10]

By August 2018, Motorsport Network began to invest in 704Games,[11] and in the following years Motorsport Network made a majority investment in 704Games.[12][13] Additionally, Colin Smith, former CEO of Motorsport Network, replaced Ed Martin as President of 704Games while Martin began to direct 704Games' esports initiatives. Paul Brooks moved into a non-executive chairman role. As part of the Motorsport Network deal (which had now created and spun-off its games division called 'Motorsport Games'), NASCAR extended its video game and esports license with 704Games through 2029.[14][15] Subsequent NASCAR games published by the company listed Motorsport Games as the developer following its complete takeover.[citation needed]

Games

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References

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704Games

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704Games is an American and publisher headquartered in , specializing in high-quality racing simulation games, particularly those officially by , for console and mobile platforms. Originally founded in January 2015 as Dusenberry Martin Racing by industry veterans who acquired the exclusive NASCAR , the company rebranded to 704Games in March 2017, with the name honoring Charlotte's area code (704) and its ties to NASCAR Plaza. The firm quickly established itself as NASCAR's exclusive partner for simulation-style console games, releasing its debut title, NASCAR Heat Evolution, in September 2016 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Over the following years, 704Games developed and published a series of acclaimed NASCAR titles, including NASCAR Heat 2 (2017), NASCAR Heat 3 (2018), (2019), and (2020), which emphasized realistic career modes, authentic tracks, and multiplayer features, earning praise for advancing NASCAR gaming authenticity. The company also ventured into mobile gaming with NASCAR 21: Ignition in 2021 and supported esports initiatives like the NASCAR Heat Pro Series. In April 2021, 704Games was fully acquired by Inc., becoming a wholly-owned and integrating its expertise into broader simulations. However, in October 2023, the console license was sold to , with 704Games retaining support for existing titles like NASCAR Heat 5 and NASCAR 21: Ignition until August 1, 2025, when online multiplayer servers were shut down; single-player modes remain available, while iRacing released NASCAR 25 on October 14, 2025. As of November 2025, the company continues operations under following an August 2025 investment from Motorsport Network, focusing on legacy support and potential new projects in racing entertainment.

History

Founding as Dusenberry Martin Racing

Dusenberry Martin Racing was founded in January 2015 by veterans Tom Dusenberry and Ed Martin in . The company was established as an indirectly held subsidiary of HC2 Holdings, Inc., providing the financial backing necessary for its initial operations in the motorsport gaming sector. The name Dusenberry Martin Racing was selected to honor the co-founders while emphasizing the firm's commitment to motorsport-themed video games, drawing on their extensive experience in racing simulations. In the same month, the company acquired the NASCAR video game license from Eutechnyx, securing exclusive rights for simulation-style games on consoles. This acquisition positioned Dusenberry Martin Racing to revive and expand -branded titles, filling a gap left by the previous licensee's challenges. Early operations centered on developing and NASCAR-licensed for both console and mobile platforms, with a focus on authentic experiences. Key partnerships, such as with , enabled the rapid progression toward the company's first major development projects, leveraging external expertise in engines.

Rebranding and NASCAR Heat series launch

In March 2017, Dusenberry Martin Racing announced its rebranding to 704Games, a name derived from the area code of its headquarters. This shift reflected the company's expansion into game publishing and development, building on its foundational work with the '15 title, released on May 22, 2015, which marked its entry into official NASCAR-licensed console gaming. The rebranding coincided with the launch of the NASCAR Heat series as an annual franchise. Prior to the name change, 704Games (then Dusenberry Martin Racing) released NASCAR Heat Evolution on September 13, 2016, for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows PC, introducing enhanced simulation elements that set the stage for future iterations. Following the rebrand, NASCAR Heat 2 debuted on September 12, 2017, featuring improved graphics, expanded career modes across multiple NASCAR series, and support for 40-player online multiplayer. The series continued with NASCAR Heat 3 on September 7, 2018, NASCAR Heat 4 in September 2019, and NASCAR Heat 5 in September 2020, which further refined gameplay mechanics, vehicle physics, and visual fidelity while adding deeper customization options. During this period, 704Games established an esports division and collaborated with and the Race Team Alliance to launch the eNASCAR Heat Pro League in December 2018, debuting its inaugural 16-race season in spring 2019 using NASCAR Heat 3. The league featured up to 32 drivers across 16 teams affiliated with real organizations, streamed on platforms like Twitch and , and culminated in playoffs aligned with the 2019 season. In August 2018, amid these developments, 704Games secured an extension of its exclusive console gaming license through 2029, supported by investment from Motorsport Network. Later that year, operational changes included closing the Charlotte office in November 2019 and relocating to , impacting staff but allowing continued focus on game development.

