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'{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2014}} {{Infobox video game | title = Driver 3 | image = Driv3rbox.jpg | developer = [[Ubisoft Reflections|Reflections Interactive]] (console and PC), [[VD-dev|Velez & Dubail]] (Game Boy Advance) | publisher = [[Atari, Inc. (Atari, SA subsidiary)|Atari, Inc.]]<br>[[Glu Mobile|Sorrent]] (mobile version) | director = | producer = | designer = Martin Edmondson | programmer = | artist = | writer = | composer = | series = ''[[Driver (video game series)|Driver]]'' | platforms = [[PlayStation 2]], [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]], [[Mobile phone|mobile]],<ref name=GSpotMB/> [[Microsoft Windows]], [[Game Boy Advance]] | released = '''PlayStation 2''' & '''Xbox'''<br>{{vgrelease|NA|21 June 2004|EU|25 June 2004}}'''Mobile'''<br />{{vgrelease|NA|23 June 2004|EU|23 June 2004}}'''Microsoft Windows'''<br />{{vgrelease|NA|15 March 2005|EU|18 March 2005}}'''Game Boy Advance'''<br />{{vgrelease|EU|14 October 2005|NA|25 October 2005}} | genre = [[Racing video game|Racing]], [[Shooter game|shooter]] | modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]] }} '''''Driver 3''''' (stylized as '''''DRIV3R''''') is a 2004 [[open world]] action-adventure [[video game]]. It is the third installment in the [[Driver (series)|''Driver'' series]] and was developed by [[Ubisoft Reflections|Reflections Interactive]] and published by [[Atari, Inc. (Atari, SA subsidiary)|Atari, Inc.]]. ''Driver 3'' was released in North America for the [[PlayStation 2]] and [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] on 21 June 2004. In Europe, it was released on 25 June, although due to the way Atari shipped the title across the continent, it made its way into independent [[United Kingdom|UK]] retailers before the release date, reaching sixth place in the [[Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association|ELSPA]] chart for that week. A simplified version of the game for mobile phones was developed and released by [[Sorrent]] and published in North America on 23 June 2004, while it was published by Unique Games in Europe. On 15 March 2005, it was released on [[Personal computer|PC]] for US customers, it was also released on [[Game Boy Advance]] 25 October 2005. At one point a [[Nintendo GameCube]] version and an [[N-Gage (device)|N-Gage]] version were planned, but both were cancelled.<ref>{{cite news|title=Driv3r exclusive - creative director Martin Edmonson talks!|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=101443|accessdate=15 April 2016|date=16 February 2004 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070107075941/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=101443 |archivedate=7 January 2007}}</ref> The game received mixed reviews on all platforms except the PC, which received mostly unfavorable reviews. Although two ''Driver'' games were published between them, 2011's ''[[Driver: San Francisco]]'' is considered the sequel to ''Driver 3''. ==Gameplay== {{original research section|date=June 2018}} The vehicles in ''Driver 3'' are based on real-life [[vehicles]] and are designed to behave as such, using realistic damage modeling (e.g., bullet holes appear when a car is shot, or if the car is hit from behind the trunk of the car will pop out). Weapons are unnamed in the game, with weapons beyond the player's initial weapon unlocked by completing mission or, in Take A Ride mode, from stealing them from police or other enemies. The players can unlock a variety of weapons, including pistols, rifles, and grenade guns. NPCs react to the player's actions. For example, pedestrians will flee if they see Tanner with a weapon or if he drives too close to them. ==Plot== A shootout occurs in [[Istanbul|Istanbul, Turkey]] between FBI agent John Tanner, a South Beach cartel agent named Jericho, and the police. Tanner and Jericho shoot each other. [[Flashback (narrative)|Six months earlier]] in [[Miami|Miami, Florida]], Tanner is tasked by the [[Miami Police Department]] to infiltrate a crime syndicate called South Beach, headed by a woman named Calita. He works undercover as a [[getaway driver]] in South Beach, catching a man named Baccus and is involved with the apparent death of a man called The Gator. Tanner leaves for [[Nice, France]] with South Beach. There he meets two [[Interpol]] agents, Henri Vauban and Didier Dubois, who are also working against South Beach. Tanner decides to pursue his case on his own terms. The Interpol agents accidentally spoil Tanner's cover, and he is ambushed by Jericho. Tanner escapes with his partner, Tobias Jones, but Jericho kills Dubois. In Istanbul, Turkey, Tanner is now working as a rogue agent due to the incident with Interpol and being subsequently framed for the murder of Dubois. Tanner continues to work against South Beach operations. As he does, he learns Jericho is the real leader of the crime ring. Jericho is involved in a car chase with the Turkish police, and Tanner catches up to Jericho. Jericho is shot by Tanner, but Tanner refuses to execute Jericho; Jericho takes the opportunity to shoot Tanner in the