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Mad Tracks

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with Mad Trax.

Mad Tracks
Xbox Live Arcade cover art
Developer(s)Load Inc.
Publisher(s)
Composer(s)La Chimiz Prod
EngineOpen Dynamics Engine
Platform(s)
Release
  • Windows
    • FRA: February 17, 2006
    • GER: February 2006
    • RUS: June 2006
  • Xbox 360
    • WW: May 30, 2007
  • Wii
  • iOS
    • WW: December 15, 2011
  • Android
    • WW: February 15, 2012
  • Steam
    • WW: March 10, 2020
Genre(s)Racing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Mad Tracks[a] is a 2006 racing video game developed by Load Inc. and originally released for Microsoft Windows,[1] later being ported to the Xbox 360 as part of Xbox Live Arcade on May 30, 2007, and in February 2017 after becoming backwards compatible with Xbox One.

Mad Tracks was a commercial and critical success, being praised by critics and journalists for its multiplayer elements.

In February 2019, it was announced that the game was delisted from Xbox Live Arcade because of a change in publishing rights from D3 Publisher to Plug In Digital. The latter released a reworked high-definition (HD) version of the game on Steam on March 10, 2020.

Gameplay

[edit]
A screenshot of the single-player mode

Mad Tracks is a 3D racing game, featuring both a single-player mode and a multiplayer mode. In the game, there are 46 courses in total, divided into races and minigames. The courses are set in 10 different locations including kitchens, bistros, and a table football set.[2][3]

In single-player,[b] the player's objective is to achieve gold trophies by completing objectives, such as driving around a track or landing cars on a dartboard.[4] The online and multiplayer[c] modes are similar to the single-player mode and include the same objectives, albeit they allow up to 4 players to play simultaneously.[4]

Development

[edit]

The game was announced by Load Inc. in 2003, tentatively titled Darda, following a few months of testing gameplay issues.[5] For the rest of 2003 and early 2004, the game was tested in a playable and non-playable demos. In March 2004, a prototype of the game was shown off at Game Developers Conference in San Jose, California,[5] and was slated to be released for Microsoft Windows computers and the PlayStation 2.[6]

After a demo of the game was showcased at E3 in May 2004, the studio began to search for a publisher. It was also announced that the game would be released on PlayStation Portable, and that its release was planned for the second quarter of 2005.[7] In November, Load Inc. signed a contract with Micro Application to publish the game. Its premiere was moved to the third half of 2005, with the exact date left unknown.[8][9][10]

The game was showcased at E3 in May 2005, with an Xbox version also being announced after being mentioned in March,[11] and its premiere were slated for September 2005.[12]

A release date was later moved to February 17, 2006, after releasing a public demo in January 10.[13][14] On January 13, the game's official website was launched,[2][15] with a German version following suit in November 2005.[16] The PlayStation 2 version was later confirmed to be cancelled,[when?] since the console was becoming an increasingly less viable option, when studio had searched a target platform for translation.[17]

We were hooked on Darda cars when we were kids. These pull back friction toy cars were the fastest and had very strong metal bodies. Since the license was not available, we tweaked it a little to make Mad Tracks.

—Denis Bourdainin[18]

Load Inc.'s development director Denis Bourdainin had later revealed that the game was originally been a licensed game based on the Darda toy cars, but the game was reworked and retitled to Mad Tracks after the studio's failure to secure the right to use the brand.[19]

Xbox Live Arcade

[edit]

On April 12, 2006, it was announced that Mad Tracks would release for Xbox Live Arcade in June, which would cost around 1,000 Microsoft Points.[20][21][22] In August, the game was delayed, being slated for the following year.[23][24][25] A month later in September, Denis Bourdainin, had stated that the game would cost 800 Microsoft points (€9.30), alongside with two expansion packs each costing 400 Microsoft points (€4.65). All in total having as same amount of content as PC version which had cost under 15 euros. In concerning rise of a price to few euros in comparison to PC counterpart, Denis had promised that the Xbox 360 version would be superior to the PC one. Along with Xbox Live support, the console translation's long development time also enabled improvements to game mechanics and graphics.[26]

In May 2007, D3 Publisher of America, Inc. had announced that the game would be ported to Xbox 360 alongside RocketBowl (2004) and Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords (2007), though the port's release date was unknown.[27][28][29] In May 15-17 of the same year, the game was greenlighted after being verified and certified by Microsoft Game Studios.[30][31][32] It was also confirmed that the game would cost 800 Microsoft points ($10), but according to Denis Bourdain the release date was at a time unknown.[33][34] Around May 28-29, it was announced that game would arrive on the Xbox Live Arcade on May 30.[35][36][37][38][39]

Release

[edit]

