Lotus Challenge Explained
Lotus Challenge is a racing game developed by Kuju Entertainment and published in 2001 for PlayStation 2 by Virgin Interactive. Versions followed for Windows, GameCube, Xbox, and mobile phones from different publishers.
Development
Virgin Interactive first announced the game for the PlayStation 2 and Microsoft Windows in August 2000 for an early-2001 release.[1] The game was renamed Lotus Extreme Challenge in November 2000[2] with a North American release planned to be published by Interplay Entertainment,[2] although this never came to circulation. The game would eventually see its release under its former name. The PlayStation 2 version was later ported to Japan and published by MTO on 26 December 2002.[3]
In March 2002, Virgin Interactive announced they would release the game on the Xbox under the name of Lotus Arcade[4] before reverting to its former name, with the announcement that the Xbox version would feature major improvements over the PS2 version. The game was due for a release in Europe by Virgin in September[5] but this never happened. In November 2002, Xicat Interactive announced they would release the game in North America instead as an Xbox exclusive,[6] with a GameCube port also announced.[7] In December 2002, Xicat secured a licensing deal with Motor Trend to rename the title as Motor Trend Presents Lotus Challenge,[8] with the Xbox version originally scheduled for release in late January 2003,[9] before it was somewhat delayed to the end of April. The GameCube version was due for a release in August[10] but was pulled for unknown reasons.
In May 2004, Ignition Entertainment's website listed a title named Lotus Extreme for the GameCube.[11] However, the game was renamed again back to its original title a few weeks later when it was officially announced by Ignition,[12] and was released shortly after.[13]
Reception
The Xbox version received "mixed" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. GameSpy, GameZone, and Extended Play gave it above-average to mixed reviews while it was still in development.
The game sold more than 130,000 units for the PlayStation 2.[14]
Notes and References
- Web site: Shahed. Ahmed. 5 July 2000. Lotus Racing from Virgin. GameSpot. Fandom. https://web.archive.org/web/20150827013612/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/lotus-racing-from-virgin/1100-2598758/. 27 August 2015. live. 17 May 2024.
- Web site: Douglass C.. Perry. 5 November 2001. Lotus Extreme Challenge. IGN. Ziff Davis. https://web.archive.org/web/20230722155218/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/11/06/lotus-extreme-challenge. 22 July 2023. live. 17 May 2024.
- Web site: IGN staff. 20 December 2002. Gaming Life in Japan. IGN. Ziff Davis. https://web.archive.org/web/20240518015823/https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/12/20/gaming-life-in-japan-89. 18 May 2024. live. 18 May 2024.
- Web site: IGN staff. 8 March 2002. Lotus Arcade Spins Its Wheels on Xbox. IGN. Ziff Davis. https://web.archive.org/web/20230722155214/https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/03/08/lotus-arcade-spins-its-wheels-on-xbox. 22 July 2023. live. 30 July 2023.
- Web site: Axel. Strohm. 13 June 2002. First look: Lotus Challenge Xbox. GameSpot. Fandom. https://web.archive.org/web/20020627054341/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2870637,00.html. 27 June 2002. live. 17 May 2024.
- Web site: IGN staff. 26 November 2002. Xicat's Lotus Challenge. IGN. Ziff Davis. https://web.archive.org/web/20230722155215/https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/11/26/xicats-lotus-challenge. 22 July 2023. live. 18 May 2024.
- Web site: IGN staff. 26 November 2002. Lotus Challenge GCN Bound. IGN. Ziff Davis. https://web.archive.org/web/20230722155211/https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/11/26/lotus-challenge-gcn-bound. 22 July 2023. live. 30 July 2023.
- Web site: Rainier. 3 December 2002. Xicat Teams Up With Motor Trend Magazine In 'Lotus Challenge'. Worthplaying. https://web.archive.org/web/20230722155213/https://worthplaying.com/article/2002/12/3/news/7157-xicat-teams-up-with-motor-trend-magazine-in-lotus-challenge/. 22 July 2023. live. 30 July 2023.
- Web site: Giancarlo. Varanini. 7 January 2003. Lotus Challenge Preview. GameSpot. Fandom. https://web.archive.org/web/20040607104407/http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/driving/motortrendpresentslc/preview_2908175.html. 7 June 2004. live. 18 May 2024.
- Web site: Matthew. Schwartz. 25 July 2003. Motor Trend Presents Lotus Challenge (GCN Preview). IGN. Ziff Davis. https://web.archive.org/web/20230722155213/https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/07/26/motor-trend-presents-lotus-challenge. 22 July 2023. live. 30 July 2023.
- Web site: IGN staff. 26 May 2004. Kuju on GameCube Again. IGN. Ziff Davis. https://web.archive.org/web/20230722155219/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/05/26/kuju-on-gamecube-again. 22 July 2023. live. 30 July 2023.
- Web site: IGN staff. 10 July 2004. A Lotus By Any Other Name.... IGN. Ziff Davis. https://web.archive.org/web/20230722155214/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/07/10/a-lotus-by-any-other-name. 22 July 2023. live. 18 May 2024.
- Web site: IGN staff. 4 August 2004. Lotus Challenge Shipped. IGN. Ziff Davis. https://web.archive.org/web/20230722155216/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/08/05/lotus-challenge-shipped. 22 July 2023. live. 18 May 2024.
- Web site: 14 February 2002. First six months of the fiscal year 2001/2002. Titus Interactive. https://web.archive.org/web/20020404232350/http://www.titusgames.com/company/press/pr_020214.php. 4 April 2002. dead. 21 July 2022.
