Monster Truck Madness
| Monster Truck Madness | |
|---|---|
 Front cover art | |
| Developer(s) | Terminal Reality |
| Publisher(s) | Microsoft |
| Producer(s) | Mark Randel |
| Designer(s) | David Glasscock, Michael Porter, Brian Stevens |
| Programmer(s) | Mark Randel, Greg Seehusen, Fletcher Dunn |
| Artist(s) | Chuck Carson, Drew Haworth, Paul Nettle |
| Composer(s) | Kyle Richards, Tom Wedge |
| Engine | Photex |
| Platform(s) | Windows 95 |
| Release |
|
| Genre(s) | Racing |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Monster Truck Madness[a] is a racing video game developed by Terminal Reality and published by Microsoft for Windows 95. The game was released on August 31, 1996 in North America, and international versions followed afterward.
Gameplay
A racing game, Monster Truck Madness allows players to select between 12 licensed monster trucks (including Bigfoot, Grave Digger and Snake Bite)[1][2] and compete with computer opponents in one of four modes - drag (based on PENDA Point Series), circuit, rally and tournament. It is also possible for players to race contestively in multiplayer via DirectPlay.[1][3]
Development and release
Monster Truck Madness was conceived and developed by Terminal Reality, Inc. (TRI) in collaboration with Microsoft and produced by TRI founder and programmer Mark Randel. Randel was accompanied by Richard Harvey, Greg Seehusen, and Fletcher Duun, who were also responsible for programming duties. The development team further involved Chuck Carson, Drew Haworth, and Paul Nettle as artists, and Joseph Selinske and Gaither Simmons as level designers. Grinnel, Kyle Richards and Tom Wedge joined the project to compose its soundtrack.[4]
The vehicles contained in MTM were used under license from companies such as Monster Patrol, Inc. (known for Monster Patrol) and Patrick Enterprises (known for Samson), who provided TRI with photos and video footage to apply to the game.[4] TRI designed its rendered "highly textured 3-D" graphics and physics system to realistically simulate monster truck racing and its associated courses. Its commentary was supplied by announcer Army Armstrong; he describes the characteristics of monster truck races in quotes as "Bigfoot is doing it in the air!" and "when it's going your way, it's going your way."[2][5]
On February 26, 1996, Microsoft filed a trademark for Monster Truck Madness.[6] The corporation distributed a trial version to promote the game, featuring the Bigfoot and Carolina Crusher vehicles and the track "A Crazy Eight".[7][8] The game was displayed at the 1996 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) and had an intended "fall 1996" release date.[2][5] A trailer advertising MTM appeared as part of the Windows 95 OEM Service Release 2 (OSR 2) install disc.[9] The game was released on August 31 in North America,[1] and international versions followed afterward.
Sequels
A sequel to the original and released in 1998, Monster Truck Madness 2 (abbreviated as MTM2, codenamed Metal Crush 2) offers improved graphics, an updated interface, new trucks and tracks and the addition of variable weather conditions.[10] However, the game engine is essentially the same as that utilized in the original game. A testament to their similarity is the fact that most custom trucks and tracks are compatible with both games.
In 2003, a new game called Monster Truck Madness was released for the Game Boy Advance. It was developed by Tantalus Media and published by THQ.[11]
Reception
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| GameSpot | 7.4/10[12] |
| Next Generation |   [3] |
Video game critics gave the game mixed to positive reviews. A reviewer for Next Generation called the game "the one title that really seems to take full advantage of the Windows 95 operating system", citing high frame rates in spite of the absence of graphics accelerator cards and a significant expression of speed. He criticized the physics as unrealistic but said the customizable settings allow players of all skill levels to set a satisfying challenge for themselves.[3] Anderson wrote that despite her perception of monster truck racing as crude and lowbrow, "I had a blast playing MTM." She praised the intensity of the graphics and gameplay, the numerous options, the use of Armstrong for the commentary, and the ability to drive on tracks and surfaces not used in real world monster truck events, though she noted some graphical glitches.[12]
Monster Truck Madness was nominated as Computer Games Strategy Plus's 1996 "Racing Simulation" of the year, although it lost to NASCAR Racing 2.[13]
Notes
References
- ^ a b c Terminal Reality, Inc. (August 31, 1996). Monster Truck Madness (Windows 95). Microsoft.
- ^ a b c "Microsoft Monster Truck Madness Crushes and Leaps Its Way Into Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3)". Microsoft. May 16, 1996. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
- ^ a b c "Monster Truck Madness". Next Generation. No. 26. Imagine Media. February 1997. p. 130.
- ^ a b Terminal Reality, Inc. (August 31, 1996). Monster Truck Madness (Windows 95). Microsoft. Scene: Credits.
- ^ a b Anderson, Rebecca (May 1, 1996). "Monster Truck Madness Preview". GameSpot. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
- ^ Official Gazette of the United States Patent and Trademark Office: Trademarks. Vol. 1204. Issue 2. December 31, 1997. p. 502.
- ^ Gralla, Preston (January 1, 1997). ZDNet Software Library 10,000. Ziff Davis. p. 226. ISBN 978-1562765378.
- ^ Terminal Reality, Inc. (May 1, 1996). Monster Truck Madness trial version (Windows 95). Microsoft.
- ^ Microsoft (August 24, 1996). Windows 95 OEM Service Release 2 install disc. Microsoft. Scene: Monster Truck Madness trailer.
- ^ "Finals". Next Generation. No. 44. Imagine Media. August 1998. p. 100.
- ^ Harris, Craig (19 August 2003). "Monster Truck Madness". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- ^ a b Anderson, Rebecca (September 26, 1996). "Monster Truck Madness (1996) Review". GameSpot. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
- ^ Staff (March 25, 1997). "Computer Games Strategy Plus announces 1996 Awards". Computer Games Strategy Plus. Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. Retrieved November 2, 2010.