History VideoGame / Driver

* TutorialFailure: The ForcedTutorial is legendary for being complete garbage.

** Somewhat jossed, as its difficulty comes from the younger players who tried their hand at it not understanding what a slalom is.

* DevelopmentHell: The movie. ''Film/PulpFiction'' scribe Creator/RogerAvary wrote several drafts before the project was cancelled. In his own words: "In the Driv3r game, Timmy Vermicelli was a joke character based on Tommy Vercetti, the character from GTA 3. So I made Timmy the villain, who kills Tanner, who would be played by Michael Madsen who voiced the character in the game. Tanner's son, Driver, hunts the killer around the world for revenge, eventually ending up in Iraq, where the mob has been hired by the U.S. government as a subcontractor of drugs and prostitution in the green zone. The basic idea is that Vermicelli drives around shooting people in Iraq, much like GTA, but it always gets blamed on insurgents — so he does it with impunity. Think of the movie as GTA set in Bagdad." After submitting extensive storyboards to the producers, a higher-up from the studio came down and insisted the movie be made for $40 million. The project was dead less than a week later. Avary has commented that seeing ''Film/Drive'' "nullified my need to make the film."

* DuelingGames: With ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAuto'' starting in 2001, a feud that the ''GTA'' series mostly started (as detailed above).

In 2011, Reflections (now {{Ubisoft}} Reflections) took another shot at the series with ''VideoGame/DriverSanFrancisco'', the first game in the series for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox360. Returning to the first three games' continuity and, like ''Parallel Lines'', taking place entirely in one city ([[CaptainObvious guess which one it is]]), ''San Francisco'' goes the supernatural[=/=]MindScrew route by taking place [[AllJustADream while Tanner is in a coma]]... and giving him "shifting" powers that allow him to [[MindControl possess other drivers on the road]].

** Such as The DeLorean DMC-12, a 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Fastback, Pontiac Trans Am, etc. Pretty much every CoolCar used in a chase scene shows up.

* DevelopmentHell: The movie. {{Pulp Fiction}} scribe {{Roger Avary}} wrote several drafts before the project was cancelled. In his own words: "In the Driv3r game, Timmy Vermicelli was a joke character based on Tommy Vercetti, the character from GTA 3. So I made Timmy the villain, who kills Tanner, who would be played by Michael Madsen who voiced the character in the game. Tanner's son, Driver, hunts the killer around the world for revenge, eventually ending up in Iraq, where the mob has been hired by the U.S. government as a subcontractor of drugs and prostitution in the green zone. The basic idea is that Vermicelli drives around shooting people in Iraq, much like GTA, but it always gets blamed on insurgents — so he does it with impunity. Think of the movie as GTA set in Bagdad." After submitting extensive storyboards to the producers, a higher-up from the studio came down and insisted the movie be made for $40 million. The project was dead less than a week later. Avary has commented that seeing {{Film/Drive}} "nullified my need to make the film."

* FallingDamage: Present in ''Driv3r''. Walking off of an elevated train track in Miami, for example, would damage you, if not outright kill you.

* ObviousBeta: Looking at all the glitches, bugs, and sometimes poor physics in ''Driv3r'', it's not unreasonable to conclude that the game just wasn't finished.

** Several missions in the first game also mirror or homage famous car chase sequences in movies such as ''Film/TheFrenchConnection'' and ''Film/{{Bullitt}}''.

** In one mission in SF, Tanner has to catch two low lifes who stole a church collection box. His Reaction? He's always wanted to say that [[TheBluesBrothers he's on a mission from God]]

* FakeDifficulty: Certain missions in the first game require you to rendezvous with another character while the police aren't actively looking for you. Since you could just drive leisurely to the rendezvous point with little difficulty, the game enforces an arbitrary time limit for these missions requiring you haul ass. Either the people giving you these missions are giving out completely unreasonable meeting times, or Tanner is the ultimate procrastinator.

* LuckBasedMission: "Case For A Key" in the first game, the first part of which requires you to reach a location halfway across the map in only 2 minutes. All it takes is a cop spawning in the wrong place at the wrong time to completely screw you.

* MinusWorld: The city of [[NorthEastEngland Newcastle-upon-Tyne]] in the first game, which is shown during the credits and [[DummiedOut can only be accessed in-game by hacking]]. It is also the hometown of Reflections.

Reflections released ''Driver: Parallel Lines'' in 2006. Set entirely in NewYorkCity and its [[{{Joisey}} New Jersey]] suburbs rather than multiple cities like the other games, it instead took place over a period of time -- the first half was set in [[TheSeventies 1978]], while the second half took place in ThePresentDay. It also took place in a new continuity-focusing on a young man known only as TK who rises through NYC's criminal underworld only to be betrayed and thrown into jail, and is out for revenge upon release.

