PRESS RELEASE - 22/03/1999 (Metropolis)

Bizarre Creations and Sega are proud to release the very first, early screenshots of their Dreamcast title, codenamed Metropolis.

Even though the game is still midway through development, we feel that the time is now right to show people something of Metropolis. Therefore, we are proud to release these five early screenshots, taken from the pre-Alpha version of the game.

The game is currently known under the working title of Metropolis. It is a city-based racing game, which has been in development for just over a year. Metropolis was commissioned by Sega to figure exclusively as a key title for the European Launch of Dreamcast.

As a specially created title for the console, the game has been designed to show off the impressive features of the Dreamcast. It should appeal to a broad audience – providing arcade thrills for the hardcore gamer and a more complex, progressive mode for the in-depth player.

As you can see from these early shots, the environments and cars are highly detailed. Both are still far from completion, and there are also many visual effects that still have to be implemented. However, we feel that the shots – taken in-game from the TV camera perspective – should give you a representative idea of the style of the game.

Metropolis is anticipated to be a world-wide release, with European release planned for the Dreamcast’s launch in this territory. No schedules are available for American and Japanese release as yet. More game details will be released at Metropolis’s press unveiling, later this year.

Link: https://web.archive.org/web/19991005015306/http://www.bizarrecreations.com/metpr2.htm

Sega Europe Statement Regarding Bugged Retail Version (PAL)

**THE FOLLOWING WAS ADDED TO BIZARRE CREATIONS'S OLD WEBSITE ON 8 DECEMBER 2000**

Sega Europe have just released an official statement on MSR. This includes information for those who have found problems in the first retail version of the game, on how to go about getting a replacement disk. The statement is below:

Official Sega Europe Statement: 

The development of MSR has been an astonishing accomplishment and has since set new standards within the gaming industry - pure driving games will never be the same again. Thousands of calls have been received since launch, complementing on the sheer size and precision of the sound, visuals and game play, though undoubtedly, a game of this calibre will experience some difficulties. It has come to the attention of Sega that the first version of MSR, currently in retail, has shown some irregular, minor problems which may affect game play. Since discovering this issue, we have all have worked extremely hard to produce an updated version of the game for you, eliminating these problems.

Should you discover anything unusual then do not hesitate to call the Sega Customer Services number 08456 090 090 [NOW DEFUNCT], where helpful Sega staff will be on hand to process your details and replace your troubled disk. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and hope you enjoy the game everyone is talking about - Metropolis Street Racer.

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We, at Bizarre Creations, are also happy that those people who have experienced problems will have them solved by Sega's Customer Services, and are sure that they will be able to answer all your queries. We're sorry that we've not been able to put any more information up here on the website, or give out more by e-mail, but Sega have needed to focus customer support and the solution to the problems at their HQ.

Now there that the disk replacement operation is in place, Sega have assured us that they will be doing their utmost to help all of their customers as soon as possible - as a games publisher, they are already set up to provide swift and effective support for their products. And, of course, we hope you continue to enjoy the game.

Link: https://web.archive.org/web/20021025022207/http://www.bizarrecreations.com/msr2.html

Honda NSX In Early Version

Bizzare Creations statement explaining why Hondas were excluded:

....As you know, some car manufacturers imposed restrictions on the game - such as no pedestrians, no proper traffic, no one-way/no entry signs, the car not allowed to leave the ground, etc.   Sega were in discussion with Honda to include their cars in the game, but the additional restrictions they asked for would have compromised the game too much. Therefore it was with sadness that we had to remove all Honda cars from the game.

Original MSR Fan Sites

Here are two fans sites I've found from back in the day.  Both are now "offline" but can still be viewed via their archive links

MSR HIGH SPEED (UK fan site)

Contains a review, some nice pictures from the older versions of MSR and an unofficial Kudos ranking.

Link: http://www.geocities.ws/ibennetty9/msr/index2.html (WARNING: archived page now filed with bots and pop-ups!)

MSR FAN (French website)

This one is a bit more in-depth.  We have a review, comparisons with other games ie Gran Turismo 3 and Le Mans 24h, and some strategy guides for various chapters

Link: https://web.archive.org/web/20050208013401/http://msrfan.fr.fm/