Driver 3
{{Short description|2004 video game}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2014}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Driver 3
| image = Driver 3 cover.jpg
| caption = European cover art
| developer = Reflections Interactive{{efn|Velez & Dubail developed the Game Boy Advance version.}}
| publisher = Atari{{efn|Sorrent published the mobile version.}}
| director = Martin Edmondson
| designer = Steve Boland
Martin Edmondson
Craig Lawson
Mark Mainey
| programmer = Christopher Phillips
Christopher Jenner
| artist = Phil Baxter
Andreas Tawn
| writer = Maurice Suckling
| composer = Marc Canham
Richard Aitken
Richard Narco
| series = Driver
| platforms = {{cslist|PlayStation 2|Xbox|BREW|J2ME|Game Boy Advance|Windows}}
| released = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|21 June 2004}}|PlayStation 2, Xbox|{{vgrelease|NA|21 June 2004|EU|22 June 2004|AU|24 June 2004}}|Mobile|{{vgrelease|WW|21 June 2004}}|Windows|{{vgrelease|NA|15 March 2005|EU|18 March 2005|AU|13 April 2005}}|Game Boy Advance|{{vgrelease|EU|14 October 2005|NA|25 October 2005|AU|28 October 2005}}}}
| genre = Action-adventure
| modes = Single-player
}}
Driver 3 (stylized as DRIV3R) is a 2004 action-adventure game, the third installment in the Driver series. It was developed by Reflections Interactive, published by Atari, and released on PlayStation 2, Xbox and mobile phones in June 2004, Microsoft Windows in March 2005, and Game Boy Advance in October 2005. The game's story focuses on players assuming the role of John Tanner, an undercover FBI agent, as he investigates a car-smuggling ring across three countries, in order to identify and arrest its boss and learn who they are planning to sell a cache of stolen cars to. The game expanded upon its predecessors with on-foot sections, gun combat, and drive-by shooting, with virtual recreations of three major cities - Miami, Nice, and Istanbul - free-roam game mode, and an improvement to the series' film-making "director mode".
Driver 3 was a much-hyped and anticipated title,{{Cite web |last=Reed |first=Kristan |date=2004-05-28 |title=DRIV3R |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/fi-driv3rmay |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=Eurogamer.net |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Leigh |first=Stephen |date=2011-09-15 |title=Gaming Disasters: Driv3r |url=https://whatculture.com/gaming/gaming-disasters-driv3r |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=WhatCulture.com |language=en}} and although the game was a commercial success, it received mixed reviews upon release, except for the PC edition which received negative feedback from critics. While the graphics, story and driving were praised, criticism was focused on the on foot controls, awkward shooting mechanics, and performance issues, with some critics accusing Atari of rushing the game's release to avoid competing with Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas later that year. Some publications referred to the game as disastrous. The game was succeeded by Driver: Parallel Lines (2006), before being followed up by a direct sequel, Driver: San Francisco, in 2011.
Gameplay
Driver 3 focuses on a mixture of open-world gameplay conducted through a third-person perspective, with it possible to change to different camera angles at any time. The game consists of primarily single-player modes of gameplay - "Undercover", the game's story mode; "Take A Ride", the game's free-roam mode, which allows players to explore one of the three cities at their own pace; and "Driving Games", a challenge mode consisting of three types of car-based games for players to try out, such as pursuing a fleeing criminal. As with previous installments, gameplay mostly focuses on driving around one of three settings, consisting of partial but faithful recreations of real-life cities, using a variety of vehicles based on real-life models, ranging from sedans and sports cars, to vans, trucks. Vehicles can be damaged over time, though players may freely leave their vehicle and switch to another within the current game world setting they are in at any time; the exception is vehicles that are mission critical to the game's story mode, as losing these constitutes automatic failure. A notoriety system keeps track of the player's actions - any unlawful action will raise this bar, with police pursuing the player if spotted by any, and the response to stopping them changing depending on the level of notoriety they have.
