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Midtown Madness

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Midtown Madness
Midtown Madness box art
Developer(s)Rockstar San Diego
Publisher(s)Microsoft Studios
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows
ReleaseApril 30, 1999
Genre(s)Racing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Midtown Madness (also known as Midtown Madness: Chicago Edition) is a racing game developed for Windows by Rockstar San Diego and published by Microsoft Studios. The demo version was released on April 30, 1999. Two sequels followed, with Midtown Madness 2 released in September 2000 and Midtown Madness 3 released in June 2003 for the Xbox. The game is set in Chicago and its objective is to win street races and obtain new cars.

Unlike racing games that restrict the player to a race track, Midtown Madness offers an open world recreation of Chicago. This setting was said to provide "an unprecedented degree of freedom to drive around in a virtual city".[1] Players can explore the city via one of several modes, and can determine the weather and traffic conditions for each race. The game supports multiplayer races over a local area network or the Internet. The game received generally positive reviews from gaming websites.[2]

Gameplay

Midtown Madness features 4 single-player modes: Blitz, Circuit, Checkpoint, and Cruise.[3] In Blitz, the player must swing through 3 checkpoints and drive to the finish line within a time limit. The Circuit mode curtains off most of the city to resemble race tracks and pits the player against other cars. The Checkpoint mode combines the features of Blitz and Circuit has the player race against other cars to a destination—but also adds the complication of other traffic, such as police cars and pedestrians.[4] In the Cruise mode, the player can simply explore the city at their own pace.[3] All of these modes except Cruise are divided into missions; completing one unlocks the next. Environmental conditions that traverse all modes include weather (sunny, rainy, cloudy, and snowy), time of day (sunrise, afternoon, sunset, and night-time), and the density of pedestrians, traffic, and police vehicles. The heads-up display includes, alongside information about the race, a detailed map, but this display can be turned off.[4]

Players start off with 5 vehicles, and 5 more are unlockable;[3] the vehicles available range from a Volkswagen New Beetle and a Ford F-350 to a city bus and a Freightliner Century truck.[4] Unlocking vehicles requires completing goals[3][5] such as placing within the top three of any two races.[4] If the player has previously won a certain race mission, they can change the race's duration and the weather when replaying it. The Checkpoint mode allows players to also set the frequency of traffic, police cars, and pedestrians.[6][7]

The game's city environment is modeled after Chicago, including many of its landmarks, such as the 'L', the Willis Tower (then known as the Sears Tower), Wrigley Field, and Soldier Field.[8] The streets feature a number of objects into which the player can crash, including trash bins, parking meters, mailboxes, and traffic lights.[8] In Checkpoint, other vehicles move in accordance with traffic lights, but the player is under no obligation to obey them.[4]

Midtown Madness supports multiplayer games via local area network, Internet, or serial cable connection. Multiplayer mode was originally supported by Microsoft's MSN Gaming Zone, but this service was retired on June 19, 2006.[9] It is now supported by similar services such as GameSpy Arcade and XFire, via DirectPlay.[10][11] Multiplayer mode includes a Cops and Robbers mode, a capture the flag-style game in which players form two teams and each team tries to steal the opposing team's cache of gold and return it to their own hideout.[12]

Development

Midtown Madness was one of the first games that Angel Studios developed for the PC.[1] Microsoft planned to publish sequels to racing computer games with the word Madness in the title, including Motocross Madness and Monster Truck Madness. According to project director Clinton Keith, the concept behind the game came to two Microsoft employees during an attempt to cross a crowded street in Paris.[12] They proposed their idea to Angel Studios, who had tried to sell Microsoft a 3D vehicle simulator. Angel Studios was initially hesitant to accept Microsoft's offer given the magnitude of the proposed undertaking.[12] They ultimately agreed and decided to use Chicago for the setting because the city was featured in several famous car chases from films, including The Blues Brothers. The development team asked Chicago residents to playtest the game to ensure that the city was recreated faithfully. PC Gamer reported that the recreation was mostly accurate, although certain landmarks were moved to enhance gameplay.[12]

Angel Studios and Microsoft included regular cars in addition to the "overpowered Italian sports cars" often seen in racing games.[13] The developers obtained permission from manufacturers to use the likenesses of selected vehicles. Microsoft received authorization from Volkswagen for the New Beetle, and Ford, for the Mustang, and the F-350 Super Duty.[12][13] The decision to make only half the cars available at the outset was intended to promote a sense of competition.[14] Microsoft staff asked Angel Studios employees to prevent players from hitting pedestrians. Angel Studios (after deciding against rendering pedestrians in two dimensions) developed 3D pedestrian models that could run and jump out of the way. Midtown Madness included an option to remove pedestrians, as they do not alter gameplay but may affect system performance when in a group; consequently, the game does not require a 3D graphics card.[12]

