Race Driver: Grid
{{short description|2008 racing video game}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Race Driver: Grid
| image = Race Driver - GRID (box art).png
| developer = {{ubl|Codemasters{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDGgIjGg8KE&hd=1 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/MDGgIjGg8KE |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=GRID Trailer |publisher=YouTube |date=19 June 2008}}{{cbignore}}|Firebrand Games (DS)|Spiced Bits (J2ME)}}
| publisher = {{ubl|Codemasters|Glu Mobile (J2ME)|Sega (Arcade)|Feral Interactive (OS X){{cite web |url=http://www.feralinteractive.com/en/mac-games/grid/ |title=Feral Interactive: GRID minisite |access-date=2 April 2013 |archive-date=20 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161120103058/http://www.feralinteractive.com/en/mac-games/grid/ |url-status=dead }}}}
| series = Grid
| engine = EGO 1.0
Octane (DS){{cite web |last=Harris |first=Craig |date=7 August 2008 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/08/07/grid-review |title=GRID Review (NDS) |website=IGN |access-date=28 August 2015}}{{cite web |last1=Caoli |first1=Eric |title=Interview: Firebrand Games Hits the Gas On DS Racing |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/disciplines/interview-firebrand-games-hits-the-gas-on-ds-racing |website=Game Developer |access-date=20 September 2021 |date=1 October 2008}}
| composer = Ian Livingstone, Aaron Sapp, Thomas J. Bergersen, Allister Brimble (DS), Anthony N. Putson (DS)
| platforms = {{plainlist|
}}
| released = Java ME{{vgrelease|WW|15 April 2008}}Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3 & Xbox 360{{vgrelease|EU|30 May 2008|NA|3 June 2008|AUS|12 June 2008}}Nintendo DS{{vgrelease|NA|5 August 2008|EU|8 August 2008|AUS|15 August 2008}}Arcade{{vgrelease|EU|10 November 2010}}OS X{{vgrelease|EU|14 April 2013}}
| genre = Racing
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
| arcade system = Sega Europa-R
| caption = PAL cover art featuring a Dodge Viper SRT-10
}}
Race Driver: Grid known outside of Europe and Japan as Grid is a 2008 racing video game developed and published by Codemasters for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS, arcade, Java ME and OS X. It is the first game in the Grid series.{{cite web |url=http://www.codemasters.com/press/?showarticle=9624 |title=Motorsport gaming evolves as Codemasters announces Race Driver One™. |website=Codemasters |access-date=2007-04-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070429190754/http://www.codemasters.com/press/?showarticle=9624 |archive-date=29 April 2007 |df=dmy-all }}{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/race-driver-one-on-the-grid/1100-6183483/ |title=Race Driver One on the GRID|website=GameSpot|access-date=2007-11-29}}
Gameplay
File:Race Driver GRID screenshot.jpgs spanning three major regions.]]
Grid was developed and published by Codemasters, the creators of the TOCA series. It is a game in which the player runs their own race team, acting as the primary driver. As players progress they gain sponsors and can hire a teammate to drive alongside them in certain events.
The game begins with the player accepting jobs to drive for other teams to earn money, and once the player gains enough capital they can purchase their own vehicles and drive independently, as well as continuing to drive for other teams should they choose to. Grid features a gameplay mechanic known as Flashback which allows the player to rewind gameplay by up to ten seconds and resume from their chosen point, similar to the "rewind" ability in Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. This is a limited-use feature, determined by the difficulty setting.
Grid features several modes of competition using various cars. Three main regions are found in the game, United States, Europe, and Japan, each with their own championship. Each of the game's 43 cars are tied to one of these three regions. Grid also features several types of events to compete in, including GT championships, drifting, touge, open wheel racing and demolition derby, as well as variants on several of these motorsports. Players can also participate in the 24 Hours of Le Mans at the end of each racing season.
Courses in the game are a mixture of real world and fictional circuits and point-to-point tracks. Real road courses such as Le Mans and Spa-Francorchamps are included, while some defunct street circuits such as the Detroit street circuit in Michigan and the Washington D.C. street circuit are also included. There are also several fictional tracks inspired by real-world locations and circuits, such as street courses in San Francisco, California and Milan, Italy as well as Mount Haruna.