Mad Tracks was released for Microsoft Windows in France on February 17, 2006 and published by Micro Application.[40][41] Alongwith a completed demo of the game was released on January 10, featuring three courses.[13] Later that same month, the game was released in German and published by Frogstar Interactive.[citation needed] This was done alongside a patch update—version 1.1. This update fixed bugs, improved performance, online, graphic cards and controller support. The game's file size weight was dropped from 55 to 29 megabytes.[42][43][44] Another patch update, version 1.2, was released on April 20, and improved online multiplayer support, fixed a problem with the game's level of detail for 2D mipmap rendering, added matchmaking and support for non-western keyboards.[45][46][47] In June the game was published by Akella and released in Russia.[d][50][51]

The Xbox 360 version was released on Xbox Live Arcade and published by D3 Publisher on May 30, 2007.[52][53][54][55] Two downloadable content packs for the Xbox 360 version of Mad Tracks were produced, each costing 350 Microsoft Points ($4.37) and adding 15 challenges in total.[53][35][56] The first was "Bravo", and was released on July 25, 2007.[57] The second was "Encore", which released on June 27, 2007.[e][58][59] Each of these content packs added 9 races and 6 minigames.[57][58]

A port for the Wii was released in the third quarter of 2009 in Europe, and was published by Neko Entertainment and Bigben Interactive,[f][62][63][64] following its announcement in February earlier that year.[65][66]

On December 15, 2011, a mobile version of the game for iOS was published by Namco Bandai and released on December 15, 2011.[67][68] An Android version was released on February 15, 2012.[69]

In February 2017, the game become backwards compatible with Xbox One.[70][71] On March 10, 2020, an HD version was released on Steam.[72][73][74]

In February 2019, it was reported that the game was delisted from Xbox Live Arcade following a change in publishing rights from D3 Publisher to Plug In Digital, who would later be handling the new release for Steam.[75][76] While the Steam version's release date was slated for "early 2020", the page for the game on IndieDB specified that it would release on March 10.[76]

Reception

[edit]

Jonathan Miller, writing for IGN, described Mad Tracks as "a decent racing romp, but you better bring your friends." He awarded the game a score of 6.8/10.[56]

Keith Durocher of WorthPlaying gave a score of 8.9/10 to the PC version, describing the game as "a tiny little blast of fun that sets out to do nothing more than entertain for awhile and it succeeds." He also added that he had "seen much worse offerings from much bigger and better funded teams than Load, Inc." and positively compared the game to Nintendo's Mario Kart series.[77]

iPhone app review aggregator appsafari.com gave the game a score of 4.5 out of 5 saying; "While there is the one small problem with the controls, this app is very fun and works very well. If you are interested in racing and blowing up other cars, you will certainly get some fun out of this."[78]

Peter Willington of the video game website Pocket Gamer gave a score of 3 out of 5, criticizing the grinding in order to progress such as making Championship mode and AI repetitive, but praised game's overall variety of content, multiplayer and controls, despite being underwhelmed with lacklustre visual effects, graphics, audio and items aspect. Ultimately, he wrote that "it's not a bad looking game, the frame rate holds steady for the most part, the car models feel chunky though not distinctive, the tracks wind and loop through the detailed environments."[79]

Sales

[edit]

Mad Tracks was a commercial success. In January 2007, Load Inc. had reported that the game was digitally downloaded 100,000 times on PC.[80][81] Later that same year in December, it was reported that the game had sold over 1.8 million units, and its demo since its release was downloaded 1.2 million times and on Xbox Live Arcade over 630,000 users, six months after the Xbox 360 version's release.[82][83][84] On June 2008, Engadget reported that the Xbox 360 version's demo was played 700,000 times and had sold 72,000 units.[85]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Russian: Mad Tracks: Заводные Гонки Romanized: Mad Tracks: Zavodnyye Gonki (lit. Mad Tracks: Groovy Racing/Clockwork Races)
  2. ^ Known as Adventure mode on the Xbox Live Arcade and PC versions
  3. ^ Known as Arcade mode on the PC version and Xbox Live Arcade
  4. ^ The game was first scheduled to be released in May, for that region.[48][49]
  5. ^ This content pack wasn't released in both North and South Korea.
  6. ^ Reported release date for Wii version varies; sources either state it was released in September 2009,[60] either in October 30, 2009.[61]

