Driver revolutionized the gaming world when it was released in 1999. This game, which laid the cornerstones of open world games, was developed by Reflections and published by GT Interactive. The Driver story was more than just a racing game, it was a cinematic driving experience.

The birth of the Driver story

In the mid-1990s, Reflections studio enjoyed great success on the PlayStation platform with the Destruction Derby series. However, Reflections founder Martin Edmondson and his team recognized the need to innovate in racing games. This quest for innovation led them to the Driver project. Driver was to be a game that was not just about racing and driving, but a game that captured the spirit of the iconic car chase movies of the 70s and 80s.

When Driver was released in 1999, it allowed players to roam freely in four major American cities – Miami, San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York. These cities were characterized by their detailed maps and unique features. For example, San Francisco’s high hills and streetcars gave players a different driving experience.

One of the most striking features of Driver was its cinematic experience. The game’s story follows Tanner, a former racing driver, as he infiltrates the criminal underworld as an undercover cop. This story made players feel like they were not only in a racing game, but also in an action movie. The Driver story was inspired by Walter Hill’s 1978 film The Driver. In this movie, the main character’s skillful driving was the inspiration for the “garage test” challenge in Driver.

Another important factor in Driver’s success was the game’s realistic car physics. Players could experience fast and exciting chases using 70s American muscle cars. Also, the car damage system in the game was far more advanced than other racing games of the era.

Driver is considered the pioneer of open-world racing games. The game not only offered vast open world maps, but also included a replay editor that allowed players to create their own cinematic car chases. This feature allowed players to create and share their own action sequences.

Following the success of Driver, Reflections continued the series and released several sequels. However, Ubisoft’s Driver: San Francisco, released in 2011, remained the last major game in the series. Driver: San Francisco offered players a different experience, innovating with the ability to transfer Tanner’s spirit to other vehicles. However, it was disappointing for many fans that Ubisoft didn’t take the Driver series further.

Driver is remembered as a game that revolutionized the gaming world and laid the foundations for open-world racing games. The Driver story captured the hearts of gamers not only as a game, but also as a cinematic experience. Reflections’ innovative approach continues to inspire the development of open-world games today.

As a result, Driver is widely regarded as a masterpiece that has become an important part of the gaming landscape and shaped the future of open-world racing games. The Driver story will always be remembered as a classic, providing gamers with an unforgettable experience.