Checkered Flag (1994 Video Game)
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''Checkered Flag'' is a 1994
racing In sports, racing is a competition of speed, in which competitors try to complete a given task in the shortest amount of time. Typically this involves traversing some distance, but it can be any other task involving speed to reach a specific g ...
video game A video game or computer game is an electronic game that involves interaction with a user interface or input device (such as a joystick, game controller, controller, computer keyboard, keyboard, or motion sensing device) to generate visual fe ...
developed by
Rebellion Developments Rebellion Developments Limited is a British video game developer based in Oxford. Founded by Jason Kingsley (businessman), Jason and Chris Kingsley in December 1992, the company is best known for ''Sniper Elite'' and multiple games in the ''Lis ...
and published by
Atari Corporation Atari Corporation was an American manufacturer of Home computer, home computers and Video game console, video game consoles. It was founded by Jack Tramiel on May 17, 1984, as Tramel Technology, Ltd., but then took on the Atari name less than ...
for the
Atari Jaguar The Atari Jaguar is a home video game console developed by Atari Corporation and released in North America in November 1993. It is in the fifth generation of video game consoles, and it competed with Fourth generation of video game consoles, fo ...
. It is a conversion of the 1991
Atari Lynx The Atari Lynx is a Fourth generation of video game consoles, fourth-generation handheld game console, hand-held game console released by Atari Corporation in September 1989 in North America and 1990 in Europe and Japan. It was the first handhe ...
title of the same name. In the game, the player controls a
Formula One car A Formula One car or F1 car is a single-seat, open-cockpit, open-wheel racing car, open-wheel formula racing car used to compete in Formula One racing events. It has substantial front and rear wings, large wheels, and a turbocharged engine mid ...
competing against computer-controlled opponents in races across multiple locations. Gameplay consists of three modes, and the player can choose various weather conditions or customize the vehicle's characteristics. ''Checkered Flag'' was announced in 1993 as one of the first games for Jaguar, being advertised as a sequel to the Atari Lynx original. Rebellion were commissioned to work on a 3D single-player driving game. The project initially started as a simulation racer, but later evolving into a more action-oriented title as a homage to ''
Virtua Racing ''Virtua Racing'' or ''V.R.'' for short, is a Formula One racing video game developed by Sega AM2 and released for arcade game, arcades in 1992. ''Virtua Racing'' was initially a proof-of-concept application for exercising a new 3D graphics plat ...
'', being reportedly developed under a low budget. ''Checkered Flag'' for the Jaguar garnered mixed reception from critics and retrospective commentators, most of which compared it to ''Virtua Racing''; praise was given to the selection of tracks, weather conditions, and vehicle customization, but others expressed mixed opinions regarding the visuals and audio. Some reviewers also criticized the controls, frame rate, AI, and lack of a two-player mode. By 1995, the game had sold 20,257 copies.


Gameplay

''Checkered Flag'' is a three-dimensional
Formula One Formula One (F1) is the highest class of worldwide racing for open-wheel single-seater formula Auto racing, racing cars sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The FIA Formula One World Championship has been one ...
racing In sports, racing is a competition of speed, in which competitors try to complete a given task in the shortest amount of time. Typically this involves traversing some distance, but it can be any other task involving speed to reach a specific g ...
game, similar to the
Atari Lynx The Atari Lynx is a Fourth generation of video game consoles, fourth-generation handheld game console, hand-held game console released by Atari Corporation in September 1989 in North America and 1990 in Europe and Japan. It was the first handhe ...
title of the same name and ''
Virtua Racing ''Virtua Racing'' or ''V.R.'' for short, is a Formula One racing video game developed by Sega AM2 and released for arcade game, arcades in 1992. ''Virtua Racing'' was initially a proof-of-concept application for exercising a new 3D graphics plat ...
'', where the main goal is to finish a race ahead of other racers controlled by the computer. During gameplay, the player can alternate between six camera views. The player can choose or customize various gameplay options before starting a race, such as the color of the vehicle, weather condition, airfoil setting, types of tires, gear transmission, number of opponents, lap count, and which track to compete on. By entering a cheat code at the options menu, players have access to a night weather condition. There are three different modes of play to choose from at the options screen: Single Race, Free Practice and Tournament. Single Race is a race mode where players compete against computer-controlled opponents on any track and complete a number of laps. Free Practice is a time trial mode, where players race against the clock to achieve the best time possible and practice their driving skills. Tournament is a season mode where players compete against five opponents to reach the first place across ten different tracks. There are no multiplayer modes.


