Twisted Metal

Overview

Each game in the series revolves around demolition derbies where competitors use weapons including ballistic projectiles, machine guns, and explosives. Players choose a vehicle (each with a corresponding character) and an arena—or a series of arenas in the story mode—to engage in battle with opposing drivers. The last driver alive is the winner.

The series's plot revolves around the eponymous Twisted Metal tournament, a yearly contest made up of a series of derbies. In almost all of the games, the host is a man called "Calypso"; in the series' fourth installment, perennial contestant Sweet Tooth briefly takes over. The winner of the contest is granted one wish. Typically, this wish has unexpected consequences for the winner, similar to traditional stories where characters are punished for greedy wishes.

Games

Main games

''Twisted Metal'' (1995) and ''Twisted Metal 2'' (1996)

Main article: Twisted Metal (1995 video game), Twisted Metal 2

Windows versions of Twisted Metal and Twisted Metal 2 exist. Twisted Metal 2 on PC is built on an earlier version of the game (minor details of some levels disappeared) but it doesn't require a 3D accelerator video card and played well on computers with lower processing capabilities. It also features multiplayer over a modem line or Internet.

''Twisted Metal III'' (1998) and ''Twisted Metal 4'' (1999)

Main article: Twisted Metal III, Twisted Metal 4

Both games were developed and published by 989 Studios due to SingleTrac's dispute with Sony and sale to GT Interactive rendered them unable to develop more Twisted Metal games. David Jaffe, in speaking about these two entries in the series, was reported to have said, "....[in and of themselves] they're good games, they're just not good Twisted Metal games".

''Twisted Metal: Black'' (2001)

Main article: Twisted Metal: Black

''Twisted Metal: Head-On'' (2005)

Main article: Twisted Metal: Head-On

''Twisted Metal: Head-On: Extra Twisted Edition'' (2008)

Main article: Twisted Metal: Head-On

''Twisted Metal'' (2012)

Main article: Twisted Metal (2012 video game)

The game was originally set to release in October 2011, but was delayed to early 2012, the reason being for the developers to polish and have more time to work on the game, according to Jaffe.

Spin-off games

''Twisted Metal: Small Brawl'' (2001)

Main article: Twisted Metal: Small Brawl

''Twisted Metal: Black Online'' (2002)

Platform: PlayStation 2

A game featuring only the multiplayer portion of Twisted Metal: Black, but playable online. A free copy could originally be obtained by mailing in a card that came packaged with the PlayStation 2 online network adapter. After Sony stopped offering the disc, it was later included as a bonus disc in subsequent reissues of the Greatest Hits version of Twisted Metal: Black. The official servers to the game have since been shut down.

Cancelled games

''Twisted Metal: Harbor City''

A sequel to the PlayStation 2 game Twisted Metal: Black, titled Twisted Metal: Harbor City, was in development but was cancelled before it was announced when the series co-creators left the development team. At the time of cancellation four levels had been completed; these levels were included in Twisted Metal Head-On: Extra Twisted Edition as part of Twisted Metal: Lost.

''Twisted Metal: Apocalypse''

A Twisted Metal game set in a post-apocalyptic environment, which was originally in development in 2008 but was scrapped. Artwork of the cancelled game was released by David Jaffe at San Diego Comic-Con; it showcased concept arts of locations such as a destroyed Mount Rushmore as well as a giant crater. Eat Sleep Play team was originally rather keen on the idea, though it was hinted by Jaffe that the idea was rejected by Sony Computer Entertainment, speculated to be because of the release of MotorStorm: Apocalypse, a racing game which also featured a post-apocalyptic environment.

''Twisted Metal: Revolution''

Apart from Twisted Metal: Apocalypse, another Twisted Metal game was in development for the PlayStation 3 which utilized street culture and hip-hop influence. The game was titled Twisted Metal: Revolution, but it was cancelled; it would have featured characters with a more realistic look such as a Sweet Tooth that looked more of a smooth criminal rather than a psychopathic clown. Other characters included Yakuza, FBI agents and street gang members. David Jaffe compared the game to Rockstar's Midnight Club series when describing the look and feel of the game. In addition, Jaffe said that it was extremely difficult to portray the environments that they had created in their concept art within the game as it resulted in an extremely bland environment.

''Twisted Metal (Live-Service)''

Unnamed live-service Twisted Metal game cancelled early on in its development. It was originally supposed to be made by the UK-based studio Lucid Games, but was later handed to Firesprite. Not much is known about it and the game was never greenlit, but it was to be released on the PS5. The reason for the cancellation was the layoff of 900 employees worldwide.

