BACK IN AUGUST WE took a look at Rockstar's upcoming racing title, and while we were wowed by the sheer mayhem promised by the latest addition to the Midnight Club franchise, they wouldn't let us see any of the multiplayer side of the game.
Happily, Rockstar has now come to the rescue and provided us with a fairly comprehensive overview of what the next-gen racer title will provide in the way of entertainment for you and your friends.
Those used to the Grand Theft Auto IV multiplayer integration will be pleased to learn that in Midnight Club Los Angeles, the transition between singleplayer and multiplayer is just as seamless. They are based on the same engine, after all.
By pressing a single button you can hit the streets in your custom car and play against fifteen other people in varied settings and up to ten different race modes. Challenges are organised via your cell phone, and this is what they'll consist of...
Ordered Race
This is a basic checkpoint-to-checkpoint mode consisting of high-speed racing between set points on the map. The first to the final checkpoint wins.
Circuit Race
Same as above, however it can consist of more than one lap. You can also configure this mode to eject the last placed racer from each lap, and you can keep a track of the lap number from the HUD. Again, the first player to the final checkpoint wins.
Unordered Race
In this mode, you simply need to clear all the checkpoints. You can do this in whatever order you like.
Landmark Race
Like a modern-day steeplechase, you simply need to fire through checkpoints from one side of the city to the other, with your final destination being a landmark of some description.
Free-For-All Capture the Flag
For those fans of mayhem - you'll need to capture a flag from a set location and drop it off in another. Sounds easy, but every other player will be out to stop you! Each time the flag is returned a new flag will appear in a different location. The winner is decided by either the score limit or whoever has had the most success prior to the time running out.
Splitbase Capture the Flag
This race mode is essentially conventional Capture the Flag, albeit with all players separated into teams. Each team has a base, and a neutral flag will spawn between them. The team who manages to get the flag back to their base will earn points, and the winners are decided on the number of flags captured.
Basewar Capture the Flag
Again, this is team based Capture the Flag, however this time the flag is spawned at the base. Each team must work to bring back the opposing flag, and the winners are decided on the number of flags captured.
Free-For-All Stockpile
Similar to Free-For-All Capture the Flag, however instead of one flag spawning, you'll have multiple flags appearing. There will always be one less flag available than the number of players in the game, and you can steal or acquire other flags that have not been picked up. Once all the flags have been captured, a new cluster will spawn. Those who hit the score limit or collect the most flags by the time limit will win.
Stockpile
In this mode, each team has a base and a group of neutral flags that will spawn between them. The idea is to steal as many flags and bring them back to your base as possible. Once all the flags in a cluster have been acquired a new cluster will spawn. Those who hit the score limit or collect the most flags by the time limit will win.
Keep Away
In Keep Away, a single flag will spawn somewhere on the map. Once you have taken this flag, you will start notching up "flag time". You'll need to hide or run away from the other players to retain possession of the flag, and the person who manages to keep the flag for the longest wins.
---
In addition to these race modes, we've been informed that you can also enter an online race editor and create races whilst in the game with other players. Once you're done creating a race, you can then invite others to play that race within the same session.
During each race mode, you're provided with a number of weapons designed to assist you to disrupt other players and swing the advantage in your direction;
- Disruptor: Forces a distorted view of the track on other players.
- Ice: Make your opponents slide out of control!
- Nitro: Provides you with more boost to hit those insane speeds.
- Pulse: Blasts your opponent into the air!
- Reverse Steering: Make your opponent swerve wildly by reversing their steering.
- Shield: Temporary immunity to opponents power-ups.
- Stealth: Go invisible for a short time.
- Stop: Your opponent will be forced to hit the brakes!
- Mirror: Reflect all your opponents power-ups back on them.
- Agro: Increase your cars mass and damage potential without taking a speed hit!
- Random: You'll find out when you collect it.
On top of all this, you'll actually be able to rate or purchase other players' cars through the innovative "Rate my Ride" system. You can get creative and produce whatever crazy design you like, and others will be able to jump online and provide you with feedback, or purchase your vehicle. Whoever buys your ride will give you a $10,000 bonus for your efforts, and you don't even lose your car - it will remain in the garage!
Our thanks to Rockstar Australia for providing us with this information - Midnight Club: Los Angeles is on track for a 24 October release for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. We've got a bunch of trailers over at GP Downloads, so why not check them out!
Plus, be sure to enter our massive $3000 Tune-Up competition for a chance to win Sparco racing gear and copies of Midnight Club: Los Angeles!
