Asobo, known today as the Microsoft Flight Simulator developer, created groundbreaking technology for large scale maps that was intended to be used in a high quality rally raid title. It was never released and ended up as FUEL, a post-apocalyptic open-world racing game. What happened?
RSC contains a database of 153 developers, 468 software titles, 374 cars, 42 bikes, 242 tracks and more...Originally working in military simulator design, this Michigan-based studio developed Zone Raiders for Virgin Interactive before moving to Electronic Arts for publishing their second PC title, Sports Car GT, when Westwood Studios (their SCGT development partner) was acquired by the software giant.
Known primarily for their mod-friendly SCGT and rFactor racing platforms, ISI also developed Formula One and NASCAR titles on PC for Electronic Arts, but perhaps their lasting contribution to the genre was the licensing of the isiMotor engine that allowed studios such as 2Pez, Blimey! Games, KW Studios, Motorsport Games, Reiza Studios, SIMBIN Studios, Slightly Mad Studios, The Sim Factory, Tiburon and rFactor 2‘s ongoing developer Studio 397 to begin with or release on an evolution of their software.
Another fork of the isiMotor engine, rFpro, continues to be developed and is used by a wide array of automotive companies for both road and motorsport simulation.
RSC Podcast Episode 7 – Management Simulations, F1 Managers, Always Used To Be Better?Join Jon Denton, Tim Wheatley, Simon Croft and guest(s) as they discuss sim racing and racing games past, present and future.
RSC contains a database of news items. Our #OnThisDay page shows current day and current week of years past...
RSC contains a database of videos back to the 1980s catalogued as intros, laps, trailers, unboxings and more...
RSC contains a database of emulated software you can play in your browser...
Kalisto’s Ultim@te Race will be published by Microprose. Check out the press release below.
Press Release:
MICROPROSE ANNOUNCES MULTI-PRODUCT PUBLISHING DEAL WITH EUROPEAN DEVELOPER KALISTO ENTERTAINMENT
Alameda, CA, August 27, 1997–Interactive entertainment company Spectrum HoloByte, Inc. (NASDAQ-NMS: SBYT) announced today a multi-product publishing deal with European developer Kalisto Entertainment, creators of Pac In Time and Savage Warriors. Products named in the publishing deal are the highly anticipated Dark Earth and Ultim@te Race which have already received tremendous acclaim. These products will be published under the MicroProse brand name and distributed worldwide.
“MicroProse has unparalleled worldwide marketing and distribution channels,” said Nicholas Gaume, founder and president of Kalisto Entertainment. “Their reputation for delivering high-quality, imaginative games to the marketplace mirrors our high standards of excellence.”
“With Kalisto’s seven years of expertise and innovation in games development, MicroProse sees significant opportunities in working with Kalisto on current and future titles in development,” said Stephen Race, chief executive officer at MicroProse. “We look forward to a long-term relationship with their dedicated and enthusiastic team.”
Dark Earth is a real-time adventure game with stunning and unique visuals. Set in an evolving world, players face one challenge after another while interacting with over 100 beautifully modeled 3-D characters in 60 locations involving more than 250 pre-rendered, animated scenes. Dark Earth is a mix of real-time adventure, combat and action providing constant, enterprising game play.
Dark Earth has received significant press coverage throughout the world over the past year, including the cover of major gaming publications throughout Europe and the U.S. “Dark Earth has a very different look from any adventure game we’ve played before…you have to be impressed with the visual look of this game…the animation is superb,” said Computer Gaming World in a June 1996 cover story. “Few graphical adventures, past or present approach the level of depth and complexity that Dark Earth appears to have…Kalisto has created what may well be one of the largest and most unique titles of the year,” said Next Generation in a June 1996 game preview. “The graphical 3-D engine looks super so far…combat is easily controlled and intuitive, as is the entire interface with full-screen inventory,” said Computer Games Strategy Plus in an October 97 game preview.
Ultim@te Race is a multiplayer high-action arcade style racing game for the PC, taking full advantage of a realistic 3-D computer environment to present a unique gaming experience. The game features a high frame rate with high quality imagery, multiple tracks and cars, and built-in 3-D acceleration support for the 3Dfx, PowerVR chipsets and Direct3D cards.
Spectrum HoloByte, Inc. is a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software for use on CD-ROM-based personal computers under the MicroProse brand name. The company is also developing software for use on next generation 32/64-bit console machines, the Internet and on-line gaming services. The company has five development studios located in: Alameda, California; Hunt Valley, Maryland; Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Austin, Texas and Chipping Sodbury, England. Products are available nationally and internationally under the MicroProse brand and are sold through major distributors, retailers and mass merchants. Product and company information are available for download from the MicroProse World Wide Web site at http://www.microprose.com.