Acquisition by Motorsport Games and license transfer

In 2018, Motorsport Network acquired a majority stake in 704Games, with the spun-off entity assuming control over operations. On March 15, 2021, announced an agreement to purchase the remaining shares of 704Games from Ascend and PlayFast LLC, a transaction structured as a merger that would make 704Games a wholly owned subsidiary. The acquisition was completed on April 20, 2021, granting full ownership and integrating 704Games more deeply into its portfolio of motorsport gaming assets. Following the acquisition, 704Games released NASCAR 21: Ignition in October 2021 as a new officially licensed title for consoles and PC. On October 5, 2023, Team Properties approved the sale of the exclusive simulation-style console racing game license for from 704Games—a wholly owned of at the time—to , effective for development of a new title in 2025. This transfer marked the end of 704Games' direct involvement in developing console games. The license transfer contributed to the sunsetting of the NASCAR Heat series following the 2020 release of NASCAR Heat 5, with no subsequent console titles produced by 704Games. As a result, 704Games shifted to a subsidiary role under Motorsport Games, redirecting efforts toward other motorsport projects while phasing out legacy NASCAR console support. Following the license transfer, support for NASCAR Heat Mobile and other legacy titles ended, with the game delisted on December 31, 2024, and online servers for the NASCAR Heat series shut down on August 1, 2025.

