Greetings once again. Plenty of you have been asking about ModNation and I was planning on putting something up when I noticed a great post with details and screens on Blog.PlayStation.US, so here it is:
Greetings from United Front Games, in Vancouver British Columbia. We’re really excited to finally be able to talk to you about ModNation Racers. It’s rare as developers that you get the opportunity to make the game you’ve always dreamt of creating, but that’s the fantastic situation that we’re in. We wanted to make a game that had the pick up and play accessibility of a kart game, with the depth and handling of a classic racer. So, we made ModNation Racers, a fresh take on a classic kart racing game that empowers you, the player, to personalize the entire game.
Vinyl art & collector toys were an inspiration for us as we set out to create a game about creativity and self expression. It was in this spirit of creativity that we developed our character, kart and track editors. We wanted to give the user the ability to make whatever they wanted, but do so in a way that felt like playing and not working. For example, you just drive and the track is created behind you, so it’s intuitive and fun.
An expression that came up early in development was “anonymity to superstardom”, which is exactly how we want the user to feel. You create your ideal character, kart or track, then upload and share it with the world. Next thing you know, you’re ranked as one of the top designers in the ModNation community!
In the coming months, we’ll be able to share a lot more information with you.
I’ve seen ModNation in action and it looks amazing!
33 CommentsAdd Yours
1
Posted on 3 June, 2009 at 11:08 pm by Nocturnvs
This has me curious to try it out.
Looked really neat at the press conference.
2
Posted on 3 June, 2009 at 11:08 pm by Bearskopff
I can tell you now that many of the forumites I chat to cannot wait to try it out! Whilst watching it life, I think we all sat in awe as the level creator made LBP look like rocket science – and that’s one heck of a feat to pull off!
In fact, I just did a mini chat thing on Home about E3 and many users were chatting about this fantastic looking title! If they ever need someone to test it out…I’m right here!
Best of luck United Front – you’re onto a winner for sure!
Bear
3
Posted on 3 June, 2009 at 11:09 pm by TRS-T
LittleBigMarioKart!
4
Posted on 3 June, 2009 at 11:14 pm by Pesico
This will be great. Agree with you TRS-T. It really is LittleBigMarioKart:p
5
Posted on 3 June, 2009 at 11:15 pm by giantkiller01
Cannot wait for this!
Theres some fantastic games coming out soon for PS3!
I’m loving it!
6
Posted on 3 June, 2009 at 11:39 pm by GudX
Looks interesting. Hopefully we’ll get DLC and updates for the game as well, so we can make some truly crazy stages.
7
Posted on 3 June, 2009 at 11:43 pm by gta_4
this is by far the best game ever on psn
8
Posted on 3 June, 2009 at 11:51 pm by adz2k7
This game looks as if it will be loads of fun. Really looking forward to this one
-Ad-
9
Posted on 3 June, 2009 at 11:51 pm by devilmaker
Initially I was worried that the creation would be too simple and not have enough depth to it. But after looking back on the video of the showcase track that was initially raced in it made me realise that, yes you can make a good looking track in 5 minutes. But you can also make an amazing track that really gets you standing out if you do choose to spend some time making it.
LBP was certainly too complicated for the majority of people to attempt at creating. A even the simplest of creations paled in comparison to the stuff that others may have built. Yet this allows for, like was pointed out, anyone to pick the game up and make a track they dreamed of in a flash.
Also, looking at the game in a longetivity aspect, this looks to be a good contender. After completing the story of LBP, there may have been little motivation for players to get back to the game other than to simply mess around with friends. With the competetive nature of the game you can go to the extent of saying that this is 2 games in one: a creator, and an arcade racer. If the latter is also focused on in enough detail, you’ll see people coming back online just to play the game, and in turn, see what others have created.
Great job guys!
10
Posted on 3 June, 2009 at 11:56 pm by VitalogyPJ
Jogo bombástico!!! É por causa de maravilhas como esta que nunca me arrependerei de ter gasto €600 numa PS3.
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Bombastic game!!! Because of wonders like this i’ll never regret to spent €600 on a PS3.
11
Posted on 4 June, 2009 at 12:03 am by AmanoNL
When it was announced I was like “mehh”. But then they showed the editor. Then I was like “OMGBBQ!”. So sweet!
Only one con: where is the color? I would love to see more color like Crash Team Racing and Mario Kart.
12
Posted on 4 June, 2009 at 12:12 am by InsanityUK
Looking forward to this one. Any idea on a release date?
13
Posted on 4 June, 2009 at 12:25 am by DStealth
This games looks fantastic!!! Demo?…. when…. when….. WHEN?!!! lol
14
Posted on 4 June, 2009 at 12:29 am by karlsquell
Looking good. On my list now.
Oh and James you are doing some fine work! Keep it up.
15
Posted on 4 June, 2009 at 12:30 am by P-Stringer08
This game looks like so much fun. Im not really into Karting games but I love the fun creative aspect of this. Can’t wait!
