Enter the world of light and entertaining online racing with Cartoon Racer
By Michael Lafferty

“ … a player doesn’t have to spend a large amount of time and work to get to a stage where they can enjoy the game”

There was a time when online racing had a place in the online massively multiplayer market. But when Motor City Online went dark in 2003, there has been a void in that facet of the gaming industry. Recently some titles have re-entered that marketplace, with Trackmania offering online play, and the pending NCsoft title Auto Assault taking vehicular online madness to new heights. But figure into that mix a title geared at fun, both in the visual approach and intent of racing competitively.

The game is Cartoon Racer, a title being offered by OnGameNet.com.

Slated to go live this summer, Cartoon Racer is billed as a casual cart-style title with more than 70 vehicles, and while not truly massively multiplayer, it does allow up to eight players to race on online servers in three different styles or modes – racing, soccer and battle bumper. The main objective of the game is to win races (or battles) and gain points which you can use the points decorate and upgrade your car to your liking or even buy a new car or two!

GameZone talked with OnGameNet about this pending title.

Question: Cartoon racer is described as a casual online game. Does that mean that there will be no ladder ranking system, or is this a game that appeals to gamers who may not have a lot of time to play?

OnGameNet: "When we say it’s a casual online game, we are referring to the fact that a player doesn’t have to spend a large amount of time and work to get to a stage where they can enjoy the game. It does still encourage people to play and be competitive, however, we do have a ladder ranking system that can be viewed in game or from the Web site." 

Q: From whence comes the 'cartoon' element of this race title?

OnGameNet: "This term comes from the design and style of the game. The graphics are very cartoon-like or comical. It is a theme throughout the game from the cars and items, to the race tracks and backgrounds. This is great for keeping the game simple and also appealing to all ages."

Q: You have 70-plus cars in this game. Are they variations of real vehicles or are some of these vehicles strictly imaginary pieces of automotive design? Will players be able to tinker with the cars and come away with unique racing vehicles? How many vehicles can players own and how would they acquire new vehicles?

OnGameNet: "Yes, that’s correct, there are over 70 cars for players to choose from. Definitely there are cars based on real vehicles, but there are also a large range of futuristic looking vehicles of all shapes and sizes. As players progress to different license levels, they gain access to purchase new and better vehicles to race with from the Car Shop. Players can also purchase parts to enhance the look of their cars, such as spoilers, exhausts, and other body parts.

"All purchased cars and their parts can be viewed and modified from the My Car area."

Q: Tell us about the racing tracks. Are these straight road challenges with hairpin turns, or do the tracks feature shortcuts, jumps and other obstacles? Will car damage come into play?

OnGameNet: "There are a variety of different style racetracks, ranging from simple circuits to complicated tracks with twists, turns, and possible shortcuts to give players a slight advantage if they can manage not to miss the entrances. Tracks also have built-in boosters that racers can drive over to gain extra speed for a short time. Players can also use items they’ve purchased, such as missiles, shields, and their own boosters to give them the edge in a race."

Q: How will players hook up to race against others? Is there a lobby? How can players ensure they are in racers with players of similar abilities?

OnGameNet: "Players start off by choosing a channel that they’d like to race in. These channels can either have restrictions based on license type, or be free for anyone to join. Once there, players can view a list of games that are currently open, or create their own. You can also invite other players to play with you."

Q: Is this game solely played online? Does it support chat?

OnGameNet: "Yes, of course! This game is solely played online with other players, you can chat in the lobby or during the race, although you may not have much time to type anything since you will need to concentrate on the game. There are special ‘emoticons’ which can be used while racing. These allow player to show animated emotions above their car without having to type. You are also able to ‘whisper’ or send another player a private message." 

Q: What dynamics set this title apart from other racing titles?  What do you think are the most compelling elements of this game?  

OnGameNet: "Cartoon offers an online racing world where players can build their account, earning in-game money to purchase new cars and parts, and gain license levels through racing experience. There are a number of different race modes that players can play. These include standard racing, car soccer, and battle bumper, which is a deathmatch-style mode.

"With a large variety of cars and customizations, racetracks, game modes and players to interact with, Cartoon Racer is sure to keep people entertained. Another bonus is that no purchase is required to play the game. The game is available to download and play free from the Web. To find out more about the game and the open beta visit http://www.ongamenet.com.au/."

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