Joy Ride slides into 2010, BigPark still tinkering under the hood

by Ben Gilbert on Feb 17th 2010 11:20AM

At E3 2009, Microsoft confessed to the secret Xbox 360 exclusive that (then newly acquired) BigPark would create: Joy Ride, a free-to-play, Avatar-based racing game. As you might have concluded after it missed its holiday 2009 launch window, Joy Ride has been delayed until later in 2010, though Microsoft wouldn't share anything more specific.

The full statement to Joystiq reads: "We're thrilled to have unveiled Joy Ride at E3 2009, which will deliver a revolutionary gaming experience to the Xbox 360 community and put your Avatar behind the wheel. We're committed to delivering the most robust experience to the community and are taking additional time to ensure we provide the best experience possible. We're looking forward to launching Joy Ride in 2010. Stay tuned!"

With a slew of upcoming media events leading up to this year's E3, we're sure to hear more about the title in the coming months and see how the extra development time has been put to use.

Joy Ride

Tags: avatar, bigpark, delay, free-to-play, joy-ride, Kinect-Joy-Ride, microsoft, Microsoft-Game-Studios, racing, xbla, Xbox-360

Reader Comments (48)

GET ON WITH IT! #holygrail

Microsoft, missed a big opportunity here. They should have got Rareware to make it and make it a cart racing game. An unofficial sequel to Diddy Kong Racing.

Seeing as it's free, I guess I can't pull out the torch and pitchfork.
I just want them to finish it, even a beta would be nice to drive around waiting for the rest of your party to get online.

I didn't even know about this until now, so this sounds pretty neat-o.

I have to agree, it does seem pretty neat for a casual game. It reminds me of Midtown Madness for some reason.

So many fond memories of Midtown Madness 3. Talk about a game where you can do nothing but goof off with friends on live.

Is that supposed to be a S2000?

its a 93 honda integra.

It'll be nice to finally get some milage out of the avatars, so far they haven't really been used for much. The variety of vehicles available seems pretty cool too, wonder if they'll bother liscencing any for this?

I'm a little worried about the microtransactions though, seeing as you have to pay to customise the vehicles I'd really hope it doesn't become something along the lines of a Korean MMO where the best equipment is very expensive, and you'll need it if you want to win.

Not sure if they've said how that will all work..

From what I remember, and I could be wrong, I'm reaching back to last E3 memories, they said that any microtransaction items would be purely for aesthetics and won't be a "he who has the most money to blow wins" deal.

I could be wrong so if anyone cares to elaborate or correct me do so.

I think you're a little mixed up.
They actually said, "He who has the most blow wins. Deal?"

Wait, wasn't it "he who has the most wins, deals blow?"

Nope, it was "He who deals the most blow wins."

They pretty much left it along the lines of: you can pay for new maps, if you have the map and you host a game, your friends don't have to pay for that map to play in your game. But if your friends would like to host a game with that map, they will have to purchase said map to do so.

I'm sure they will also undoubtedly have aesthetics you can buy for your car(s) similar to the way you can customize your avatar. I wouldn't doubt it if the also threw in some racing-involved avatar achievements either. What would really get me is if there were a map editor, I would probably pay for something like that, of course naysayers would probably relate it too much to Little Big Planet or Mod Nation Racers, but seriously, in the interest of distribution of fun I think they can settle likeness if it's a free game with optional micro-transactions.

"He Who Blow's The Most Deals, Wins Money"

Revolutionary...

Huh.

For once, color me interested in a subject related to Avatars. :)

Bring it on!

Can't wait to put my 12 foot blue person behind the wheel.

No no, not me guys, but thanks for looking!

That is what I said to her. It did not lead to intercourse.

I always thought Captain Planet was like 5-6, kinda like Tom Cruise.

Well the mullet does add about 2 feet.

I reckon that they are working on integrating the game with Natal. Imo that is most likely the reason for the delay.

Though I could be wrong. Like so many times in the past.

Not a bad theory, actually.

Implementing Natal support is also what I immediately thought of too.

Awesome, this would be perfect for those times when you don't know what to play, just hop on live and race with a bunch of friends for free. Looking forward to this.

It looks fun, although I don't really get what we're DOING in it beyond driving around.

I wish someone would just make a straight-on Mario Kart copy with avatars. Don't even be shameless about it, copy everything that works. So sick of the copies that never get the basics right...

Word. I'm surprised it took MS and Sony this long to rip off the one franchise Nintendo has that everyone loves.

Haven't they already tried to rip it off several times before?

I distinctly remember seeing a Crash Bandicoot Cart Racing years ago.

Hope they're 'stealing' Modnation Racers' track editor. I'd love to have that. :)

This is MS we are talking about, they will do everything in their power to nickel and dime us ;) Read Snowblind's comment, that is my biggest concern with this game.

Nice to see that I can finally get something "tangible" out of my XBL Gold suscription

Technically you won't be able to touch this ;)

Modnation Racers is the benchmark for "casual" platform racers (that's not Mario Kart). Let's see what this brings to the table.

How can you say Modnation Racers is the benchmark for "casual" racers when it hasn't even been released yet? In 1-2 years we may find out but until then this "benchmark" of yours still doesn't exist.

Isn't the Wii getting a game like this (or already has it) where you can have your little Wii person on the wheel?

Little Big Planet meets cart racing...

Niether product is out, but based on the information we have today, it looks more impressive.

not gonna lie, I completely forgot this existed

Bigpark's website says they were partially behind SSX, so I'm really looking forward to this. Despite the fact that they lifted 90% of Team Fortress 2's visual style.

And Team Fortress lifted its visual style from (Insert Pixar movie here)...

From the screen shots it looks like they borrowed more from Looney Tunes, in the end it doesn't really matter as long as the game play is good.

Eh, I was interested in this. Than, Sega Allstars racing is coming out which also has where you can use your avatar. Played the demo, it's awesome.
PS: @Captain Planet Hay, I know you're watching my comments because of my tastes in games are different to yours. So, RAGGLE FRAGGLE with heart.

If it's anything like the UK broken ass version of 1vs100, then I'm glad they are putting in the extra hours testing it.

If it's free to Xbox Gold subsribers why not serve it up now, even if it only has 1 track. Then update it month by month..

As surely it's better than paying for MS software, like Windows 7 which we then have to update to month by month anyhow!

Honestly, they could release a free MS-Avatar bumper cars game and I'd be happy; I just want more to do with the Avatars that doesn't require buying an additional game. 1 vs 100 was exactly the kind of thing I was wanting, so let's hope they put out more games centered on your Avatar.

On that topic, I really like what they've been doing with this system. Although the feature was obviously inspired by the Mii system, they've really taken it in the right direction. Unlike Nintendo, Microsoft actually went somewhere with the feature, instead of just letting it sit around gathering dust until the next Wii Sports.

Finally some news on it. I swear I must have been the only person on earth waiting for this.

@davideogamer

there is an avatar bumpercars game currently being playtested at

http://www.xblig.co.uk/forums/index.php

you need to register for the forum and and have an xna trial membership to play it though. if you are a student you can get the trial membership through dreamspark.

Sorry, you must be logged in to leave a comment.

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Kinect Joy Ride

Joy Ride slides into 2010, BigPark still tinkering under the hood

Joy Ride

Reader Comments (48)

Posted: Feb 17th 2010 11:22AM Exu said

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