In 2004, ''[[Letters2Numbers Driv3r]]'', the series' debut on the PlayStation2 and {{Xbox}}, attempted to play catch-up with the ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAuto'' series by introducing gunplay and recruiting such voice talent as MichaelMadsen, VingRhames and MichelleRodriguez.

Developed by Reflections Interactive and released in 1999, ''Driver'' pushed the PlayStation to its limits technologically, and proved to be a smash hit, earning rave reviews and selling over six million copies, and anticipating the boom of WideOpenSandbox games that would emerge in the next console generation. So naturally, there was pressure for sequels. ''Driver 2'' went out the door the following year and was also very popular, selling in excess of four million, though there was a general sense [[CriticalDissonance among critics]] that it didn't live up to the first game's pedigree. While the addition of curved roads[[note]]In the first game, every corner was at a 90-degree angle due to the limitations of the technology. While this was acceptable at intersections, this made turns on, say, bridges rather awkward.[[/note]] and foreign cities (Havana and Rio de Janeiro, in addition to UsefulNotes/{{Chicago}} and [[VivaLasVegas Las Vegas]]) was welcomed, the new on-foot controls were heavily criticized for their clunkiness, and were famously [[TakeThat lampooned]] in ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoIII''. A GameBoyAdvance version was released in 2002.

In 2004, ''[[Letters2Numbers Driv3r]]'', the series' debut on the PlayStation2 and {{Xbox}}, attempted to play catch-up with the ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAuto'' series by introducing gunplay and recruiting such voice talent as MichaelMadsen, VingRhames and MichelleRodriguez. It wasn't very well-liked, the on-foot controls weren't much better then the last game (which made the shooting segments rather akward). While sales were still solid (chiefly thanks to the previous games' reputation), reviewers weren't nearly so forgiving, with most giving the game mediocre scores. The game is also notable for having whipped up a minor controversy, dubbed [[{{Scandalgate}} "Driv3rGate"]], in which two Future Publications magazines (''[=PSM2=]'' and ''Xbox World'') gave the game [[EightPointEight suspiciously high "9/10" reviews]], leading many who played the game to [[ScrewTheRulesIHaveMoney question the magazines' integrity]].

For most series, a game as poorly-received as ''[=Driv3r=]'' would've been a FranchiseKiller, but instead, Reflections released ''Driver: Parallel Lines'' in 2006. Set entirely in NewYorkCity and its [[{{Joisey}} New Jersey]] suburbs rather than multiple cities like the other games, it instead took place over a period of time -- the first half was set in [[TheSeventies 1978]], while the second half took place in ThePresentDay. It also took place in a new continuity-focusing on a young man known only as TK who rises through NYC's criminal underworld only to be betrayed and thrown into jail, and is out for revenge upon release. ''Parallel Lines'' was considered an improvement overall, most critics felt that it was nothing more than a ''[[VideoGame/GrandTheftAuto GTA]]'' clone, but a decent one that learned from the previous game's mistakes and returned the series to its driving-focused roots while retaining the gunplay. Unfortunately, ''[=Driv3r=]'', which came out just two years prior, left many gamers too burned to give it a try. A prequel, ''Driver 76'', was released the following year for the PlaystationPortable.

In 2011, Reflections (now {{Ubisoft}} Reflections) took another shot at the series with ''VideoGame/DriverSanFrancisco'', the first game in the series for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox360. Returning to the first three games' continuity and, like ''Parallel Lines'', taking place entirely in one city ([[CaptainObvious guess which one it is]]), ''San Francisco'' goes the supernatural[=/=]MindScrew route by taking place [[AllJustADream while Tanner is in a coma]]... and giving him "shifting" powers that allow him to [[MindControl possess other drivers on the road]]. According to critics, it's better than it sounds, with the game getting a Metacritic score in the high 70s and with most reviews praising the shifting mechanic. Even [[WebAnimation/ZeroPunctuation Yahtzee]] [[http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/zero-punctuation/4181-Driver-San-Francisco is a fan]]. It remains to be seen whether it will be able to overcome ''[=Driv3r=]'''s noxious legacy.

In 2011, Reflections (now {{Ubisoft}} Reflections) took another shot at the series with ''DriverSanFrancisco'', the first game in the series for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox360. Returning to the first three games' continuity and, like ''Parallel Lines'', taking place entirely in one city ([[CaptainObvious guess which one it is]]), ''San Francisco'' goes the supernatural[=/=]MindScrew route by taking place [[AllJustADream while Tanner is in a coma]]... and giving him "shifting" powers that allow him to [[MindControl possess other drivers on the road]]. According to critics, it's better than it sounds, with the game getting a Metacritic score in the high 70s and with most reviews praising the shifting mechanic. Even [[WebAnimation/ZeroPunctuation Yahtzee]] [[http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/zero-punctuation/4181-Driver-San-Francisco is a fan]]. It remains to be seen whether it will be able to overcome ''[=Driv3r=]'''s noxious legacy.