Driver 3 introduces new gameplay mechanics to existing ones including motorbikes and speedboats, swimming, a health bar, and gun combat. Alongside being arrested by the cops or failing objectives in story mode, players can also fail if they run out of health without finding first aid kits to recover it. Combat focuses on the use of guns, based on real-life models and featuring a mixture of pistols, shotguns, assault rifles and sub-machine guns, and grenade launchers, to take down enemies; all weapons have a limit on ammo except for the lead character's personal weapon, but more can be found from dealing with enemies, or around the game world setting being played in during Take A Ride.
In Undercover Mode, players conduct a series of missions in which they must complete objectives, dealing with tasks such as escaping pursuers, reaching locations, and taking down culprits. At times, the player must complete objectives within a specific condition, such as a time-limit, with failure resulting in the player having to restart the mission. In Take A Ride, players can freely explore either Miami, Nice or Istanbul, searching for secrets, which consist of special cars and a group of hostile NPCs based upon the character of Tommy Vercetti from Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. If the player completes a mission of the story or leaves Take A Ride, they can freely choose to edit a replay footage from their game with different camera angles and film effects (i.e. slow-motion). The amount of footage they can edit is predetermined and restricted in size.
The Xbox version of the game supported online leaderboards via Xbox Live. In line with other original Xbox games, online support was terminated in 2010. Driver 3 is supported on Insignia, an unofficial replacement for Xbox Live servers.{{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=2025-04-03 |website=Pure Xbox |language=en-US}}
Plot
Undercover FBI agents John Tanner (Michael Madsen) and Tobias Jones (Ving Rhames) are sent to Miami to investigate the "South Beach" cartel headed by Calita Martinez (Michelle Rodriguez), and her associates Lomaz and Bad Hand. When the agents notice the cartel's recent acquisition of stolen cars, they suspect that they are working for someone else to fulfill a major order. To determine where the deal for the cars will take place, Tanner poses as a wheelman and infiltrates the cartel by recovering a car from a rival gang. After impressing Calita and earning her trust with a series of tasks, Tanner is assigned to assassinate "The Gator" for betraying the cartel.
South Beach relocate to Nice, France, after The Gator's presumed demise, to secure the remaining cars on their list. Tanner makes contact with Interpol agents Vauban and Dubois, who insist on arresting the cartel while in possession of the stolen cars. Tanner refuses, and Vauban orders Dubois to conduct surveillance on the cartel. Meanwhile, Tanner focuses on acquiring the cars for Calita while fending off attacks by a rival syndicate, eventually leading to a confrontation wherein he eliminates the gang's leader. Upon discovering that Dubois was captured by the cartel during his investigation, Tanner rushes to rescue him before he is executed. Following the rescue attempt, Tanner and Dubois break into a cartel boathouse to find out the location of the deal, which will take place in Istanbul, Turkey.
Shortly after, the two are captured by the cartel, and meet their employer, Charles Jericho (Mickey Rourke). After revealing Tanner's identity, Jericho takes Tanner's gun and uses it to murder Dubois, intending to frame him for the crime. Tanner manages to escape, and makes contact with Vauban about where the cars are being shipped to, but releases little detail on Dubois' death. They travel to Istanbul, where Tanner tails Jericho to a meeting with the Bagman, a middleman arranging the sale of the cars to Russian criminals. Overhearing that The Gator survived his assassination, Tanner asks Jones to collect him before he is killed by Jericho's people, and The Gator offers information on the deal in exchange for his safety.
After reuniting with Jones, Tanner is accused of murder by Vauban, after he receives word of Dubois' death. Despite the threat of an Internal Affairs investigation, Tanner and Jones go rogue to continue investigating, and focus on tracking down Lomaz. In exchange for protection, Lomaz reveals that Calita and the Bagman are set to meet soon to exchange money for the stolen cars. Tanner and Jones monitor the meeting until Calita calls it off. While Jones attempts to pursue the Bagman, he is ambushed and forced to pull back; meanwhile, Tanner chases after Calita and captures her. After bringing her to Vauban to regain his trust, Tanner convinces Calita that Jericho is too dangerous to trust. Calita reveals that the cars have already been shipped to Russia, and that Jericho will not leave the city until he is paid.