Development

''Checkered Flag'' for the
Atari Jaguar The Atari Jaguar is a home video game console developed by Atari Corporation and released in North America in November 1993. It is in the fifth generation of video game consoles, and it competed with Fourth generation of video game consoles, fo ...
is a conversion of the 1991
Atari Lynx The Atari Lynx is a Fourth generation of video game consoles, fourth-generation handheld game console, hand-held game console released by Atari Corporation in September 1989 in North America and 1990 in Europe and Japan. It was the first handhe ...
title of the same name. The game was created by
Rebellion Developments Rebellion Developments Limited is a British video game developer based in Oxford. Founded by Jason Kingsley (businessman), Jason and Chris Kingsley in December 1992, the company is best known for ''Sniper Elite'' and multiple games in the ''Lis ...
, a
Oxford Oxford () is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city and non-metropolitan district in Oxfordshire, England, of which it is the county town. The city is home to the University of Oxford, the List of oldest universities in continuou ...
-based game developer founded in 1992 by brothers
Jason Jason ( ; ) was an ancient Greek mythological hero and leader of the Argonauts, whose quest for the Golden Fleece is featured in Greek literature. He was the son of Aeson, the rightful king of Iolcos. He was married to the sorceress Med ...
and Chris Kingsley. Its foundation was laid when the brothers secured a deal with
Atari Corporation Atari Corporation was an American manufacturer of Home computer, home computers and Video game console, video game consoles. It was founded by Jack Tramiel on May 17, 1984, as Tramel Technology, Ltd., but then took on the Atari name less than ...
; Rebellion presented a demo for
Atari Falcon The Atari Falcon030 (usually shortened to Atari Falcon), released in 1992, is the final personal computer from Atari Corporation. A high-end model of the Atari ST line, the machine is based on a Motorola 68030 CPU and a Motorola 56001 digital s ...
, which depicted flying dragons against longships to the publisher's directors, whom sought games for the Jaguar. They were commissioned to work on ''Checkered Flag'' and ''
Alien vs Predator ''Alien vs. Predator'' (also known as ''Aliens versus Predator'' and ''AVP'') is a science fiction action media franchise created by comic book writers Randy Stradley and Chris Warner. The series is a crossover between, and part of, the large ...
'' after being impressed with their previous release, ''Eye of the Storm'' (1993) for PC. It was produced by John Skruch, with Jason Kingsley serving as coordinator. Robert Dibley acted as the game's programmer, while artist Justin Rae was responsible for the graphics. The music was composed by Alex Quarmby, James Grunke, Nathan Brenholdt, and Will Davis. Rebellion first began the project as a simulation racer but later evolved into a more action-oriented title. Jason Kingsley described it as a homage to ''
Virtua Racing ''Virtua Racing'' or ''V.R.'' for short, is a Formula One racing video game developed by Sega AM2 and released for arcade game, arcades in 1992. ''Virtua Racing'' was initially a proof-of-concept application for exercising a new 3D graphics plat ...
'', and stated that the lack of a two-player mode was due to Atari's commission to create a 3D single-player driving game. ''
GamePro ''GamePro'' was an American multiplatform video game magazine media company that published online and print content covering the video game industry, video game hardware and video game software. The magazine featured content on various video ...
'' writer Manny LaMancha reportedly pointed out that the game was developed under a low budget. The cover art was illustrated by Steve Lang.


