Amazing Race game adaptation in the works @ Gaming Target

Written by John Scalzo on March 27, 2009

News: The greatest reality show ever will soon be immortalized as a video game.

Imagine the follwing read in the rather recognizable voice of Phil Keoghan, host of The Amazing Race:

"A Detour is a choice between two tasks, each with its own pros and cons. In this detour, fans of The Amazing Race will have to choose between two tasks: Happy and Crappy.

In Happy, fans of The Amazing Race will get the chance to play an exceptional video game adaptation of the reality show. Creating a compelling game based on a reality show is rare, but it has happened before and it could happen again if the developer takes the time to faitfully adapt the show.

In Crappy, fans of The Amazing Race will be forced to play a subpar adaptation of the reality show. Some developers don't see the point in devoting the time and energy needed to create a good game based on a show that already has a built-in audience. The game will be rushed out quickly and fans will be disappointed."

While it's still too early to tell if CBS has chosen the Happy route or the Crappy route, the television channel has announced that Ludia (developer of the Hell's Kitchen game for the DS, PC and Wii) will be developing a game based on The Amazing Race. It will be released on "multiple platforms" to coincide with the show's 14th season (which is currently airing on CBS).

For their part, Ludia has said the game will be very similar to the show as it will include teams of two players racing around the world performing Detours, Roadblocks and other obstacles from the show as they search for the Pit Stop.

УThe heart-pounding adventure, around-the-world competition and postcard worthy settings of СThe Amazing Race' are perfectly suited for video game adaptation,Ф said Alex Thabet, Founder and CEO of Ludia. УWe are thrilled to add such a high-energy, suspenseful franchise to our slate, and we will infuse those key elements into a highly social, team-based multiplayer game that unites duos in cooperative game play to compete against rivals.Ф

We'll have more soon.