Software:Crazy Taxi: World Tour
| Crazy Taxi: World Tour | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Sega |
| Publisher(s) | Sega |
| Producer(s) | Kenji Kanno |
| Series | Crazy Taxi |
| Engine | Unreal Engine |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release | 2027 |
| Genre(s) | Racing |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Crazy Taxi: World Tour is an upcoming racing video game developed and published by Sega. It is the eighth video game in the Crazy Taxi franchise, and the series' fourth main installment. The game is set to release in early 2027 for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X and Series S.
Gameplay
Crazy Taxi: World Tour is set to feature a single-player story campaign spread across five cities, in addition to the game's traditional arcade mode and various multiplayer modes.[1][2] San Francisco Bay Area and Germany are two of the five confirmed locations.[3][4] Many campaign missions require players to transport passengers under specific conditions, though players can also choose to pick up random passengers in the game world and deliver them within a time limit.[5] While driving, players can perform various tricks such as boosting and drifting.[6] Each city is designed as an open world for players to explore, where they can pick up side jobs and complete minigames and skill tests.[3]
Development and marketing
Sega greenlit World Tour as part of an attempt to revive dormant franchises. Kenji Kanno, the game's producer, added that the goal for the development team was to "recreate the original Crazy Taxi in a new form" while evolving and modernizing its gameplay. There is also a greater emphasis on the game's narrative, with the team attempting to further flesh out character backstories.[7] Despite calling the title a "massively multiplayer driving game" in 2024,[8] Kanno added in 2026 that World Tour was designed primarily as a single-player game, though a multiplayer option was included for "hardcore players" and those who want to spend more time with the game after finishing its campaign.[7]
In May 2026, Sega dropped a teaser of a flickering taxi light across their social media platforms, which sparked speculation.[9][10] In 2023, Sega teased the release of a new and untitled Crazy Taxi game at The Game Awards, showcasing video game footage from the game.[11] The following month, Sega released the official trailer for Crazy Taxi: World Tour with an early 2027 release date.[12][13] Upon the announcement, fans discovered that the Steam page had a disclaimer regarding the use of generative AI, which Sega later confirmed was used to produce unspecified background elements.[14] Series creator Kenji Kanno elaborated that AI was used to create concept art for artists to reference and claimed that generative AI was not used elsewhere.[15] A closed network test of the game was held from September 11 to September 13, 2026.[16]
References
- ↑ Shepard, Kenneth (2026-06-08). "Crazy Taxi: World Tour Responds To AI Criticism" (in en-US). https://kotaku.com/crazy-taxi-ai-generated-assets-steam-disclosure-sega-2000703805.
- ↑ McWhertor, Michael (2026-06-08). "Sega's beloved arcade racer makes a major comeback with some bold choices" (in en). https://www.polygon.com/crazy-taxi-world-tour-preview-sega/.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 White, Scott (August 26, 2026). "Crazy Taxi: World Tour Has the YA YA YA YA YAs but Stumbles With the 'World' Part of World Tour". IGN. https://www.ign.com/articles/crazy-taxi-world-tour-has-the-ya-ya-ya-ya-yas-but-stumbles-with-the-world-part-of-world-tour-gamescom-2026. Retrieved September 26, 2026.
- ↑ Indovina, Kurt (June 8, 2026). "Crazy Taxi Is Back And It’s Coming With… Lore?". GameSpot. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/crazy-taxi-is-back-and-its-coming-with-lore/. Retrieved September 26, 2026.
- ↑ Luddy, Lexi (September 9, 2026). "Crazy Taxi series creator does not want to discuss what World Tour's AI usage entails". Shacknews. https://www.shacknews.com/article/150639/crazy-taxi-series-creator-does-not-want-to-discuss-what-world-tours-ai-usage-entails. Retrieved September 26, 2026.
- ↑ Wen, Alan (September 7, 2026). "As a longtime fan, I was disappointed with the Crazy Taxi: World Tour Gamescom demo". Creative Bloq. https://www.creativebloq.com/entertainment/gaming/as-a-longtime-fan-i-was-disappointed-with-the-crazy-taxi-world-tour-gamescom-demo. Retrieved September 26, 2026.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Robinson, Andy (June 16, 2026). "Crazy Taxi’s creator explains why it’s the right time to bring back Sega’s classic". Video Games Chronicle. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/features/crazy-taxis-creator-explains-why-its-the-right-time-to-bring-back-segas-classic/. Retrieved September 26, 2026.
- ↑ Yin-Poole, Wesley (July 1, 2024). "Crazy Taxi Reboot an Open-World, Massively Multiplayer AAA Game, Sega Says". IGN. https://www.ign.com/articles/crazy-taxi-reboot-an-open-world-massively-multiplayer-aaa-game-sega-says. Retrieved September 26, 2026.
- ↑ Mäki, Jonas (2026-05-22). "The Crazy Taxi social media account mysteriously came back to life after a seven-year hiatus" (in en). https://www.gamereactor.eu/the-crazy-taxi-social-media-account-mysteriously-came-back-to-life-after-a-seven-year-hiatus-1722433/.
- ↑ Romano, Sal (2026-05-21). "Crazy Taxi social media accounts post five-second teaser video" (in en-US). https://www.gematsu.com/2026/05/crazy-taxi-social-media-accounts-post-five-second-teaser-video.
- ↑ Lyles, Taylor (2023-12-08). "New Jet Set Radio, Crazy Taxi, Golden Axe, and More Are In Development | Game Awards 2023" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/new-jet-set-radio-crazy-taxi-golden-axe-and-more-are-in-development-game-awards-2023.
- ↑ Holt, Kris (2026-06-07). "Crazy Taxi World Tour reboots the series in 2027" (in en-US). https://www.engadget.com/2189054/crazy-taxi-world-tour-reboots-the-series-in-2027/.
- ↑ Romano, Sal (2026-06-07). "Crazy Taxi: World Tour announced for PS5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, and PC" (in en-US). https://www.gematsu.com/2026/06/crazy-taxi-world-tour-announced-for-ps5-xbox-series-switch-2-and-pc.
- ↑ Hilliard, Kyle. "Sega Confirms And Responds To Generative AI Content In New Crazy" (in en). https://gameinformer.com/2026/06/07/sega-confirms-and-responds-to-generative-ai-content-in-new-crazy-taxi-game.
- ↑ Shea, Brian. "Crazy Taxi: World Tour Producer Clarifies AI Use" (in en). https://gameinformer.com/sgf-2026/2026/06/08/crazy-taxi-world-tour-producer-clarifies-ai-use.
- ↑ McWhertor, Michael (July 28, 2026). "Sega is giving Crazy Taxi fans a chance to play the new game early". Polygon. https://www.polygon.com/crazy-taxi-world-tour-beta-test-network-signups-sega/. Retrieved September 26, 2026.
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