Release

The game was announced in 1993 as one of the first games for
Atari Jaguar The Atari Jaguar is a home video game console developed by Atari Corporation and released in North America in November 1993. It is in the fifth generation of video game consoles, and it competed with Fourth generation of video game consoles, fo ...
under the name ''Jaguar Formula One Racing''. It was advertised as a sequel to the
Atari Lynx The Atari Lynx is a Fourth generation of video game consoles, fourth-generation handheld game console, hand-held game console released by Atari Corporation in September 1989 in North America and 1990 in Europe and Japan. It was the first handhe ...
title of the same name, planning for a first quarter 1994 release date under the title ''Checkered Flag II''. The game was first revealed at the 1994 Winter Consumer Electronics Show. The name was changed to ''Redline Racing'' before being renamed under its final title, ''Checkered Flag''. It made appearances at other events such as the 1994 Summer CES, the 1994 ECTS Autumn, and the
London Planetarium The London Planetarium building is located on Marylebone Road, London. It is adjacent to and owned by Madame Tussauds. It previously housed a planetarium, offering shows related to space and astronomy. In 2006, it was closed as a separate attra ...
. The game was first published in North America in November 1994, and later in Europe in December. It was distributed in Japan by retailer Messe Sanoh. In 2008, the hobbyist community Jaguar Sector II released the game's
source code In computing, source code, or simply code or source, is a plain text computer program written in a programming language. A programmer writes the human readable source code to control the behavior of a computer. Since a computer, at base, only ...
in its ''Jaguar Source Code Collection''.


Reception

''Checkered Flag'' for the
Atari Jaguar The Atari Jaguar is a home video game console developed by Atari Corporation and released in North America in November 1993. It is in the fifth generation of video game consoles, and it competed with Fourth generation of video game consoles, fo ...
received mixed reception from critics, most of which compared it to ''
Virtua Racing ''Virtua Racing'' or ''V.R.'' for short, is a Formula One racing video game developed by Sega AM2 and released for arcade game, arcades in 1992. ''Virtua Racing'' was initially a proof-of-concept application for exercising a new 3D graphics plat ...
''. Internal documentation from
Atari Corporation Atari Corporation was an American manufacturer of Home computer, home computers and Video game console, video game consoles. It was founded by Jack Tramiel on May 17, 1984, as Tramel Technology, Ltd., but then took on the Atari name less than ...
showed that the game had sold 20,257 copies by April 1, 1995. ''
Computer and Video Games ''Computer and Video Games'' (also known as ''CVG'', ''Computer & Video Games'', ''C&VG'', ''Computer + Video Games'', or ''C+VG'') is a British-based video game magazine, published in its original form between 1981 and 2004. Its offshoot web ...
'' Eddy Lawrence and Mark Patterson stated that the game was quite technically accomplished, but criticized the jerky frame rate and sluggish handling of the vehicle. They also saw the lack of a two-player mode as a major oversight. ''
GameFan ''GameFan'' (originally known as ''Diehard GameFan'') was a publication started by Tim Lindquist, Greg Off, George Weising, and Dave Halverson in September 1992 that provided coverage of domestic and imported video games. It was notable for it ...
''s
Dave Halverson Dave Halverson is an American video game journalist who has been the founder, publisher, and editor-in-chief of ''GameFan'' (where he wrote reviews as E. Storm, Skid and Takahara), ''Gamers' Republic'', ''Play'', and currently the new versions o ...
and Nicholas Dean Des Barres commended the game's colorful smooth-shaded polygonal graphics and music, but faulted its touchy controls, absurd AI, and frustrating gameplay. ''Joypad''s Nini Nourdine gave positive remarks to the visuals, numerous circuits, and weather conditions, but the low number of opponents on the track, execrable handling of the vehicle, technical bugs, and lack of a two-player mode were criticized. ''
Games World ''Games World'' is a British entertainment programme that aired on Sky One originally from 1 March 1993 to 10 March 1995 with Bob Mills as host, and then revived from 9 March to 2 October 1998 with Andy Collins as host. Format The main body o ...
''s four reviewers praised ''Checkered Flag'' on the Jaguar for its slick polygonal visuals and customizable vehicles. One of the four reviewers favored it over ''Virtua Racing'' for being more faster and having more tracks. ''Mega Fun''s Martin Weidner noted the game's fast graphics but lambasted its imprecise controls. ''Player One''s Christophe Pottier pointed out the steering controls as a gameplay issue and criticized the game's choppy frame rate. '' Ultimate Future Games'' commended the game's variety of courses and viewpoints, but saw the bland visuals, sound effects, and gameplay as shortcomings. ''MAN!AC''s Robert Bannert highlighted the game's variety of options, but felt that the driving experience and graphics were below those of ''Virtua Racing''. ''
Next Generation Next Generation or Next-Generation may refer to: Publications and literature * ''Next Generation'' (magazine), video game magazine that was made by the now defunct Imagine Media publishing company * Next Generation poets (2004), list of young ...
'' highlighted the selection of tracks, weather conditions, and vehicle customization, but they expressed that the game's blend of "celerity without control ensures many hours of frustrating gameplay". Marc Abramson of the French ''ST Magazine'' commended the Gouraud-shaded visuals, but found the vehicle difficult to control. ''
VideoGames A video game or computer game is an electronic game that involves interaction with a user interface or input device (such as a joystick, controller, keyboard, or motion sensing device) to generate visual feedback from a display device, mo ...
'' gave positive remarks to the game's soundscape, distinct tracks, and multiple viewpoints. Conversely, they faulted its graphics, awkward playability, poor frame rate, and lack of multiplayer mode. ''
GamePro ''GamePro'' was an American multiplatform video game magazine media company that published online and print content covering the video game industry, video game hardware and video game software. The magazine featured content on various video ...
''s Sarah Nade singled-out the lack of a two-player mode as the game's biggest flaw, and ''Play Time''s Stephan Girlich panned its imprecise controls. An editor of German publication ''ST-Computer'' gave the game's visuals positive remarks for their variety and depictions of the different weather conditions, but criticized its audio department, gameplay, controls, and unfair AI. ''Video Games'' Hartmut Ulrich lambased the gameplay for its sensitive controls, and opined that '' Virtua Racing Deluxe'' on
32X The 32X is an video game accessory, add-on for the Sega Genesis video game console. Codenamed "Project Mars", it was designed to expand the power of the Genesis and serve as a transitional console into the History of video game consoles (fifth ...
looked better than ''Checkered Flag'' on the Jaguar. ''Última Generación''s José Luis Sanz commended the game's colorful scenery, but faulted its rampant slowdown and abrupt controls. Writing for the German magazine ''Jaguar'', Daniel Jaeckel commended the game's fun factor, while ''Digital Press'' Edward Villalpando criticized the audiovisual presentation and controls. Bromba of Polish publication ''
Top Secret Classified information is confidential material that a government deems to be sensitive information which must be protected from unauthorized disclosure that requires special handling and dissemination controls. Access is restricted by law or ...
'' gave it a perfect rating and regarded it as the best racing game for the Jaguar.