The Nintendo DS version is a racing simulator consisting of twenty available circuits across Europe, Japan and the US, along with 25 cars to choose from. The game also includes an updated version of the track designer from Race Driver: Create & Race, which allows players to create their own custom circuits and roadside billboards.{{cite web |url=http://firebrandgames.com/current1.htm |title=Firebrand Games. Specialist Driving Games Development |publisher=Firebrand Games |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080916134441/http://firebrandgames.com/current1.htm |archive-date=16 September 2008 |url-status=dead |access-date=28 August 2015}} The game also features vehicle customization and online multiplayer.{{cite magazine |title=GRID |magazine=Nintendo Power |volume=230 |date=July 2008 |page=88}}
Development and marketing
Grid uses Codemasters' own Ego engine, an updated version of the Neon engine already being used in the critically acclaimed Colin McRae: Dirt. The damage code has been completely rewritten to allow for environments with the potential for persistent damage.{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/03/03/grid-preview |title=Grid Preview |first=Ryan |last=Geddes |date=3 March 2008 |website=IGN |access-date=28 August 2015}} Ambisonics was used in the audio engine of the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions.{{cite web |url=http://etiennedeleflie.net/2008/06/24/codemasters-ups-their-useage-of-ambisonics-on-race-driver-grid/ |title=Codemasters ups Ambisonics again on Race Driver GRID |first=Etienne |last=Deleflie |date=24 June 2008 |publisher=Ambisonia |access-date=7 August 2010}} Firebrand Games, developer of Race Driver: Create & Race, made a Nintendo DS version of the game that ran on Create{{'}}s Octane engine, incorporating its 3D racing graphics, user interface and track editor.
A mobile version published by Glu Mobile was released in April 2008.{{Cite web |last=Dredge |first=Stuart |title=Race Driver GRID goes mobile |url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/race-driver-grid-mobile/race-driver-grid-goes-mobile/ |access-date=2023-01-09 |website=www.pocketgamer.com |date=10 April 2008 |language=en}}{{Citation |title=Race Driver - GRID 3D (J2ME) | date=15 April 2008 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MYck5fna_o |language=en |access-date=2023-01-09}} A demo was released on the PlayStation Store, Xbox Live Marketplace and for Microsoft Windows in May 2008.{{cite web |url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/52617/race-driver-grid-pc-demo |title=Race Driver: GRID PC Demo Released |first=Maarten |last=Goldstein |date=9 May 2008 |publisher=Shacknews |access-date=28 August 2015}} The demo allowed players to try two game modes: racing and drifting. The demo also featured a competition challenge, with a BMW 3 series, as a prize, for European-based gamers,[http://community.grid-game.com/win-a-bmw/scoreboard.php] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512123000/http://community.grid-game.com/win-a-bmw/scoreboard.php|date=12 May 2008}} and a Ford Mustang for U.S.-based players.{{cite web|url=http://community.grid-game.com/win-ebay-mustang/scoreboard.php |access-date=11 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090926233718/http://community.grid-game.com/win-ebay-mustang/scoreboard.php |title=Results of Mustang competition in US |archive-date=26 September 2009 }} The American competition ended at midnight on 25 May, whereas the European competition ended on 31 May, also at midnight. The demo also had two competition tracks available online, and allowed up to 12 players to compete online. The demo has been downloaded by over one million people over three platforms.[http://community.grid-game.com/news/?id=6324] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090915223905/http://community.grid-game.com/news/?id=6324|date=15 September 2009}}{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2008/05/26/race-driver-grid-demo-races-to-a-million-downloads/ |title=Race Driver: GRID demo races to a million downloads |first=Jason |last=Dobson |date=26 May 2008 |publisher=Engadget (Joystiq) |access-date=28 August 2015}}
In 2010, an arcade version of the game was published by Sega. Grid has had its official servers for Microsoft Windows and PlayStation 3 shut down as of 19 June 2011.{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2011/06/19/codemasters-takes-down-grid-ps3-and-pc-servers/ |title=Codemasters takes down GRID PS3 and PC servers |first=Griffin |last=McElroy |date=19 June 2011 |publisher=Engadget (Joystiq) |access-date=28 August 2015}} The servers for the Xbox 360 version are still running as of July 2014.
