User blog:Spudanky/Spudanky’s Guide to Playing Asphalt 8

The formulation of this guide came about from years of playing A8. In the comment section recently I was asked to elaborate on the rules I set for myself for this game. My response:

I can definitely share rules I set for myself, but one’s own rules for how they play the game, will and SHOULD be different than others. For example: I’ve gone though a process of spending too much money on A8 and being highly addicted to the game, to not spending any money at all (for a year) and making A8 my side piece b!tc# So MY number one rule is:

1. Don’t spend money on this game. Just don’t do it.

But I wouldn’t say that’s a great rule for everyone. There’s definitely a smart way to spend money. It CAN be a very good idea depending on who your are and your circumstances. But for me? Nah bruh. GL doesn’t get my money no more! My intense feelings on the matter stems from loathing GL’s business practices, and feeling personally duped by them. I’ve told GL I’m boycotting spending money on them till they improve; they’ve got the memo. But still, I enjoy A8, and can help others play it better than I did.

2. Actively learn from your mistakes.

Here’s a universal rule! Mistakes on the racetrack, mistakes over tuning a car, mistakes spending 8k tokens on a EDD, mistakes spending real money on a virtual game, the mistake of waking up in the morning and realizing you forgot to retune the SLK SE before going to bed during the heated WW2 MPE, or the mistake of downloading the game in the first place! Shots fired. But a rule connected to learning from mistakes:

3.I screen record all my A8 activity. Mostly video gifts for CC! But also, I study them, to see what I’m doing right and what I need to improve. With your adrenaline rushing it’s hard to self reflect like that during the race.

4.I watch a lot of YouTube A8 videos. Very helpful as I’m a visual learner.

5. I don’t spend tokens on anything, ATM.

Again. Stupid rule for lots. When I was MAXPROing my Vulcan, I quickly discovered that waiting and buying certain engine boxes with my saved tokens WAS THE MOVE. Which brings us to:

6. Know where you want to go to progress, and what you need in order to get there (and understand your choices, to pick what’s right for you.) Everyone does this, but some are much better at it. Fandom/Youtube great resources.

7. You MUST have patience for this game. Essential. Just as important, you have to know when to strike. I re-remember this concept daily.

8. Know ALL the tricks n troll moves of the game. It’s literally a troll-ception so understand intimately how this game tricks you next-dimensionally will be beneficial in your success, your enjoyment of the game, and your overall emotional stability. Also, we players have tricks too.

9. Best rule: Have fun. If it’s not fun, I change something. For example: I wasn’t enjoying the repetitive competition so I stopped competing for leaderboard rewards in most MPEs. Now I only compete once for tokens rewards. An exception is for MPE car assembly cups! I smash on those hard (which is why saving up resources is GREAT for those special moments.) Another example: I don’t take MP as seriously now. Mainly because the system is purposefully garbaged. I’ll wait till my tickets build up around 25-50, Extra Tank about it and knock out 30-45 mins here and there, do all the daily tasks, maybe take some hits in rank, and in the last days of the MP season I’ll strictly Vulcan about it, and land solidly in PRO (this pattern will change with the SLK SE now in my garage!) I also don’t bother myself with all the various MP tricks to help insure a better race. I usually triple tap the first choice when selecting MP options. I also like racing free race to help others out and give some fun competition.

10.Stay emotionally detached. Again, not necessarily a rule for all, although if you ever drive ishy when it counts, and amazing when there’s no pressure, than maybe consider exploring this one more. I also mean: dealing with the game intentionally tricking you. When the RIP ROD event trolled in Iceland, I quit the event but was not triggered, and I continued enjoying the game. I’ve been trolled by this PHBC R&D over and over but haven’t once been tempted to spend tokens. I use to rage so hard when a R&D gave me one less QC on purpose, just to get me to spend tokens. Not so much now. It still bothers me, but I definitely care less. I have more patience at those “rage inducing” tests, or even accept not winning the vehicle in the case of the Hayabusa. But my progression in the game allowed me to give up on the Rod and the Hayabusa without it being a devastating thing for me. I was okay with losing the credits, and gaining tokens and BPs or fusion resources. Which leads to:

11.Redefine the game’s definition of success to one of your own. For a random TLE, don’t go all in for top positions and upgrade a car using the very same mid techs you’re trying to win, while in the process depleting your V8 stash, that you’ll probably need for completing that upcoming Championship or R&D.

I just played the featured F1 XP-5 TLE once for the 7 tokens rewards, done! If the Leaderboard had more attainable token rewards maybe would have tried again for a better time.

12.Do everything. Though I’ve reduced my time per day playing A8, and what I do participate in is often low key trying, I’ll do everything this game has to offer including playing ads as I do chores around the house.

13.Play with a friend or family member on the same account. I don’t do this but it’s been mentioned on here, and it’s brilliant. Often games can be isolating, so I love the idea of sharing this fun but time-taxing experience with another person who you can trust (only if they’re good lulz)

14.Set a minimum resource amount and continually up that amount. For me that goal is now set at 20 million and 20k tokens. Overall this goal driven mindset allows you to be ready, resource wise, for whatever GL throws at us.

15.Capitalize on your resources. Boost wisely, and string Daily Tasks, TLEs, MPEs, MP, together. The Extra Tank is one of the least used boost and usually only gets use once I’ve built up a lot of MP tickets, or there’s a MPE or TLE that’s worth triple boosting for. More on wise resource spending: if you’re gonna be playing an event over and over, or just playing a lot throughout the day, why not double credits about it? Farming doesn’t have to be a one track grind fest.

16.I try all TLEs first unboosted if I’m not already boosted for something. It’s a good way to gauge where you’ll end up position wise, and decide if you want to repeat the event or naw.

17.My garage card maximums: 10 D-class, 20 C-class, 30 B-class, 40 A-class, 50 S-Class, 60 common tech, 30-60 each type of engine that are commonly dropped. Rarer engines, mid/advanced tech, BPs for cars I don’t own, I won’t fuse. If no storage, focus on expanding you storage through stars and licenses. Of course these numbers will be different for each player and their needs.

18.I usually will wait 2-4 weeks to bulk open boxes, usually when I’m less thirsty for specific cards, as GL can tell when I’m desperate.

19.Try new things! I remember first farming with the Trion back when it was King, and experimenting with triple nitro tapping around ever corner! Mind blown. I remember doing a forced barrel roll off every ramp on mc15 of the 675lt for the first time. SAVAGÉ! Find those game changing OP moments for yourself, and thrive in them.

20.I’m constantly aware of each curve in the road. For me visualizing that “ebb n flow” of each curve, as it relates to the car’s angle, is extremely important. This conceptual visualization helped with my success in the SLK SE assembly cup A LOT, but as I said I’m a visual learner. For each car you should feel confident with exiting a drift into your nitro going in the specific direction you’re aiming for. Each car is obviously different, and practice makes perfect. Can you hug dem corners?

21.With great power comes responsibly. As you improve with the game, share you experience with others!

So there you have it. Whether you’re a new A8 player or a seasoned vet, hopefully after reading this you’ve scrolled away with a little something that may help you play this awesome, but very flawed game, better. Please feel free to talk about you own experience with this game. What has helped you play it better and made for a more enjoyable experience, whether it’s the same or different than my list.

A big thanks to the generous people who make up this wonderful community. You are essential for guiding me to where I’m at today with A8.

Happy New Years and a Swift Drifting to yuh!