back. Tanner is rushed to the emergency room, where he [[asystole|flatlines]]. The doctors attempt to resuscitate him. ==Development== The game was in [[Video game development|development]] for around three and a half years. Special attention was paid in rendering the cities of [[Miami]], [[Nice]], and [[Istanbul]]. The in-game music was composed by Marc Canham, Rich Aitken, and Narco. Atari also shot a short [[Trailer (promotion)|promotional video]] about ''Driver 3'' called ''Run the Gauntlet''. ==Reception== {{Video game reviews | GBA = true | MOB = true | PC = true | PS2 = true | XBOX = true | na = true | Edge_PS2 = 3/10<ref name=Edge>{{cite journal | title=DRIV3R (PS2, Xbox) | author=Edge staff | magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] | issue=139 | date=August 2004 | page=94}}</ref> | Edge_XBOX = 3/10<ref name=Edge/> | EGM_PS2 = 7.5/10<ref name=EGM>{{cite journal|url=http://www.egmmag.com/article2/0,2053,1615608,00.asp |title=Driv3r (PS2, Xbox) |author=EGM staff |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |issue=181 |date=August 2004 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040624053558/http://www.egmmag.com/article2/0%2C2053%2C1615608%2C00.asp |archivedate=24 June 2004 |deadurl=yes |accessdate=3 September 2014 }}</ref> | EGM_XBOX = 7.5/10<ref name=EGM/> | EuroG_XBOX = 3/10<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_driv3r_x | title=DRIV3R (Xbox) | first=Kristan | last=Reed | publisher=[[Eurogamer]] | date=23 June 2004 | accessdate=3 September 2014}}</ref> | GI_PS2 = 6/10<ref name=GI>{{cite journal | url=http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/FAF869AC-586A-466B-A213-D848E66D3BA5.htm | title=DRIV3R (PS2, Xbox) | first=Matt | last=Helgeson | magazine=[[Game Informer]] | issue=136 | date=August 2004 | page=94 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080105202115/http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/FAF869AC-586A-466B-A213-D848E66D3BA5.htm | archivedate=5 January 2008 | deadurl=yes | accessdate=3 September 2014}}</ref> | GI_XBOX = 6/10<ref name=GI/> | GamePro_PS2 = {{Rating|2.5|5}}<ref name=GamePro/> | GamePro_XBOX = {{Rating|2.5|5}}<ref name=GamePro>{{cite journal | url=http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/36388.shtml | title=Driver 3 (PS2, Xbox) | author=Air Hendrix | magazine=[[GamePro]] | date=September 2004 | page=81 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050208041846/http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/36388.shtml | archivedate=8 February 2005 | deadurl=yes | accessdate=3 September 2014}}</ref> | GameRev_PS2 = D+<ref name=GameRev>{{cite web | url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/driv3r | title=DRIV3R Review | first=Ben | last=Silverman | publisher=[[Game Revolution]] | date=2 July 2004 | accessdate=3 September 2014}}</ref> | GameRev_XBOX = D+<ref name=GameRev/> | GSpot_MOB = 7.5/10<ref name=GSpotMB>{{cite web | url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/driv3r-review/1900-6101112/ | title=DRIV3R Review (Mobile) |first=Stephen | last=Palley | publisher=[[GameSpot]] | date=22 June 2004 | accessdate=3 September 2014}}</ref> | GSpot_PC = 3.8/10<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/driv3r-review/1900-6121167/ | title=DRIV3R Review (PC) | first=Jeff | last=Gerstmann | publisher=GameSpot | date=28 March 2005 | accessdate=3 September 2014}}</ref> | GSpot_PS2 = 5.4/10<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/driv3r-review/1900-6101203/ | title=DRIV3R Review (PS2) | first=Jeff | last=Gerstmann | publisher=GameSpot | date=23 June 2004 | accessdate=3 September 2014}}</ref> | GSpot_XBOX = 5.4/10<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/driv3r-review/1900-6101044/ | title=DRIV3R Review (Xbox) | first=Jeff | last=Gerstmann | publisher=[[GameSpot]] | date=21 June 2004 | accessdate=3 September 2014}}</ref> | GSpy_MOB = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web | url=http://wireless.gamespy.com/wireless/driv3r/526890p1.html | title=GameSpy: DRIV3R (Cell) | first=Levi | last=Buchanan | publisher=[[GameSpy]] | date=28 June 2004 | accessdate=3 September 2014}}</ref> | GSpy_XBOX = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref>{{cite web | url=http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/driv3r/525384p1.html | title=GameSpy: DRIV3R (Xbox) | first=Hector | last=Guzman | publisher=GameSpy | date=23 June 2004 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20051225034343/http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/driv3r/525384p1.html | archivedate=25 December 2005 | deadurl=yes | accessdate=3 September 2014}}</ref> | GameZone_PS2 = 5.9/10<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/driv3r_ps2_review | title=DRIV3R - PS2 - Review | author=Tha Wiz | publisher=GameZone | date=5 July 2004 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081017123225/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r20805.htm | archivedate=17 October 2008 | deadurl=no | accessdate=3 September 2014}}</ref> | GameZone_XBOX = 5.7/10<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/driv3r_xb_review | title=DRIV3R - XB - Review | first=Nick | last=Valentino | publisher=GameZone | date=4 July 2004 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219010459/http://xbox.