Worms Battle Rally (lost builds of unfinished 3D kart game; 2003)
One of only two screenshots that exists of Worms Battle Rally.
Status: Lost
Worms Battle Rally was a 3D kart-based frag rally video game developed by Team 17, a spin-off of the artillery strategy series, Worms. The game was supposed to been released on the GameCube, PlayStation 2 and the PC sometime in 2004. However, it was cancelled in 2003, being replaced by Worms Forts: Under Siege.[1]
Background
Described by Unseen64 as being similar to Mario Kart's Battle Mode, Worms Battle Rally was developed as part of a deal with an unknown publisher according to Team 17's co-founder, Martyn Brown during an interview with Retro Gamer.[2] Containing elements from the main Worms series, the available screenshots indicate that the game was near completion. Additionally, a demo disc was rumoured to have been produced for the game,[3] while composer Bjørn Lynne recorded eleven music tracks that he uploaded to YouTube on 5th April, 2020.[4]
However, despite Team 17's efforts in finishing development, the publisher was ultimately unsatisified with the game. According to Brown during an interview with Retro Gamesmaster, excessive interference from the publisher lowered morale towards releasing the Worms spin-off.[5] Ultimately, based on market research data gathered by the publisher at the time, Worms Forts: Under Siege was believed to be the more suitable concept, being created and released instead. Worms Battle Rally was cancelled shortly afterwards in 2003, with no plans to restart development in the future.
Availability
No copies of Worms Battle Rally, from the full build to the demo disc, have resurfaced online. Aside from various sources describing the game's content, only two screenshots of Worms Battle Rally are currently available for public viewing.[6]
Gallery
The only other existing screenshot of Worms Battle Rally.
References
- ↑ Unseen64 article.
- ↑ Issue 73 of Retro Gamer where Martyn Brown discusses Worms Battle Rally's development and cancellation.
- ↑ Archived Team 17 forum discussing Worms Battle Rally.
- ↑ YouTube playlist containing Bjørn Lynne's music tracks for Worms Battle Rally
- ↑ Retro Gamesmaster interview with Martyn Brown, where he discusses the producer's interference during the development of Worms Battle Rally.
- ↑ Dream 17 article on Worms Battle Rally.