OutrunTwo is a stone cold classic. And I mean that in both senses as not can you not buy it currently (nor have been for ages) but, worst of all, there is no definitive as each version has its perks and quirks. The SX edition aims to change this. Just one of the many titles I’ve envisioned for Sega’s return to the hardware game, as I stated in the vid. Starting off strong this modernized reimagining will keep the main game as it is but add in some new tricks:
Same classic stages. The drift is identical. What I envision thats new is a small list of things that would be easy to implement and, developmentally, cost next to nothing as a load of the assets are already sitting. Lets get lateral with them then! Your starter for ten:
Fifteen new tracks built around Sega’s greatest strength:
A back catalogue of IPs that is immense. Can you imagine screeching through Inaba as it links into Sonic’s Star Light Zone next? How about spinning out in Kamurocho then taking in the sights of the astral as you race the night away? On goes the list. There is plenty to pick, yes? My particular faves are the one, listed, where you see a vivid reimagining of Green Hill Zone in a felt cloth aesthetic much like the floor mat/race track many had back when. The Afterburner jet drag race course is also pretty spiff as I’ve envisioned loads of stages designed to bring the nostalgia racing back again. The next fifteen tracks are new venues and things. Like the land of Eng, Italy as well and a few others I’ve imagined. The best part is the weather is now dynamic so this adds in an extra bit of skill as the handling shifts and this is the main reason I chose this title as the first resurrected on DCSX:
I have designed some haptic analog sticks.
That means you’ll feel it kick back as it drifts. Each acceleration shift will bring a thunk as well. Not only this but the gyro controls will be a DCSX exclusive (as will the release be, for months six) as the device can be used as is or controller on your TV set as well. Thirty player online matches where the starts are staggered depending on the skill of your driving so everyone gets to join in. Custom soundtracks are available and I’ve imagined a host of new challenges as well. Like Maraca Mode in which you drift in link with the rhythm in order to excel. Sega have an immense rack of catchy tunes. This launch title will use them well. As will what comes next…
See, whilst it may come to the market strong with their entire DC back catalogue, upscaled, and arcade classics with net play as well along with the social aspects and Net Yaroze dev environment I mentioned the main point of his launch title is to showcase the entire ethos of the platform:
Leverage what already exists but, at present, languishes. The Sonic racing games visuals can be repurposed with new track designs for this incursion which keeps costs low as hell. Thats the entire point of the DCSX:
Make games entertaining and cheap to develop. A brand new ecosystem that encourages bedroom coders and thus hones the next gen of talent with a Sega supported environment along with place to sell as well. Getting back to OutrunTwo SX:
You can host a remote or local contest, select the track order and then let rip. Race them backwards, forwards, in which ever way you pick. Not only this but I’ve envisioned a whole host of bonus challenges. Like the Persona stage in which you collect cards then fuse a pick to pull off tricks. The aforementioned rhythm based challenges and so much more as well. Like knockout races, chase the flag and who’s hard to hit which is a totally tactical way of playing. Best of all? No blue shells or weapons – just pure skill. You can match with elites or have the staggered start if you wish. Everyone finds their own level of challenge and that “One more go!” thrill. Whoever sits at the top of the leaderboard gets an exclusive skin and, get this, you can bet them! Or just stick to gambling your Outrun Miles if you wish. There are plenty of options as this is just a mere hint of the concept.
The dynamic weather keeps it interesting as it changes the physics in response to your skill level so the novice barely notices but the expert feels the back end drift. Not only this but a fuel gauge that rewards the efficient so its not just the time you’re running against when the needle is on red. These are, as everything else, optional. Another level of challenge for the professionals who have been racing for two decades straight. Like being able to buy upgrades and tune your vehicle as well. Nothing crazy, this is arcade racing in the end and the game accounts for the advantage so you begin at the end.
I haven’t even spoke on a tiny bit of what I envision for this concept and, as mentioned, its development costs are minimal. Thats a hallmark of the ten titles I’ve picked and the one that comes next will have you tap the side of your head as you yell:
“Of course! Its perfect! Why haven’t they done it yet?“.
See, to be as good as they were back then takes more than Sega, my friend. That is where I come in as I see a bigger pic and whole ecosystem that doesn’t exist yet. But will. See, I predict the Western gaming market will tank or, at the least, undergo a course correction. Based on my estimates of development Sega could get back into the hardware game with minimal investment and leverage their immense back catalogue by thinking laterally with IPs, withering, as they introduce a brand new generation to exactly what made them so special, back when. Not only this but timed exclusives give them a place to spotlight their releases because they have dropped some excellent games that just don’t sell at the moment. A word on the coming trend:
When development costs are in the hundreds of millions and the market is immense you simply cannot cater to everyone as, in the end, no one wants what you sell. The DCSX environment changes this as ARM chips and smaller size equals less risk and more room for maneuvering. Or drifting. I’ll let you tell it, my friend. This way they buck the trend, generate a home portable that comes out of the gate with an immense catalogue of hits but, best of all, its these redux features that are spinning around in my head as most of them are dusting off old IPs they pretend don’t exist. As for the Ferrari license, its simple:
Look at this. They need some good PR and thus this is the perfect moment to pick up the phone and give them a ring. Six months to bring a brand new product with remastered games to market is pushing it but its a zero risk proposition as my idea for Hyenas would claw back double the investment that, at present, is just languishing.
If you like what I’ve got to say and want to see it happen then send a link, let em know. If you truly want fun games again then its the only way to go as increased fidelity and design by committee has got the field in a stagnant mess. The time is now, my friend.
Till we meet again
