NASCAR 14 skipping PlayStation 4 and Xbox One because of install base

The latest title in the NASCAR franchise, NASCAR '14, will launch on current-gen platforms because next-generation market share doesn't yet justify the cost of development, Eutechnyx's EVP, Ed Martin told Extra Mustard.

According to Martin, "the nail in the coffin" to bypass the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One was when SCEE CEO Jim Ryan announced last May that Gran Turismo 6 was debuting on PS3 and not PS4 because of the current console's install base. Ryan explained at the time that the PS3 has an install base of 70 million units, while "on launch day we'll have an install base of zero units" for the PS4.

"It costs us about $6 million to develop a next-gen version of NASCAR," Martin said. "You have to sell an awful lot of copies in order to meet the development costs, on top of all the licensing. There are about 4-5 million worldwide combined units of PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, so it just doesn't add up for us right now. We own the rights, and we absolutely have plans, but it won't be later this year."

Kazunori Yamauchi, the creator of the Gran Turismo racing series, mentioned last year that Gran Turismo 6 may head to PS4 post-holiday season. He stated that the "best scenario" was to focus on the PS3 version, downloadable content and updates, possibly followed by a PS4 release.

NASCAR '14 will feature official teams, tracks and drivers from the racing sport. It will also include a career mode, as well as league competition with rankings, statistics and challenges. The NASCAR Highlights mode lets players race in real-life scenarios from NASCAR's current season. Developed by Eutechnyx, who also created NASCAR: The Game 2013 and NASCAR The Game: Inside Line, NASCAR '14 is due for release on Xbox 360, PS3 and Windows PC Feb. 18 for $49.99.