| World Driver Championship | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Boss Game Studios |
| Publisher(s) | Midway |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo 64 |
| Release date(s) | May 31, 1999 |
| Genre(s) | Racing game |
| Mode(s) | Single player, multiplayer |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: Everyone (E) |
| Media/distribution | Cartridge |
World Driver Championship is an automobile racing video game. It was developed by Boss Game Studios and published for the Nintendo 64 by Midway Games.
One of the last racing simulations to be released for Nintendo 64, this graphically intensive title used custom microcode optimization and high polygon count modelling. The development team was able to optimize the usage of the various processors within the N64 to allow far draw distance (reducing the need for fog or pop-up), high detail texturing and models, Doppler effect audio, and advanced lighting and fog effects for realistic weather conditions. Impressively the game has a high resolution 640x480 mode that does not require the add-on N64 RAM Expansion Pak. Additionally, unlike many other games of its type on the platform, the game runs high resolution at a sufficiently playable pace, undoubtedly due to the use of a reduced screen area letterbox mode that lessens the number of pixels needing to be displayed.
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The game received mixed reviews due to intense competition at the time. While WDC was an improvement in nearly every way compared to Boss's similar earlier effort, Top Gear Rally, it was up against the impressive new Gran Turismo series and other new racers. Complaints included a somewhat unconvincing driving physics model, non-licensed cars, and poor sound effects and music quality. The dislike for the physics model often stems from the beginning cars being difficult to drive and offering a "sloppy" feeling of control. As the game progresses and the player receives faster and better performing cars, the game becomes easier and more enjoyable.
The soundtrack, composed of original rock & heavy metal tunes, was composed by musician Zack Ohren.
There are ten locations in the entire game, each with six tracks (marked "A", "B", and "C"), three of which are in reverse (marked "R" next to "A", "B", and "C"), except for the last track (Black Forest), which has only four, two of them being in reverse.
Here's the list:
GT2 Class
| Team | Car | Based |
|---|---|---|
| Speedcraft, USA | Ellipse Stallion | Saleen Ford Mustang S281 |
| Kohr Racing, MEX | Rage 512 Evo | Porsche 911 (993) GT2 |
| Viewpoint, ITA | Elan Swift TT | Lotus Esprit GT1 |
| Reeds, AUS | Reeds R12 Manta | Callaway Corvette LM GT2 |
| Eurospec, FRA | Ram Venom GTR | Dodge Viper GTS-R |
| Totalsport, BRA | Furio LS | Marcos LM600 |
| Elite, ENG | EXR Challenger | TVR Cerbera GT2 |
GT1 Class
| Team | Car | Based |
|---|---|---|
| Team Nebo, JPN | Hayai N70 | Nissan R390 GT1 |
| Victorysmith, IRL | Lance Scorcher | Lister Storm GT1 |
| Sage Autosport, ITA | Elan Scorpion | Lotus Elise GT1 |
| Lassiter, ENG | McCloud F-Type | Mclaren F1 GTR (long tail) |
| SSD Competition, CAN | Panzer Batraye GT | Panoz GTR-1 Esperante |
| Boss Racing, USA | Rage 996 GTR | Porsche 911 (996) GT1 |
| Meiden-Krauss, GER | M-K Phantom R | Mercedes-Benz CLK-LM |
| Excalibur LTD, UNK | EXR Mystic | TVR Speed 12 |
Ever since World Driver Championship came out in mid 1999, fans have recognized it as one of the greatest racing game titles for the Nintendo 64. There have been several fan bases over the internet dedicated to World Driver Championship.
The sweepstakes was to start on June 15th, 1999 and end on August 15th, 1999. If lucky, contestants would win T- Shirts, Midway games or the grand prize of $2,500 dollars. It is unknown who won the $2,500 or if any sweepstakes ever existed in the first place as there is no record of anyone winning the given jackpot.
World Driver Championship is currently not supported by any Nintendo 64 emulator under stock settings. The game uses advanced techniques that HLE emulators don't understand as of right now. This game is reported to be playable with Ziggy's LLE graphics plugin, and a hacked RSP.dll. However, the system requirements are quite demanding. More can be found at this topic at the Emutalk forums: http://www.emutalk.net/showthread.php?t=40640.