Project-Gotham-Racing
Latest
Former Bizarre Creations and Tiny Invaders studio Hogrocket closed
Hogrocket, the mobile game development team comprised of former Bizarre Creations staff is on "indefinite hiatus." Hogrocket was one of three studios formed in the wake of Bizarre Creations' closure in February 2011. "This was due to a combination of factors, ranging from geographical to financial. It's sad but the three of us all learned a lot," Hogrocket's Peter Collier told GamesIndustry.biz.The England-based "micro studio" released Tiny Invaders on iOS in March 2011, and Bizarre Creations was known for its work on the Project Gotham Racing series as well as the creation of Geometry Wars. Stephen Cakebread, Technical Director at Hogrocket and Geometry Wars designer, left Hogrocket in September 2011 according to his LinkedIn profile.
Matt Cavanagh forms a new studio, didn't have anything to do with Blur
The Internet is reporting that the lead designer on Bizarre Creations' Blur has created an independent game studio called Totem Games, but this is a lie. Parts of this story are true, and others are complete fabrication, most likely sewn together from the threads of space and time itself, as is often the case with online sourcing. Let us break it down for you: Truth: Matt Cavanagh, a former Bizarre Creations employee, has created Totem Games Ltd., an independent game studio with a mission to help "make the world a happier place." Truth: Matt Cavanagh was not the lead designer on Blur, nor did he work on any part of the game, as shown by Blur's credits and Cavanagh's tweet saying, "I did not actually work on blur. Cheers, Matt." Truth: Matt Cavanagh worked on the city art in Project Gotham Racing and Project Gotham Racing 2. Truth: This is the most publicity Matt Cavanagh has gotten in years. There are no lies here, because we don't publish those. We leave that to the rest of the Internet and sleep well knowing it is one area that is completely over-covered.
Microsoft reportedly looking for new Project Gotham dev; Spencer wants 'the right opportunity and the right team'
When Bizarre Creations got gobbled up, its properties were scattered like so many crumbs across Activision's comically large bib. The Club rolled onto Sega's plate, Activision's tongue snatched up Geometry Wars and a nugget called Project Gotham Racing was left in front of Microsoft. Now, Develop reports that the first-party publisher is hunting for the perfect developer to turn that crumb into a new repast. Develop's source says that Microsoft is in talks with several European devs to take the license, seeming to indicate that Turn 10 (Forza) would not take the wheel, as has been previously rumored. When we spoke with Microsoft Game Studios boss Phil Spencer in September, he told Joystiq, "We don't have a developer for PGR," lending some credence to the story. Lending further credence: his affection for the series. "I love PGR," he told us. "We were talking about it just a couple months ago," Spencer continued. "We don't have any plans for it right now but I do know that most of our team that worked on PGR are still in the studio. So, at some point, I can still see us doing something with it if we find the right opportunity and the right team. We could make something happen." So, it's a hunt for developers then! If we were Microsoft, we'd work something out with Disney to bring on Brighton-based Black Rock Studio (Split/Second) to handle it, but you'd be shocked how rarely we're consulted on these things.
