Days of Wonder and digital board game specialist Mipmap Digital are teaming up to bring HEAT: Pedal to the Metal to video game platforms. Set during the golden age of 1960s motorsport, the adaptation aims to preserve the original game's tactical racing while introducing online multiplayer, 3D circuits and additional features. Originally designed by Asger Granerud and Daniel Pedersen, HEAT: Pedal to the Metal challenges players to manage their speed, navigate corners and push their engines without losing control. Rather than relying on dice rolls alone, racers use cards to determine their actions, making careful planning and timing essential to crossing the finish line first.
From the tabletop to the racetrack
The digital adaptation will feature 3D recreations of four iconic racing circuits based in the USA, France, Great Britain and Italy. Players will be able to compete against AI-controlled Legends in solo mode, race friends in local custom games or take on opponents worldwide through online multiplayer. Cross-platform multiplayer will include private lobbies and matchmaking, allowing players to organise races or find competitors online. Championship mode will add further depth, with garage upgrades, sponsorships, weather conditions and changing road surfaces influencing the racing experience. These features should give players plenty to consider beyond simply accelerating towards the next corner. The Legends expansion will also be included for free from launch, while additional official expansions are planned for after release. The developers have confirmed full Linux support, offering another option for players looking to get behind the wheel.
Preserving the original game's identity
Bringing a physical board game to digital platforms involves more than recreating its rules. Mipmap Digital has also worked to capture the distinctive visual style of HEAT: Pedal to the Metal, including its slightly weathered artwork and speckled textures. The studio first approached Asmodee ahead of SPIEL Essen 2024 to discuss the possibility of adapting the game. Following an initial meeting at the event, a licensing agreement was signed, and development began the following year. The early stages focused on user experience, rules and unusual gameplay situations, with the team working alongside Days of Wonder to establish how the tabletop experience could translate to a digital environment.
Joško Mikuličić, CEO and co-founder of Mipmap Digital, said: “HEAT has such a distinctive identity, both visually and as a game, and we've worked closely with Days of Wonder to make sure that carries through to the digital adaptation.”
The move to digital has also created opportunities to present information differently. While the tabletop game spreads cards, tokens and player boards across a physical table, the video game can display relevant information as it becomes necessary. However, fitting the game's strategic depth onto different screen sizes presents a challenge. The developers need to ensure that players can make informed decisions whether they're racing on a desktop monitor or a smaller device. Christian Dunn, Interactive Licensing Manager at Asmodee, also expressed confidence in the partnership, praising Mipmap's experience and enthusiasm for the project.
More racing to come
The adaptation looks to combine the original game's strategic card play with features that take advantage of its digital format. Online competition, solo challenges and championship progression should give players several ways to enjoy the racing experience. With the Legends expansion included from day one and further expansions planned, there could be plenty of room for the digital version to grow after launch. A release date and full platform details have yet to be confirmed in the announcement. For now, fans of the tabletop game can look forward to taking its tactical racing onto the digital racetrack, with Linux players already confirmed to be part of the grid.
