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ModNation Racers

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PlayStation 3 box art for ModNation Racers
Developer(s)United Front Games
SCE San Diego Studio
Publisher(s)Sony Computer Entertainment
Designer(s)Mat Thomas[2]
Composer(s)Marc Baril[3]
Platform(s)PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable
ReleaseUS: May 25, 2010[1]
Genre(s)UGC Racing game
Mode(s)PlayStation 3
Single-player,
offline multiplayer
{up to 4 players),[4]
online multiplayer
(up to 2 local players, 12 players online)[4]
PSP
Ad hoc
(up to 6 players),
online multiplayer
(up to 6 players)

ModNation Racers is an upcoming 2010 kart racing game in development by United Front Games for the PlayStation 3[5] and PlayStation Portable.[6] User generated content will be a central aspect of the game, such that it uses the same "Play, Create, Share." adage as LittleBigPlanet to convey its basis in online user-generated content sharing and level creation tools.[7] Modnation Racers for PlayStation 3 was announced and first shown publicly at E3 2009. The PSP version was announced in February 2010. Both are currently scheduled for release May 25, 2010.[1][6] An online beta was made available for the PS3 in the US in December 2009[8] and in Europe in January 2010.[9]

Gameplay

Karts drifting during a race.

Players are able to accelerate and drift similar to other racing games in the kart-racing genre, in the game successful drifts also allow players to fill their boost meter. The meter resembles a multi-tiered thermometer which allows players to utilize a turbo boost or use a shield to protect their kart from incoming attacks. Players are able to collect weapons as they race which can be upgraded to up to three levels of power, weapons include sonic attacks, missiles and lightning strikes. For example a first Level sonic attack emits a series of rings around the player knocking nearby opponents off the track while a third Level lightning strike would cover the sky and rain bolts of purple electricity on all opponents ahead of the player.[10] In addition to the emphasis on user-generated content, the game includes a full-fledged single-player mode featuring a story by professional Hollywood writers.[11][2][12]

Content creation

When the game was first announced, it was likened to LittleBigPlanet to highlight the game's large emphasis on customization. Players will be able to design and create their own characters, vehicles and race tracks in great detail. The overall style of the cars and characters is based on vinyl art and collectors' toys, but players will be able to greatly modify their clothing and overall look.[13] Players are also able to create and modify race tracks using the in-game 'Track Studio' tool. This tool was showcased at Sony's E3 2009 press conference where one of the game's developers created a race track and its surroundings in a five-minute presentation.[14]

File:ModNation Racers Gameplay Screenshot 2.jpg
The racer customization menu in ModNation Racers.

Players start off by customizing their racer who begins as an all-white character model similar to the Sackboy of LittleBigPlanet. Currently there are a total of 315 types of mouths and 260 types of eyes that can be used to customize the character. Players can put various decals, different skins, masks, facial hair as well as other details on their racer. The material properties of certain customizable accessories allow players to make materials look more rubbery or metallic for a shiny look.[15]

The in-game track creator as demonstrated at E3 2009.

The track creation is being designed to be user friendly and easy to use and has been described as "probably one of the deepest you’ve ever seen in a racing game".[11] The player drives over a flat terrain template and "paints" the road from the starting point of the race to the finish. The player can then modify things such as land deformation, lakes, mountains, surface texture, houses, item pick-ups, trees, animals and time-of-day settings. 30 staff-made circuits will be available on release, according to United Front Games at E3 2009.[16] Players can choose between twenty-nine different types of terrain to create a track on. Landscapes can be sprayed onto the course using a virtual spray-can such as dirt, sand as well as to plant trees and include cows on the landscape. The game can also auto-populate the track with items, ramps and other gizmos onto the basic design created by the player. Similar to LittleBigPlanet, players can set up moving obstacles such as the Devastator which drops a crusher from the sky to destroy vehicles based on a timer or a switch, other gizmos include spinning platforms and leaping enemies. Players can also take a snapshot for the thumbnail for the level which would then allow the track to be posted in the online community.[10] In addition, players are also to create short-cuts on tracks through specific track pieces or open terrain shortcuts.[2]