Other media

Comic book

A one-shot Twisted Metal 2 comic book was published by DC Comics in 1996, written by Jamie Delano, pencilled by Phil Hester and inked by Peter Gross. The comic was given out as a prize in a promotional contest held in the Tips & Tricks magazine.

Cancelled film adaptation

In February 2012, Sony Pictures Entertainment was bringing Twisted Metal to theaters by hiring Brian Taylor to write and direct the film. Five years later in September, Brian Taylor confirmed that Sony had passed on the Twisted Metal film, feeling the series fanbase did not warrant the higher budget it would have cost to realize it.

Twisted Metal was the inspiration for Slaughter Race, a fictional video game featured in the Disney animated film Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018).

Television adaptation

Main article: Twisted Metal (TV series)

In May 2019, Sony Pictures Entertainment chairman and CEO Tony Vinciquerra spoke about developing a television adaptation of the Twisted Metal franchise, saying his division would be working closely with the Sony PlayStation division through a new production team created to help Sony produce television projects based on their gaming IPs. In February 2021, a Twisted Metal TV series was moving forward, with Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick helping to develop the series, with Michael Jonathan Smith writing the series and executive producing the series alongside Will Arnett, Reese, Wernick, Marc Forman, Peter Principato, Asad Qizilbash, Carter Swan, and Herman Hulst. Later in September, Anthony Mackie was announced in the role of John Doe, and later officially confirmed to be starring and executive producing the series, which had been given a series order at Peacock. In May 2022, Stephanie Beatriz, Thomas Haden Church and Neve Campbell joined the cast. Will Arnett was hired to voice Sweet Tooth in June, with Samoa Joe physically performing the role. Mike Mitchell plays Stu, the best friend of Mike, who is played by Tahj Vaughans. Lou Beatty Jr. plays a character named Tommy. The 10-episode first season was released on Peacock on July 27, 2023.

References

References

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2. monokoma. (January 19, 2009). "Twisted Metal Black 2: Harbor City [PS2 – Cancelled]". Unseen 64.
3. Jeremy Dunham. (July 27, 2007). "Jaffe Leaves Sony to Eat, Sleep, and Play". [[IGN]].
4. Jonathan Leack. (July 18, 2010). "Twisted Metal Almost Brought the World to Ruin". PlayStation LifeStyle.
5. Michael McWhertor. (July 23, 2010). "See Two Dead Twisted Metal Games With Wildly Different Concepts". [[Kotaku]].
6. "Jamie Delano Bibliography".
7. (February 14, 2012). "Sony Deal To Write/Direct 'Twisted Metal' Movie". [[Deadline Hollywood]].
8. (September 22, 2017). "Brian Taylor Explains Why 'Twisted Metal' Fell Apart; Says He Wanted Nic Cage for Sweet Tooth". Collider.com.
9. (November 26, 2018). "Ralph Breaks The Internet is our generation's Who Framed Roger Rabbit".
10. "Ralph Breaks The Internet: Easter eggs and reference guide".
11. Marks, Tom. (May 21, 2019). "''Twisted Metal'' TV Series Confirmed in Development at PlayStation Productions".
12. (February 22, 2021). "''Twisted Metal'' Videogame Getting TV Adaptation From Will Arnett, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick & Michael Jonathan Smith".
13. (September 15, 2021). "Anthony Mackie To Star As John Doe In Live-Action ''Twisted Metal'' Series From Sony TV And PlayStation Productions".
14. (February 28, 2022). "''Twisted Metal'': Peacock Lands Live-Action Video Game Adaptation Starring Anthony Mackie With Series Order".
15. (May 13, 2022). "''Twisted Metal'': Stephanie Beatriz Joins Cast Of Peacock's Live-Action Video Game Adaptation".
16. (May 19, 2022). "''Twisted Metal'': Thomas Haden Church Joins Peacock's Live-Action Video Game Adaptation".
17. Cordero, Rosy. (May 20, 2022). "'Twisted Metal': Neve Campbell Cast In Peacock's Live-Action Video Game Adaptation".
18. (June 1, 2022). "''Twisted Metal'': Will Arnett To Voice Sweet Tooth In Peacock Series".
19. (June 2, 2022). "''Twisted Metal'': AEW's Joe Seanoa To Play Dual Role Of 'Sweet Tooth' Voiced By Will Arnett; 3 More To Recur".
20. Dykstra, Chloe. (27 April 2012). "PlayStation All-Star Battle Royale: Really, though? (preview)". VentureBeat.