Software:World of Outlaws: Sprint Cars 2002

From HandWiki
Short description: 2002 racing video game
World of Outlaws: Sprint Cars 2002
Cover featuring Mark Kinser's #5M Mopar Parts sprint car
Developer(s)Ratbag Games[1]
Publisher(s)
Platform(s)PlayStation 2, Windows
ReleasePlayStation 2
Windows
Genre(s)Racing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

World of Outlaws: Sprint Cars 2002, also known as simply World of Outlaws: Sprint Cars for the Microsoft Windows and PAL region PlayStation 2 versions (often mislabeled as World of Outlaws: Sprint Car Racing 2002[5]), is a sprint car racing video game developed by the Australian developer Ratbag Games and published by Ignition Entertainment in the PAL region and Infogrames in North America for the PS2[1] and Windows. GameSpot's review of the former console version described its gameplay as "solid" and the physics as "top-notch".[6] The game had a limited sales run; it developed a large following and was widely requested at video game stores.[7]

Gameplay

The career mode starts with one car and little money the driver has to race at the available distance tracks (tracks they can afford to travel to) to unlock other tracks, while also entering as many races in the local, regional, World of Outlaws (WoO) support-class and the World of Outlaw races themselves. The sprint car handling becomes more difficult as the player advances to higher classes.[6]

As money is accumulated, new items can be added to the car to upgrade its horsepower and handling. When enough money is accumulated another car with better handling and horsepower can be purchased. Players can choose to sell any car or hold on to several cars at one time. Players also have the option to repair damage that typically takes place on a race weekend. The cost of repairing the car reaches from five to several hundred dollars, depending upon the nature of the damage sustained from the race weekend.

Entering the higher end races (WoO Support, WoO) will require better cars to be able to compete, so winning at the local and regional level is critical to overall success. Doing well in the lower series will help players earn sponsorship that can help them make the necessary upgrades.

The racing happens on dirt ovals - 12 real-world tracks and several simulated ovals.[1] The gameplay is known for its unpredictability: artificial intelligence (AI) cars sometimes drive perfect laps and sometimes spin out after bumping into other sprint cars.[1] The dirt surface can quickly change between laps with the addition of loose dirt, hard surface, and ruts.[6] Another example of its realism is that the player receives a limited number of tearoffs to clean the loose dirt which accumulates on the player's helmet.[8]

Each race event starts with an optional practice session before a qualifying session.[6] The qualifying results are used to set the starting grid in one of two heat races: the top six finishers in the heat race determine the starting order for a trophy dash which sets the top twelve spots in the main event and the lower six finishers in the heat race are entered in a B dash which sets the final four spots in the main event.[6]

Development and release

In 1999 Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) signed a two game development deal with Ratbag Games.[9] SCEE revealed one of these under the Spin: Sprint Car Racing title in April 2000 as one of the eight games the company planned to release that year.[10] The game was first showcased in motion to the public at the European Computer Trade Show 2000, with a delayed release date to the third quarter of 2001.[11]

In 2001, Sony backed out from the project and Infogrames took over the publishing role. After the change of publisher, they purchased the exclusive license for the World of Outlaws organisation's Sprint Car Series racing series and retitled the game as World of Outlaws: Sprint Cars 2002.[1] The retitled game was showcased at the 2001 Electronic Entertainment Expo with a January 2002 tentative release date.[12][13] The release date was later delayed to March 5, 2002,[14] and was ultimately released on April 4 in North America on PlayStation 2 as a budget price release.[15] Nearly a year later, the game was ported to Microsoft Windows and was released on February 12, 2003 in North America.[4] The PlayStation 2 version was also released in the PAL region, more specifically in Europe, Australia and New Zealand by Ignition Entertainment in May 2003, also at a budget price.[2]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
PCPS2
CGMStarStarStarStarStar[16]N/A
CGWStarStarStarHalf star[17]N/A
GameProN/AStarStarStarStarHalf star[18]
GameSpot7.9/10[19]6.7/10[6]
GameSpyStarStarStarStar[20]94%[21]
IGN8.5/10[22]7.3/10[1]
OPM (US)N/AStarStarStarStar[23]
PC Gamer (US)85%[24]N/A
X-PlayStarStarStarStar[25]N/A
Aggregate score
Metacritic83/100[26]80/100[27]

The game received "generally favorable" reviews on both platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[26][27] According to Metacritic the game was the fifty-first highest rated PlayStation 2 game in 2002,[28] and the thirty-fifth highest rated PC game in 2003.[29]