16
Posted on 4 June, 2009 at 1:18 am by Smegzilla
That really does look good!
I’d be interested to try it out.
17
Posted on 4 June, 2009 at 1:38 am by daffycare
i really like the look on this game for what iv’e seen so far
18
Posted on 4 June, 2009 at 2:31 am by Diablo_Rosso
This looks like a fun game.
19
Posted on 4 June, 2009 at 2:34 am by Balflearspgc
Good job with the E3 coverage.
20
Posted on 4 June, 2009 at 3:11 am by The3DGalaxian
When I first saw this at the press conference I didn’t know what to think. But I’m definitly warming to it. The track creator looks fantastic and my only real negative point would be that I think the driving controls look too ridge racery and very drifty for my taste. But that’s just my inital thought. I’m definitely looking forward to it though.
21
Posted on 4 June, 2009 at 3:51 am by Pete-Err
Probably one of the most exciting things I took from the entire E3.
There were ALOT of sequels in this E3, so to see an original IP, and especially one derived from as great a concept as “Play, Create, Share” was terrific.
Then they bought on the level editor and I was simply amazed. I’ve watched that video 5 times now, and it gets better each time. I can’t believe how seamlessly it creates a great looking track – we’re going to see so many tracks on this game its lastability will be immense!
Hope the gameplay itself provides enough variety and interest to complement the exceptional work on the creation tools.
22
Posted on 4 June, 2009 at 4:42 am by SeasonForTreason
I saw the demo of this game live on GT and I weren’t all that impressed…
Still pretty sweet though.. for racing/LBP fans that is. ^^
23
Posted on 4 June, 2009 at 9:34 am by Bad_Byte
lol so they making a Mario Kart clone
24
Posted on 4 June, 2009 at 10:01 am by Apnomis
This was a complete surprise at the Press Conference, I had heard nothing about this at all – not even a rumour (I think it stands alone with FFXIV as the only things I hadn’t heard rumours/info on before the show!)! After seeing the live stage demo it went straight onto my wanted list!
As people have been saying it’s like a much much cooler version of MarioKart! I can’t wait to try out the tracks that the community creates, and I can’t wait to create my own! The interface looks much simplier than LBP, but hopefully there is hidden depth there that wasn’t shown for the 5 minute level.
I look forward to see a compilation trailer of created levels, hopefully there will be a lot more themes and textures to choose from so they aren’t all just grass/mountain/lake type levels. Also don’t forget to make it fun to race and not just fun to create, no good if the racing part doesn’t feel fun.
Race. Create. Share.
25
Posted on 4 June, 2009 at 11:55 am by swcoruscant
This looks really nice and fun, it should bring more people to the PS3, like LBP did.
26
Posted on 4 June, 2009 at 12:03 pm by Sla-Mori
Looks cool, its sure looks to be a great game.
The E3 has been great so far besides all the usual negative release delays… Heavy rain and White knight chronicles for Q1 2010, If MAG or Uncharted 2 is delayed to 2010 then I’m really upset!
27
Posted on 4 June, 2009 at 12:29 pm by sympozium_666
Can’t wait!!! looks awesome
28
Posted on 4 June, 2009 at 12:46 pm by KeizerKuzco
The game looks great, I love the fact that Sony is now supporting the Play. Create. Share. vision in full and bringing it into other types of games.
The only reason however, why I wouldn’t buy ModNation Racers, is if there would be NO offline multiplayer; you just have to include it too make it a proper game! That’s what makes half of the fun of LittleBigPlanet; playing through the levels with your friends, both on- and offline. And Mario Kart couldn’t be half as fun either, if it didn’t include multiplayer.
What are your plans on this? Splitscreen? Multiple users in the same view? Please, please include it!
29
Posted on 4 June, 2009 at 2:06 pm by Torence
Great, great game.
Mario kart meets little big planet…and the editor is the most powerful and easy one i’ve ever saw, a lot easier than the LBP’s one.
We really need more community games like these to attract more people…just keep up the good work.
The only thing i don’t know is: it will be released as a full game on BD, or as a psn game?
30
Posted on 4 June, 2009 at 3:20 pm by almighty-slayer
Nice copy and paste :p
As i said on the US blog, this was one of the best games of E3 in my opinion and i can’t wait for it. Love the simlistity of the track maker etc.
31
Posted on 4 June, 2009 at 5:05 pm by Gamerwillz
This game does look amazing! Also looks fun to play like Mario Kart! Can’t wait to try it out!
32
Posted on 4 June, 2009 at 6:10 pm by MightyCrow
Hi James, ModNation Racers looks awesome but I was wondering if you could get a few question answered:
Is it going to include character customization and will there be added character and level kits like in LBP?
Keep up the good work
Posted on 4 June, 2009 at 7:03 pm by James Gallagher
Yup, really deep character and kart customisation.
33
Posted on 4 June, 2009 at 6:57 pm by nuclear_predator
Looks great
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