A new entry in one of the most controversial franchises of the late 90s is finally on its way, more than a decade after the latest game in the series dropped– and it looks incredible.
The original 1997 release of Carmageddon, the vehicular manslaughter simulator from developers Stainless Games, is an odd relic.
Around the same time period, video game bans were at an all-time high. Yet, in the case of titles like Grand Theft Auto III and Night Trap, I sort of understand why some ratings boards opted to ban certain games. I don’t agree with said bans, but I can see what led them to their decisions.
I can’t say the same for Carmageddon, though. The PC and PlayStation title was banned in a few different countries at release, including the United Kingdom. It was altered and subsequently released in the UK however, but only after the devs were forced to replace all of the pedestrians in the game with zombies.
Personally, the decision to refuse it classification always baffled me, because it was hardly the goriest game on the PlayStation at the time (and it’s not like you couldn’t run over pedestrians in other games).
Whether or not the controversy surrounding the game had a negative impact on sales numbers is a story for another article, but it’s fair to say that time hasn’t exactly been kind to the franchise.
There have been a few Carmageddon sequels over the years, but the last entry in the franchise, Carmageddon: Reincarnation, didn’t exactly take the world by storm (critically or financially) when it dropped back in 2015.
Thankfully, the series is set to make a return next year, as developers 34BigThings just revealed that Carmageddon: Rogue Shift is coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and Steam in 2026.
If you’re not familiar with 34BigThings, they’re the minds behind both Redout and Redout II, two ridiculously under-appreciated WipeOut-style arcade racers.
The reveal trailer for the game was, considering its length, pretty juicy, giving us a good look at some legit, very glossy-looking gameplay.
Can’t say I’ve ever been the biggest fan of the Carmageddon games, but I think 34BigThings is a great fit for the franchise, so I’m mildly excited for this one already.
Besides, this looks like the closest thing we’ll get to a new Burnout game any time soon. I’ll never forgive you for shelving the best racing series ever made, EA.
It’s exciting to see a classic franchise making a comeback after so long! Fans of the series must be thrilled to hear about its return on modern platforms. Looking forward to seeing how it evolves for a new generation!