=Downloadable content=
Codemasters released two downloadable content (DLC) packs; the first of the two was released on 4 December 2008, the 8-Ball Pack on the Xbox Live Marketplace and the PlayStation Network. The pack contained eight new cars and these include the McLaren F1 GTR, TVR Cerbera Speed 12, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, Honda S2000, Nissan GT-R (S-G2008), Volkswagen Nardo, Pontiac Firebird and the Volvo C30. The 8-Ball Pack also came complete with two new multiplayer events set on existing circuits from across Grid{{'}}s three continents.{{cite web |date=2008-12-04 |title=8-BALL PACK RELEASED! |url=http://www.codemasters.com/news/?showarticle=11991 |website=Codemasters |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20081212070404/http://www.codemasters.com/news/?showarticle=11991 |archive-date=2008-12-12 |access-date=2025-01-06}} The second DLC pack dubbed the Prestige Pack was released in March 4, 2010 in PAL regionshttps://blog.playstation.com/archive/2010/03/04/heads-up-playstation-store-update-4th-march-2010/ and March 11, 2010 in North America,https://blog.playstation.com/2010/03/11/playstation-store-update-127/ for the PlayStation 3 only. The pack added Mount Panorama Circuit and ten cars, including the Ferrari F430 GTC, Bugatti Veyron and Ferrari F575 GTC.{{cite web |date=2010-03-04 |title=Race Driver: GRID |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/race-driver-grid-platinum-ps3-edition-launches-next-week-with-a-tenner-s-worth-of-free-dlc-included |website=GamesIndustry.biz |publisher=Gamer Network |access-date=2025-01-06}}{{cite web |date=2010-03-01 |title=Now Codies joins the DLC code movement |url=https://mcvuk.com/business-news/publishing/now-codies-joins-the-dlc-code-movement/ |website=MCV/Develop |access-date=2025-01-06}}
Reception
{{Expand section|date=January 2017}}
{{Video game reviews
| DS = true
| PC = true
| PS3 = true
| X360 = true
| na = true
| 1UP_DS = C−{{cite web |last=Nelson |first=Mike |date=20 August 2008 |url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/grid |title=GRID Review (NintendoDS) |website=1UP.com |access-date=28 August 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201032746/http://www.1up.com/reviews/grid |archive-date=1 February 2016 |df=dmy-all }}
| Edge_PS3 = 9/10{{cite magazine |title=Race Driver: GRID (PS3) |author=Edge staff |issue=190 |date=July 2008 |page=90 |magazine=Edge}}
| EuroG_DS = 8/10{{cite web |last=Whitehead |first=Dan |date=22 September 2008 |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/ds-roundup_9 |title=DS Roundup |website=Eurogamer |access-date=28 August 2015}}
| EuroG_X360 = 9/10{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/race-driver-grid-review |title=Race Driver: GRID (Xbox 360) |first=Tom |last=Bramwell |date=23 May 2008 |website=Eurogamer |access-date=28 August 2015}}
| GI_PS3 = 9/10{{cite magazine |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/744EAA79-C001-4372-86C3-759DA5DE2039.htm |title=GRID (PS3, X360) |first=Matthew |last=Kato |issue=183 |date=July 2008 |magazine=Game Informer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080607233836/http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/744EAA79-C001-4372-86C3-759DA5DE2039.htm |archive-date=7 June 2008 |url-status=dead |access-date=28 August 2015}}
| GamePro_X360 = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine |url=http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox360/games/reviews/189068.shtml |title=Review: Grid (X360) |first=Tracy |last=Erickson |date=3 June 2008 |magazine=GamePro |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604095057/http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox360/games/reviews/189068.shtml |archive-date=4 June 2008 |url-status=dead |access-date=28 August 2015}}
| GameRev_X360 = B{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/grid |title=Race Driver: GRID and DiRT Review (X360) |first=Jesse |last=Costantino |date=16 June 2008 |publisher=Game Revolution |access-date=28 August 2015}}