With assistance from Istanbul's police, Tanner, Jones and Vauban stake out the arranged location of the exchange between Jericho and the Bagman. When the meeting takes place, Jericho murders the Bagman for providing him only half of the agreed money and fools police by using Bad Hand as a decoy, eventually leading to his death. Upon learning that Jericho will likely leave by train, Tanner cuts him off, forcing him to disembark and flee through the streets. When Jericho is cornered in an alleyway, Tanner critically wounds him, but eventually decides to have him arrested, only for Jericho to gun him down when he turns his back on him. Both men are taken to the hospital in critical condition, setting up the opening to Driver: San Francisco.
Development and release
The game had a development budget of $17 million and a marketing budget of $17 million.{{cite web|first=Marcelo|last=Prince|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84996569/gta-sa-budget/|title=Go big or go broke|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|page=43|date=21 December 2004|accessdate=24 August 2021|via=Ottawa Citizen|archive-date=9 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909022442/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84996569/gta-sa-budget/|url-status=live}}
The game was in development for around three and a half years. Special attention was paid in rendering the cities of Miami, Nice, and Istanbul. The in-game music was composed by Marc Canham, Rich Aitken, and Narco. Atari also shot a short promotional video about Driver 3 called Run the Gauntlet.{{Cite web |date=14 January 2004 |title=DRIV3R: The Making of "Run the Gauntlet" |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/01/14/driv3r-the-making-of-run-the-gauntlet |access-date=3 April 2024 |website=IGN}}
The game was originally announced by Infogrames on 17 July 2002 for a 2003 release.{{cite web |url=http://www.gamenation.com/corp_pressreleases.php?op=story&sid=292 |title=Infogrames - Corporate Information |website=www.gamenation.com |access-date=22 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020804133559/http://www.gamenation.com/corp_pressreleases.php?op=story&sid=292 |archive-date=4 August 2002 |url-status=dead}} Initially scheduled to release in Q4 2003, it was delayed to Q2 2004, and again from March to June of 2004.{{Cite web |last=Varanini |first=Giancarlo |date=2 April 2003 |title=Driver 3 delayed |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/driver-3-delayed/1100-6024513/ |access-date=3 April 2024 |website=GameSpot}}{{Cite web |last=Thorsen |first=Tor |date=27 January 2004 |title=Driver 3 stalled until June |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/driver-3-stalled-until-june/1100-6087076/ |access-date=3 April 2024 |website=GameSpot}} It was eventually released under Atari's publishing label for PlayStation 2 and Xbox in 2004 on 21 June in North America,{{Cite web |last=Perry |first=Douglass C. |date=11 June 2004 |title=A Single Mission from Driver 3 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/06/11/a-single-mission-from-driver-3 |access-date=3 April 2024 |website=IGN}} 22 June in the United Kingdom,{{Cite web |last=Bramwell |first=Tom |date=8 June 2004 |title=DRIV3R passes chequered flag |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/news080604driv3r |access-date=3 April 2024 |website=Eurogamer}} and on 24 June in Australia.{{Cite web |date=11 June 2004 |title=Atari's DRIV3R goes Gold and release date is announced for the 24th of June 2004! |url=http://www.atari.com.au/news/?action=view&id=680 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040622075541/http://www.atari.com.au/news/?action=view&id=680 |archive-date=22 June 2004 |access-date=3 April 2024 |website=Atari Australia}} The mobile version, developed and published by Sorrent, was released on the same day as the North American console versions.{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Chris |date=21 June 2004 |title=Sorrent Publishes Atari's DRIV3R™ for Mobile Phones Simultaneous Worldwide Release with Console Versions Establishes Mobile as Fourth Platform |url=http://sorrent.com/company/press/pr_040621.jsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040622183418/http://sorrent.com/company/press/pr_040621.jsp |archive-date=22 June 2004 |access-date=3 April 2024 |website=Sorrent}} It was developed on both Java and BREW platforms.