Software:Project Gotham Racing 2

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Short description: 2003 video game
Project Gotham Racing 2
Cover art featuring a Ferrari Enzo with the Sydney Opera House in view
Developer(s)Bizarre Creations
Publisher(s)Microsoft Game Studios
Director(s)
  • Craig Cook
  • Philipp Teschner
Producer(s)
  • Peter Wallace
  • Brian Woodhouse
  • Allan Speed
Designer(s)Martyn R. Chudley
Programmer(s)Roger Perkins
Artist(s)
  • Gren Atherton
  • Kiki Wolfkill
  • Alex Hillman
SeriesProject Gotham Racing
Platform(s)Xbox
Release
  • NA: 18 November 2003
  • EU: 28 November 2003
Genre(s)Racing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Project Gotham Racing 2 is a 2003 arcade-style racing video game developed by Bizarre Creations and published by Microsoft Game Studios. It was released exclusively for the Xbox in November 2003 as the successor to 2001's Project Gotham Racing.

Development began shortly after the completion of the first game and was first made official in August 2002.[1] Bill Gates himself had emailed suggestions to the developer team of what he wished to see in it.[2] The Kudos system, challenges set, available cars, and the tracks around which players race were expanded greatly from the original.[3] The Kudos system was made to be slightly more forgiving than before and expanded to include new moves like drafting a rival or performing a 360.[4] Alongside the 10 new real-world cities (and the Nürburgring) track, two additional packs were released as DLC.

Project Gotham Racing 2 was critically acclaimed and is often considered one of the Xbox's greatest exclusive titles. It was followed up by Project Gotham Racing 3 in 2005.

Gameplay

Gameplay screenshot of a 2003 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra in a race in 5th place in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan

As with its predecessor, the route to advancement in Project Gotham Racing 2 differs from most racing games, requiring a combination of driving fast enough to meet the challenge set, and scoring enough Kudos points to advance. Binning the previous cities, the game features Hong Kong, Barcelona, Moscow, Edinburgh, Washington D.C, Chicago, Florence, Sydney, Yokohama, Stockholm, and Nurburgring, designed to be as close as possible to real-life.[5] There are over 120 cars available. Despite a significant upgrade in visuals, the game runs at half (30) the framerate of the original game.[5]

There were demo versions of Project Gotham Racing 2 made for the 2004 North American International Auto Show with game kiosks featuring two different versions of the game. One titled "Chrysler 300 Edition" with the Chrysler 300 being a playable car, another version titled "Dodge Magnum Edition" which had the Dodge Magnum as a playable car. These cars were never officially released in-game nor as downloadable content via Xbox Live.[6]

Single-player

There are four main parts to the single player game: Kudos World Series, Arcade Racing and Time Attack.

In Kudos World Series the player has to complete a series of races in 14 different categories of car. The player begins with just three cars in the Compact Sports Series and eventually can have access to 102 cars (118 cars after purchase of the downloadable content). Most cars can be bought in exchange for kudos tokens, although some can only be obtained by completing enough races at a high level. Each car is made from around 10,000 polygons[7] and was recorded with eight microphones in order to accurately replicate engine, turbo, exhaust, and transmission sound in-game.[8]

In Arcade Racing there are 60 medals available, with 20 medals each for street racing, timed runs and cone challenges. Each race is with a preset car and track. Time Attack does not use kudos; the aim is for the player to try to get round the circuits as fast as possible. The player can either choose circuit or car challenges. In circuit challenge the player can choose from a selection of up to 92 circuits and then choose any car to race in. In car challenge the player can choose from a selection of up to 102 cars and race on a predetermined circuit. In both styles circuits and cars may only be chosen if they have previously been unlocked in kudos world series or arcade racing. If the player enters the showroom, it can view and test drive all cars on a test track. The players can also race against a ghost car that got the record time.

Challenges are divided into five difficulties: Steel (novice), Bronze (easy), Silver (medium), Gold (hard), and Platinum (expert).

Online

In line with other online-enabled games on the Xbox, multiplayer on Xbox Live was available to players until 15 April 2010. Project Gotham Racing 2 is now playable online again on the replacement Xbox Live servers called Insignia.[9][10]

Unlike many other Xbox Live enabled games, Project Gotham Racing 2's online multiplayer ranking system is solely based on the kudos earned online. Ones kudos rank cannot go down, only up. In this way, one's rank does not necessarily reflect their skill. The scores from the various single-player challenges are able to be uploaded to Xbox Live and be compared with other players if the player is signed in.

Geometry Wars

Within the player's car garage, an arcade cabinet can be interacted with to play the classic minigame Geometry Wars, a top-down multidirectional shooter.[11] This marked the first appearance to the public of what would become an entire series of similar games.