Games

Console games

704Games' console portfolio centers on the NASCAR Heat series, marking the company's entry into official NASCAR simulation gaming following the acquisition of the exclusive license in 2015. The studio released seven titles for seventh- and eighth-generation consoles and PC, focusing on authentic stock car racing experiences that emphasized circuit authenticity and competitive multiplayer. These games were developed primarily for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, with some PC availability via Steam and NASCAR Heat 5 also on Nintendo Switch, though the console versions prioritized controller-based handling and couch co-op features tailored to home entertainment systems. NASCAR 21: Ignition (2021) was developed by parent company Motorsport Games with significant input from 704Games. The full list of console releases includes NASCAR '15 in 2015, in 2016, NASCAR Heat 2 in 2017, NASCAR Heat 3 in 2018, in 2019, in 2020, and NASCAR 21: Ignition in 2021. NASCAR '15, developed by and published by 704Games, served as the inaugural title under the new license, featuring over 30 licensed drivers and all 2014 Sprint Cup Series tracks on and . Subsequent entries shifted to the and , with introducing a career mode spanning multiple NASCAR series. Development partnerships evolved over the series. Early titles like , Heat 2, Heat 3, and Heat 4 collaborated closely with , leveraging the studio's expertise in racing simulations from prior NASCAR Heat iterations to handle core engine work and physics modeling. By , 704Games transitioned to in-house development, allowing greater control over iterations while partnering with for publishing support. This shift enabled faster updates to rosters and mechanics but introduced some initial integration challenges. NASCAR 21: Ignition utilized and rFactor 2 physics under , building on 704Games' prior work. Key features saw progressive enhancements starting with NASCAR Heat 2, which expanded beyond the Cup Series to include the and Truck Series, alongside improved car physics for more realistic drafting and tire wear . Later entries refined track authenticity with laser-scanned ovals and road courses, deeper career modes allowing progression from rookie to champion with team management elements, and robust multiplayer supporting up to 40 players online or split-screen local races. NASCAR Heat 4 introduced an overhauled audio system for immersive engine sounds and crowd noise, while Heat 5 emphasized tunable handling presets for varied driving styles, though it retained the Unity engine's limitations in visual fidelity. NASCAR 21: Ignition focused on next-gen features like improved visuals and stage . These evolutions prioritized depth over arcade flair, appealing to dedicated enthusiasts. Technically, all titles from Heat Evolution onward targeted PlayStation 4 and Xbox One as primary platforms, with seamless cross-play absent but consistent frame rates around 60 FPS in single-player modes. Online services for NASCAR Heat 2 and Heat 3 were discontinued on April 30, 2021, limiting those games to offline play thereafter, while later entries (Heat 4, Heat 5, and NASCAR 21: Ignition) maintained support until August 1, 2025, following the 2023 license transition to iRacing; all titles are now limited to offline play as of 2025. Critical reception for the series was mixed, with praise for simulation accuracy and addictive racing loops tempered by criticisms of dated graphics and occasional AI inconsistencies. NASCAR Heat Evolution earned a Metacritic score of 66, lauded for its competitive AI but faulted for a rushed interface. Heat 2 and Heat 3 similarly scored around 66-70, with reviewers noting improved physics yet persistent pop-in and menu clunkiness. Heat 4 marked a step up, receiving commendations for refined handling and career depth, while Heat 5, despite launch bugs affecting stability, was highlighted for its polished car control and balanced difficulty, achieving a 69 on Metacritic. NASCAR 21: Ignition received mixed reviews for its ambitious features but technical issues. Overall, the games were seen as solid niche simulations but lagged behind broader racing titles in polish and innovation.

Mobile games

NASCAR Heat Mobile serves as 704Games' flagship mobile title, launched on April 25, 2017, for and Android platforms. The game adopts a model supported by in-app purchases, enabling players to engage in real-time multiplayer races with up to 40 cars simultaneously across 23 official NASCAR tracks. It includes season modes, quick races, and special events, with emphasizing touch controls optimized for portable devices and casual play sessions. Development efforts incorporated Versus Systems' prizing platform in September 2017, allowing players to earn real-world rewards through in-game promotions and objectives. Following Motorsport Games' ownership of 704Games, the title received regular content updates aligned with actual NASCAR seasons, including new drivers, tracks, and events, extending support through the 2024 season, after which no further updates were provided; the game remains available but without new content as of 2025. After the 2023 transfer of the console simulation license to iRacing, NASCAR Heat Mobile became the exclusive NASCAR-licensed mobile racing experience under Motorsport Games. The game prioritizes casual accessibility, featuring a Fan Zone mode for team management and empire-building alongside core racing, which broadened its appeal to non-hardcore fans. No major sequels were developed; instead, the focus remained on iterative updates to maintain relevance without introducing new standalone titles. Reception highlighted its strengths in delivering authentic NASCAR action on mobile, with for intuitive controls and event-tied content that enhanced engagement. However, it faced for heavy reliance on microtransactions, which some players felt pressured progression in the structure. Overall, the title distinguished itself through mobile-specific adaptations, contrasting the deeper simulation of console counterparts by favoring quick, accessible sessions.

References

  1. https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/704games
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  3. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dusenberry-martin-racing-combines-with-industry-leader-to-create-704games-300426080.html
  4. https://gamecompanies.com/companies/704games
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  6. https://dailydownforce.com/a-complete-history-of-nascar-gaming/
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  8. https://motorsportgames.com/motorsport-games-reaches-agreement-to-acquire-all-remaining-shares-of-704games-company/
  9. https://delistedgames.com/nascar-heat-rivals-and-probably-ignition-lose-online-features-on-august-1st/
  10. https://www.iracing.com/nascar-25-coming-october-14-2025/
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