Take the 3D open-world gameplay of ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoIII'', put the player in the role of the police, set it in a [[TheSeventies '70s-esque]] RetroUniverse, and beat RockstarGames [[OlderThanTheyThink to the punch by two years]], and you have ''Driver: You Are the Wheelman''. In ''Driver'', you play as Tanner, an [[NewYorkCityCops NYPD detective]] who, due to [[BadassDriver his driving skills]], is sent undercover to investigate a criminal syndicate, taking him on a journey to UsefulNotes/{{Miami}}, UsefulNotes/SanFrancisco, UsefulNotes/LosAngeles and back to UsefulNotes/NewYork. The game was styled after '60s and '70s car chase films like ''{{Bullitt}}'', ''TheFrenchConnection'' and ''Film/TheDriver'', to the point of including a "Director's Mode" that allows you to place cameras during replays to follow your action.

** Several missions in the first game also mirror or homage famous car chase sequences in movies such as ''TheFrenchConnection'' and ''Bullitt''.

Developed by Reflections Interactive and released in 1999, ''Driver'' pushed the PlayStation to its limits technologically, and proved to be a smash hit, earning rave reviews and selling over six million copies, and anticipating the boom of WideOpenSandbox games that would emerge in the next console generation. So naturally, there was pressure for sequels. ''Driver 2'' went out the door the following year and was also very popular, selling in excess of four million, though there was a general sense [[CriticalDissonance among critics]] that it didn't live up to the first game's pedigree. While the addition of curved roads[[note]]In the first game, every corner was at a 90-degree angle due to the limitations of the technology. While this was acceptable at intersections, this made turns on, say, bridges rather awkward.[[/note]] and foreign cities (Havana and Rio de Janeiro, in addition to [[TheWindyCity Chicago]] and [[VivaLasVegas Las Vegas]]) was welcomed, the new on-foot controls were heavily criticized for their clunkiness, and were famously [[TakeThat lampooned]] in ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoIII''. A GameBoyAdvance version was released in 2002.

Take the 3D open-world gameplay of ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoIII'', put the player in the role of the police, set it in a [[TheSeventies '70s-esque]] RetroUniverse, and beat RockstarGames [[OlderThanTheyThink to the punch by two years]], and you have ''Driver: You Are the Wheelman''. In ''Driver'', you play as Tanner, an [[NewYorkCityCops NYPD detective]] who, due to [[BadassDriver his driving skills]], is sent undercover to investigate a criminal syndicate, taking him on a journey to {{Miami}}, SanFrancisco, UsefulNotes/LosAngeles and back to [[BigApplesauce New York]]. The game was styled after '60s and '70s car chase films like ''{{Bullitt}}'', ''TheFrenchConnection'' and ''Film/TheDriver'', to the point of including a "Director's Mode" that allows you to place cameras during replays to follow your action.

Coinciding with ''San Franciso'''s release is ''Driver: Renegade'' for the Nintendo3DS. Set [[{{Interquel}} between the first two games]], the story begins with Tanner quitting the NYPD and striking out on his own as a VigilanteMan. Tanner is soon recruited by Senator Andrew Ballard to take down five of New York City's most notorious crime lords.

Take the 3D open-world gameplay of ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoIII'', put the player in the role of the police, set it in a [[TheSeventies '70s-esque]] RetroUniverse, and beat RockstarGames [[OlderThanTheyThink to the punch by two years]], and you have ''Driver: You Are the Wheelman''. In ''Driver'', you play as Tanner, an [[NewYorkCityCops NYPD detective]] who, due to [[BadassDriver his driving skills]], is sent undercover to investigate a criminal syndicate, taking him on a journey to {{Miami}}, SanFrancisco, UsefulNotes/LosAngeles and back to [[BigApplesauce New York]]. The game was styled after '60s and '70s car chase films like ''{{Bullitt}}'', ''TheFrenchConnection'' and ''TheDriver'', to the point of including a "Director's Mode" that allows you to place cameras during replays to follow your action.

Take the 3D open-world gameplay of ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoIII'', put the player in the role of the police, set it in a [[TheSeventies '70s-esque]] RetroUniverse, and beat RockstarGames [[OlderThanTheyThink to the punch by two years]], and you have ''Driver: You Are the Wheelman''. In ''Driver'', you play as Tanner, an [[NewYorkCityCops NYPD detective]] who, due to [[BadassDriver his driving skills]], is sent undercover to investigate a criminal syndicate, taking him on a journey to {{Miami}}, SanFrancisco, UsefulNotes/LosAngeles and back to [[BigApplesauce New York]]. The game was styled after '60s and '70s car chase films like ''{{Bullitt}}'', ''TheFrenchConnection'' and ''The Driver'', to the point of including a "Director's Mode" that allows you to place cameras during replays to follow your action.

* ShoutOut: The tutorial in the first game is lifted directly from a similar scene in ''The Driver'', where the main character proves his skills to some gangsters in a parking garage.