XCar: Experimental Racing

XCar: Experimental Racing is a game in which sports prototype vehicles are used for a high-tech racing simulator. The game features 16 advanced cars and 10 diverse tracks, ranging from Mayan jungles to American deserts. It includes vehicle customization options, including different engines (with an optional engine editor), a paint shop, and telemetry tools for fine-tuning performance.

Development on the game started as early as 1995.{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/game-pro-uk-07/page/72/mode/2up|title=Special Feature|magazine=GamePro|page=72,73|date=March 1996|accessdate=March 1, 2022}} The game was originally set to release in January 1997{{cite web|author=Air Hendrix|url=https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_100_Volume_09_Number_01_1997-01_IDG_Publishing_US/page/n67/mode/2up|title=XCar: Experimental Racing (Preview)|magazine=GamePro|publisher=IDG|issue=100|date=January 1997|page=67|access-date=July 20, 2021}} but the release date was pushed to mid August 1997.{{cite web|author=GameSpot staff|url=http://headline.gamespot.com/news/97_05/12_xcarr/index.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20000311094937/http://headline.gamespot.com/news/97_05/12_xcarr/index.html|title=X-Car Slowed|website=GameSpot|archivedate=March 11, 2000|date=May 12, 1997|accessdate=March 22, 2022}} The game's director of development was Brent Erickson.{{cite web|url=http://xcar.bethsoft.com/press/pr.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20010425203533/http://xcar.bethsoft.com/press/pr.html|title=XCar: Experimental Racing is a Sim Dream!|website=xcar.bethsoft.com|archivedate=April 25, 2001|date=June 16, 1997|accessdate=March 23, 2022}} The development took 8 full time team members.{{cite web|url=http://xcar.bethsoft.com/bscenes/design.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20010425144229/http://xcar.bethsoft.com:80/bscenes/design.html|title=XCar: Experimental Racing The Making Of|website=xcar.bethsoft.com|archivedate=April 25, 2001|date=1997|accessdate=March 22, 2022}}

The game used SciTech Software's Display Doctor Technology.{{cite web|url=http://www.scitechsoft.com/in_press9.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19971026000404/http://www.scitechsoft.com/in_press9.html|title=SciTech Technology Licensed by Bethesda Softworks|website=scitechsoft.com|archivedate=October 26, 1997|date=August 29, 1997|accessdate=September 25, 2022}}

{{Video game reviews

| align = left

| CNG = 7/10{{cite web|last=Mahood|first=Andy|date=September 4, 1997|url=http://www.gamecenter.com/Reviews/Item/0,6,0-1097,00.html|title=XCar: Experimental Racing|website=Gamecenter|publisher=CNET|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000816112500/http://www.gamecenter.com/Reviews/Item/0,6,0-1097,00.html|archive-date=August 16, 2000|url-status=dead|access-date=November 11, 2021}}

| CGSP = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite web|last=Bauman|first=Steve|year=1997|url=http://www.cdmag.com/articles/004/081/xcar_review.html|title=X-Car [sic]|website=Computer Games Strategy Plus|publisher=Strategy Plus, Inc.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030523200549/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/004/081/xcar_review.html|archive-date=May 23, 2003|url-status=dead|access-date=November 11, 2021}}

| CGW = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine|last=Goble|first=Gordon|url=https://archive.org/details/Computer_Gaming_World_Issue_161/page/n341|title=Xtraordinary, Yet Xasperating (XCar: Experimental Racing Review)|magazine=Computer Gaming World|publisher=Ziff Davis|issue=161|date=December 1997|pages=338–39|access-date=July 20, 2021}}

| GameRev = B{{cite web|last=Hubble|first=Calvin|date=August 1997|url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/33016-xcar-experimental-racing-review|title=XCar Experimental Racing Review|website=GameRevolution|publisher=CraveOnline|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980613192109/http://www.game-revolution.com/games/pc/xcar.htm|archive-date=June 13, 1998|url-status=live|access-date=November 11, 2021}}

