14 DAY TRIAL // Racing games have largely been split in a few categories. While some of them are concentrated on giving players the most realistic driving experience possible, others are focused on the more fun aspects of racing against friends or AI-controlled opponents.
A benchmark title in this more fun approach to races is Nintendo's Mario Kart series, which has experienced some huge sales ever since it was released, on both DS and Wii platforms. But even though it is denounced by many other racing game creators, there is plenty to be learned from the more casual title, at least according to Ben Ward, who is the executive producer of Bizarre Creations' Blur action racing titles.
The game, which is scheduled to be published by Activision this fall, places a strong emphasis on the action that goes on during the races, as licensed cars will go around real-life cities on tracks that are custom fitted with special powers that the drivers can use one against the other.
“The PR people don't really let me say this but Blur is like an adult Mario Kart,” Ward said. “It's what you want from the next-generation of karting games. There’s a lot of stuff that people growing up with Mario Kart wish those games had done.”
Ward then added that it was quite a challenge to pick the good things they wanted in the game and leave out the bad. “We wanted to take things that are good about Mario Kart but mix that with what we’re good at: more realistic handling, have power-ups based on skills that you use. That is something that Martyn Chudley – Bizarre Creative Director is very keen on; there's not like a big Blue Shell, or a Golden Mushroom or a Bullet Bill.”
Are you looking forward to Blur? Or are the other racers due out during the same period grabbing your attention? Leave us a comment with your thoughts on the matter.