Zune HD does games: Project Gotham Racing, Audiosurf 'in November'
While it doesn't carry the same cachet as "Election Day" or "Chinese Leftovers Day," Zune HD Day is still very much a real thing. With today's launch of Microsoft's pretty-cool-but-still-not-a-phone media player comes final confirmation that the Zune HD will support games. Buried in the device's launch press release is the following line: "Later this year, Zune plans to release ... fun 3-D games such as Project Gotham Racing: Ferrari Edition, Vans Sk8: Pool Service and Audiosurf Tilt." Of course, three games does not a platform make and, while Apple is busy touting the availability of 21,178 games in the iPhone App Store, Microsoft is launching the Zune HD with a far less ... robust marketplace. Even at the launch of Apple's App Store, over a third of the 500 programs available were games; today, it's closer to half. Unfortunately, the Zune HD isn't competing with the pre-App Store iPhone or iPod Touch, so when Zune marketing manager Brian Seitz tells the Seattle Times that it's "hard to say right now" if the "sometimes connected" Zune HD will be opened up to third-party app development, it's difficult to hide our disappointment. Game development on the Zune HD is happening on a "case-by-case" and not a "come one, come all" basis, Seitz says. So, what he's saying is you shouldn't expect to see anywhere near 21k games (regardless of quality) and you can also write off seeing the Zune HD popping up on the list of IGF Mobile nominees next year. As a gaming platform, even a casual gaming platform, will this be enough to compete against the iPod Touch or even the PSP Go? We'll find out "in November" when these games are finally available. [Via Engadget] Source – Press release Source – Seattle Times
Bizarre stands to make $40m if Blur is a hit
If you doubt the potential for success with Blur, the first racing game under the protective wing of new mother bird Activision, then you don't know how popular Bizarre's Project Gotham Racing franchise has been. We didn't either, to tell the truth, until Bizarre's Chris Pickford revealed to Develop that the franchise has sold over seven million. This is the kind of runaway success Activision is looking for in Blur, as Bizarre could make $40 million should the game meet projected sales by 2012/13. While we don't know what the target sales are, Blur will have close to three years to reach the goal set by Activision when it releases later this year, so we'd say something around the four million mark is definitely not out of the question.
Blur is a 'breath of fresh air' for Bizarre Creations
Bizarre Creations' Ged Talbot admitted that the developer's long-running, Xbox (and Xbox 360) exclusive racing series Project Gotham Racing was beginning to lose its sizzle, according to an interview with CVG. Talbot explained, "By the time we got to PGR4 I certainly felt that the time was right to move on and do different things." That's a desire the developer will be fulfilling with its upcoming "Mario Kart meets Forza" racer, Blur -- a project Talbot calls "a breath of fresh air."Yes, they're breaking up the monotony of their worn out racing franchise, and rejuvenating their stagnant creative juices by generating a totally new ... racing franchise. Bold!%Gallery-63796%
Rumor: PGR5 coming from Forza dev, could be announced next week
There's a rumor making the rounds today that Forza Motorsport studio Turn 10 is developing the next Project Gotham Racing, seeing as how series creator Bizarre Creations is now owned by Activision. This rumor sounds more than just a little familiar, don't cha think?The more rumor-y core of this new rumor is that, according to AddictGaming's "reliable source" at Turn 10, the game will be unveiled as early as next week. Of course, the site also mentions an impending New Xbox Experience announcement scheduled for next week, which sounds like part of the previously busted "360 relaunch" rumor.[Via X3F]
Rumor: Turn 10 takes over PGR5 development
AddictGaming.com is reporting that developer Turn 10 (the crew behind the Forza franchise) is currently working on the next installment of the Project Gotham Racing series seeing that longtime PGR developer Bizarre Creations is sleeping with Activision. The news comes from an undisclosed Turn 10 employee who says that Microsoft assigned them to PGR5 which will be announced as early as next week. Something that isn't totally unbelievable, but we'll just have to wait and see.
X3F TV -- Points>Life: Racing is Puzzling
Each week, X3F tips gamers to the tricks of the trade of Achievement hording in Points>Life. Every week a new achievement is unlocked to help you continue your unhealthy obsession with the Xbox 360 meta-game.This week for Points>Life we're taking a look at four achievements in Project Gotham Racing 4. Each achievement is a puzzle that needs to be solved, and we've gone ahead and solved them for you. Looking for a fun street racing title and need a few extra points in your pocket? Take a stab at PGR4!In order to successfully complete these achievements you'll need to make sure your settings are all correct. So, jump inside for all the details.[iTunes] Subscribe to X3F TV directly in iTunes.[Zune] Subscribe to the X3F TV directly (Zune Marketplace link coming soon).[RSS] Add the X3F TV feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.[MP4] Download the MP4 directly.
