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.

It still holds true that we thrive on the kind words, constructive feedback and enduring support from everyone. Thanks!

Look for news soon on what we have planned next.

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.

Official Drift Sumi-e Launch Party @ Azul Bar and Lounge in San Francisco

Together with Get Live’s Word Up: Back In Business “All Things Hip Hop” Party.

Playing them beats for your feets are Dj’s:

KINGMOST- Pluglabel
PRINCE ARIES- Distortion2static
RAICHOUS – RRS FEED

along side WORD UP resident Boogie Brown

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*Early Arrival is Highly suggested

Azul Bar & Lounge
1 Tilman Place
SF, Ca.
21+ with Valid i.d

For bottle service or more info contact: getlivesf@gmail.com

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** RSVP @ going.com/wordupmarch2010 **

** Show us Drift Sumi-e on your iPhones or iPod Touch and get in all night for Half Off! **

Video produced by 360 Video

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.

For Immediate Release

February 25, 2010 – San Francisco Bay Area

A unique perspective on the racing genre, mobile game application Drift Sumi-e earns a “New and Noteworthy” designation as it makes its debut on the iPhone and iPod Touch platforms. Using the aesthetic of the Sumi-e (su-me-eh) art form, a user paints his or her brush line after being presented with a course. As the artist, the user is then asked to skillfully navigate a drift course, observing drift-specific rules and techniques. From there, the canvas comes to life, beautifully materializing before the artist’s eyes.

Sumi-e is an ageless style of brush painting that stresses capturing the essence of the subject.

Drifting is itself an art form, rooted in a driving technique that focuses on finessing a car in a slide.

Objectify brought in Calvin Wan, professional motorsports driver, to consult on art direction and lend authenticity to course design. Paired with the U.S. drift scene pioneer was Atrophy Studios, Inc. Atrophy successfully emulated real-world driving physics, emphasizing proper drift mechanics to achieve a level of detail yet unseen on the platform.

“We’re in very select company and humbled by the ‘New and Noteworthy’ mention especially when considering the wealth of great content that is the App Store,” noted Allister Capati, Founder, Objectify LLC. “A key element of our mission is to help shine the light on these two distinct yet beautiful forms of art – Sumi-e and drifting. With this honor, we are one step closer to helping people discover art in all its forms.”

For more information, please contact:

Christina Lundberg
Marketing and Communications Manager
Objectify LLC
christina@objectifyllc.com

About Objectify LLC

Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Objectify is a one-stop consulting company focused on harnessing the power of technology to turn raw concepts into reality. Seeking to innovate the mobile and web application space through its dream projects, Objectify also provides for-hire services to get your project off the ground through a rich arrangement of consulting, design and development offerings. More information can be found at www.objectifyllc.com.

About Calvin Wan Racing

Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, a Hollywood stunt driver and motorsports professional since 1996, Calvin Wan is an active ambassador to the world of drifting. More information can be found at www.calvinwan.com.

About Atrophy Studios, Inc.

Atrophy Studios, Inc. is an independent developer of games and software based in San Francisco, California, with experience across a range of platforms and genres. More information can be found at www.atrophystudios.com.

Drift Sumi-e Press Release 2.25.2010

• Introductory pricing will soon draw to a close. We like to believe Drift Sumi-e is priceless, but in a world of overhead and diaper expenses, we have to be a little practical. If you haven’t tried Drift Sumi-e yet, now is a great time to get in on the ground floor. If you have, tell a friend. We promise the non-introductory price will still be worth your time and money. Look for a newsflash soon on what features and updates we have in store.
• We launched our official trailer. This hopefully gives a better idea of what gameplay is like.
• The “DS Car” made its debut at the Fatlace Team Drift competition. Great crowd. Great vibe.

Some Early Results

• Appolicious selected Drift Sumi-e for its Top Games of the Week feature. Thank you for the honor.
• AppSpy rated Drift Sumi-e a 4 out of 5. We’d like to respectfully note that the objective is to try and smoothly connect as many of the red “clipping points” as you can. More details here.
• And, TouchArcade first broke the news of our coming App Store launch.

We’ll be using this adjoining week to shine some light on the “S” behind “DS” – the sumi-e artform. What exactly is “su-me-eh” and how does it tie into the game? Stay tuned.