Proto:The Simpsons: Road Rage (GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox)/May 12 2001 E3 Build

This is a sub-page of Proto:The Simpsons: Road Rage (GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox).

To do:
There must be more differences.

A prototype build from E3 2001. Because the game had a short development cycle and some hasty revisions, this version has some noticeable differences to the final release.

Main Differences

The title screen is different, using the video game's boxart instead of a black screen with the logo and is stated as being "50% Complete".
The character selection screen is different which includes three cut characters: Moleman, Principal Skinner and Jasper.
You can only play as Homer, Apu and Willie. There are also character animations for Bart, Marge, Lisa, Snake and Mr. Plow.
You can only play in Evergreen Terrance and Entertainment District (known as Moe's in this version).
- In the game's files, some models and textures for the Springfield Dam, Nuclear Power Plant and Downtown levels are present, but the levels are evidently far from complete. There doesn't seem to be any trace of the Springfield Mountains level.
The game provides a brief explanation of the plot before the level starts.
Before the level starts, there is a cutscene where Mr. Burns mocks the player before his limo drives off. This cutscene takes place in the Nuclear Power Plant level.
Most of the graphics look different and more cartoony to fit with the show's style.
Most of the voice clips are different, some using voice clips from the show and The Simpsons Wrestling.
There is no loading screen.
After the level ends, Mr. Burns pops out of the game's logo and complains.

Gameplay Differences

The Road Rage mode music uses the same music as Sunday Drive.
The headers, time and even the arrow are different, with the arrow bearing resemblance to the one in Crazy Taxi.
The "Avoid the traffic" task instead makes the player avoid all obstacles.
Mr. Burns' limo is stronger than the player's vehicle and easily pushes the player around.
There are plutonium rods lying around the level which the player can pick up although they don't seem to have any purpose.
Passengers reward more bonus money.

Map Differences

Evergreen Terrace and Entertainment District are a single level and not blocked off from each other.
The image of where the passenger wants to be dropped off is a moving video instead of a still image like in the final game.

Entertainment District

The Duff Blimp that is shown flying around the Duff Factory is flying faster than the final. This is also the case with other moving objects such as rotating signs.

Graphics

To do:
Upload the early textures (there are, unsurprisingly, a lot of them).

The more cartoon-like style of this version meant that most textures were different to the final release.

Title Screen

The background image depicting the box art.

An unused file depicting an early placeholder logo. The image suggests that Road Rage was originally going to be a racing game but this was not actually the case. In fact, the game was pitched as a taxi-based game, which helped Radical win the license due to the fact it wasn't another racing game, which other studios had pitched.

A sign which is also unused.

Main Menu

Burns Transit building used for the main menu, which has the aforementioned more cartoon-like style than the final release.

Mr. Burns strikes again!

This time he's bought the
Springfield Public Transit
system, converted the buses
to nuclear power and raised
the fare to $99.95.

The citizens of Springfield
refuse to ride on the
monstrosities. The streets
are clogged with traffic and
people are desperate to find
transportation, so get going!

Before the level starts, this image of a bus with a stop appears next to some text (in the form of an image) explaining the plot of the game.

An unused set of buildings and road that would have been used in the menu screen.

Unused shadow images of Homer, Marge and Maggie plus a sign and text reading "How many players?". The image of Homer running indicates an unused "Quick start" option. These presumably were intended for an early "game mode" menu screen. A "Quick start" option does exist in the non-E3 prototype.

Character Selection

The portraits used for the character select screen. The images are smaller and the characters are in different poses compared to the final release. Principal Skinner, Jasper and Moleman are included among the characters here, but they were ultimately removed from the final game (but still remain as passengers).

Some other early character portraits. These ones aren't used in this version.

Level Selection

The level selection screen. The billboard is again more cartoony than the one used in the final game.

Head-to-Head

An image of Ganesha holding gasoline pumps below the money counter. This is unused as Head-to-Head mode is unavailable in this version but it is present in the non-E3 prototype. In the final game, the image instead depicts an exploding oil rig.

Game Progress

A high score sign, which is grey instead of blue like in the final game and is also at a different angle.

A number of images for the progress screen. There would probably be a fire hydrant "explosion" animation if a new record or milestone was reached.

HUD

Traffic lights used as the countdown for the level to start. This image is noticeably different to the one used in the final game.

Beer bottle images used for the "avoid obstacles" and "destroy stuff" tasks. In the "avoid obstacles" task, a broken bottle indicates how many objects have been hit and a full bottle indicates how many objects need to be hit before the player has failed the task.

The timer used for dropping off passengers. Once again, it has more of a cartoon-style than the one used in the final game.

An unused piggy bank, which was most likely intended to show next to the total money earned so far.

Unused Pixel art of a Duff can.

A map of a small section of the "Evergreen Terrace" level. It is unused.

Another timer which is unused.

Both the map and the unused timer are shown in a prerelease screenshot. [1]

The "Game Over" sign. It has less detail than the one used in the final game.

Sprite Differences

Certain sprites are much larger than the ones used in the final game. Specifically, objects that fly out of obstacles such as garbage cans and mailboxes.

Prototype	Final


	Unused








	Unused

Music

The only music that is used in this prototype are ingame02.rsp (Sunday Drive theme) and frontend.rsp (Main menu theme) both of which are also used in the final release.

Unused Music

There are four audio files that contain famous rock songs:

song01.rsp which contains Money City Maniacs by Sloan.
song02.rsp which contains Highway to Hell by AC/DC.
song03.rsp which contains Take Me Home Tonight by Eddie Money.
song04.rsp which contains Two Tickets to Paradise by Eddie Money.

These songs were likely either intended as placeholder music or would have been used in levels in a similar vein as Crazy Taxi. It is also worth noting that Highway to Hell and Two Tickets to Paradise were previously featured in episodes of The Simpsons.