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ModNation Racers trailer showcases Career mode
Did you read our ModNation Racers review? If so, you know that the game's Career mode was a big hit with us. Unlike most other kart racing games, United Front Games has crafted an actual story (with cinematics and voice acting!) to flesh out the Pleasantville-esque world of ModNation Racers. This trailer from PlayStation Blog highlights some of the more memorable events from the game's Career mode. Don't forget -- the PSP version has the same story and cinematics as the PS3 version, and it also features the same multi-tiered objective system!
ModNation Racers PSP demo due on May 11
If you're anxious to play ModNation Racers on the go but find the prospect of karting a PlayStation 3 around less than enticing, the PSP version might be a suitable alternative. You'll be able to deduce that for yourself if you download the demo, due to arrive on the PSP's online store on Tuesday, May 11th. SCEA San Diego producer Vernon Mollette gave PlayStation Blog readers a good idea of what to expect in the racing sampler. You'll find eight different characters 'n' karts, along with a few tracks and access to an Alpine theme in the Track Studio, which is where creative types can piece together their own tracks. It'll be trimmed compared to the final release (coming May 25th), but Mollette believes "you'll get the idea." If there's anybody you can trust to be honest about what's been cut, it's a Mollette.
ModNation Racers PSP track editor works as it should
A new video on the PlayStation.Blog (posted after the break) showcases how easy it is to use the track editor featured in the PSP version of ModNation Racers. In fact, it works nearly the same way as the PS3 version. Yes, there are a few caveats (for example, the auto-complete feature is much more intelligent on the console). However, the track editor gives you all the bells, whistles and launch pads you'll need to create a fun race for portable players. But of course, you already knew that, right?
Hands-on: ModNation Racers PSP
The PSP has become home to a growing number of PS3 ports, from Super Stardust to LittleBigPlanet, but rarely has a portable rendition of a PS3 game remained so faithful to the original as ModNation Racers on PSP. (Well, perhaps with the exception of PixelJunk Monsters.) ModNation Racers is launching simultaneously on PSP and PS3, and unlike many previous cross-platform titles, this racer loses almost nothing in its portable conversion. The career mode is nearly identical on both platforms, even featuring the same CG animated cutscenes in both. The much-touted creation tools also make an appearance on the PSP, allowing you to create and share levels rather easily. And most importantly, unlike LittleBigPlanet, ModNation Racers retains multiplayer options, offering both Ad-Hoc and Infrastructure connections. Even the control schemes between the two platforms feel nearly identical. The PSP version also uses the R-button for acceleration, just like its big console counterpart. It makes sense, but for some reason, I expected the handheld to use the X-button for gas, and Mario Kart players may need some time to adjust; especially considering ModNation's very different drift mechanic.
ModNation Racers coming to PSP and PS3 on May 25
Sony's next entry in the "Play, Create, Share" lineup is drawing near. ModNation Racers will launch simultaneously on PS3 and PSP on May 25. Both versions of the game will feature a career mode, online multiplayer and a track editor. If you read our interview with United Front Games' producer Dan Sochan, you'll already know that there's even some connectivity: play both versions of the game to unlock additional content on the PSP. In addition, Sony has announced a few pre-order incentives. Various retailers will offer extra characters, including Ratchet and Clank, Nathan Drake, and Kratos. For more details, check the PlayStation.Blog.
Interview: ModNation Racers' Dan Sochan
ModNation Racers has come a long way since the release of its public beta last year. Since then, Sony San Diego Studios and United Front Games have expanded the franchise quite a bit, adding a number of new creation tools, four-player split-screen support and even a PSP counterpart. We chatted with ModNation Racers producer Dan Sochan about what's new, and what we can expect from the future, including support for the PlayStation Move motion controller. Joystiq: What's new about the code we're seeing today at GDC? Dan Sochan, producer, ModNation Racers: There's the four-player split-screen, two-player online split-screen, and we've also announced and have been showing off more of the single player career. We kept the story of the single player career mode quite light. At its core, it's still a racing game, so we didn't want to complicate it with you saving the world. The story is you're this young racer who goes into this league, the ModNation Racing Championship, and you're basically going from a nobody to take on the ultimate champion. Through the way you have also have a bit of an influence. It has some elements of Pleasantville, where everyone tends to be a little bit more drab with the colors they choose for their characters and karts, and you influence them by being very creative. So all of a sudden everyone wants to have bright, vibrant colors and doing very elaborate decorating of themselves and their karts, and it's narrated through two characters: Biff and Gary, who offer comic relief through the game. How does progression work in the single player campaign? Do you unlock creation tools in that mode, akin to LittleBigPlanet? Yes, definitely there will be a certain number of unlockables you'll get through the career, but we tried not to make it exclusively through the career. We didn't want to pigeonhole people and force them to play that way. So you'll also get more unlocks by publishing, sharing, downloading, voting, basically being a participant in the community, which is kind of cool.%Gallery-64898%
ModNation Racers expanding to PSP
Sony's customizable PS3 kart racer, ModNation Racers, is being shrunk down for a PSP version, to be released alongside its big brother sometime this spring. According to SCEE product manager Liam Quigley, the PSP game will have the same creative tools as the console iteration -- meaning you'll be able to mod and not just race, with the ability to create your own tracks, cars and racers. In addition, "You will also be able to upload, download, remix, and race creations by the PSP ModNation community," Quigley said. Once you've created or downloaded your own (likely vulgar) avatar, car and racetrack, you'll be able to race on your new track with up to 6 other PSP players online. That's some pretty big functionality for a handheld game!
