Project CARS
Logo of Project CARS series, used in the first and second instalments
Genre(s)Racing simulation
Developer(s)Slightly Mad Studios
Publisher(s)Bandai Namco Entertainment
Platform(s)
First releaseProject CARS
6 May 2015
Latest releaseProject CARS GO
23 March 2021

Project CARS was a sim racing video game series developed by Slightly Mad Studios and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. The franchise was introduced in 2015 and received a sequel in 2017, followed by Project CARS 3 in 2020. Following the acquisition of Codemasters by Electronic Arts, the Project CARS IP was later shutdown in 2022.

Games

Aggregate review scores
As of 24 August 2020.
Game Year Metacritic
Project CARS 2015
Project CARS 2 2017
Project CARS 3 2020

Project CARS (2015)

Main article: Project CARS (video game)

The first video game of the series was initially released on 6 May 2015. It was available on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.[10] A complete edition, titled Project CARS Game of the Year Edition, was launched on 6 May 2016.[11] The game was generally well received upon release, and had sold 2 million copies as of October 2016.[12]

Project CARS 2 (2017)

Main article: Project CARS 2

Project CARS 2 was announced as the sequel after the success of Project CARS. It features 140 track layouts at 60 different spots and 189 cars ranging from go-karts to Supercars, including Porsche, McLaren, Ferrari, Nissan, Aston Martin, Lamborghini, etc.[13] It was available worldwide on 22 September 2017 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One platforms.[14][15] The game received positive reviews, and won the Best Simulation Game award of Gamescom 2017.[16][17]

Project CARS 3 (2020)

Main article: Project CARS 3

Project CARS 3 was announced in December 2018.[18] In November 2019, Slightly Mad Studios, the developer of the franchise, was acquired by Codemasters, British video game developer and publisher known for Formula One series, Colin McRae Rally and Dirt, TOCA and Grid series, which means Codemasters now holds the rights to the Project CARS titles.[19] Unlike previous games, it features arcade style gameplay and was created as a spiritual successor to Need for Speed: Shift. The game was released on 28 August 2020.[20][21]

Project CARS GO (2021)

In May 2018, Slightly Mad Studios announced the spin-off title Project CARS GO for mobile devices, which is being co-developed by Gamevil. Like the main series, it would feature licensed cars and vehicle customisation.[22] It was not until February 2021 when Gamevil confirms they would launch the game for Android and iOS devices on 23 March 2021.[23] Prior to launch, the game had an open beta period for Android users in Finland, Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands from 26 January until 11 March.[24]

Future

The series was set for a fourth title sometime in 2024 but this was eventually cancelled by its owner Electronic Arts in November 2022.[25]

References

  1. ^ "Project CARS PC". Metacritic. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  2. ^ "Project CARS PlayStation 4". Metacritic. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  3. ^ "Project CARS Xbox One". Metacritic. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  4. ^ "Project CARS 2 PC". Metacritic. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  5. ^ "Project CARS PlayStation 3". Metacritic. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  6. ^ "Project CARS 2 Xbox 360". Metacritic. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  7. ^ "Project Cars 3 for PC reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  8. ^ "Project Cars 3 for PS4 reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  9. ^ "Project Cars 3 for Xbox One reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  10. ^ Saed, Sherif (5 May 2015). "PC version of Project Cars delayed in Australia due to severe weather". VG247. Retrieved 6 June 2015.
  11. ^ Dooley, Kevin (6 May 2016). "Project CARS: GOTY Edition available now". TeamVVV.com. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  12. ^ Kyle, Patrick (26 October 2016). "Project CARS Hits 2 Million Copies Sold". gtplanet.net. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
  13. ^ "Explore". projectcarsgame.com. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  14. ^ Blake, Vikki (8 June 2017). "Project Cars 2 Release Date Announced". IGN. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  15. ^ Martin, Chris (21 September 2017). "Project Cars 2 release date revealed via new gameplay trailer". TechAdvisor. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
  16. ^ Khan, Zubi (21 August 2017). "Gamescom 2017 Award Nominees". CGMagazine. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  17. ^ GameCentral (24 August 2017). "Super Mario Odyssey sweeps Best Of Gamescom awards". Metro.co.uk. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  18. ^ Wells, Cory (11 December 2018). "Project Cars 3 is Happening". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  19. ^ McWhertor, Michael (28 November 2019). "Codemasters acquires Project CARS developer Slightly Mad Studios". Polygon. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  20. ^ Winslow, Jeremy (3 June 2020). "Project Cars 3 Officially Announced With Reveal Trailer, Coming This Summer". GameSpot. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  21. ^ "Project CARS 3 launches August 28". Gematsu. 24 June 2020. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  22. ^ Phillips, Tom (16 May 2018). "New Project Cars game announced". Eurogamer. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  23. ^ Roston, Brittany A. (13 February 2021). "Project CARS GO, the game you forgot about, finally has a release date". SlashGear. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  24. ^ Sholtz, Matthew (8 February 2021). "Project Cars Go speeds onto Android as a one-tap racer". Android Police. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  25. ^ "EA CANCELS the Project CARS series!". racinggames.gg. 8 November 2022. Retrieved 2023-03-23.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Project CARS series.
Codemasters
Slightly Mad Studios
Electronic Arts
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