References

[edit]
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  2. ^ a b "Mad Tracks sur la toile" [Mad Tracks on the web]. Jeuxvideo (in French). January 13, 2006. Archived from the original on February 22, 2025. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
  3. ^ Sodkiewicz, Daniel (March 2, 2005). "Zakręcona arkadówka Mad Tracks" [Crazy Arcade Mad Tracks]. GRY-Online.pl (in Polish). Archived from the original on January 24, 2021. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Mad Tracks". BoardGameGeek. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  5. ^ a b "Load Inc.: Public Home page". May 19, 2004. Archived from the original on May 19, 2004. Retrieved February 12, 2025.[non-primary source needed]
  6. ^ "Závody angličáků v Darda Mad Tracks" [Englishmen racing at Darda Mad Tracks]. Tiscali.cz GAMES.CZ (in Czech). November 2, 2004. Archived from the original on February 11, 2025. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  7. ^ "Mad Tracks recherche éditeur" [Mad Tracks publisher search]. Jeuxvideo (in French). May 18, 2004. Archived from the original on June 19, 2004. Retrieved February 8, 2025.
  8. ^ "Mad Tracks sur les rails de la distribution" [Mad Tracks on the distribution rails]. Jeuxvideo (in French). November 11, 2004. Archived from the original on December 9, 2004. Retrieved February 8, 2025.
  9. ^ "Micro App présente Mad Tracks" [Micro App prestents Mad Tracks]. Gamekult (in French). November 12, 2004. Archived from the original on February 20, 2025. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  10. ^ "MICRO APPLICATION signs a Publishing deal with LOAD Inc. For the game 'MAD TRACKS'" (PDF). www.loadinc.net. November 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 20, 2007.
  11. ^ "Odhalení závodní hry Mad Tracks | GAMES.CZ" [Revealing the racing game Mad Tracks | GAMES.CZ]. Tiscali.cz GAMES.CZ (in Czech). March 2, 2005. Archived from the original on April 9, 2025. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
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  27. ^ "Firma D3 Publisher of America wzbogaci ofertę Xbox Live Arcade o trzy nowe gry". GRY-Online.pl (in Polish). Retrieved February 8, 2025.
  28. ^ Goldstein, Hilary (May 1, 2007). "Puzzle Quest Comes to XBLA". IGN. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
  29. ^ "Puzzle Quest headed for XBLA". GameSpot. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
  30. ^ Sliwinski, Alexander (May 15, 2007). "XBLA's Mad Tracks passes certification - Joystiq". Joystiq. Archived from the original on September 4, 2007. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
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  39. ^ "Jousivetoisia autoja, hulluja ratoja | KonsoliFIN - Peliuutiset, peliarvostelut ja Suomen paras videopelifoorumi". February 26, 2025. Archived from the original on February 26, 2025. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
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  49. ^ "Mad Tracks: Заводные Гонки". zoom.cnews.ru (in Russian). Retrieved April 5, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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  51. ^ "Новинки PC. "Mad Tracks. Заводные гонки" – гонки" [New PC. "Mad Tracks. Clockwork Races" - racing]. dist.1c.ru (in Russian). June 15, 2006. Archived from the original on April 6, 2025. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
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  63. ^ "Mad Tracks arrive sur Wii en images". Puissance Nintendo (in French). April 1, 2025. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
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  65. ^ "Mad Tracks sera sur Wii". Puissance Nintendo (in French). February 28, 2009. Retrieved April 1, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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  67. ^ "Mad Tracks Starts Driving Like Crazy All Over the App Store". www.148apps.com. December 16, 2011. Archived from the original on April 1, 2025. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
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  70. ^ "Xbox One: trois nouveaux jeux deviennent rétrocompatibles" [Xbox One: Three new games become backward compatible]. Jeuxvideo (in French). February 2, 2017. Archived from the original on February 4, 2017. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
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  72. ^ "Mad Tracks – Delisted Games". November 18, 2019. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
  73. ^ "Mad Tracks PC Game - Free Download Full Version". Free Download PC Games. April 13, 2020. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
  74. ^ Admin (March 10, 2020). "Mad Tracks Free Download « IGGGAMES". Retrieved February 20, 2025.
  75. ^ "February 2019 Delistings: Telltale, Xbox Originals, and More". TrueAchievements. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
  76. ^ a b "Delisted from Xbox 360, Mad Tracks returns on Steam in 2020 – Delisted Games". March 8, 2020. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
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  78. ^ "Mad Tracks Review". App Safari. Retrieved February 8, 2025.
  79. ^ "Mad Tracks". www.pocketgamer.com. December 23, 2011. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
  80. ^ "Gra Mad Tracks pobrana 100 tysięcy razy - wkrótce na Xbox Live Arcade". GRY-Online.pl (in Polish). Retrieved February 8, 2025.[needs translation]
  81. ^ "Mad Tracks: 100 000 téléchargements". JeuxActu (in French). Retrieved February 12, 2025.[needs translation]
  82. ^ "Gra Mad Tracks cieszy się dużą popularnością". GRY-Online.pl (in Polish). Retrieved February 8, 2025.
  83. ^ "Mad Tracks: le carton !". JeuxActu (in French). Retrieved February 12, 2025.[needs translation]
  84. ^ "Mad Tracks hits 1.8 million". Games Industry. February 21, 2025. Archived from the original on February 21, 2025. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
  85. ^ de matos, xav (June 20, 2008). "Things On Wheels: 4 new vehicles revealed". Engadget. Retrieved March 19, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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