Martyn Chudley's small video game studio, originally known as Raising Hell Software, began by creating platformers and evolved into a name synonymous with racing games—Bizarre Creations. Their journey to fame accelerated with the development of the official Formula 1 game for the Sony PlayStation. The game's demonstration caught the eye of Sega, which was exploring next-gen technology for its upcoming Dreamcast console, leading to a meeting with Sega's European head Kazutoshi Miyake, and other industry notables.
Bizarre Creations' pivot away from Sony was due to unforeseen licensing mishaps with their Formula 1 projects. Despite Sony reassuring them about secured licenses and a long-term commitment, the realization that this was untrue motivated Bizarre Creations to seek fresh opportunities, which arose with Sega.
Working with Sega came with its share of turmoil. Early in Metropolis Street Racer's development, the team grappled with differing visions, compounded by a dismal E3 demo that was criticized for poor handling and an overemphasis on arcade elements. Following a reshuffle in the lead coding team, Bizarre Creations renegotiated with Sega, securing an additional year to rework the title without further funding.
The Dreamcast's evolving tech, such as the potential use of Microsoft's OS, was initially challenging for the team, who were accustomed to direct hardware programming. Relief came with confirmation that they could work closely with the PowerVR chipset without going through Windows CE.
Metropolis Street Racer introduced true-to-life cars—a trend popularized by games like Need for Speed and Gran Turismo. Securing permissions was surprisingly manageable, thanks to Sega's endeavors. Lifelike handling was a priority; the team went to lengths such as renting and dyno-testing a Mercedes SLK—leading to a memorable yet unfortunate engine blowout. The comprehensive MetGP data-management application paired with meticulous audio production, including a dynamic, city-specific radio system, delivered a layer of realism never before seen.
An accurate representation of real cities, derived from extensive artist research trips, became a celebrated feature of the game. However, syncing the ambition with the actual game led to grueling working conditions, reminiscent of their Sony days. Leadership shifts, extensive reworking of the game engine, the financial burden, and new concepts like the Kudos system, which was inspired by real driving thrills, stretched the team thin.
Despite the challenges, the Kudos system and the representation of real cities in Metropolis Street Racer laid the groundwork for what would become iconic aspects of the Project Gotham Racing series. The final push to release was harrowing, for the game's complexity made testing a monumental task, and the deadline necessitated prioritization of bugs, leaving some unaddressed at launch.
Metropolis Street Racer's debut brought critical acclaim but modest sales, a consequence of the Dreamcast's declining market. The possibility of a PlayStation 2 version was briefly considered but dismissed as Sega insisted on focusing on hardware—a stance that lasted only until Sega exited the console market months later.
The end of the Dreamcast era coincided with a new beginning for Bizarre Creations. Retaining the rights to Metropolis Street Racer—sans name and licensed content—they caught the attention of Microsoft, who were preparing to launch the Xbox. The successful pitch for what would be Project Gotham Racing marked a turning point, segueing into a structured and systematized development process under Microsoft's wing.
Through successive hits like Geometry Wars, The Club, and Blur, Bizarre Creations made their mark, even after transitioning to Activision's fold, which ultimately culminated in the closure of the studio following James Bond 007: Blood Stone. The legacy of Metropolis Street Racer, however, remains undeniable—a testament to Bizarre Creations' influence on the racing genre and a treasured memory for those who witnessed its challenging, yet triumphant, development.
You must be logged in to post a comment!
