Uncovering the Depths of Crazy Taxi

In a series of guest editorials on GamesIndustry.biz, game developers share their appreciation for each other's work. This entry is contributed by Tim FitzRandolph, also known as Walaber, who recently released Parking Garage Rally Circuit, an arcade racing game available on Steam. During his college days, Tim spent time at the entertainment center, where he discovered a captivating arcade game. He thought he was skilled at the game, able to play for around five minutes on a single play. However, when he watched another player, he was astonished to see them play for an extended period, performing techniques he had never seen before. The game was Crazy Taxi, a Sega AM3 arcade classic. The player's technique involved releasing the gas pedal, shifting into reverse, and then quickly shifting into drive and flooring the pedal, resulting in a sudden burst of speed. This mechanic, known as a 'limit cut,' allows players to temporarily increase the top speed of the car, enabling them to drive at incredible velocities. Tim was hooked and began to mimic the technique, instantly doubling his best score. The game's depth and complexity have stuck with him, influencing his own game development career. He explains that the speed of the car changes over time based on acceleration and top speed, and the input sequence can be broken down into two parts. The 'limit cut' technique, when performed at the boosted top speed, stacks and increases the top speed of the car even further. This allows skilled players to perform impressive stunts and drive at breakneck speeds. After discovering this technique, Tim delved deeper into the game, uncovering other techniques like crazy drifts and optimized routes. His college experience was filled with the game's soundtrack, and he eventually purchased a Sega Dreamcast to play the game at home. The game's design philosophy, with layers of systems waiting to be discovered, has inspired Tim's own game development. He aims to create a game that evokes a similar reaction in players, with hidden mechanics and limitless potential. His latest release, Parking Garage Rally Circuit, reflects this philosophy, allowing players to stack boosts and drive at incredible speeds. The 'Crazy Box' section in modern console re-releases of Crazy Taxi introduces players to the game's deep control mechanics, but Tim believes that nothing compares to the shock of discovering the game's depth firsthand.