While we talked about the release of Namco’s latest game, Dead Heat just a couple of posts ago, Namco America has an official announcement for the release that they would like to share. This includes details on game features, including the innovative “social networking” feature (which is not related to Facebook or Myspace). Dead Heat is not an online game so this may sound confusing at first but the press release explains it nicely. Full details, including a couple of direct screenshots and a new trailer can be found in the break below. The game also has been added to Namco America’s website.
(new trailer can be found at the bottom of the post)
For Immediate Release
CONTACT:
Namco America Inc.
P: (847) 264-5610
F: (847) 264-5611
arcadeinfo@namcoamerica.com
DEAD HEAT – DRIVING INNOVATION!
First Driving game that creates its own Social Network in your location!
October 19, 2010 – Elk Grove Village, IL Namco America, Inc. is excited to announce that their newest arcade driver, Dead Heat, is shipping out now. Dead Heat isn’t the typical arcade driver. In fact, there is nothing typical about it. Dead Heat is an intense driving game that focuses on head-to-head competition. Every race is exciting and the thrill of tight races will have players scrambling for a re-match. Photos are taken of each player before the race and appear above their car during the race. This feature helps players identify their opponents quicker and heightens the competition. Players will know exactly who they are battling for first place with.
Namco’s Dead Heat is the only arcade driver that incorporates social networking. Players that race each other are identified as “friends.” The social networking tree expands as more and more friends race each other. Patented technology analyzes a player’s driving style and saves that information to use as computer opponents in future races against friends using the PIN system. With this technology, players get to race friends that aren’t even present. This state-of-the-art technology blurs the line between human and artificially intelligent opponents. When they use their NOS boosters to propel them to the finish line, it’s their friend they just beat not just some anonymous computer car. Players return over and over to race the people they know and quickly establish loyalty to a specific location.
Dead Heat’s amazing HD graphics are unmatched with highly detailed and accurately represented cities. When you drive through Chicago, you’re driving the real roads and not just some fantasy roads with a few landmarks thrown about the place. Players can choose between eight customizable licensed cars including popular Japanese and US cars.
Dead Heat is already shipping and at the top of the charts . Get yours today!
About Namco America Inc (NAI).
NAI is a wholly owned subsidiary of Namco Bandai Holding Corp. NAI is committed to providing the ultimate in interactive entertainment experiences. NAI uses cutting-edge technology and advanced electronics to take their coin-operated games far beyond traditional entertainment. Namco Bandai Holding Corp., which also has business related interests in films, toys, health equipment, consumer video software, and restaurants, is publicly traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, and owns a number of other subsidiary entertainment companies around the globe.
New Trailer:
Social element is just like Ghost Data from Maxi Tune. Not really super new.
The concept may not be super new but it has been developed beyond the ghost data concept from Maxi Tune into something more expansive, and they are considering it to be new in that sense (from what they explained to me in March, so I can’t remember all of the details as to everything that sets DH apart in this regard).
“Dead Heat is already shipping and at the top of the charts….”
Top of what charts?
Ghost in Maximum Tune only lets you race against other player’s recordings, a very standard Ghost system. Dead Heat’s profile system connect you to people you race with and brings their Ghost out to race with you on a regular basis. Rather than being a recording of the player; as in Maximum Tune, the player’s behavior is analyzed and recreated.
So, Maximum:
-You can select Ghosts to battle in a time trial.
Dead Heat:
-The game learned behavior styles and stores the people you race with in your profile. The people you race with join your races.
WMMT: You could only race against a ghost in Ghost Attack Race, not Time Trial mode. I wish there was an option for players to download Time Trial ghosts from the world’s best players and insert them into a local cabinet.