| GSpot_DS = 8.5/10{{cite web |last=Light |first=Austin |date=15 August 2008 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/grid-review/1900-6196052/ |title=Grid Review (DS) |website=GameSpot |access-date=28 August 2015}}
| GSpot_PS3 = 8/10{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/grid-review/1900-6192104/ |title=GRID Review (PS3, X360) |first=Guy |last=Cocker |date=4 June 2008 |website=GameSpot |access-date=28 August 2015}}
| GSpy_PS3 = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web |url=http://ps3.gamespy.com/playstation-3/race-driver-one/880732p1.html |title=GameSpy: GRID (PS3) |first=Steve |last=Steinberg |date=10 June 2008 |publisher=GameSpy |access-date=28 August 2015}}
| GSpy_X360 = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web |url=http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/race-driver-one/880737p1.html |title=GameSpy: GRID (X360) |first=Steve |last=Steinberg |date=10 June 2008 |publisher=GameSpy |access-date=28 August 2015}}
| GT_PS3 = 9/10{{cite web |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/gamereview.php?id=6195 |title=GRID Review (PS3, X360) |date=5 June 2008 |publisher=GameTrailers |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080610032949/http://www.gametrailers.com/gamereview.php?id=6195 |archive-date=10 June 2008 |url-status=dead |access-date=5 March 2016}}
| IGN_X360 = (US) 8.7/10
(AU) 7.9/10{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/06/11/race-driver-grid-au-review |title=Race Driver: GRID AU Review (X360) |author=IGN staff |date=10 June 2008 |website=IGN |access-date=28 August 2015}}
| ONM_DS = 89%{{cite journal |last=Scullion |first=Chris |url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/5537/reviews/race-driver-grid-review/ |title=Race Driver: Grid Review |journal=Official Nintendo Magazine |date=July 2008 |page=97 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007234900/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/5537/reviews/race-driver-grid-review/ |archive-date=7 October 2014 |url-status=dead |access-date=28 August 2015}}
| OXM_X360 = 9/10{{cite magazine |url=http://oxmonline.com/article/reviews/editors-choice-gallery/grid |title=Grid |first=Paul |last=Curthoys |date=July 2008 |magazine=Official Xbox Magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080527200126/http://oxmonline.com/article/reviews/editors-choice-gallery/grid |archive-date=27 May 2008 |url-status=dead |access-date=28 August 2015}}
| PCGUS_PC = 86%{{cite journal |title=GRID |journal=PC Gamer |date=September 2008 |page=66}}
| PSM_PS3 = {{Rating|5|5}}{{cite magazine |title=GRID |magazine=PlayStation: The Official Magazine |date=August 2008 |page=64}}
| rev1 = 411Mania
| rev2 = Digital Spy
| rev2_X360 = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/gaming/a97252/xbox-360-race-driver-grid.html |title=Xbox 360: 'Race Driver: GRID' |first=David |last=Gibbon |date=30 May 2008 |website=Digital Spy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080607024640/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/gaming/a97252/xbox-360-race-driver-grid.html |archive-date=7 June 2008 |url-status=dead |access-date=28 August 2015}}
| MC_DS = 79/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/grid-2008/critic-reviews/?platform=ds |title=GRID for DS Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=28 December 2024}}
| MC_PC = 87/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/grid-2008/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=GRID for PC Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=28 December 2024}}
| MC_PS3 = 87/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/grid-2008/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3 |title=GRID for PlayStation 3 Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=28 December 2024}}
| MC_X360 = 87/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/grid-2008/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360 |title=GRID for Xbox 360 Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=28 December 2024}}
}}
Grid received "generally favorable" reviews on all platforms according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.