Development

The game was first announced at the Electronic Entertainment Expo 2009 cited as being a "thoroughly modern take on kart racing."[17] Producer Dan Sochan stated that the PlayStation Network being free and the PlayStation 3 console's power were important factors when deciding to make ModNation Racers a PlayStation 3 exclusive game. During development, the aim has been to reduce the restrictions and limits the circuit building tool places on circuit design, to create as open an experience as possible. The circuits themselves won't necessarily have to be realistic as various obstacles, launchers and the like will be available, as well as some new and original weapons.[11] In addition United Front Games, the developers of ModNation Racers, have a "great relationship" with LittleBigPlanet developer Media Molecule.[11] At Gamescom 2009 in August, the developers confirmed that ModNation Racers was to have 4-player split screen and an online where twelve people could join in on a single race.[18]

Preorder Bonuses

Preordering from Gamespot will unlock Kratos as a playable character and his "Kart of Chaos". Preordering from Amazon will unlock Ratchet with his specialised hover kart and preordering from Best Buy will unlock Nathan Drake as a playable character with a Jungle Jeep.

References

  1. ^ a b Liam Quigley (March 15, 2010). "ModNation Racers Box Art". PlayStation Blog. Retrieved March 15, 2010.
  2. ^ a b c Chris Roper (July 16, 2009). "ModNation Racers: Behind the Wheel". IGN. Retrieved January 22, 2010.
  3. ^ Marc Baril. "Marc Baril Credits". Retrieved January 22, 2010.
  4. ^ a b "Interview: ModNation Racers 1m24s". ConsoleCreature. Youtube. October 16, 2009. Retrieved January 22, 2010.
  5. ^ "Sony Reveals ModNation Racers for PlayStation 3". 1UP.com. 2009-06-02. Retrieved 2009-06-02.
  6. ^ a b "ModNation Racers Getting The PSP Treatment". Gaming Union. February 5, 2010. Retrieved February 5, 2010.
  7. ^ "Sony Reveals Mod Nation Racers for PlayStation 3". 1UP.com. 2009-06-02. Retrieved 2009-06-02.
  8. ^ Mike Fahey (December 7, 2009). "ModNation Racers Beta Burns Vinyl Next Week". Kotaku. Retrieved January 22, 2010.
  9. ^ PlayStation Store Team, SCEE (January 21, 2010). "'Heads-Up' PlayStation Store Update (21st January 2010)". PlayStation Blog. Retrieved January 22, 2010.
  10. ^ a b Greg Miller (December 8, 2009). "ModNation Racers Report". IGN. Retrieved January 22, 2010.
  11. ^ a b c d "Interview: ModNation Racers". Edge online. Retrieved 2009-09-09.
  12. ^ Sal (November 8, 2009). "ModNation Racers details from the latest Qore". ScrawlFX. Retrieved January 22, 2010.
  13. ^ "Introducing ModNation Racers: Play, Create, and Share on the Race Track". Sony. 2009-06-03.
  14. ^ Jack Tretton, CEO of SCE (speaker). GameSpot. Event occurs at 92:50 http://e3.gamespot.com/press-conference/sony-e3/?hd=1&tag=live-schedule. {{cite AV media}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  15. ^ Nate Ahearn (November 20, 2009). "ModNation Racers Hands-on". IGN. Retrieved January 22, 2010.
  16. ^ Chris Roper (June 3, 2009). "E3 2009: ModNation Racers Impressions". IGN. Retrieved January 22, 2010.
  17. ^ Jack DeVries (June 2, 2009). "E3 2009: Mod Nation Racers". IGN. Retrieved January 22, 2010.
  18. ^ 9lives (August 8, 2009). ""Modnation Racers supports four player splitscreen, twelve people online"". 9lives.be. Retrieved January 23, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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