Midtown Madness (series)

Midtown Madness is a racing game series, which was distributed by Microsoft Game Studios.

Chronology

Midtown Madness

The video game Midtown Madness was released on 27 May 1999 in the U.S. and in Europe. It was developed by Angel Studios, which later renamed Rockstar San Diego. Midtown Madness is the offshoot of the Madness series, including Monster Truck Madness and Motocross Madness belong. When Microsoft was successful with both Madness series, they decided to develop a new Madness offshoot. The game was released in May 1999 and was located in the racing genre establish itself on the PC. Midtown Madness was very successful mainly because of low competition in the racing game area.

A great feature compared to its competitors was the replica of the city of Chicago. The player is allowed to do the jobs in the U.S. city. The developers also added a an overview map at the bottom right to offer the player in the city orientation. The player's position is marked with a black triangle on the map.

Players can choose from no tuning options available. The vehicle selection offers normal sports cars ( like the Ford Mustang GT) and other vehicles ( such as taxis, buses ). In addition to the driving physics provides each vehicle own damage model, which varies due to accidents. Vehicles and their coatings can be unlocked through the completion of the tests. In addition, the choice of weather conditions by unlocking the tests is possible.

In the game a total of four game modes are available: Tour mode, flash mode, circular route mode and the checkpoint mode. The player can look at his vehicle from the interior view ( with fittings), exterior view and side view. In multiplayer mode, up to eight players can compete against each other or participate in chases with the police.

Midtown Madness 2

Midtown Madness 2 was released on 21 September 2000 in the United States. On 6 October 2000 Midtown Madness 2 also appeared in Europe.

This time, the player can choose between two different cities: San Francisco and London. As in the previous game, it is possible to use the race as abbreviations or tunnel. The map, which is used for orientation during travel, subtly expanded and improved.

Players can choose from ten new vehicles ( including the Audi TT and Aston Martin) to choose from, which also have their own damage model.

The developers have a new game mode integrated, the crash -course mode. The Crash Course mode is further divided into two modes: Stunt Course mode and taxi driver mode. In the course stunt mode, the player in San Francisco can visit a stunt school and do there tests that help one to the best stunt riders. The taxi driver mode is similar to the stunt course mode because you have to become the best taxi driver here. Otherwise, the four modes which are already known from the previous (lightning, Tour, control and circular course mode) once again present in the game.

The game is LAN -enabled and can be played with up to eight players online in online mode by International Gaming Zone ( www.igzones.com ).

Midtown Madness 3

Midtown Madness 3 was released on 23 June 2003 exclusively for the then new Xbox. This time was not the Angel Studios involved in the development of the game, but the Swedish developer DICE team.

The vehicle selection has tripled in contrast to the two predecessors. Players can choose from a total of 32 different vehicles (including a Mini Cooper and a concrete truck ) to choose from. Each of these cars has its own driving physics and a private damage model. Here sat the new development team 's priorities in the game, which is why the driving physics was designed action-heavy.

The game were two more cities added - Washington ( DC) and Paris. Midtown Madness 3 provides in addition to the series - typical game modes (flash, Tour, checkpoint) also a new mode: Undercover work. It is necessary to apply different occupations ( among other things as a police officer ) and solve a total of 26 tasks. In multiplayer mode, you can in split screen or by " System Link " compete against other players. The game also includes an online mode.

Game modes

• Tour mode: In tour mode you can without time pressure, the respective city view in the game. Here, the player can previously set some other options, such as the density of traffic, the weather and the day and time of year.
• Lightning Attack mode: Here you have to drive within a time limit determined a number of checkpoints.
• Round course race mode: The player has to go through checkpoints, which are arranged in a circle.
• Checkpoint Race mode: In the checkpoint races, the player against other Teams have to drive a certain number of control points and is long as the first at the finish. The racing opponents are always balanced, as they drive the same vehicle.
• Undercover mode: Here the player must exert various professions and solve different tasks. In Undercover mode, you can select the following professions: delivery driver, taxi driver, chauffeur, security guard, paramedics, police officer and special agent.