# Quantum Redshift > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Quantum_Redshift > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Quantum_Redshift.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_Redshift > Source revision: 1355454880 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{good article}} {{Short description|2002 video game}} {{Infobox video game | image = Quantum Redshift.jpg | developer = Curly Monsters | publisher = [Microsoft Game Studios](/source/Xbox_Game_Studios) | designer = Nick Burcombe | released = {{vgrelease|NA|September 17, 2002|EU|October 4, 2002}}{{vgrelease|JP|November 21, 2002}} | genre = [Futuristic racing](/source/Racing_video_game) | modes = [Single-player](/source/Single-player_video_game), [multiplayer](/source/Multiplayer_video_game) | platforms = [Xbox](/source/Xbox_(console)) }} '''''Quantum Redshift''''' is a [video game](/source/video_game) for the [Xbox](/source/Xbox_(console)) console, developed by Curly Monsters and published by [Microsoft Game Studios](/source/Xbox_Game_Studios) in 2002. The game is a futuristic [racing game](/source/racing_video_game) with the addition of combat and character rivalries that influence competitive races. ''Quantum Redshift'' was conceived as a [spiritual successor](/source/spiritual_successor) to the racing game ''[Wipeout](/source/Wipeout_(video_game))'' and was developed by several former [Psygnosis](/source/Psygnosis) staff who worked on the game. The game's publication faced challenges, as Curly Monsters staff voiced creative differences regarding packaging and marketing by [Microsoft Game Studios](/source/Microsoft_Game_Studios). The game received mixed reviews from critics, with praise directed at the game's visual presentation and smooth framerate, and criticism towards the lack of distinctive and original features in its design and gameplay compared to its contemporaries. The game was commercially unsuccessful, leading to the discontinuation of a planned sequel and the dissolution of Curly Monsters in 2003. == Gameplay == thumb|left|Players race futuristic hovercraft named SPARCs in ''Quantum Redshift''. Set one hundred years in the future, ''Quantum Redshift'' is a [racing game](/source/racing_video_game) where high-speed races are held on hovercraft known as SPARCs, or single-person armed racing crafts. Races are held across a cast of sixteen selectable characters over eight stages, with each stage featuring two alternate routes. On the track, players have offensive weapons, including a homing and non-homing weapon, and overshields to combat competitors during races. Races also feature color-coded power-ups on the track that charge weapons and shields. Players are able to use points to augment their ship between races, with points earned by winning events, collecting power-ups or defeating opponents. The game features four modes of play. 'Tournament' mode involves the completion of a series of events. Tournaments are offered in increasing scales of difficulty, with Novice and Amateur modes unlocked initially, and higher difficulty modes increasing the speed of the vehicles during races. Each selectable character in this mode has a rival, with additional points awarded to destroying a rival's vehicle in a race. Upon completion of the tournament, a one-on-one 'Nemesis Challenge' race is staged against the player's rival, allowing them to unlock playing as the rival. 'Time Attack' is a solo timed single race in which laps can be recorded as a 'ghost' for others to compete against. 'Quick Race' is a single race against computer opponents on an unlocked track. 'Multiplayer' mode supports local split-screen races for two to four players.{{cite book|title=Quantum Redshift - Game Manual|publisher=Microsoft|date=2002|url=https://archive.org/details/xboxmanual_Quantum_Redshift}} == Development and release == ''Quantum Redshift'' was developed by independent studio Curly Monsters, a British company founded in 1998 by six former [Psygnosis](/source/Psygnosis) staff members.{{cite web|website=Curly Monsters|title=Company Profile|date=2000|url=http://www.curlymonsters.com/profile.htm|access-date=2023-05-02|archive-date=2000-08-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000819004952/http://www.curlymonsters.com/profile.htm|url-status=bot: unknown}} Several development staff, including Nick Burcombe, Lee Carus-Wescott and Andy Satterthwaite, had worked on the similar 1995 [Psygnosis](/source/Psygnosis) [racing video game](/source/racing_video_game) ''[Wipeout](/source/Wipeout_(video_game))''. Developer Neil Thompson stated the game was conceived to "maximise the ''[Wipeout](/source/Wipeout_(video_game))'' connection", with a design pitch accepted by [Microsoft](/source/Microsoft_Game_Studios) for the launch of the [Xbox](/source/Xbox_(console)) with a development budget of one million dollars.