Eugene Jarvis has been president of Raw Thrills for over 22 years, so he knows a thing or two when it comes to creating fun arcade (literally arcade) racing games.
Modern arcades are more focused on winning tickets than video games. But between the UFO catcher and Pac-Man’s air his hockey his table, there’s still the fun of the traditional game.
Not so much from the old guards, though. In fact, during this summer’s vacation, I was frankly disappointed with Sega’s recent arcade games, especially the Daytona 3 Championship USA.
However, I have noticed one trend. Every modern coin operation that I really enjoyed had a big red emblem on it. It’s Raw Thrills.The same company that made us great Cruis’n Blast on last year’s SwitchSo what’s the deal with this company that supposedly took over the coin-operating mantle from Sega and Namco? What makes their games so much fun?
Normally, I would answer that question myself (I could write a book), but if you ask someone like Eugene Jarvis, CEO of Raw Thrills, who has decades of experience creating hit video games, it’s much more. will be interesting to
Yes, the same Eugene Jarvis who brought Defender and Robotron 2084 back in the early 1980s. He also directed Sega’s Virtua Racing and Daytona USA, as well as Namco’s arcade hit Cruis’n USA (as is the case with Nintendo!) where everyone was on board with his 3D arcade racer phenomenon. did. ridge racer.
But while other players for Sega’s arcade throne have since lost their way, Eugene’s team went from strength to strength and began to claim the arcade space as their own. So what does a good arcade racing game look like?
“Years ago, Electronic Arts founder Trip Hawkins said that a great video game should be hot, simple, and deep, and it’s even more true for the modern arcade racer. I think it is,” said Jarvis.
“Great graphics, cool music, effects, themes and gameplay are just as hot. Simple as intuitive and responsive controls and handling. Accessible gameplay with minimal frame lag and maximum frame rate.” As deep as many vehicle and track choices: multiple routes, shortcuts per track, cool power-ups, crash and trick dynamics, and imaginative race strategy.
“I can’t help but play over and over again”
This is exactly what made the best arcade titles of the 80’s and 90’s so great, and I often hear this writer say, “It’s fun the first time and the 1000th time.” That’s why.
But Eugene insists that the experience should not be diluted. our review.
“In the 24/7 world of TikTok, YouTube, and mobile gaming, there is a battle going on for human attention and mind share,” Jarvis explains.
“The only sin is being (or being) boring. So a good racer should go full throttle with non-stop insane action. This game is a short-form arcade experience. I think it should be purpose-built.
“Racing ports from consoles, mobiles, or PCs to arcades often end up in disastrous compromises.”
It’s very difficult to come up with a list of console-to-arcade ports, let alone good ports. One that comes to mind is his 2007 Redux of Sega Rally, which was ported to arcades as Sega Rally 3 and then back home again as Sega Rally Online Arcade.
I lost something on both stages of the journey.Another thing that comes to mind is the original gridgained a frame rate of 60fps when it was ported to arcades, but was largely unknown to the general public.
No, arcade racers have to be arcades. But how did Eugene and the Raw Thrills team find success in what many perceive as a dead market?
“The key is passion and focus,” he says.
“Also, team continuity combined with hot youth-driven creative and geezer experiences. I have avoided temptation.
“If we only wanted cash, we would be Ponzi Blockchain’s crypto brothers peddling gaming NFTs!”
He’s joking, but there’s truth in it.And let him forget it Gran Turismo 7 Polyphony Digital has always had the same core team, making even the latest PlayStation 5 racers feel like the same Gran Turismo we’ve known and loved since 1997. style.
As you wander through the modern arcade, you’ll see features from the Raw Thrills catalog. Larger-than-life environments, steady frame rates, vibrant colors, and surreal special moves. But Eugene asks the sim what he thinks about racing and has he tried it?
“Being very ADHD, I think the simulator is a kind of drag. I’m doing some crazy math on the physics effects of shifting on the vehicle’s center of gravity, etc., but that story seems to have it covered. It offers a very barren and soulless experience for all but hardcore contestants. ”
Obviously, here at Traxion.GG, we’re “hardcore competitors” and we love sim racing. However, this opinion is probably why Eugene has been so successful in his game for so long.
Looking back at 1982’s Robotron 2084, the game is overwhelming with moving, blinking, and beeping sounds. No time to get serious. It’s all about maximum action and maximum fun. With that in mind, what is Eugene’s personal favorite arcade racing game?
“I loved classic racers from the 80s like Final Lap, Outrun and Hard Drivein’. These games may look crude and primitive in today’s replays, but they were great back then.
“The 90s were the golden age of arcade racing, and the Daytona was the king of the hill for purists due to its excellent handling, track design and solid 60hz frame rate. I kept it, but as a single-player experience, Daytona got boring with just three tracks and pathetic opponent AI.”
Of course, I’ve been playing Daytona’s single-player mode for nearly 30 years now and I don’t think I’ve grown tired of it yet, but let’s keep going…
“I have to say I am part of the Cruis’n series (who would have guessed?).
“It’s amazing how intelligently fine-tuned random-number-driven behavioral AI turns artificial stupidity into artificial intelligence. I love curt two-lane roads with oncoming drama ( Sadly not in most racing titles.) Each pass attempt is a death-defying challenge.Try Death Valley at Cruis’n USA.Japan and China at Cruis’n World.Rubber bands are forgiving. Despite that, we kept the race close, but skill still prevailed.”
It’s interesting to hear about random number generation being used in AI, but given how unpopular it is in in-game review circles, it’s hard to hear rubberbanding described as a good thing. is even more interesting. But its real value comes in arcades, where the last player can get extra engine power to get back into the race.
Fastest lap of 15.99 at the 777 Speedway? Yeah, that’s my mom racing in every catch-up.
So what’s next for Raw Thrills? Will Switchport be added in the future?
“There are some great arcade games that beat the Switch, like Jurassic Park, The Walking Dead, and SuperBikes 3,” Jarvis said.
“Licensing with external IP comes with complications. In fact, we have too much fun in arcades right now to prioritize it. Cruis’n Trilogy (USA, World, and Exotica) is my current console crash project.”
It’s a very intriguing prospect. But there are more:
“This year at IAAPA Orlando we present the newest arcade racer. Full motion simulation, dual 65” UHD screens. Fast & Furious Arcade.
As far as we are concerned, that should be the spirit of every arcade racer.
Big thanks and best of luck to Eugene Jarvis for speaking with Traxion.GG.
