If I could reach the steering wheel, I'd be behind a...

We want to know what turns your head when you’re walking down the street. If you’re on to something, you may just see your favorite car type in the next Drift Sumi-e update. Thanks!

Included in this update is an exciting new partnership we’re happy to announce.

INTRODUCING:

• The Fatlace Car.

Brought to you by Fatlace – online magazine and makers of urban lifestyle apparel and accessories.

Take this ’60s/’70s-inspired throwback, complete with Fatlace designed graphics, for a scenic ride on the courses you’re familiar with in addition to 2 new courses we’ve created in line with the Drift Sumi-e (su-me-eh) feel…

• Embarcadero is something a little different and decidedly urban. Pass by lamp posts in  favor of foliage as you navigate the course.

• Drift Heaven has its head-in-the-clouds. Drawing from scenic cloud work, if you’ve ever looked up and found yourself cloud-gazing, we think this level is for you.

Both new courses also offer a new challenge in difficulty and can be found after Island Paradise.

This recently submitted update also makes room for some optimizations, including addressing the stability issues some users were reporting.

Thanks for all your support and feedback. We hope you enjoy this latest refresh.

choices, choices...

Either way, we’d appreciate you letting us know by filling out this quick poll. You only get one answer, so take a moment to think about it and choose wisely on where you’d like to see art and driving intersect next. If you know other Drift Sumi-e fans with an opinion, let them know. We’d love to hear from them, too.

Introducing:

• The “1990” Car. Inspired by the decade that re-introduced the small roadster and the re-birth of some legendary sports cars.

• Rush Hour. This new mode is enabled through the Options Menu. Turn this on, hit the track and use the “finger-hold-to-screen” technique to speed to a green light start and speed up background transitions.

• Factoids. Learn more about drifting and Sumi-e.

Enhancements:

• Improved game flow – better draw response, mid-level restart, easier path to the score screen, resume to your previous screen after an interruption (like that unexpected call), and any Rank I finish enables the stamp signature feature.
• Improved Free Draw Mode. More drawing and now you can post and share to the Gallery.
• Revised Tutorials.
• Sound Optimization. Added rain effects, tweaked other sound effects (expect a big upgrade in this department soon).

We also did not forget the bug fixes. We’re already hard at work on the next update – including a special new car, new tracks and more. Thanks again for all your support.

Sumi-e is a timeless brush paint technique rooted in zen. At its core, su-me-eh is about achieving maximum effect with minimal means.

Capturing the essence of the subject is the goal. In other words, less is more. Empty space is just as valuable as filled space. Through Sumi-e, understatement carries its own elegance.

Let’s take a look at the dotted line between Sumi-e and The Art of Driving.

Key takeaways from the Sumi-e art form that is part of the Drift Sumi-e (DS) philosophy:

• Zen. Nature may be the best example of this feeling of connectedness. Take one look at any DS course and you’ll immediately see the pervasive influence nature plays.

• Open Road Motif. Throughout the game experience, we’re incorporating this idea of stepping into your car, rolling down the window, “unplugging” from distractions and taking a journey.

• Drifting is a driving art form and is not to be confused with racing. It’s not about who gets there first, but, rather, graceful slides and car angles that allow the car to be seen in a very beautiful way.

• Parked Garage. Sit the car and admire the flow of flush, clean lines.

• Signing your artwork. Traditionally, a red stamp is used to sign or “anchor” a piece of art, which is why you see a stamp signing mechanic to signify “mastering your art.”

• Finally, like its artistic inspiration, the gameplay design looks simple at first glance, but is subtly complex and something to master. Like many things, the more you practice, the better your experience, the better your skill. DS is subtle in its approach, but offers more when you look beyond its surface thanks to a reward system and an always something new feel.

How we plan on expanding on Drift Sumi-e – a preview of updates and other good stuff. Your constructive feedback helps us continue to push the envelope:

• More Environments. We’ll save some room for surprise, but we’re expanding on the anywhere-in-the-world theme for upcoming backgrounds.
• General Flow Improvements. From a usability perspective, we’ve taken to heart all the great suggestions on how you’d like DS to more smoothly transition – in-game and around-game.
• Cars. You may have seen the real-life DS cars. We’ve also been busy at work on new in-game cars to get behind the wheel in.
• Sound. An upgrade in this area is in development designed to make the experience feel more immersive. Get those headphones ready.

This past Sunday, the Drift Sumi-e team unveiled the Drift Sumi-e FD3S RX7 at the 2010 Fatlace Team Drift competition in Buttonwillow Raceway.

Owned and operated by Drift Sumi-e co-creator, Calvin Wan of Calvin Wan Racing, the “DS car” soon picked up a following with the crowd.

You can spot full coverage at MotorMavens. An excellent online source for automotive car culture.

Stay tuned for announcements on future opportunities to see the DS car in-person as it continues its tour. For all the automotive enthusiasts, we’ll also be digging deeper into what’s under the hood of the machine right here on driftsumi-e.com.

Starting Point

The “canvas” screen starts by the track surface being drawn out in brush form. You can hold your finger down at this point to speed up the course formation. There will be a signal light sequence that counts down at your designated starting point. After the green light disappears, that signifies that you can start drawing your drifting line. You are timed the moment you touch the screen and begin drawing, not after the green light goes out. The faster you draw, the higher “time score” you get.

Proper Drifting Line

Here is an example of an ideal line for this course. A good drifting line consists of a line that smoothly connects all of the clipping points on the track. Your “line score” will be deducted if your drifting line does not touch the full clipping point areas. Each Drift Sumi-e track has different inner and outer clipping points, increasing in complexity.

Drifting lines are a bit different from racing lines. It is not necessarily the fastest line around the track, but think of it as the most exciting route through the course. To learn more about proper drifting lines and techniques, check out Calvin Wan’s Drifting Handbook @ bit.ly/b23DUI.

Improper Drifting Line

Running a middle line throughout the entire course without touching any clipping points is not a proper drift line. Your line score is based on how many clipping points you touch. The more clips you connect, the higher your line score.

Off Course

Your drawing line needs to stay within the track width. Going past the edge of the course will result in a crash during the playback view and a “DNF” (Did Not Finish) score.

Off Course at Finish

Be careful of crashing at the finish line. Passing through the center of the finish area, off the iPhone screen, guarantees a cleaner finish. If the screen does not transition into the “playback view,” then you may have not finished correctly. Retrace the last section of your visible drifting line and pass through the finish again more thoroughly.

Spinout

Make sure you draw a smooth line throughout the course. If you have any sharp corners in your line, it could result in a spin. Spins will also result in a “DNF” finish.

Straightening Out

Drawing a proper drifting line does involve widening your arc in corners. But drawing too straight of a line, will cause the car to straighten out, resulting in a “DNF” result as well.

DNF Scoreboard

Difficulty will increase as you progress through the courses. Make sure you get good practice by getting multiple 1st place rankings per track. The more the 1st place rankings you achieve, the more you unlock.

Drift Sumi-e :: Experience the Art of Driving