Downloadable content

Microsoft released two downloadable content packages for Project Gotham Racing 2: the Paris Booster Pack (released in May 2004), featuring eight new cars and seven tracks in Paris, France,[12] and the Long Beach Booster Pack (released in June 2004) with eight new cars and eight tracks based around Long Beach, California, United States.[13]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic90/100[14]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Edge7/10[15]
EGM9.5/10[16]
Eurogamer9/10 (Tom)
8/10 (Kristan)[17]
Famitsu(FamXB) 34/40[18]
32/40[19]
Game Informer8.75/10[20]
GameProStarStarStarStarHalf star[21]
GameRevolutionB+[22]
GameSpot8.7/10[23]
GameSpyStarStarStarStarStar[24]
GameZone9.8/10[25]
IGN9.5/10[26]
OXM (US)9.4/10[27]

Project Gotham Racing 2 received "universal acclaim" according to video game review aggregator website Metacritic[14] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of all four eights for a total of 32 out of 40,[19] while Famitsu Xbox gave it one ten, one nine, one eight, and one seven, for a total of 34 out of 40.[18]

During the AIAS' 7th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, Project Gotham Racing 2 received a nomination for "Console Racing Game of the Year".[28]

See also

  • FM Yokohama – a Japanese FM radio station featured in the game

References

  1. ↑ I. G. N. Staff (2002-08-08). "Halo 2 and Project Gotham Racing 2 Announced!" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/08/08/halo-2-and-project-gotham-racing-2-announced. 
  2. ↑ "Project Gotham Racing 2 Designer Diary #1". https://www.gamespot.com/articles/project-gotham-racing-2-designer-diary-1/1100-2910005/. 
  3. ↑ Goldstein, Hilary (2003-05-13). "E3 2003: Project Gotham Racing 2" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/05/13/e3-2003-project-gotham-racing-2. 
  4. ↑ Robinson, Jon (2003-07-15). "Project Gotham Racing 2 Hands-on" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/07/15/project-gotham-racing-2-hands-on. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Bramwell, Tom (2003-09-15). "Project Gotham Racing 2" (in en). https://www.eurogamer.net/fi-pgr2sep-x. 
  6. ↑ "New cars for PGR2 on show?" (in en-US). https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-cars-for-pgr2-on-show/1100-6086257/. 
  7. ↑ Richards, Geoff (14 October 2005). "PGR3 developer lied about polygon count". http://www.bit-tech.net/news/gaming/2005/10/14/pgr3_poly_count_lie/1. Retrieved 12 November 2018. 
  8. ↑ Reed, Kristan (15 Sep 2003). "Project Gotham Racing 2". https://www.eurogamer.net/fi-pgr2-x. 
  9. ↑ "Insignia - Project Gotham Racing 2" (in en). https://insignia.live/games/4d53004b. 
  10. ↑ Xbox, Pure (2022-12-21). "Xbox Live 1.0 Replacement Adds More Supported Titles, 40 Games Now Playable" (in en-GB). https://www.purexbox.com/news/2022/12/xbox-live-1-0-replacement-adds-more-supported-titles-40-games-now-playable. 
  11. ↑ Welsh, Oil (14 November 2008). "Geometry Wars: Retro Explained". Eurogamer.net: p. 1. http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/geometry-wars-retro-explained-interview. Retrieved 11 December 2019. 
  12. ↑ Bramwell, Tom (2004-05-20). "PGR2 Paris Booster Pack released" (in en). https://www.eurogamer.net/news200504pgr2paris. 
  13. ↑ Bramwell, Tom (2004-07-08). "PGR2 Long Beach Booster Pack released" (in en). https://www.eurogamer.net/news080704pgr2boosterpack. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Project Gotham Racing 2 for Xbox Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/project-gotham-racing-2/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox. Retrieved 5 April 2014. 
  15. ↑ Edge Staff (25 December 2003). "Project Gotham Racing 2". Edge (131): 113. Archived from the original on 3 December 2003. https://web.archive.org/web/20031203092756/http://gamesradar.msn.co.uk/reviews/default.asp?subsectionid=167&articleid=66258&pagetype=2. Retrieved 5 April 2014. 
  16. ↑ EGM Staff (January 2004). "Project Gotham Racing 2". Electronic Gaming Monthly (174): 150. 
  17. ↑ Bramwell, Tom; Reed, Kristan (28 November 2003). "Project Gotham Racing 2 Review". http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_pgr2_x. Retrieved 5 April 2014. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 "Famitsu scores for PGR2, Magatama". The MagicBox. 6 November 2006. http://www.the-magicbox.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6254. Retrieved 29 April 2016. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "Project Gotham Racing 2". Famitsu 780. 27 November 2003. 
  20. ↑ Kato, Matthew (December 2003). "Project Gotham Racing 2". Game Informer (128): 162. http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200312/R03.1215.1819.28005.htm. Retrieved 5 April 2014. 
  21. ↑ Bro Buzz (18 November 2003). "Project Gotham Racing 2 Review for Xbox on GamePro.com". GamePro. Archived from the original on 4 February 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050204171246/http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/31771.shtml. Retrieved 5 April 2014. 
  22. ↑ G-Wok (December 2003). "Project Gotham Racing 2 Review". Game Revolution. http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/project-gotham-racing-2. Retrieved 5 April 2014. 
  23. ↑ Kasavin, Greg (19 November 2003). "Project Gotham Racing 2 Review". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/project-gotham-racing-2-review/1900-6083974/. Retrieved 5 April 2014. 
  24. ↑ Nutt, Christian (22 November 2003). "GameSpy: Project Gotham Racing 2". GameSpy. http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/project-gotham-racing-2/6410p1.html. Retrieved 5 April 2014. 
  25. ↑ Lafferty, Michael (12 November 2003). "Project Gotham Racing 2 - XB - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on 15 February 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080215080238/http://xbox.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r20881.htm. Retrieved 5 April 2014. 
  26. ↑ Hwang, Kaiser (17 November 2003). "Project Gotham Racing 2". http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/11/18/project-gotham-racing-2-2. Retrieved 5 April 2014. 
  27. ↑ "Project Gotham Racing 2". Official Xbox Magazine: 82. December 2003. 
  28. ↑ "D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details Project Gotham Racing 2". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2004&idGame=279. 
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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