Введение
Midtown Madness (также известная как Midtown Madness: Chicago Edition) — гоночная игра 1999 года, разработанная Angel Studios и изданная Microsoft для Microsoft Windows. Демо-версия была выпущена в апреле 1999 года. За ней последовали два продолжения: Midtown Madness 2, вышедшая в сентябре 2000 года, и Midtown Madness 3, выпущенная в июне 2003 года для Xbox. Действие игры происходит в Чикаго, и цель игрока — побеждать в уличных гонках и получать новые автомобили. В отличие от гоночных игр, ограничивающих игрока гоночной трассой, Midtown Madness предлагает открытый мир, воссоздающий Чикаго. Это, по мнению многих, обеспечивало "непревзойденную свободу вождения по виртуальному городу". В режиме "Круиз" игрок может просто исследовать город в своем собственном темпе, например, заняв место в первой тройке в любых двух гонках. Городская среда игры смоделирована по образцу Чикаго, включая множество его достопримечательностей, таких как эстакада 'L', башня Уиллис (ранее известная как башня Сирс), Wrigley Field и Soldier Field. На улицах множество объектов, в которые можно врезаться, включая мусорные баки, паркоматы, почтовые ящики и светофоры. Игра поддерживается подобными сервисами, такими как GameSpy Arcade и XFire, через DirectPlay. Многопользовательский режим включает режим "Полиция и грабители", где игроки делятся на две команды, и каждая команда пытается украсть золотой запас противника и вернуть его в свою базу. Над игрой одновременно работало от 8 до 15 человек. Решение сделать доступной только половину автомобилей изначально было призвано стимулировать конкуренцию. Сотрудники Microsoft попросили сотрудников Angel Studios предотвратить столкновения игроков с пешеходами. Angel Studios (отказавшись от двухмерного отображения пешеходов) разработала трехмерные модели пешеходов, способные бегать и уклоняться. В Midtown Madness есть возможность отключить пешеходов, так как они не влияют на игровой процесс, но могут снизить производительность системы при большом их количестве; следовательно, игре не требуется 3D-графическая карта. 1 мая 1999 года была выпущена демо-версия для скачивания, включающая три автомобиля (Mustang, Panoz Roadster и автобус) и все режимы вождения, кроме Circuit. Демо-версия также содержала функции, которые были удалены в финальной версии, например, возможность сбивать рекламные щиты. В декабре 1999 года Angel Studios сообщила о рассмотрении возможности создания редактора трасс для игроков, но в конечном итоге эта функция не была реализована. Финальная версия игры поступила в продажу 18 мая, а полная дистрибуция была завершена 27 мая. Директор проекта Клинтон Кит отметил, что открытый мир делает игровой процесс более разнообразным и добавляет "элементы открытия", такие как поиск коротких путей. | Allgame = 4.5/5 | CNG = 7/10 | CGSP = 3.5/5 | CGW = 4/5 | Edge = 8/10 | GameFan = 4/5 | GamePro = 4.5/5 | GSpot = 7.7/10 | IGN = 8.4/10 | NGen = 4/5 | PCA = 7/10 | PCGUS = 90% | rev1 = The Cincinnati Enquirer | rev1Score = 4/4
Midtown Madness (also known as Midtown Madness: Chicago Edition) is a 1999 racing game developed by Angel Studios and published by Microsoft for Microsoft Windows. The demo version was released in April 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; the object is for the player 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". In Cruise mode, the player can simply explore the city at their own pace. such as placing within the top three in any two races. 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. The streets feature a number of objects the player can crash into including trash bins, parking meters, mailboxes and traffic lights. It is now supported by similar services such as GameSpy Arcade and XFire, via DirectPlay. The 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. 8 to 15 people were working on the game at any one time. The decision to make only half the cars available at the outset was intended to promote a sense of competition. 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. A demo version was released for download on May 1, 1999. It featured three vehicles (a Mustang, a Panoz Roadster, and a bus), and all driving modes except Circuit. The demo also included features that were scrapped in the full version, such as the ability to send billboards flying. In December 1999, Angel Studios reported that they were considering a race designer for players, but ultimately this feature was not added. The finished game was released to retailers on May 18, with full distribution completed by May 27. Project director Clinton Keith said that an open world makes the gameplay more diverse and adds "element[s] of discovery" such as finding shortcuts. | Allgame = 4.5/5
| CNG = 7/10
| CGSP = 3.5/5
| CGW = 4/5
| Edge = 8/10
| GameFan = 4/5
| GamePro = 4.5/5
| GSpot = 7.7/10
| IGN = 8.4/10
| NGen = 4/5
| PCA = 7/10
| PCGUS = 90%
| rev1 = The Cincinnati Enquirer
| rev1Score = 4/4
The game received favorable reviews according to the review aggregation website GameRankings. Total Video Games reviewer said the game seemed a good choice, but suggested that it would be outdone by GT Interactive's Driver, released soon after. 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. IGNs review described the in game narration as "a nice touch", but noted some glitches among the otherwise "distinctive engine and horn sounds". The staff of PC Gamer US nominated the game for their 1999 Best Racing Game award, which ultimately went to Re Volt. They wrote that the game "lays down a racing milestone by creating a living, breathing 3D city — and then letting you trash it". It was also a nominee for Computer Gaming Worlds Racing Game of the Year award, and for CNET Gamecenters "Best Racing Game" award, but lost both of them to Need for Speed: High Stakes.
