Auto Modellista
{{Short description|2002 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Auto Modellista
| image = Auto Modellista Coverart.png
| caption = European PlayStation 2 version cover art featuring a Mazda RX-7
| developer = Capcom Production Studio 1
| publisher = Capcom
| director = Hideaki Itsuno
| producer = Yoshihiro Sudou
| designer = Tatsuya Nakae
Shinichirō Obata
Ryozo Tsujimoto
Keni Kinoshita
| writer =
| programmer =
| artist =
| composer = Tetsuya Shibata
Isao Abe
| engine = Artistoon
| released = PlayStation 2
{{vgrelease|JP|August 22, 2002|EU|December 6, 2002|NA|March 25, 2003|JP|September 11, 2003 (US Tuned)}}GameCube
{{vgrelease|JP|July 3, 2003 (US Tuned)|NA|September 30, 2003}}Xbox
{{vgrelease|NA|January 20, 2004|JP|January 29, 2004}}
| genre = Arcade style racing
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer (online PS2 and Xbox)
| platforms = PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox
}}
{{nihongo|Auto Modellista|アウトモデリスタ|Auto Moderisuta}}Rough Italian for "car collector". is a racing game developed and published by Capcom, first released on PlayStation 2, later ported to GameCube and Xbox.
Description
Auto Modellista distinguished itself from other games of the same genre with cel-shaded graphics, which gave a hand-drawn and cartoon-like appearance. The game plays similarly to games like Gran Turismo, with the player picking a vehicle which they can modify and customize. There are six tracks in the default game, including the real-life Suzuka Circuit and the Mt. Akagi mountain pass.
After middling initial reception, with criticism mostly centered around its short overall length and general lack of content, Capcom modified the game for its North American release. In Japan, the game was rereleased with these changes as Auto Modellista: US Tuned. This version featured additional cars from American manufacturers, such as the Dodge Viper and Ford GT, two new oval tracks, various UI improvements and a different handling model which saw cars having significantly less grip, resulting in slower acceleration and more loss of speed when cornering.{{cite web |title=Auto Modellista: Original vs US Tuned |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pf0Dpwd04t8 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/pf0Dpwd04t8 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|website=YouTube |date=3 October 2017 |publisher=渡辺ノキ |accessdate=31 August 2020}}{{cbignore}} The US Tuned version of the game was especially criticized for its floaty handling model and subsequently more difficult gameplay, though the improved car and course list were well received.
The US Tuned changes were present in every following release of the game starting with the North American PlayStation 2 release in early 2003, evidenced by the new cover art featuring the Dodge Viper. Many distributors predicted that sales of the game were going to be poor, and generally refused to carry it.{{Citation needed|date=August 2020}}
In 2003, Auto Modellista received a followup in the form of Group S Challenge for the Xbox, though it lacked any of Auto Modellista{{'}}s visual style and is generally not considered to be a direct sequel. Capcom has not been involved with driving games since, although it did publish some games based on MotoGP developed by Milestone srl, and included Mega Man Battle & Chase, a racing game based on the Mega Man franchise, in the Mega Man X Collection.
Gameplay
Auto Modellista attempts to be a technical racing game, with an immense amount of available parts and settings for the selection of cars provided to the player. Various aspects of each car can be tuned, allowing the player to tweak the performance of the car.
In the Garage mode (the main single-player mode), the player is granted the ability to select one of four tire types which affect road grip in regard to the weather conditions on the race track (for example, the "Semi-Slick Tires" provide maximum speed and grip in dry weather, but suffer in rain). Other options include Brakes (which determine braking efficiency), Suspension, Turbines, Mufflers, Computer (determines the car's ability to accept upgrades later in the game), the engine, "Final Gear", and Weight Reduction.
Auto Modellista{{'}}s customization options also extend to visual enhancements, allowing the player to choose from many different color combinations, hood and spoiler types, plus the ability to add badges, stickers and even create license plates. Engine swaps are also available, for example, the Subaru 360 can have EJ20T in place of its EK32. Swapped engines cannot be re-tuned in the game.
