JDM: Japanese Drift Master has released a major update on PC, introducing multiplayer events, a new side story campaign, and long-awaited bug fixes, while console players receive campaign content and steering wheel support
JDM: Japanese Drift Master has rolled out a significant update for PC players, introducing multiplayer events alongside a new side story campaign and a suite of bug fixes. The update is now live, expanding the game's feature set and addressing several player-reported issues. Console players on PlayStation and Xbox will receive the campaign expansion and bug fixes immediately, but will need to wait a little longer for multiplayer functionality to arrive on their platforms.
Multiplayer Arrives on PC
The headline addition for PC users is the introduction of multiplayer events, which can be accessed both from the open world and the main menu. There are 15 races available at launch, split across grip races, drift competitions, and 1 vs. 1 challenges. Each lobby supports up to eight players for grip and drift events, while the 1 vs. 1 mode focuses on touge and drift touge races, taking place in both instanced open-world sections and dedicated racing tracks. Notable examples include the Haikama Lake Drift and the Highway Grip event, as well as the Tofuna Downhill and Uphill challenges, which are designed to test players' skills on tight, mountainous roads.
Side Story Campaign: Ayumi
The update also introduces a new side story campaign centred on the character Ayumi. This campaign adds eight narrative-driven events, presented through manga-style panels, and rewards players with Ayumi's unique car upon completion. The side story is available at no additional cost to all owners of JDM: Japanese Drift Master and launches simultaneously across all supported platforms. This approach mirrors the game's ongoing commitment to expanding its single-player content through character-focused storylines.
Platform Differences and Technical Updates
While PC players receive the full suite of new features, console users will see the side story campaign and bug fixes applied immediately, with multiplayer events scheduled for a future update. PlayStation 5 users also benefit from the addition of basic Fanatec steering wheel support, broadening hardware compatibility for those seeking a more immersive driving experience. The patch addresses a range of long-standing bugs and player requests, though the full list of fixes is detailed in the official patch notes. For context, the staggered rollout of features across platforms is not uncommon in live-service racing games, as seen in other recent updates such as the cross-play expansion for Dragonkin: The Banished, which was covered in detail in our report on its Dracomundus Purgatory update.
With this update, JDM: Japanese Drift Master continues to build on its foundation, offering both competitive multiplayer and expanded single-player content. The developer has not yet confirmed a specific release date for multiplayer on consoles, but states that it is coming soon.
Cross-platform feature rollouts often reflect the technical and certification differences between PC and console ecosystems. Multiplayer modes, in particular, require additional testing and platform-holder approval before release on PlayStation and Xbox. This can result in staggered updates, with PC typically receiving new features first due to fewer certification hurdles and more flexible patch deployment. Players should be aware that while content parity is a goal, timing may vary depending on platform-specific requirements.