Edge ranked the game #41 on its list of "The 100 Best Games To Play Today", stating that: "it blows cobwebs from the genre, with handling a great balance of sim twitchiness and arcade abandon, breathtaking speed, and a sense of being there like no other racer".{{cite web|url=http://www.edge-online.com/features/100-best-games-play-today/6/ |title=The 100 Best Games To Play Today |author=Edge Staff |date=9 March 2009 |publisher=Edge |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202230331/http://www.edge-online.com/features/100-best-games-play-today/6/ |archive-date=2 February 2014 }}
North American publication Nintendo Power gave the game a score of 8.5 out of ten. The review heaped praise on the game's robust car and course customization features, superb graphics, and multiplayer modes. N-Europe gave the game an eight out of ten.{{cite web |last=Lee |first=Mark |date=16 August 2008 |url=http://n-europe.com/review.php?rid=398 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20090912230328/http://n-europe.com/review.php?rid=398 |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 September 2009 |title=DS Review: Race Driver: GRID |publisher=N-Europe |access-date=28 August 2008}} IGN awarded Grid with its DS: Best Racing Game 2008 award.{{cite web |url=http://bestof.ign.com/2008/ds/6.html |title=DS: Best Racing/Driving Game |website=IGN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219041627/http://bestof.ign.com/2008/ds/6.html |archive-date=19 December 2008 |url-status=dead |access-date=28 August 2015}}
=Awards=
Grid received a BAFTA award in the Sports category at the British Academy Video Games Awards.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7936204.stm |title=Three Baftas for Call of Duty 4 |date=11 March 2009 |publisher=BBC |access-date=11 March 2009}} During the 12th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated Grid for "Racing Game of the Year".{{cite web |url=https://www.interactive.org/awards/award_category_details.asp?idAward=2009&idGameAwardType=120 |title=2009 Awards Category Details Racing Game of the Year |publisher=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |access-date=18 November 2023}}
Sequels
Codemasters released a sequel to Grid, named Grid 2, using the improved EGO engine and was released in May 2013.{{cite web |url=http://www.xboxachievements.com/news/news-5848-Codemasters-Working-on-Race-Driver--GRID-and-Op-Flash--Dragon-Rising-Sequels.html |title=Codemasters Working on Race Driver: GRID and Op Flash: Dragon Rising Sequels |first=Richard |last=Walker |date=26 July 2010 |publisher=Xbox Achievements |access-date=28 August 2015}} It is followed by a second sequel Grid Autosport, released in June 2014.{{YouTube |id=8hyIADo_iZI |title=Grid 2 Teaser - The Race Returns |link=no}}{{cite web |url=http://www.codemasters.com/uk/article/the-race-returns-in-2013/ |title=The Race Returns in 2013 |publisher=Codemasters |date=8 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120810234626/http://www.codemasters.com/uk/article/the-race-returns-in-2013 |archive-date=10 August 2012 |url-status=dead |access-date=28 August 2015}} A fourth installment, simply known as Grid, was released in September 2019 for Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Stadia.{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-05-21-codemasters-reveals-an-all-new-grid |title=Codemasters reveals an all-new Grid |last=Robinson |first=Martin |website=Eurogamer |date=21 May 2019 |access-date=22 May 2019}} A fifth and latest installment, Grid Legends, was released in February 2022 with Electronic Arts served as a new publisher.{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/22815775/grid-legends-release-date-car-list-2022-story-mode-multiplayer|title=Grid Legends launches in February with story mode and sleeker multiplayer|first=Owen|last=S. Good|work=Polygon|date=3 December 2021|accessdate=4 November 2022}}
{{-}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Portal|Video games}}
- {{moby game|id=/grid}}
- [https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=18823 Grid] at Killer List of Videogames
{{Grid series}}
{{EGO Engine games}}
Category:Ego (game engine) games
Category:Feral Interactive games
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
Category:Sports video games with career mode
Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom
Category:Video games scored by Allister Brimble
Category:Video games set in Australia
Category:Video games set in Belgium
Category:Video games set in California
Category:Video games set in Detroit
Category:Video games set in England
Category:Sports video games set in France
Category:Sports video games set in Germany
Category:Sports video games set in Italy
Category:Sports video games set in Japan
Category:Video games set in San Francisco
Category:Video games set in Spain
Category:Video games set in Turkey
Category:Video games set in Washington, D.C.
Category:Video games with user-generated gameplay content