Microsoft: PGR5 could be driven by Forza dev
When Project Gotham Racing dev Bizarre Creations was scooped up by Activision last year, many 360 owners were left wondering what would become of the system's flagship racing franchise. Speaking to Kikizo, Microsoft Game Studios VP Shane Kim provided one possible (and likely) scenario: put Forza Motorsports 2 team Turn 10 behind the wheel.Kim says that MS is eager for Turn 10 to branch out and "do more creative execution in the racing space." (Read: more than just hardcore racing sims.) Kim expressed a desire to take "a fresh creative approach" to a fifth game in the series, and, to that end, proposed imagining "a future where [Turn 10] would develop a new version of Project Gotham Racing." We humbly suggest that – should they get the gig – Turn 10 replace Kudos with actual MS points.
Bizarre Creations's new racing IP due FY 2010
Note: Image from PGR4, not new Bizarre IP Activision-owned Bizarre Creations' new racing franchise -- which is not PGR5 -- is due out in the 2010 fiscal year, which begins on April 1, 2009. In a conference call (start at 29:55 mark), Activision Publishing CEO Mike Griffith said, "Bizarre is deep in development on two multi-platform titles and we are looking forward to the release of our first new racing IP in fiscal 2010, which already looks very strong." Bizarre just recently said goodbye to its Project Gotham Racing series, handing off PGR4 downloadable content duties to IP owner Microsoft.
Bizarre Creations finished with PGR4, hands DLC duties to Microsoft
Downloadable content is a prized nugget we all not-so-secretly hope awaits us after taking any game home, but like the midday sun on a carton of fresh milk, it also has us spoiled. However, with Bizarre Creations now parking its ride in Activision's garage, the developer stated that it's closing the books on last year's Project Gotham Racing 4, adding that it will not be releasing any more new content for the stylish Xbox 360 racer.According to a recent post on Bizarre Creation's official forums by a dev calling himself "Ben," the studio has washed its hands of the game. "Bizarre Creations won't be adding anything more to PGR4 in the future," he wrote. "We've completed the hand-over to Microsoft, so any further add-ons will come from them and not us I'm afraid." The news probably wouldn't sting so much had the last update not been so incredibly cool, leaving us now waiting to see what else the British studio has up its racing sleeves.
PGR4 DLC brings new cars, modes, achievements
Not content to let their premiere racer rest with just a release and a quick update, Bizarre Creations is offering up new downloadable content for Project Gotham Racing 4. The content is split into two downloadable packs:Free Challenge Pack (free download!) A playable, hydrogen-powered Peugeot Flux Tourist Mode - Just drive around the city and admire the scenery with no explicit goal "Free Roam" Cat and Mouse Mode - Implements the delayed updates previously discussed here Seven unlockable achievements Premium Challenge Pack (400 MS points)Includes all the content of the Free Challenge Pack, PLUS: Seven new cars - Including the "1987 BMW M3 E30 DTM," whatever that means World Challenge Arcade Mode - With 20 new events in three themed chapters Three more unlockable achievements The packs will be available for download on Feb. 14, just in time to play Cat and Mouse with your valentine.
Microsoft to use SpeedTree for multiple projects in 2008
The next time you're frolicking through a dense forest in your favorite video game, be sure to bark out your gratitude to the widely used SpeedTree program and its painstaking planting, positioning and watering of all the nearby faux foliage. Microsoft Games Studios clearly appreciates this in-game gardening, having just entered into a new agreement with Interactive Data Visualization Inc. for the use of SpeedTree RT, a cross-platform real-time tree-generating program. A variant of the software was previously employed in both Project Gotham Racing 3 and Project Gotham Racing 4.The agreement will see SpeedTree RT, which has already been incorporated into the Unreal Engine, used for multiple unannounced projects on the Xbox 360 and Games for Windows platforms. We can't venture any guesses as to what these titles may be, but we feel safe in our assumption that none of them will be set in Antarctica. [Via GameDaily]Read -- Press Release (PDF)
'Safer Scotland' places anti-drunk driving ads in 360 games
Proving that not all in-game advertising is used solely for evil, the Scottish government plans to spend £10,000 on virtual billboards to discourage drunk driving, the BBC reports today. The campaign will place anti-drunk driving messages in Xbox 360 racing games like Need for Speed: Carbon, Project Gotham Racing 4, and sports titles like Pro Evolution Soccer 2008.The Scottish government is elated that the campaign will be going forward, as it believes that video games are a great way of reaching younger audiences. We couldn't agree more, and think that this is one of the smartest uses for ad dollars we've seen in a while. Kudos to the Safer Scotland campaign.
