Zipping past city lanes just got virtual

PC game incorporates graphics of Gateway of India, Taj Hotels, Mumbai Port

India's answer to Road Rash, the PC-based game that topped global charts with sales of over 3.5 million units, is here. The game-Road Rebel-which is being developed by city-based Milestone Interactive, features the roads and bylanes of Mumbai in one of its four-racing tracks.

The biking game, lets the player ride through the roads in front of Mumbai Port and on to the Gateway of India, Victoria Terminus, Churchgate and Marine Drive, before taking on the chequered flag, Milestone Interactive Chief Executive Officer Jayant Sharma said.

"This is the first time any gamer has introduced a Mumbai or Indian track, in a bike-racing game," he claims.

Conventionally, the scenic locales of Switzerland and Australia, apart from racing courses in US and other parts of the world are featured as tracks in games. Even though, race tracks in India have also been featured, this is the first time one of the country's cities is being profiled in a game.

This is also of significant importance as the game is being developed for global gamers, and not merely targeted at the Indian gaming industry.

A graphic representation of the city, including the Gateway of India, Taj Hotels, the landmarks at Marine Drive and the ships berthed at Mumbai Port, all give the gamer a real sense of riding through the city.

The Mumbai track is set at a night time, with the ubiquitous yellow and black cabs dotting the roads. An occasional BEST bus also plies through the streets, giving it a real sense of the city. Other motorists and pedestrians also dot the streets. The game, however does not portray the real congestion of the city.

Speed-breakers and riders, who jump the signal would be accosted by the city police, who come in their trade mark yellow and white vans. Like in the original Road Rash, which enables gamers to abuse riders and cops in pursuit, by throwing things like baseball bats, sticks and baseballs among others at them, this too allows the same.Road Rebel is a single-player game, which will be launched globally in November. The company expects the game to rake in over $1 million in licensing-revenues within 12-15 months of the launch.

The three other tracks of the game are based at Lyon in France, Hobart in Australia and Tokyo in Japan.

The PC-based game has no adult content and though it is targeted at youngsters of the 8-18 age bracket, the game is meant for the widest possible clientele.

Game it out

The biking game lets the player ride through the roads in front of Mumbai Port and on to the Gateway of India

The Mumbai track is set at a night time, with the ubiquitous yellow and black cabs dotting the roads

An occasional BEST bus also plies through the streets, giving it a real sense of the city

The three other tracks of the game are based at Lyon in France, Hobart in Australia and Tokyo in Japan