{{cite web|website=Eurogamer|title=Quantum Redshift: the forgotten Xbox exclusive Microsoft paid $1m for to take on WipEout|last=Win-Poole|first=Wesley|date=15 March 2017|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/quantum-redshift-the-forgotten-xbox-exclusive-microsoft-paid-usd1m-for-to-take-on-wipeout|accessdate=1 April 2024|archive-date=19 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419211843/https://www.eurogamer.net/quantum-redshift-the-forgotten-xbox-exclusive-microsoft-paid-usd1m-for-to-take-on-wipeout|url-status=live}} [Microsoft](/source/Microsoft_Game_Studios) leveraged several promotional partnerships to boost the profile of the game, including contracting Dutch musician [Junkie XL](/source/Junkie_XL) to develop sixteen tracks for the soundtrack of the game.{{cite web|website=Eurogamer|last=Bramwell|first=Tom|date=16 November 2006|title=A little less conversation, a little more Redshift|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/article-46192|accessdate=1 April 2024|archive-date=29 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229115646/https://www.eurogamer.net/article-46192|url-status=live}} ''Quantum Redshift'' was Junkie XL's first video game project, who proceeded to compose tracks for games including ''[Forza Motorsport](/source/Forza_Motorsport_(2005_video_game))''.{{cite web|website=IGN|title=Junkie XL AU Interview|last=Shea|first=Cam|date=16 November 2007|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/11/15/junkie-xl-au-interview|access-date=14 September 2021|archive-date=6 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406011316/https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/11/15/junkie-xl-au-interview|url-status=live}} [Microsoft](/source/Microsoft_Game_Studios) also engaged Satoshi Ueda, who had worked on the ''[Resident Evil](/source/Resident_Evil)'' and ''[Street Fighter](/source/Street_Fighter)'' series, to develop assets for characters and cinematics in the game, including a promotional [comic book](/source/comic_book) released for [E3](/source/E3) 2002 to preview the game. Promotion and release of ''Quantum Redshift'' was troubled, with creative differences between [Microsoft](/source/Microsoft_Game_Studios) and the development team. Although Curly Monsters retained creative control over the game itself, [Microsoft](/source/Microsoft_Game_Studios) exercised control over the release of the game. The working title, ''Neon'', was changed to ''Quantum Redshift'' over concerns of copyright infringement with the [Chrysler Neon](/source/Chrysler_Neon). The development team also expressed strong disapproval towards decisions made by [Microsoft](/source/Microsoft_Game_Studios) on the cinematics and box art of the game, with Neil Thompson stating the team were "desperately unhappy" and "immensely disappointed" with the final art direction. === Sales === ''Quantum Redshift'' was not commercially successful, with the game performing poorly in comparison to ''[Wipeout Fusion](/source/Wipeout_Fusion)'', released by [Psygnosis](/source/Psygnosis) successor [Studio Liverpool](/source/Studio_Liverpool) the same year. However, poor sales performance had a significant impact on Curly Monsters, with [Microsoft Game Studios](/source/Microsoft_Game_Studios) abandoning its contract with the studio for a second title, leading to cancellation of a planned sequel. Following this, the company disbanded in February 2003, with Andy Satterthwaite reflecting "while the games were great and reviewed well, they didn't make enough cash, and we ended up calling it quits in 2003 before we had to put our houses on the line."{{cite web|website=Grumpy Old Gamers|last=Sillifant|first=Ross|title=GOG Presents The Andy Satterthwaite Interview|date=20 August 2014|url=http://www.grumpyoldgamers.co.uk/index.php?/topic/2429-andy-satterthwaite-interview/|access-date=2 May 2023|archive-date=22 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422064745/http://www.grumpyoldgamers.co.uk/index.php?/topic/2429-andy-satterthwaite-interview/|url-status=bot: unknown}} In the year following release, the game received a minor boost of sales, peaking in the eighth position on [Xbox](/source/Xbox_(console)) sales charts in the week of 15 November 2003.