Retrospective coverage

Retrospective commentary for ''Checkered Flag'' on the Jaguar has been equally mixed. ''The Atari Times'' Gregory D. George felt the game's visuals were better than ''Virtua Racing'', but panned its controls. Brett Daly of ''Jaguar Front Page News'' (a part of the ''
GameSpy GameSpy was an American provider of online multiplayer and matchmaking middleware for video games founded in 1999 by Mark Surfas. After the release of a multiplayer server browser for Quake, QSpy, Surfas licensed the software under the GameS ...
'' network) lauded the game's polygon graphics and audio, but criticized its touchy gameplay and lack of a save feature during tournament mode. Author Andy Slaven commended the game's polygonal models and backgrounds, but wrote that the controls were a "complete wreck". Nils of the German website ''neXGam'' found the game's visuals to be endearing but noted the lack of a two-player mode, and faulted its annoying controls and AI.


References


External links


''Checkered Flag''
at
AtariAge AtariAge is a website focusing on classic Atari video games. The site features gaming news, historical archives, discussion forums, and an online store. It was founded in 1998. Taking its name from the 1982–84 '' Atari Age'' magazine, the site ...

''Checkered Flag''
at
GameFAQs GameFAQs is a video gaming website that hosts guides and other resources, as well as an active Internet forum, message board forum. It was created in November 1995 by Jeff Veasey and has been owned by Fandom (website), Fandom, Inc. since October ...

''Checkered Flag''
at
MobyGames MobyGames is a commercial website that catalogs information on video game A video game or computer game is an electronic game that involves interaction with a user interface or input device (such as a joystick, game controller, controlle ...
{{DEFAULTSORT:Checkered Flag (1994 video game) 1994 video games Atari games Atari Jaguar games Atari Jaguar-only games Commercial video games with freely available source code Formula One video games Racing video games Rebellion Developments games Single-player video games Video games developed in the United Kingdom Video game sequels