A demo version was released for download on May 1, 1999;[15][16] It featured three vehicles (a Mustang, a Panoz Roadster, and a bus), and all driving modes except circuit.[17] In December 1999, Angel Studios reported that they were considering a race designer for players, but ultimately this feature was not added.[14] The finished game was released on May 27, 1999.[18][19]

Midtown Madness is distinct from other racing games of its time, especially those influenced by the Need for Speed series, in providing an open environment rather than a closed circuit.[1] Project director Clinton Keith said that an open world makes the gameplay more diverse and adds "element[s] of discovery" such as finding shortcuts.[1] Gary Whitta described the game as open world racing: "you still have checkpoints to hit [but] you don't have to follow the A-B-C-D standard to do it".[12]

Reception

Reviews of Midtown Madness were generally positive, with video game critics praising its gameplay. IGN wrote that the game "doesn't rely heavily on driving authenticity; this game's all about fun." The review also praised the simplicity whereby players can "pick a real-world car and go".[26] GameSpot wrote that "it's fun to be able to drive like a maniac [...] because you know you can't in real life."[25] Computer and Video Games remarked on the game's humor, provided by other drivers, police, and competitors (described as maniacs), praising the "carnage that unfolds before your windscreen".[7] PC Zone recommended the game, calling it highly refreshing; Total Video Games said the game seemed a good choice, but suggested that it would be outdone by GT Interactive's Driver, released soon after.[31] AllGame called it a "must-buy for the driving game enthusiast" and said that it would also appeal to players who are not necessarily fans of the racing car genre.[20] Next Generation Magazine concluded its review by stating that Midtown Madness was not innovative, but that "it'll stay on your hard drive for a while and keep you playing".[30]

IGN gave high marks to the game's graphics, saying that "the downtown portion of Chicago is portrayed very accurately" even though other parts of the city looked more generic.[26] Next Generation Magazine said the graphics were impressive, it praised the "thoroughly detailed" random occurrences of "cars hurtling in front of you" and "cringing pedestrians when you lurch onto the sidewalks".[30] GameSpot approved of the variety in third-person, first-person dashboard, and widescreen driving views. However, it complained of the game suffering from "choppy frame rates" and unconvincing visual effects.[25]

A heavily damaged Cadillac Eldorado hitting oncoming traffic while being pursued by a police car. Moments like this earned the game praise for making it "fun to be able to drive like a maniac [...] because you know you can't in real life."[25]

PC Zone praised Angel Studios for avoiding gimmicks, instead presenting "accurately modelled cars and a meticulously recreated city" to the player.[28] AllGame said Midtown Madness "possesses superb, immersive graphics", using the different times of day and weather as an example. However, it complained that cars not controlled by the player were lacking in detail.[20] Computer and Video Games said that as well as being "structurally and visually consistent", the Chicago setting in Midtown Madness was "brought to life"—for instance, a "city bus legitimately pulling out at a four-way junction" can end the race for a player by destroying their car.[7] However, Total Video Games called the game's presentation "far from optimal" even at the recommended system requirements. Reviewer Noel Brady pointed out "a serious lack of detail" and blockiness, especially without a graphics card. He was critical of the AI, declaring that cars often drive "without noticing [the player] at all".[31] In his book AI Game Engine Programming, Brian Schwab described Midtown Madness' gameplay as "arcade style" and "fast and loose", and said the in-game traffic was satisfactory.[32]

IGN described the in-game narration as "a nice touch", but noted some glitches among the otherwise "distinctive engine and horn sounds".[26] GameSpot called the game's sounds exceptional, praising its variety of car noises such as the back-up beeper for the bus.[25] PC Zone praised the in-game radio system, and the support for external media players.[28] AllGame said players "get a dose of reality" with other drivers and pedestrians "hurling insults and exclamations your way".[20]

The editors of PC Gamer US nominated Midtown Madness for their 1999 "Best Racing Game" award, which ultimately went to Re-Volt. They wrote that Midtown Madness "lays down a racing milestone by creating a living, breathing 3D city — and then letting you trash it."[33] It was also a nominee for Computer Gaming World's "Racing Game of the Year" award, but lost to Need for Speed: High Stakes.[34]