{{cite web|website=GamesIndustry.biz|title=XBox Top 20 - 15th November 2003|date=18 November 2003|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/xbox-top-20-15th-november-2003|accessdate=1 April 2024|archive-date=21 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521183348/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/xbox-top-20-15th-november-2003|url-status=live}} == Reception == {{Video game reviews | state = | align = right | MC = 70%{{cite web|website=Metacritic|title=Quantum Redshift|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/quantum-redshift/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox|accessdate=1 April 2024|archive-date=18 May 2026|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/xoFQK|url-status=live}} | EGM = 6.0 / 6.5 / 6.0{{cite magazine|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|date=December 2002|title=Quantum Redshift|first1=Darren|first2=Miguel|first3=Greg|last1=Gladstone|last2=Lopez|last3=Ford}} | EuroG = 8/10{{cite web|website=Eurogamer|last=Reed|first=Kristan|date=10 October 2002|title=Quantum Redshift|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/r-quantumredshift-x|accessdate=1 April 2024|archive-date=8 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241008223657/https://www.eurogamer.net/r-quantumredshift-x|url-status=live}} | GameRev = B−{{cite web|website=Game Revolution|last=Sanders|first=Shawn|title=Shift Into Neutral|date=2 October 2002|url=http://www.game-revolution.com/games/xbox/racing/quantum_redshift.htm|access-date=30 April 2023|archive-date=12 October 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021012074131/http://www.game-revolution.com/games/xbox/racing/quantum_redshift.htm|url-status=bot: unknown}} | GSpot = 7.1{{cite web|website=GameSpot|last=Davis|first=Ryan|title=Quantum Redshift Review|date=10 September 2002|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/quantum-redshift-review/1900-2879845/|accessdate=1 April 2024|archive-date=8 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241008223657/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/quantum-redshift-review/1900-2879845/|url-status=live}} | GSpy = 63%{{cite web|website=GameSpy|last=Meston|first=Zach|title=Quantum Redshift|date=21 October 2002|url=http://www.planetxbox.com/features/reviews/2002/quantumredshift/|access-date=30 April 2023|archive-date=4 December 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021204211716/http://www.planetxbox.com/features/reviews/2002/quantumredshift/|url-status=bot: unknown}} | GZone = 8.7{{cite web|website=GameZone|last=Bedigian|first=Louis|date=23 September 2002|title=Quantum Redshift|url=http://xbox.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r19994.htm|access-date=30 April 2023|archive-date=25 September 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020925222754/http://xbox.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r19994.htm|url-status=bot: unknown}} | IGN = 6.2{{cite web|website=IGN|title=Quantum Redshift Review|last=Goldstein|first=Hilary|date=16 September 2002|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/09/16/quantum-redshift-review}} | Play = 4/5{{cite magazine|magazine=Play|issue=10|date=October 2002|title=Silent Speed|last=Halverson|first=Dave|pages=66–67|url=https://archive.org/details/Play_Issue_010_2002_10_Fusion_Publishing_US/page/2017/mode/2up?q=quantum}} |XPlay = 3/5{{cite web|website=Extended Play|title=Quantum Redshift (Xbox) Review|last=Bub|first=Andrew|date=27 September 2002|url=http://www.techtv.com/extendedplay/reviews/story/0,24330,3400402,00.html|access-date=30 April 2023|archive-date=15 October 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021015000333/http://www.techtv.com/extendedplay/reviews/story/0,24330,3400402,00.html|url-status=bot: unknown}} |rev1 = ''Xbox Magazine'' (XBM) |rev1Score = 6/10{{cite magazine|magazine=Xbox Magazine|issue=12|pages=76–79|title=Quantum Redshift|last=Crawley|first=Mark|date=October 2002 |url=https://archive.org/details/xbm-12}} |rev2=''Xbox Nation'' (XBN) |rev2Score=6/10{{cite magazine|magazine=Xbox Nation|title=Quantum Redshift|last=Brookes|first=Jason|date=Winter 2002|issue=5|pages=95|url=https://archive.org/details/xbox-nation-xbn-issue-5-winter-2002/page/94}} }} ''Quantum Redshift'' received "mixed or average reviews" from publications according to [review aggregator](/source/review_aggregator) [Metacritic](/source/Metacritic). Critics praised the visual presentation of ''Quantum Redshift'' as a highlight of the game, with a focus on the visual effects and framerate. Writing for ''[Game Revolution](/source/Game_Revolution)'', Shawn Sanders praised the visual presentation, stating the game demonstrated the technical capabilities of the console, highlighting the "bump-mapping, snazzy water effects, lush and expansive environments (and) silky smooth framerate." Similarly, Ryan Davis of ''[GameSpot](/source/GameSpot)'' praised the graphics as "outstanding", focusing upon the game's "lighting and particle effects, motion blur and bump-mapping", although noting some effects are "used liberally to the point that the novelty wears off sooner than it should". Hilary Goldstein of ''[IGN](/source/IGN)'' described the graphics as "blazingly fast", but noted the courses were static and had few competitors, writing "While the game is pretty, it's not hard to see why when considering what little is truly going on." Reviewers expressed mixed opinions on the track design. Louis Bedigian of ''GameZone'' praised