{{Cite web |last=Buchanan |first=Levi |date=2004-06-10 |title=BREW 2004: Show Impressions |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/06/10/brew-2004-show-impressions |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=IGN |language=en}} A Windows port of the game touted as having an enhanced graphics engine was released on 15 March 2005 in North America,{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=David |date=27 January 2005 |title=DRIV3R Racing to PC |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/01/27/driv3r-racing-to-pc |access-date=3 April 2024 |website=IGN}} 18 March 2005 in the United Kingdom,{{Cite web |last=Bramwell |first=Tom |date=18 March 2005 |title=What's New? |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/whatsnew-180305 |access-date=3 April 2024 |website=Eurogamer}} and on 13 April 2005 in Australia.{{Cite web |date=13 April 2005 |title=DRIV3R PC in retail stores now! |url=http://www.atari.com.au/games/newsDetails.do?id=109&newsId=339 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060527173358/http://www.atari.com.au/games/newsDetails.do?id=109&newsId=339 |archive-date=27 May 2006 |access-date=3 April 2024 |website=Atari}}{{Cite web |last=Thorsen |first=Tor |date=28 January 2005 |title=Driver 3 reannounced for PC |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/driver-3-reannounced-for-pc/1100-6117372/ |access-date=3 April 2024 |website=GameSpot}} Developed by Velez & Dubail, a separate version of the game was released in 2005 for Game Boy Advance in the United Kingdom on 14 October,{{Cite web |last=Bramwell |first=Tom |date=19 October 2005 |title=What's New? (14th October 2005) |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/a-whatsnew141005 |access-date=3 April 2024 |website=Eurogamer}} in North America on 25 October, and in Australia on 28 October.{{Cite web |title=DRIV3R (DRIVER 3) |url=http://atari.com.au/games/overview.do?id=415 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060617180740/http://atari.com.au/games/overview.do?id=415 |archive-date=17 June 2006 |access-date=3 April 2024 |website=Atari Australia}} Further ports for GameCube and N-Gage were planned, but later cancelled.{{cite news |date=16 February 2004 |title=Driv3r exclusive - creative director Martin Edmonson talks! |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=101443 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070107075941/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=101443 |archive-date=7 January 2007 |access-date=15 April 2016}}[https://web.archive.org/web/20020802092327/http://www.nintendo.com/news/news_articles.jsp?articleID=7075 | Infogrames Announces Driver 3 for Nintendo GameCube – News – Nintendo |]
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| GBA = true
| MOB = true
| PC = true
| PS2 = true
| XBOX = true
| na = true
| Edge_PS2 = 3/10{{cite magazine | title=DRIV3R (PS2, Xbox) | author=Edge staff | magazine=Edge | issue=139 | date=August 2004 | page=94}}
| EGM_PS2 = 7.5/10{{cite magazine|url=http://www.egmmag.com/article2/0,2053,1615608,00.asp |title=Driv3r (PS2, Xbox) |author=EGM staff |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |issue=181 |date=August 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040624053558/http://www.egmmag.com/article2/0%2C2053%2C1615608%2C00.asp |archive-date=24 June 2004 |url-status=dead |access-date=3 September 2014 }}
| EuroG_XBOX = 3/10{{cite web | url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_driv3r_x | title=DRIV3R (Xbox) | first=Kristan | last=Reed | publisher=Eurogamer | date=23 June 2004 | access-date=3 September 2014 | archive-date=7 December 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207005147/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_driv3r_x | url-status=live }}
| GI_PS2 = 6/10{{cite magazine | url=http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/FAF869AC-586A-466B-A213-D848E66D3BA5.htm | title=DRIV3R (PS2, Xbox) | first=Matt | last=Helgeson | magazine=Game Informer | issue=136 | date=August 2004 | page=94 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080105202115/http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/FAF869AC-586A-466B-A213-D848E66D3BA5.htm | archive-date=5 January 2008 | url-status=dead | access-date=3 September 2014}}
| GamePro_PS2 = {{Rating|2.5|5}}
| GamePro_XBOX = {{Rating|2.5|5}}{{cite magazine | url=http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/36388.shtml | title=Driver 3 (PS2, Xbox) | author=Air Hendrix | magazine=GamePro | date=September 2004 | page=81 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050208041846/http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/36388.shtml | archive-date=8 February 2005 | url-status=dead | access-date=3 September 2014}}
| GameRev_PS2 = D+{{cite web | url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/driv3r | title=DRIV3R Review | first=Ben | last=Silverman | publisher=Game Revolution | date=2 July 2004 | access-date=3 September 2014 | archive-date=28 April 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428042409/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/driv3r | url-status=live }}
