Xatax
Cover art
Developer(s)MediaTech West[2]
Publisher(s)Bethesda Softworks
Programmer(s)Brent Erickson[3]
EngineXnGine[4][5]
Platform(s)DOS[6]
Release
Genre(s)Racing
Mode(s)Single-player

XCar: Experimental Racing is a video game developed by MediaTech West and published by Bethesda Softworks for DOS on August 22, 1997.

Development

Development on the game started as early as 1995.[7][8] The game was originally set to release in January 1997[9] but the release date was pushed to mid August 1997.[10] The game's director of development was Brent Erickson.[11] The development took 8 full time team members.[7]

The game used SciTech Software's Display Doctor Technology.[12]

Reception

The game received average reviews. Next Generation said, "There are an awful lot of racing titles out there, nearly all aimed at enthusiasts of one particular circuit or class of car. XCar has no license to speak of, throwing out any sort of endorsement in favor of raw performance and[,] above all, speed. For players who just want to go fast, it delivers."[2]

Dennis Lynda of Chicago Tribune said, "If you're a would-be mechanic you will love this complex and intricately detailed game, but others will find their heads spinning long after the tires stop."[22] Bad Hare of GamePro said, "XCar requires a driver's precision and a mechanic's sensibility – in other words, it's perfect for serious fans of Papyrus' ultra-real racing sims. If you don't enjoy the details, steer clear – this one ain't for casual Sunday drivers."[23][a]

Notes

  1. ^ GamePro gave the game a perfect 5/5 for graphics, and three 4/5 scores for sound, control, and fun factor.

References

  1. ^ Smith, Erica (August 22, 1997). "On the Shelves This Week". Gamecenter. CNET. Archived from the original on August 17, 2000. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c "X-Car: Experimental Racing". Next Generation. No. 35. Imagine Media. November 1997. p. 208. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  3. ^ "XCar". Next Generation. October 1996. p. 112. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  4. ^ "XCar: Experimental Racing Features". xcar.bethsoft.com. Archived from the original on April 25, 2001. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  5. ^ Gerschwiler, Richard (1997). "XCar Experimental Racing Review". Gamezilla. Gamezilla, Inc. Archived from the original on April 23, 2001. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  6. ^ "The Future of Racing". PCMag. November 4, 1997. p. 446. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  7. ^ a b "XCar: Experimental Racing The Making Of". xcar.bethsoft.com. 1997. Archived from the original on April 25, 2001. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  8. ^ "Special Feature". GamePro. March 1996. p. 72,73. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  9. ^ Air Hendrix (January 1997). "XCar: Experimental Racing (Preview)". GamePro. IDG. p. 67. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  10. ^ GameSpot staff (May 12, 1997). "X-Car Slowed". GameSpot. Archived from the original on March 11, 2000. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  11. ^ "XCar: Experimental Racing is a Sim Dream!". xcar.bethsoft.com. June 16, 1997. Archived from the original on April 25, 2001. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  12. ^ "SciTech Technology Licensed by Bethesda Softworks". scitechsoft.com. August 29, 1997. Archived from the original on October 26, 1997. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  13. ^ Mahood, Andy (September 4, 1997). "XCar: Experimental Racing". Gamecenter. CNET. Archived from the original on August 16, 2000. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  14. ^ Bauman, Steve (1997). "X-Car [sic]". Computer Games Strategy Plus. Strategy Plus, Inc. Archived from the original on May 23, 2003. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  15. ^ Goble, Gordon (December 1997). "Xtraordinary, Yet Xasperating (XCar: Experimental Racing Review)". Computer Gaming World. No. 161. Ziff Davis. pp. 338–39. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  16. ^ Hubble, Calvin (August 1997). "XCar Experimental Racing Review". GameRevolution. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on June 13, 1998. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  17. ^ Poole, Stephen (September 8, 1997). "XCar: Experimental Racing Review [date mislabeled as "May 2, 2000"]". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on January 12, 2005. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  18. ^ "XCar: Experimental Racing". GameStar (in German). Webedia. November 1997.
  19. ^ "X-Car : Experimental Racing [sic]". Génération 4 (in French). No. 102. September 1997. p. 210. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  20. ^ Vaughn, Todd (November 1997). "XCar: Experimental Racing". PC Gamer. Vol. 4, no. 11. Imagine Media. p. 211. Archived from the original on March 2, 2000. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  21. ^ Wildgoose, David (January 1998). "X-Car [sic]". PC PowerPlay. No. 20. Next Media Pty Ltd. pp. 80–81. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  22. ^ a b Lynda, Dennis (January 1, 1998). "There's plenty of competition among the auto racing games". Chicago Tribune. Tribune Publishing. p. 61. Retrieved August 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ^ Bad Hare (November 1997). "XCar [Experimental Racing]". GamePro. No. 110. IDG. p. 107. Retrieved November 10, 2021.

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