References

  1. ^ a b c d IGN Staff (January 26, 1999). "Pedal to the Metal". IGN. Archived from the original on May 2, 2014. Retrieved May 2, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ a b "Midtown Madness for PC". GameRankings. Archived from the original on May 2, 2014. Retrieved May 2, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ a b c d Couper, Chris. "Midtown Madness - Overview". AllGame. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved May 2, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ a b c d e Angel Studios (May 1, 1999). Midtown Madness. Microsoft.
  5. ^ Ward, Trent C. (March 12, 1999). "Midtown Madness (Preview)". IGN. Archived from the original on May 2, 2014. Retrieved May 2, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ Colayco, Bob (April 2, 1999). "Midtown Madness Preview (Page 2)". FiringSquad. Archived from the original on October 8, 1999. Retrieved March 2, 2014.
  7. ^ a b c d Randell, Kim (1999). "PC Review: Midtown Madness". Computer and Video Games. Archived from the original on July 4, 2007. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  8. ^ a b Colayco, Bob (April 2, 1999). "Midtown Madness Preview". FiringSquad. Archived from the original on April 21, 2013. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  9. ^ "Midtown Madness and Motocross Madness matchmaking has been retired on MSN Games – thank you so much for playing!". MSN Gaming Zone. June 19, 2006. Archived from the original on October 16, 2014. Retrieved May 2, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ "Supported Games (Alphabetical Listing)". GameSpy Arcade. Archived from the original on May 27, 2008. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  11. ^ "Midtown Madness". XFire. Archived from the original on January 7, 2014. Retrieved May 2, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ a b c d e f g Gary Whitta (March 1999). "Scoop! Midtown Madness". PC Gamer. 4 (9): 34–35.
  13. ^ a b IGN Staff (March 4, 1999). "Drivers Found". IGN. Archived from the original on May 2, 2014. Retrieved May 2, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ a b McGinn, Joe (December 7, 1999). "Midtown Madness (PC) Interview". Sports Gaming Network. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved May 2, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ "Midtown Madness (Demo Version)". GameSpy. Archived from the original on October 8, 2013. Retrieved May 2, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ "Midtown Madness Demo Version - PC". IGN. Archived from the original on May 2, 2014. Retrieved May 2, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ "Midtown Madness Demo Coming Soon". Computer and Video Games. January 27, 2001. Archived from the original on January 25, 2007. Retrieved May 2, 2014. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  18. ^ "Midtown Madness - PC". IGN. Archived from the original on March 4, 2014. Retrieved May 2, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  19. ^ "Midtown Madness". GameSpy. Archived from the original on October 8, 2013. Retrieved May 2, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  20. ^ a b c d Couper, Chris. "Midtown Madness - Review". AllGame. Archived from the original on November 15, 2014. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  21. ^ Edge staff (July 1999). "Midtown Madness". Edge (73).
  22. ^ "Edge Online: Search Results". Edge. Archived from the original on March 21, 2007. Retrieved May 2, 2014. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  23. ^ "REVIEW for Midtown Madness". GameFan. July 13, 1999.
  24. ^ Olaffson, Peter (June 19, 1999). "Midtown Madness: Chicago Edition Review for PC on GamePro.com". GamePro. Archived from the original on February 12, 2005. Retrieved September 8, 2014. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  25. ^ a b c d e Kasavin, Greg (May 27, 1999). "Midtown Madness Review". GameSpot. Archived from the original on January 4, 2014. Retrieved September 8, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  26. ^ a b c d Blevins, Tal (June 11, 1999). "Midtown Madness (PC)". IGN. Archived from the original on April 27, 2014. Retrieved May 2, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  27. ^ "Midtown Madness". PC Gamer. August 1999. Archived from the original on November 25, 1999. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
  28. ^ a b c Hill, Steve (August 1999). "PC Review: Midtown Madness". PC Zone. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  29. ^ Bottorff, James (1999). "Your mission: Demolish Chicago". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Archived from the original on August 3, 2007. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
  30. ^ a b c "Midtown Madness Review". Next Generation Magazine (56): 93. August 1999.
  31. ^ a b Brady, Noel (January 12, 2000). "Midtown Madness: Chicago Edition Review". Total Video Games. Archived from the original on May 3, 2014. Retrieved May 2, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  32. ^ Schwab, Brian (2004). AI Game Engine Programming. Charles River Media. p. 183. ISBN 1-58450-344-0.
  33. ^ Staff (March 2000). "The Sixth Annual PC Gamer Awards". PC Gamer US. 7 (3): 46, 47, 49, 50, 54–56, 60, 62.
  34. ^ Staff (March 2000). "The 2000 Premier Awards; The Very Best of a Great Year in Gaming". Computer Gaming World (188): 69–75, 78–81, 84–90.

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