| GSpot = 6.2/10{{cite web|last=Poole|first=Stephen|date=September 8, 1997|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/xcar-experimental-racing-review/1900-2531916/|title=XCar: Experimental Racing Review [date mislabeled as "May 2, 2000"]|website=GameSpot|publisher=Red Ventures|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050112091242/http://www.gamespot.com/pc/driving/xcarexperimentalracing/review.html|archive-date=January 12, 2005|url-status=live|access-date=November 10, 2021}}

| GStar = 60%{{cite magazine|title=XCar: Experimental Racing|language=de|magazine=GameStar|publisher=Webedia|date=November 1997}}

| Gen4 = {{Rating|2|6}}{{cite magazine|url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Generation%204/generation4_numero102/Page%20210.jpg |title=X-Car : Experimental Racing [sic] |language=fr |magazine=Génération 4 |issue=102 |date=September 1997 |page=210 |access-date=November 11, 2021}}

| NGen = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_35/page/n209/mode/2up|title=X-Car: Experimental Racing|magazine=Next Generation|publisher=Imagine Media|issue=35|date=November 1997|page=208|access-date=November 10, 2021}}

| PCGUS = 68%{{cite magazine|last=Vaughn|first=Todd|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/reviews/1195.html|title=XCar: Experimental Racing|magazine=PC Gamer|publisher=Imagine Media|volume=4|issue=11|date=November 1997|page=211|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000302185520/http://www.pcgamer.com/reviews/1195.html|archive-date=March 2, 2000|url-status=dead|access-date=November 10, 2021}}

| PCPP = 61%{{cite magazine|last=Wildgoose|first=David|url=https://archive.org/details/PCPowerplay-020-1998-01/page/n79/mode/2up|title=X-Car [sic]|magazine=PC PowerPlay|publisher=Next Media Pty Ltd|issue=20|date=January 1998|pages=80–81|access-date=November 11, 2021}}

| rev1 = Chicago Tribune

| rev1Score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite news|last=Lynda|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84995002/x-car/|first=Dennis|title=There's plenty of competition among the auto racing games|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|publisher=Tribune Publishing|date=January 1, 1998|page=61|access-date=August 21, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}

}}

The game received average reviews. Next Generation said, "There are an awful lot of racing titles out there, nearly all aimed at enthusiasts of one particular circuit or class of car. XCar has no license to speak of, throwing out any sort of endorsement in favor of raw performance and[,] above all, speed. For players who just want to go fast, it delivers."

Dennis Lynda of Chicago Tribune said, "If you're a would-be mechanic you will love this complex and intricately detailed game, but others will find their heads spinning long after the tires stop." Bad Hare of GamePro said, "XCar requires a driver's precision and a mechanic's sensibility – in other words, it's perfect for serious fans of Papyrus' ultra-real racing sims. If you don't enjoy the details, steer clear – this one ain't for casual Sunday drivers."{{cite magazine|author=Bad Hare|url=https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_110_Volume_09_Number_11_1997-11_IDG_Publishing_US/page/n107/mode/2up|title=XCar [Experimental Racing]|magazine=GamePro|publisher=IDG|issue=110|date=November 1997|page=107|access-date=November 10, 2021}}{{efn|GamePro gave the game a perfect 5/5 for graphics, and three 4/5 scores for sound, control, and fun factor.}}

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{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• {{official website|https://web.archive.org/web/19970605094850/http://www.bethsoft.com/html/xcar.html}} (archived)
• {{moby game|id=/dos/xcar-experimental-racing}}

Category:1997 video games

Category:Bethesda Softworks games

Category:DOS games

Category:DOS-only games

Category:First-person video games

Category:Flashpoint Productions games

Category:Racing video games

Category:Single-player video games

Category:Video games developed in the United States

Category:XnGine games