| GSpot_MOB = 7.5/10{{cite web | url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/driv3r-review/1900-6101112/ | title=DRIV3R Review (Mobile) | first=Stephen | last=Palley | publisher=GameSpot | date=22 June 2004 | access-date=3 September 2014 | archive-date=14 August 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814175454/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/driv3r-review/1900-6101112/ | url-status=live }}
| GSpot_XBOX = 5.4/10{{cite web | url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/driv3r-review/1900-6101044/ | title=DRIV3R Review (Xbox) | first=Jeff | last=Gerstmann | publisher=GameSpot | date=21 June 2004 | access-date=3 September 2014 | archive-date=15 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221015003917/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/driv3r-review/1900-6101044/ | url-status=live }}
| GSpy_MOB = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web | url=http://wireless.gamespy.com/wireless/driv3r/526890p1.html | title=GameSpy: DRIV3R (Cell) | first=Levi | last=Buchanan | publisher=GameSpy | date=28 June 2004 | access-date=3 September 2014 | archive-date=24 June 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624152428/https://wireless.gamespy.com/wireless/driv3r/526890p1.html | url-status=live }}
| IGN_MOB = 8/10{{cite web | url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/06/24/driv3r-2 | title=DRIV3R (Cell) | first=Levi | last=Buchanan | publisher=IGN | date=24 June 2004 | access-date=3 September 2014 | archive-date=14 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014051053/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/06/24/driv3r-2 | url-status=live }}
| NP_GBA = 5.5/10{{cite magazine | title=DRIV3R | magazine=Nintendo Power | volume=198 | date=December 2005 | page=122}}
| OPM_PS2 = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.playstationmagazine.com/article2/0,2053,1615612,00.asp |title=DRIV3R |first=John |last=Davison |magazine=Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine |date=August 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040628214358/http://www.playstationmagazine.com/article2/0%2C2053%2C1615612%2C00.asp |archive-date=28 June 2004 |url-status=dead |access-date=3 September 2014 }}
| OXM_XBOX = 4.8/10{{cite magazine | title=DRIV3R | magazine=Official Xbox Magazine | date=September 2004 | page=80}}
| PCGUS_PC = 51%{{cite journal | title=DRIV3R | journal=PC Gamer | date=June 2005 | page=69}}
| rev1 = The Cincinnati Enquirer
| rev1_PS2 = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite news | url=http://www.cincinnati.com/freetime/games/reviews/070804_driv3r.html | title=Late-model Driv3r needs repair work | first=Marc | last=Saltzman | newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer | date=8 July 2004 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040803091248/http://www.cincinnati.com/freetime/games/reviews/070804_driv3r.html | archive-date=3 August 2004 | url-status=dead | access-date=3 September 2014}}
| rev2 = The Times
| rev2_PS2 = {{Rating|5|5}}{{cite news | url=https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/driving/article/driver-3-gk8cnhm0d7l | title=Driver 3 | newspaper=The Times | date=19 June 2004 | access-date=3 September 2014 | archive-date=20 April 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420215045/http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/technology/article1861834.ece | url-status=live }}{{subscription required}}
| GR_GBA = 50%{{cite web | url=http://www.gamerankings.com/gba/929322-driv3r/index.html | title=DRIV3R for Game Boy Advance | publisher=GameRankings | access-date=3 September 2014 | archive-date=13 April 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090413233819/http://www.gamerankings.com/gba/929322-driv3r/index.html | url-status=live }}
}}
Driver 3 received "mixed or average" reviews on all platforms except the PC version, which received "generally unfavorable reviews", according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.
The Times gave it all five stars, saying: "The graphics are divine, with vast urban locales and spectacular crashes. The cars handle well, and each vehicle has its own characteristics. Yet this is no easy driving game — one of the reasons why, subject matter aside, it carries a 16+ rating". Playboy gave it an 88% and stated: "Your investigation jump-starts reckless car chases through more than 150 miles of highways and city streets in detailed re-creations of Miami, Nice, and Istanbul. Slam into any of the 30,000 buildings and your car crumbles realistically".{{cite journal | title=DRIV3R (PS2, Xbox) | journal=Playboy | date=April 2004 | page=38}} However, The Cincinnati Enquirer gave it three stars out of five and called its controls and animation "unresponsive and stiff".
