Italian startup 3DRacers is hoping a game that’s a cross between Scalextric, real-world Mario Kart and app-controlled toy Anki Drive – with a 3D-printing twist – will be a hit on crowdfunding website Indiegogo.
The company is aiming to raise at least $25,000 from backers of the game, which it expects to launch in the autumn.
As a game, 3DRacers involves racing toy cars around a track on the floor, controlling them from a smartphone app. Straight races can include warm-up laps and pit stops, while a “battle mode” throws turbos and videogame-style power-ups into the mix.
The emphasis is on customisation, though. Players will create their cars using an online tool, then either download the files to print their parts if they own a 3D printer, or get them printed locally by one of the more-than 10,000 members of the 3DHubs 3D printing network.
They will then build the cars, fitting the parts together with a “Pilot electronic board” supplied by 3DRacers. Players with more technical skills will be able to hack the board and edit the interface of the smartphone app.
3DRacers is hoping the game will be used in schools by children learning programming skills. One of the rewards in its crowdfunding campaign is a $400 “classroom” edition aimed at schools and non-profit organisations, including an educational ebook.
Anki Drive is the most obvious established rival. Unveiled in June 2013 during the keynote presentation at Apple’s WWDC event and launched in the UK a year later, it’s another app-controlled racing game.
However, Anki Drive has more of a focus on artificial intelligence: owners can race against other cars that control themselves, and adapt to the player’s driving style.