Игра получила благоприятные отзывы, согласно сайту GameRankings, агрегатору обзоров. Рецензент Total Video Games отметил, что игра выглядит перспективно, но предположил, что она может уступить Driver от GT Interactive, выпущенной вскоре после этого. В своей книге "Программирование игровых движков на основе ИИ" Брайан Шваб описал игровой процесс Midtown Madness как "аркадный" и "свободный", а трафик в игре — как удовлетворительный. В обзоре IGN отмечено, что закадровый голос — "приятное дополнение", но также указаны некоторые ошибки, несмотря на "уникальные звуки двигателя и клаксона". Сотрудники PC Gamer US номинировали игру на звание "Лучшей гоночной игры" 1999 года, однако победа досталась Re Volt. Они написали, что игра "устанавливает новый стандарт в гоночном жанре, создавая живой, дышащий 3D-город, а затем позволяя вам его разрушать". Игра также была номинирована на звание "Гоночная игра года" от Computer Gaming World и "Лучшая гоночная игра" от CNET Gamecenter, но уступила обе награды Need for Speed: High Stakes.
Midtown Madness (also known as Midtown Madness: Chicago Edition) is a 1999 racing game developed by Angel Studios and published by Microsoft for Microsoft Windows. The demo version was released in April 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; the object is for the player 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". In Cruise mode, the player can simply explore the city at their own pace. such as placing within the top three in any two races. 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. The streets feature a number of objects the player can crash into including trash bins, parking meters, mailboxes and traffic lights. It is now supported by similar services such as GameSpy Arcade and XFire, via DirectPlay. The 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. 8 to 15 people were working on the game at any one time. The decision to make only half the cars available at the outset was intended to promote a sense of competition. 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. A demo version was released for download on May 1, 1999. It featured three vehicles (a Mustang, a Panoz Roadster, and a bus), and all driving modes except Circuit. The demo also included features that were scrapped in the full version, such as the ability to send billboards flying. In December 1999, Angel Studios reported that they were considering a race designer for players, but ultimately this feature was not added. The finished game was released to retailers on May 18, with full distribution completed by May 27. Project director Clinton Keith said that an open world makes the gameplay more diverse and adds "element[s] of discovery" such as finding shortcuts. | Allgame = 4.5/5
| CNG = 7/10
| CGSP = 3.5/5
| CGW = 4/5
| Edge = 8/10
| GameFan = 4/5
| GamePro = 4.5/5
| GSpot = 7.7/10
| IGN = 8.4/10
| NGen = 4/5
| PCA = 7/10
| PCGUS = 90%
| rev1 = The Cincinnati Enquirer
| rev1Score = 4/4
The game received favorable reviews according to the review aggregation website GameRankings. Total Video Games reviewer said the game seemed a good choice, but suggested that it would be outdone by GT Interactive's Driver, released soon after. 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. IGNs review described the in game narration as "a nice touch", but noted some glitches among the otherwise "distinctive engine and horn sounds". The staff of PC Gamer US nominated the game for their 1999 Best Racing Game award, which ultimately went to Re Volt. They wrote that the game "lays down a racing milestone by creating a living, breathing 3D city — and then letting you trash it". It was also a nominee for Computer Gaming Worlds Racing Game of the Year award, and for CNET Gamecenters "Best Racing Game" award, but lost both of them to Need for Speed: High Stakes.
Наследие
Midtown Madness породила серию из трех игр с одноименным названием, вторая из которых, Midtown Madness 2, была разработана Angel Studios и выпущена в сентябре 2000 года. Еще одно продолжение, Midtown Madness 3, было разработано Digital Illusions CE для Xbox и издано в июне 2003 года. Наиболее высоко оцененными элементами игр были детализированное окружение открытого мира, узнаваемый визуальный стиль и продвинутый искусственный интеллект. В 2000 году Angel Studios и Rockstar Games создали Midnight Club: Street Racing, видеоигру для PlayStation 2, также предлагающую воссоздание городских локаций в открытом мире. Ее успех у критиков и коммерческий успех положили начало серии уличных гоночных игр Midnight Club.