Speed Devils
Questions and Answers
Alexandre Thabet – Project Manager

Q :	Who is developing Speed Devils on Dreamcast ?  Is it the same team that developed Speed Busters for the PC?

A:	Yes, part of the team came directly from Speed Busters PC bringing experience and knowledge to the new team. On the other hand, the strategic resources of the project, such as the game designers, were totally new to the game. In a way, this enabled us to be more objective in the process of creating a game totally  suitable to the console public.

Q :	How many people are working on the game?

A: 	27 people

•	1 Project manager
•	2 Game designers
•	2 Info-Designers
•	12 3D artists
•	9 Programmers
•	1 Sound Designer
•	+ testers

Q : 	When did the development begin ?

A:	Development began in Mid-November 98 in Montreal.

Q :	When is the release date for the game in Japan, the US and Europe?

A:	September 99 World Wide	

Q : 	E3 feedback on Speed Devils were pretty good... Which are the main distinctive features of the game ? 

A : 	We were very happy to see that most of the people who played the game really enjoyed it : that’s true, Speed Devils is very fun and very “unusual”. Firstly, the way tracks and environments have been set up : after a quick look at the game,  you will know you are not about to play the usual racing game. Graphically, the game should set new standards in terms of variety and richness in details. 

Same for the cars : have you seen the new chromes we added? They are very unique in video games!

In addition, shortcuts, animations that interact with you, car damages are so well exploited in this game that it would be very difficult not to see and feel that Speed Devils offers a completely new experience in racing.  Last, Speed Devils is not just about racing. The game introduces a great dimension of gambling and strategy before, after and during the race. This dimension adds to the game a great deal of personality and depth that most of today’s arcade racing game are lacking…

Q : 	More specifically, what is the part of the gambling as well as the role of the bet takers and competitors? 

A : 	Introducing bets in Speed Devils had two purposes. Firstly, it gives a whole lot of depth and style to the game. Secondly, it is an interesting way to give more life to the competitors, generating a whole gambling atmosphere.
In Speed Devils, you should become eager to place wagers and to challenge opponents very quickly. While starting a race, another driver with his own characteristics as well as racing strategy may challenge you :  if so, take it or leave it! Be the big gambler and risk taker this game wants you to be or just follow your own path to ultimately beat Driver X, a mysterious racer unbeaten so far…

Q : 	Will you be able to damage your car, as well as customize it? 

A : 	Yes, we believe that one of Speed Devils  strong point is that cars get visually damaged through a race and affect the vehicle behavior. Through repairs and upgrades, a player will be able to enhance the vehicle control and performance while enhancing it also visually. While customizing its car, the player will also have to consider the subsequent race conditions he will have to deal with so to maximize the vehicle performance and therefore the player’s performance as a whole.

Q : 	Will the player be able to change the skin of his car?
 
A : 	When a player will have earned enough money to buy himself a new car, he will go through the usual exciting steps when you choose a new vehicle: first, the car, second the transmission and lastly the skin. Some artistic skins have been designed for the player to chose from so to make the purchase a totally personalized experience. One particularity, is that once purchased neither the transmission nor the skin can be changed…The only way around that for the player will be to sell it and buy a new one (at a lost, of course…).

Q : 	Are there characters present in the game?  

A:	Yes. Every opponents will have a face, a specific car, a specific car skin, a personalized car behavior and even a home track for some of them… this will give far more personality to the game and will support the gambling and challenge dimension we are presently developing in the game. Just to illustrate this aspect of the game, two Mexican drivers (sister and brother) may well challenge the player when he first race on Mexico. When he does, he will see those two opponents sticking together and making sure the player doesn’t pass them…

Q :	What about the championship mode?  Is it supposed to be the main mode of the game?  If so, why?

A:	Yes , the championship mode will be the heart of the game. The mode has been completely restructured, given far greater depth and replay value than on the PC version. In this mode, the player will compete against different characters that will not only have a distinct personality and driving style but also will challenge the player for money or even their own car all through the championship. Player will be able to use that money to buy new cars, upgrades so to prepare for the ultimate challenge against the mysterious Driver X…

Q :	What is the garage?

A :	The garage is the center of activity for the player. It is where everything takes place. Here the player will cumulate money, trophies, cars and occasionally will be visited by other opponents or bet takers willing to undertake a challenge or a bet.

Q : 	Will the cars’ behavior be entirely “arcade” oriented?  What will be the consequences for the player?

A:	Yes! The car behaviors are being completely readjusted to please the arcade gamer. Consequences for the player will be a steeper learning curve, more movement, more speed, more fun!

Q : 	Speed Devils will be launched on Dreamcast next September. What is the potential of the game on such a console? 

A : 	At the launching of the console, you will have the choice between many motor racing titles. However, most of them will be very simulation oriented (Sega Rally 2, Monaco Grand Prix...) ... which makes the Speed Devils concept unique and complementary. If you are looking for a very new and fun experience that really takes advantage of the new console, Speed Devils is the game. Speed Devils is the only title to offer hi-speed sensations driving amazing American muscle cars, with the fun and excitement of gambling! As a result we are convinced that the potential of the game is great : gamers shouldn’t choose between one simulation title and Speed Devils, they should try both.

Q : 	Why don’t you choose any cars licence for the game? 

A : 	We have decided not to add a licence to the game as we are convinced that it would hurt the gameplay as well as the concept itself. As our first priority was to built a great new concept and feel that really brings something more to the arcade genre. Having licensed cars would have limit the designer’s creativity when modelling these great looking and fun vehicles (not to forget that all of them have many different levels of damages with 4 upgrade levels). In addition, by being a launch title Speed Devils will get enough visibility not to bother with licenses that could have change what we think is a good gameplay as it stands right now…

Q : 	How will you save data on Dreamcast ?

A: 	Using the Visual Memory Unit (VMU), the player will be able to save his garage. When he does, not only will he be able to reload it on any Dreamcast, but he will have the opportunity to consult it on his VMU itself (stand alone). See what cars he has, how much money, how many driver points…
In addition the VMU will serve as a radar to the player during the game if connected to the controller.

Q : 	What did you improve in the game since it was shown at E3?
	
A : 		The version shown at E3 was a very early version of the game. Therefore many elements have been added and improved since then. The major ones are:

•	The frame rate (stable 30 FPS single and multi-player, always with no clipping…)
•	Chrome on cars (giving a more realistic look to cars)
•	Car handling
•	Championship mode: the heart of the game is now almost finished and really makes the game a complete experience (not just racing with fun cars on beautiful and fun tracks)
•	Multi-player 5 different and fun modes to choose from (2 player only)
•	Sounds and music
•	Wheel, Puru-Puru compatibility
•	All ambiences (including night with headlights, a must see…)
•	And much more for you to discover…