ModNation Racers

***ModNation Racers*** is a 2010 go-kart racing video game developed by United Front Games for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable.

The PlayStation Portable version was announced on February 2010. Both versions of the game were released in Europe on May 21, 2010, the UK on May 19 and North America on May 25.

## Gameplay

Players are able to accelerate and drift, successful drifts allow players to fill their boost meter. The meter resembles a multi-tiered thermometer which allows players to the choice of activating a turbo boost to increase the kart's speed, a shield to protect their kart from incoming attacks or sideswiping other racers. Players are able to collect weapons as they race which can be upgraded to up to three levels of power, weapons include sonic attacks, missiles and lightning strikes. For example, a first level sonic attack emits a series of rings around the player knocking nearby opponents off the track while a third level sonic attack sends the rings forward, knocking all racers ahead of the player off of the track. In addition to the emphasis on user-generated content, the game includes a full-fledged single-player mode featuring a story by professional Hollywood writers.

### ModSpot

ModSpot is the main lobby area for *ModNation Racers*. Players can meet up, race, and create and download content. The ModSpot contains Race Station which has Online Race, Quick Race, Split-Screen and Career (Story Mode), Creation Station, where players create their Mods, Karts and Tracks, and also share and shop points, Top Mods, Top Karts and Top Tracks, Coming Attractions to view upcoming DLC, Hot Lap where players can try to earn the best times on a track and a News Update screen. Players can start chats using text, voice or gestures.

## Development

The game was first announced at the Electronic Entertainment Expo 2009 cited as being a "thoroughly modern take on kart racing." Producer Dan Sochan stated that the PlayStation Network being free, and the PlayStation 3 console's power were important factors when deciding to make *ModNation Racers* a PlayStation 3-exclusive game. During development, the aim has been to reduce the restrictions and limits the circuit building tool places on circuit design, to create as open an experience as possible. The circuits themselves won't necessarily have to be realistic as various obstacles, launchers and the like will be available, as well as some new and original weapons. In addition, United Front Games, the developers of *ModNation Racers*, have a "great relationship" with *LittleBigPlanet* developer Media Molecule. At Gamescom 2009 in August, the developers confirmed that *ModNation Racers* was to have 4-player split screen and an online mode where twelve people could join in on a single race.

## Reception

*ModNation Racers* received mostly positive reviews. It was rated 9 out of 10 by IGN, who commended the game for its excellent kart racing mechanics and robust level design tools, stating, "If you can dream it, you really can make it in *ModNation Racers*." Gamers Globe, a Danish gaming website, also rated *ModNation Racers* 9 out of 10, saying "the game isn't a creative breakthrough as *LittleBigPlanet* or a go-kart game so complete as *Mario Kart* - it's a solid combination of both, which borrows the best of two worlds." Eurogamer scored the game 7 out of 10, criticizing long loading times and saying that the dynamic game difficulty can make the player feel like they're "operating at a distinct disadvantage," but that, when playing online or split screen against other human players, "ModNation allows its own charm to shine through".