Project Gotham Racing 4 goes gold
Bizarre Creations has hit Ctrl+S for the last time on Project Gotham Racing 4 and has duly sent the code off to be pressed onto millions of DVDs -- which is an absolutely marvelous format, we're told. If driving through rain or snow at ludicrous speeds is something you find appealing, you'd best start checking stores October 2nd in the US and Oct 12th in Europe. If not, ordering online is by far the safer option.If you just plain don't want the game (nor Geometry Wars: Waves), then you should have stopped reading three sentences ago. And you especially shouldn't read this sentence, which mentions the game's official website and a full list of its virtual vehicles.%Gallery-3052%%Gallery-4689%
PGR4's motorcycles expanded upon
At the Media Briefing, Bizarre Creations' Craig Howard and Brian Woodhouse showed off Project Gotham Racing 4. The game will include manufacturers Honda, Ducati, and Suzuki for motorcycles, which can race alongside cars, of which there are over 120. When riding the motorcycle, you can pull some fancy tricks, wheelies, endos and taunting maneuvers. On the Live side of things, for the first time, gamers will be able to share photos and videos with what's called "PGR On Demand". We can't wait to get some hands on time in the coming days.
Bizarre talks up PGR4 motorcycles
Rumored last week thanks to the released box art -- and confirmed in recent playtests -- Bizarre Creations has posted an article detailing the motorcycles gameplay featured in Project Gotham Racing 4. Along with this revelation comes a load of new screenshots. The shots show off some particularly nice motorcycle and rider models. Bizarre has also revealed that motorcycles will be capable of lots of kudos earning tricks that cars naturally can't do. These will be accomplished with a new "Stunt button" that initiates tricks. Never fear though, if you hate the idea of motorbikes, they are not mandatory. If cars are your thing, PGR4 still has you covered. Check out a gallery of the new PGR 4 motorcycles below. [Via Joystiq]%Gallery-4708%
Project Gotham Racing 4 loses two wheels, gains bikes
Peanut butter and jelly.Cookies and milk.Cars and bikes.Finally, Project Gotham Racing 4 brings two great tastes together. In a first for the franchise, the upcoming Xbox 360 racer will allow players to use both cars and bikes in the same race. Bizarre Creations is promising the same level of visual fidelity in the bikes as in the cars -- looking at the new screenshots released today, we're also equally impressed by the racer character models.A new "Stunt button" will allow players to perform a "crazy move" that will earn the player the series' trademark Kudos. While some may find this move to be controversial, Bizarre Creations notes that the game "won't force you to ride bikes if you don't want to." Regardless, they think players are willing to try something new: "we expect 99% of players to take the bikes out just as frequently as the cars!"%Gallery-4689%
Third PGR3/PS3 mix-up demands 300 joke
When we found out that Project Gotham Racing had been used to promote the PS3 for a third time, it took every ounce of strength we could muster to avoid making a 300 "This is madness!" joke. The truth is though, this is madness. First, PGR3 was used by Sony to promote a trailer for Gran Turismo HD, then it was used again by Kia for a PS3 promotion. This time the offending publication is from Media Markt, one of Europe's largest electronics store chains, which overlays a PS3 on top of this image from PGR3. In an ironic twist, the article in question is apparently about the Playstation 3's future.At this rate, we'll be seeing PGR3 images in the next ad for Ratchet & Clank.