the design as "unique", finding them to have "a lot of room to move around" and remarking "the larger scope adds to the depth and realistic feel of the courses". Zach Meston of ''[GameSpy](/source/GameSpy)'' described the tracks as "gorgeous", although found them "sterile" and lacking animation. Ryan Davis of ''[GameSpot](/source/GameSpot)'' praised the inclusion of different surfaces and shortcuts, but found most tracks were not "unique and interesting" and "seem inspired more by conventional rally racing games". Hilary Goldstein of ''[IGN](/source/IGN)'' similarly remarked that the track design was "boring" and lacked activity, stating "the tracks don't seem to make much of any sense in terms of the rest of the game" and were largely similar to other racing games. Several critics remarked that the game was unoriginal and lacked distinctive features. ''[Electronic Gaming Monthly](/source/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly)'' described the game as "generic" and "fun, if uninspired", finding the game failed to add "anything new or revolutionary to the gameplay", citing the lack of weapons and the "bland character designs and uninspired story cut-scenes". Similarly describing the game as "simplistic", Hilary Goldstein of ''[IGN](/source/IGN)'' critiqued the "limited" and "plain" use of power-ups in the game, finding them to meet a bare minimum of expected features. Andrew Bub of ''XPlay'' also found the game lacked "inspiration and originality", citing the "generic" story. Shawn Sanders of ''[Game Revolution](/source/Game_Revolution)'' stated the game had few faults, but did not introduce many new features in comparison to other games in the genre. Ryan Davis of ''[GameSpot](/source/GameSpot)'' similarly noted the gameplay offered "nothing out of the ordinary." === Retrospective reception === ''Quantum Redshift'' received mixed retrospective attention, with critics acknowledging its poor critical and commercial performance. Kristan Reed of ''[Eurogamer](/source/Eurogamer)'' positively evaluated the game as a "strangely overlooked" title and "cult classic" for the [Xbox](/source/Xbox_(console)), stating it was "the natural successor to ''[Wipeout](/source/Wipeout_(video_game))'' and the best looking game of its type, with smooth widescreen visuals".{{cite web|website=Eurogamer|title=The Bluffer's Guide to Xbox Cult Classics|date=22 January 2008|last=Reed|first=Kristan|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/a-xboxcultclassics2006|accessdate=1 April 2024|archive-date=8 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241008223644/https://www.eurogamer.net/a-xboxcultclassics2006|url-status=live}} In contrast, writing for ''[The Escapist](/source/The_Escapist_(magazine))'', Jim Rossignol evaluated the game as a "flawed and doomed project", noting that despite the game's distinctive visual and sylistic features, its commercial failure was evident and attributed its shortcomings to unfavorable comparisons with ''[Wipeout](/source/Wipeout_(video_game))''.{{cite web|website=The Escapist|last=Rossignol|first=Jim|title=Formula Futurist|date=24 April 2007|url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/formula-futurist/|accessdate=1 April 2024|archive-date=8 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241008223633/https://www.escapistmagazine.com/formula-futurist/|url-status=live}} Richard Moss of ''[Polygon](/source/Polygon_(website))'' described the game as "lacking the inspiration and coherence of its spiritual predecessor".{{cite web|website=Polygon|title=Wipeout's co-creator looks back at three decades of racing games|last=Moss|first=Richard|date=9 March 2017|url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/3/9/14846268/wipeouts-co-creator-looks-back-at-three-decades-of-racing-games|access-date=2 May 2023|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112011958/http://www.polygon.com/2017/3/9/14846268/wipeouts-co-creator-looks-back-at-three-decades-of-racing-games|url-status=live}} ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== *{{moby game|id=/quantum-redshift|name=''Quantum Redshift''}} {{Xbox Game Studios}} Category:2002 video games Category:Curly Monsters games Category:Microsoft franchises Category:Microsoft games Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games Category:Racing video games Category:Science fiction racing games Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom Category:Video games featuring female protagonists Category:Video games scored by Tom Holkenborg Category:Xbox games Category:Xbox-only games Category:Video game spiritual successors --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Quantum Redshift](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_Redshift) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_Redshift?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.