Carmageddon is a vehicular combat racing video game released in 1997 on PC, developed by Stainless and published by Interplay/Sales Curve Interactive. Over the years, it has spawned a good number of sequels and reboots, including Carmageddon 2: Carpocalypse Now (PC 1998), Carmageddon (PlayStation 1999), Carmageddon 64 (Nintendo 64 2000), and Carmageddon – Max Damage (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC 2016). Upon its release, the game was engulfed in controversy, as it was considered too violent by the mass media. Some countries banned its distribution, while others forced the developers to create a “light” version where pedestrians were replaced by zombies or robots. These controversies only served to over-publicize the title, which became a cult classic within a few months.
Shortly after the release, an expansion called Carmageddon Splat Pack was released, containing a patch that restored the game to its original state. The soundtrack was entrusted to the band Fear Factory.
STORY
The title is clearly inspired by the 1975 film **Death Race 2000**, set in a dystopian future where an annual car race from New York to Los Angeles is held, and drivers are encouraged to run over as many people as possible to score higher points. Just like in the movie, you are pushed to run over any living being you find on your path. Each kill will give you a bonus in precious seconds, useful for completing the stage within the time limit. There are three simple ways to win: reach the last checkpoint first, destroy all enemy vehicles, or run over all the living beings in the game area.
CONSIDERATIONS
Beyond all the issues related to the numerous media uproars surrounding the video game, which inevitably made it the forbidden dream of every teenager, **Carmageddon** was a well-built game with a strong identity. Graphically, it held up very well, and the gameplay was fun. The game areas, for the time, were large and encouraged the player to explore every nook and cranny. From the game menus to the graphical interface, from vehicle design to character design, everything was extremely grotesque and aligned with the splatter style that was so popular in those years. Just think that the mouse cursor was replaced by a severed hand…
IN CONCLUSION
**Carmageddon** has the great merit of having dared like very few others in the history of video games. Stainless built a game that was anything but politically correct, managing to achieve great success despite the harsh criticism. The title was even examined in the Italian parliament, which initially banned its sale, only to later approve the censored version. Thanks to **Carmageddon**, all game developers gained greater creative freedom, which was undoubtedly beneficial for the gaming industry.
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