="DRIV3Rgate"=
While Driver 3 received mostly mixed reviews, two outlets operated by Future plc, PSM2 and Xbox World, gave the game 9/10 scores. This disparity led some gamers and journalists to claim that the early access Atari gave Future was contingent on receiving favorable ratings, but Atari and Future denied any wrongdoing.{{cite web | url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2011-04-26-franchise-cheat-sheet-driver-article | title=Franchise Cheat Sheet: Driver | publisher=GamesIndustry.biz | date=3 May 2011 | access-date=29 June 2016 | last=Whitehead | first=Dan | archive-date=23 April 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423061032/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2011-04-26-franchise-cheat-sheet-driver-article | url-status=live }}{{cite web|last=Lui|first=Spandas|title=A history of gaming's biggest scandals|work=PC World|date=30 March 2010|url=http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/341103/history_gaming_biggest_scandals/?pp=2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630205613/http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/341103/history_gaming_biggest_scandals/?pp=2|access-date=4 May 2023|archive-date=30 June 2016}} The incident was dubbed "Driv3rgate".{{cite web|last=Fahey|first=Rob|title=A Question of Trust|date=6 December 2007|publisher=GamesIndustry.biz|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/a-question-of-trust|access-date=12 April 2016|archive-date=23 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423055658/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/a-question-of-trust|url-status=live}}
After the accusations of review fixing arose, the GamesRadar forums (also operated by Future) were filled with critical posts, many of which were deleted by moderators. Although the comments were said to be removed for being libelous, some users suspected a cover-up.{{cite web |url=http://worldofstuart.excellentcontent.com/drivergate/drivergate.htm |work=World of Stuart| url-status=dead| title=Driv3r and corruption, continued |access-date=29 June 2016 |author=Campbell, Stuart |author-link=Stuart Campbell (game journalist) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191121232244/http://worldofstuart.excellentcontent.com/drivergate/drivergate.htm|archive-date=21 November 2019}} Some comments defending Driver 3 and Future were traced by forum moderators to Babel Media, a marketing company that made use of astroturfing. The users admitted they worked for Babel, but said that they were posting on their own behalf, not for Babel. The thread was eventually deleted in its entirety.
=Sales=
The PlayStation 2 version of Driver 3 received a "Platinum" sales award from the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA),{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090515224703/http://www.elspa.com/?i=3944 |url=http://www.elspa.com:80/?i=3944 |title=ELSPA Sales Awards: Platinum |work=Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association |archive-date=15 May 2009 |url-status=dead }} indicating sales of at least 300,000 copies in the United Kingdom.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918063107/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/112220/ELSPA_Wii_Fit_Mario_Kart_Reach_Diamond_Status_In_UK.php |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/112220/ELSPA_Wii_Fit_Mario_Kart_Reach_Diamond_Status_In_UK.php |title=ELSPA: Wii Fit, Mario Kart Reach Diamond Status In UK | author=Caoili, Eric | date=26 November 2008 |work=Gamasutra |archive-date=18 September 2017 |url-status=dead }} The game sold more than 3 million copies by December 2004.
The BREW mobile version of Driver 3 was the ninth most downloaded game on Verizon Wireless's Get It Now service from January to May 2005.{{Cite web |date=2005-06-06 |title=Glu Mobile Has a Hit with Zuma |url=https://www.verizon.com/about/news/vzw/2005/06/pr2005-06-06b |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=www.verizon.com |language=en}}
{{clear}}
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.mobygames.com/game/driv3r Driver 3] at MobyGames
- {{IMDb title|id=0362577}}
{{Driver series}}
{{Ubisoft Reflections}}
Category:Action-adventure games
Category:Cancelled GameCube games
Category:Cancelled N-Gage games
Category:Detective video games
Category:Driver (video game series)
Category:Game Boy Advance games
Category:Open-world video games
Category:Organized crime video games
Category:Video game controversies
Category:Video games about police officers
Category:Video games developed in France
Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom
Category:Video games scored by Allister Brimble
Category:Video games set in the 2000s
Category:Video games set in France
Category:Video games set in Miami
Category:Video games set in Istanbul