A large aspect of the game was its online mode, with online races supporting up to 8 players. This functionality was not available on the GameCube and European PlayStation 2 versions. The online mode of Auto Modellista has since been discontinued however, Auto Modellista is now playable online again on the revival Xbox Live servers called Insignia.{{Cite web |title=Insignia - Auto Modellista |url=https://insignia.live/games/4343000e |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=insignia.live |language=en |archive-date=2025-01-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250115082026/https://insignia.live/games/4343000e |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Xbox |first=Pure |date=2023-11-16 |title=Xbox Live 1.0 Replacement 'Insignia' Now Supports 150 Games |url=https://www.purexbox.com/news/2023/11/xbox-live-1-0-replacement-insignia-now-supports-150-games |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=Pure Xbox |language=en-GB |archive-date=2025-01-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250119052021/https://www.purexbox.com/news/2023/11/xbox-live-1-0-replacement-insignia-now-supports-150-games |url-status=live}}
Development
Auto Modellista was a part of an initiative from Capcom's Production Studio 1 to develop three network focused games on the PlayStation 2. The other games were Monster Hunter and Resident Evil Outbreak. Capcom's plan was that at least one of the games would become a million seller. Both Monster Hunter and Resident Evil Outbreak eventually became million sellers.{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-03-11-as-monster-hunter-turns-10-can-capcom-finally-make-the-west-listen |title=As Monster Hunter turns 10, can Capcom finally make the west listen? |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=11 March 2014 |work=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network |accessdate=12 March 2014 |archive-date=13 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313031532/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-03-11-as-monster-hunter-turns-10-can-capcom-finally-make-the-west-listen |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Platinum Titles |url=http://ir.capcom.co.jp/english/data/million.html |website=Capcom Investor Relations |access-date=6 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060903004333/http://ir.capcom.co.jp/english/data/million.html |archive-date=3 September 2006 |date=29 August 2006 |url-status=dead}}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| NGC = true
| PS2 = true
| XBOX = true
| na = true
| Edge_PS2 = 4/10{{cite magazine |author=Edge staff |title=Auto Modellista (PS2) |magazine=Edge |issue=116 |date=November 2002}}
| EGM_PS2 = 5.83/10{{cite magazine|author=EGM staff |url=http://www.egmmag.com/article2/0,2053,1487737,00.asp |title=Auto Modellista (PS2) |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |issue=167 |date=June 2003 |page=131 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040603070802/http://www.egmmag.com/article2/0%2C2053%2C1487737%2C00.asp |archivedate=3 June 2004 |url-status=dead |accessdate=2 December 2014}}
| EuroG_PS2 = 4/10{{cite web |last=Bramwell |first=Tom |date=3 December 2002 |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_automodellista_ps2 |title=Auto Modellista (PS2) |website=Eurogamer |accessdate=2 December 2014 |archive-date=25 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151225061305/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_automodellista_ps2 |url-status=live}}
| Fam_PS2 = 30/40{{cite magazine |title=プレイステーション2 - アウトモデリスタ |magazine=Famitsu |volume=915 |date=30 June 2006 |page=93}}
| GI_PS2 = 8/10{{cite magazine |title=Auto Modellista (PS2) |magazine=Game Informer |issue=122 |date=June 2003 |page=104}}
| GamePro_PS2 = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite magazine |author=Four-Eyed Dragon |date=21 April 2003 |url=http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/29024.shtml |title=Auto Modellista Review for PS2 on GamePro.com |magazine=GamePro |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050209102106/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/29024.shtml |archivedate=9 February 2005 |url-status=dead |accessdate=2 December 2014}}
| GameRev_PS2 = B−{{cite web |last=Gee |first=Brian |date=19 April 2003 |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/auto-modellista |title=Auto Modellista Review (PS2) |publisher=Game Revolution |accessdate=2 December 2014}}
| GSpot_NGC = 6.2/10{{cite web |last=Gerstmann |first=Jeff |date=1 December 2003 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/auto-modellista-review/1900-6084854/ |title=Auto Modellista Review (GC) |website=GameSpot |accessdate=2 December 2014}}
| GSpy_PS2 = {{Rating|1|5}}{{cite web |last=Pavlacka |first=Adam |date=15 April 2003 |url=http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/auto-modellista/5778p1.html |title=GameSpy: Auto Modellista (PS2) |publisher=GameSpy |accessdate=2 December 2014 |archive-date=8 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131008080724/http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/auto-modellista/5778p1.html |url-status=live}}
| IGN_NGC = 5.5/10{{cite web |last=Rodriguez |first=Tyrone |date=16 October 2003 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/10/16/auto-modellista-review |title=Auto Modellista Review (GCN) |website=IGN |accessdate=2 December 2014 |archive-date=4 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140804115758/http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/10/16/auto-modellista-review? |url-status=live}}
| NP_NGC = 3.7/5{{cite magazine |title=Auto Modellista |magazine=Nintendo Power |volume=173 |date=November 2003 |page=151}}
| OPM_PS2 = {{Rating|2.5|5}}{{cite magazine |title=Auto Modellista |magazine=Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine |date=June 2003 |page=102}}
| OXM_XBOX = 5.5/10{{cite magazine |title=Auto Modellista |magazine=Official Xbox Magazine |date=April 2004 |page=80}}
| MC_NGC = 62/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/auto-modellista/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube |title=Auto Modellista for GameCube Reviews |website=Metacritic |accessdate=2 December 2014 |archive-date=21 February 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250221161827/https://www.metacritic.com/game/auto-modellista/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube |url-status=live}}
| award1Pub = E3 2002 Game Critics Awards
| award1 = Best Racing Game
| award2Pub = GameSpot E3 2002
| award2 = Best Game, Top Game
}}
The game received "mixed or average reviews" on all platforms according to video game review aggregator Metacritic. In Japan, Famitsu gave the PS2 version a score of 30 out of 40.
Auto Modellista has in the years following its release garnered somewhat of a cult following, with players especially praising its unique cel-shaded graphics.
{{clear}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- [http://www.capcom.com/am/ CAPCOM - Auto Modellista (official site)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050727081204/http://www.capcom.com/am/|date=2005-07-27}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20061005032517/http://www.capcom.co.jp/newproducts/consumer/automodellista/ CAPCOM - Auto Modellista (Japanese official site)]
- {{moby game|id=/auto-modellista}}
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
Category:Video games developed in Japan
Category:Video games scored by Tetsuya Shibata
Category:Video games set in Finland
Category:Video games set in France
Category:Video games set in Germany
Category:Video games set in Indonesia
Category:Video games set in Japan
Category:Video games set in Malaysia
Category:Video games set in Monaco
Category:Video games set in Singapore
Category:Video games set in the United Kingdom
Category:Video games set in the United States