Crazy Taxi Is Getting A 'Big-Budget' Reboot
Years after we've forgotten about Hitamker's Crazy Taxi, the franchise is apparently set for a "big-budget" reboot alongside Jet Set Radio.
19th Apr 2022 12:21
Images via SEGA
Crazy Taxi Is Getting A 'Big-Budget' Reboot
Years after we've forgotten about Hitamker's Crazy Taxi, the franchise is apparently set for a "big-budget" reboot alongside Jet Set Radio.
19th Apr 2022 12:21
Images via SEGA
Imagine you're an Uber driver and racing around the streets of an NFT-packed city because your passenger is late for work. You grab your next customer from the local vegan-only Starbucks, and wow, it's Elon Musk. Yes, a modern version of Crazy Taxi sounds wild, so hold onto your butts.
Although SEGA is largely known as the Sonic overlord, let's remember the once lauded publisher also made great games across a number of series including House of the Dead, Golden Axe, and Streets of Rage. We've previously heard about SEGA's super-secret Super Game project, which turns out to be a series of supposedly AAA games. You just might've heard of two of them.
Is Crazy Taxi Getting A Reboot?
As reported by Bloomberg, two of the mysterious games fitting under this new push into AAA titles are Crazy Taxi and Jet Set Radio. A "big-budget" Crazy Taxi has reportedly been in development for over a year, with plans to release it within the next two to three years.
It's no secret that SEGA is far from the gaming goliath it once was, so, in an attempt to recapture their glory days, there are plans to recapitalise its dormant IPs and bring them screeching onto new-gen. Crazy Taxi is listed alongside Jet Set Radio, however, we're warned both are still in the early stages and could still be cancelled.
Back in the day, Crazy Taxi was a big deal and ended up being one of the best-selling Dreamcast games of all time (is that a badge of honour?) after its 2000 console release. Alongside mainline sequels on console, there have been Game Boy versions, PSP, and even mobile games like Crazy Taxi Tycoon. In contrast, Jet Set Radio has been relatively quiet since it landed on the Dreamcast in 2000.
What's Next For SEGA?
Apparently, SEGA is taking a leaf out of the Fortnite business model and is looking to "develop recurring revenue sources and build online communities." It might all sound great, but it's also a space the publisher could be planning to experiment with NFTs in. We previously reported how the future of Sonic could be in NFTs, and now, it looks even more likely.
SEGA's Super Game is being headed up by Video Game Unit Chief, Shuji Utsumi, who has the credentials as a former PlayStation exec. Bloomberg says Utsumi has plans for four big tiles, which fits with reports last year about a first-person shooter under the Super Game developer. Going back to Epic Games, SEGA wants to offer "contents and services that can create a large community" and up to $780 million. Wow, that's quite the Crazy Taxi fare.
About The Author
Tom Chapman
Tom is Trending News Editor at GGRecon, with an NCTJ qualification in Broadcast Journalism and over seven years of experience writing about film, gaming, and television. With bylines at IGN, Digital Spy, Den of Geek, and more, Tom’s love of horror means he's well-versed in all things Resident Evil, with aspirations to be the next Chris Redfield.