As of February 2004 the game sold 12,000 copies in Australia. The game won in the "Best Game" category at the 10th Annual Australian Interactive Media Industry Association Awards.[30]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Perry, Douglass C. (April 3, 2002). "World of Outlaws: Sprint Cars 2002 (PS2)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/04/03/world-of-outlaws-sprint-cars-2002. Retrieved December 18, 2017. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "World of Outlaws". http://www.ratbaggames.com/games/woosc2002.html. 
  3. ↑ "World of Outlaws: Sprint Cars 2002". http://ps2.gamezone.com/gamesell/p19105.htm. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Infogrames, Inc.". February 16, 2003. http://us.infogrames.com:80/press/?id=320. 
  5. ↑ "World of Outlaws: Sprint Car Racing 2002 (2002)". Blue Flame Labs. https://www.mobygames.com/game/world-of-outlaws-sprint-car-racing-2002. Retrieved February 12, 2020. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Rivers, Trevor (April 30, 2002). "World of Outlaws: Sprint Cars 2002 Review". https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/world-of-outlaws-sprint-cars-2002-review/1900-2863362/. Retrieved December 18, 2017. 
  7. ↑ Aziz, Hamza CTZ (January 12, 2010). "THQ reviving World of Outlaws: Sprint Cars series". Enthusiast Gaming. https://www.destructoid.com/thq-reviving-world-of-outlaws-sprint-cars-series-160183.phtml. Retrieved December 18, 2017. 
  8. ↑ Shaw, Ryan (October 21, 2003). "PC games: World of Outlaws Sprint Cars 2002". PC World (IDG Entertainment). https://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/54183/pc_games_world_outlaws_sprint_cars_2002/. Retrieved December 18, 2017. 
  9. ↑ Perry, Douglass C. (December 14, 1999). "Ratbag Traps PlayStation 2 Titles". https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/12/14/ratbag-traps-playstation-2-titles. 
  10. ↑ Perry, Douglass C. (April 15, 2000). "Sony Europe Unveils Eight". https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/04/15/sony-europe-unveils-eight. 
  11. ↑ I. G. N. Staff (December 7, 2000). "Ratbag Spins Out With Sprint Car". https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/12/07/ratbag-spins-out-with-sprint-car. 
  12. ↑ I. G. N. Staff (December 14, 2001). "World of Outlaws: Sprint Cars". https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/12/14/world-of-outlaws-sprint-cars. 
  13. ↑ "Infogrames, Inc.". July 14, 2002. http://us.infogrames.com:80/press/?id=148. 
  14. ↑ "World of Outlaw Drivers salute new PS2 Sprint Car Game". http://www.ratbaggames.com/news/archive/2001-feb.html. 
  15. ↑ "Infogrames, Inc.". December 16, 2002. http://us.infogrames.com:80/press/?id=190. 
  16. ↑ "World of Outlaws: Sprint Cars". Computer Games Magazine (theGlobe.com) (150): 84. May 2003. 
  17. ↑ Gladstone, Darren (June 2003). "World of Outlaws: Sprint Cars". Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (227): 91. http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_227.pdf. Retrieved February 13, 2020. 
  18. ↑ Air Hendrix (April 8, 2002). "World of Outlaws: Sprint Cars [2002 Review for PS2 on GamePro.com"]. GamePro (IDG Entertainment). Archived from the original on February 12, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050212090314/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/22380.shtml. Retrieved February 13, 2020. 
  19. ↑ Goble, Gord (March 7, 2003). "World of Outlaws: Sprint Cars Review". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/world-of-outlaws-sprint-cars-review/1900-2912282/. Retrieved February 12, 2020. 
  20. ↑ Smolka, Rob (March 1, 2003). "GameSpy: World of Outlaws: Sprint Cars". IGN Entertainment. http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/world-of-outlaws-sprint-cars/5650p1.html. Retrieved February 13, 2020. 
  21. ↑ Mahood, Andy (April 28, 2002). "World of Outlaws: Sprint Cars 2002". IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on February 17, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050217154623/http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/april02/woosc2002ps2/. Retrieved February 13, 2020. 
  22. ↑ Magruder, Randy (March 24, 2003). "World of Outlaws [Sprint Cars"]. Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/03/24/world-of-outlaws. Retrieved February 12, 2020. 
  23. ↑ "World of Outlaws: Sprint Cars 2000". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis) (55): 107. April 2002. 
  24. ↑ Mahood, Andy (May 2003). "World of Outlaws: Sprint Cars". PC Gamer (Imagine Media) 10 (5): 94. Archived from the original on March 15, 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20060315133942/http://www.pcgamer.com/archives/2005/06/world_of_outlaw.html. Retrieved February 13, 2020. 
  25. ↑ Jackson, Jonah (March 3, 2003). "'World of Outlaws Sprint Cars' (PC) Review". TechTV. Archived from the original on March 13, 2003. https://web.archive.org/web/20030313203710/http://www.techtv.com/extendedplay/reviews/story/0,24330,3419333,00.html. Retrieved February 13, 2020. 
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 "World of Outlaws: Sprint Cars for PC Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/world-of-outlaws-sprint-cars/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. Retrieved February 12, 2020. 
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 "World of Outlaws: Sprint Cars 2002 for PlayStation 2 Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/world-of-outlaws-sprint-cars-2002/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2. Retrieved February 12, 2020. 
  28. ↑ "Best PlayStation 2 Video Games for 2002". https://www.metacritic.com/browse/games/score/metascore/year/ps2/filtered?year_selected=2002&view=detailed. 
  29. ↑ "Best PC Video Games for 2003". https://www.metacritic.com/browse/games/score/metascore/year/pc/filtered?year_selected=2003&view=detailed. 
  30. ↑ "World of Outlaws declared a spin-out - PC World Australia". https://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/120557/world_outlaws_declared_spin-out_/. 
  • 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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