Let us try and remember the days of the old arcade. People would spend entire days there, hanging out with friends to try and outdo each other in a game of OutRun or Ridge Racer. Are you picturing it? Good. Super Systems Softworks is looking to bring back the classic arcade racer with their new Kickstarter project, Drift Stage.
Game designers Chase Pettit and Charles Blanchard believe this game is “a modern evolution of the classic arcade racer – an homage to the culture, cars, and games of the mid-late 80s and early 90s.” Drift Stage focuses on easy-to-pick-up gameplay, reminiscent of classic racing games you would see on the SEGA Genesis or Super Nintendo.
If the name of the game didn’t give it away, the main goal of the Drift Stage is to drift. With the drifting mechanics being inspired by games like Ridge Racer, Daytona USA and OutRun 2. “Races become duels of wits and technique, with the deciding factor often coming down to split second timing on the entry or exit of the turn.”
Various modes are planned to be included in the game, such as single race, time trial, Infinite Drift (Checkpoint-style races on a randomly generated track), career mode and workshop. Workshop mode will allow the player to “create custom tracks in an in-game editor and customize your cars with decals.” Super Systems Softworks does have a teaser demo of the current alpha build you can download to try for yourself.
Playing Drift Stage brought me back to a time when I was a youngin’, whooping my brother’s ass in Ridge Racer. From what Super Systems has shown us, it definitely looks promising. Hugh Myrone’s in-game soundtrack is very catchy and reminiscent of films from the 1980s (or the great soundtrack of Drive, starring Ryan Gosling. Your pick), and the controls are simple and easy to use.
The game developers have a number of rewards to give away if you do choose to donate. Pledging $10 gives you a digital copy of the game, backer forum access and your name in the backer credits. Pledging $15 gives you early access to beta builds along with the previous rewards tiers. If you pledge $25 or more, you get a digital download of the full soundtrack (yay!) and all previous rewards. Donating $40 gets you an an exclusive vinyl stick sheet and window decal (plus the previous goodies!). If you’re feeling really generous, pledge $500 and get a personalized in-game billboard! For those who always wanted to advertise their motorized golf club cleaners or new brand of underwear, now’s your chance.
As of this article, Drift Stage currently has $11,317 of its $30,000 goal. If you want this fantastic game to come to life, you have until Feb. 8th to fund the project. Click here to donate. I think I’m gonna go and donate so I can get that soundtrack.
[Source: Kickstarter]