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r20805.htm | archivedate=19 February 2008 | deadurl=no | accessdate=3 September 2014}}</ref> | IGN_MOB = 8/10<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/06/24/driv3r-2 | title=DRIV3R (Cell) | first=Levi | last=Buchanan | publisher=[[IGN]] | date=24 June 2004 | accessdate=3 September 2014}}</ref> | IGN_PC = 5.4/10<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/03/22/driv3r | title=DRIV3R (PC) | first=Tom | last=McNamara | publisher=IGN | date=22 March 2005 | accessdate=3 September 2014}}</ref> | IGN_PS2 = 5.4/10<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/06/22/driv3r-3 | title=DRIV3R (PS2) | first=Douglass C. | last=Perry | publisher=IGN | date=21 June 2004 | accessdate=3 September 2014}}</ref> | IGN_XBOX = 5.5/10<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/06/21/driv3r-5 | title=DRIV3R (Xbox) | first=Douglass C. | last=Perry | publisher=IGN | date=21 June 2004 | accessdate=3 September 2014}}</ref> | NP_GBA = 5.5/10<ref>{{cite journal | title=DRIV3R | magazine=[[Nintendo Power]] | volume=198 | date=December 2005 | page=122}}</ref> | OPM_PS2 = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.playstationmagazine.com/article2/0,2053,1615612,00.asp |title=DRIV3R |first=John |last=Davison |magazine=[[Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine]] |date=August 2004 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040628214358/http://www.playstationmagazine.com/article2/0%2C2053%2C1615612%2C00.asp |archivedate=28 June 2004 |deadurl=yes |accessdate=3 September 2014 }}</ref> | OXM_XBOX = 4.8/10<ref>{{cite journal | title=DRIV3R | magazine=[[Official Xbox Magazine]] | date=September 2004 | page=80}}</ref> | PCGUS_PC = 51%<ref>{{cite journal | title=DRIV3R | magazine=[[PC Gamer]] | date=June 2005 | page=69}}</ref> | rev1 = ''[[The Cincinnati Enquirer]]'' | rev1_PS2 = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name=Cincinnati>{{cite news | url=http://www.cincinnati.com/freetime/games/reviews/070804_driv3r.html | title=Late-model Driv3r needs repair work | first=Marc | last=Saltzman | newspaper=[[The Cincinnati Enquirer]] | date=8 July 2004 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040803091248/http://www.cincinnati.com/freetime/games/reviews/070804_driv3r.html | archivedate=3 August 2004 | deadurl=yes | accessdate=3 September 2014}}</ref> | rev1_XBOX = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name=Cincinnati/> | rev2 = ''[[The Times]]'' | rev2_PS2 = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name=TheTimes>{{cite news | url=http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/technology/article1861834.ece | title=Driver 3 | newspaper=[[The Times]] | date=19 June 2004 | accessdate=3 September 2014}}{{subscription required}}</ref> | rev2_XBOX = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name=TheTimes/> | GR_GBA = 50%<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.gamerankings.com/gba/929322-driv3r/index.html | title=DRIV3R for Game Boy Advance | publisher=[[GameRankings]] | accessdate=3 September 2014}}</ref> | GR_MOB = 79%<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.gamerankings.com/mobile/920917-driv3r/index.html | title=DRIV3R for Mobile | publisher=GameRankings | accessdate=3 September 2014}}</ref> | GR_PC = 41%<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/561978-driv3r/index.html | title=DRIV3R for PC | publisher=GameRankings | accessdate=3 September 2014}}</ref> | GR_PS2 = 58%<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/561852-driv3r/index.html | title=DRIV3R for PlayStation 2 | publisher=GameRankings | accessdate=3 September 2014}}</ref> | GR_XBOX = 60%<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/561983-driv3r/index.html | title=DRIV3R for Xbox | publisher=GameRankings | accessdate=3 September 2014}}</ref> | MC_GBA = 55/100<ref name=MCGBA>{{cite web | url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/game-boy-advance/driv3r | title=DRIV3R for Game Boy Advance Reviews | publisher=[[Metacritic]] | accessdate=3 September 2014}}</ref> | MC_PC = 40/100<ref name=MCPC>{{cite web | url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/driv3r | title=DRIV3R for PC Reviews | publisher=Metacritic | accessdate=3 September 2014}}</ref> | MC_PS2 = 57/100<ref name=MCPS2>{{cite web | url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/driv3r | title=DRIV3R for PlayStation 2 Reviews | publisher=Metacritic | accessdate=3 September 2014}}</ref> | MC_XBOX = 56/100<ref name=MCXB>{{cite web | url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/driv3r | title=DRIV3R for Xbox Reviews | publisher=Metacritic | accessdate=3 September 2014}}</ref> }} The PlayStation 2 version of ''Driver 3'' received a "Platinum" sales award from the [[Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association]] (ELSPA),<ref name=platinumelspa>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090515224703/http://www.elspa.com/?i=3944 |url=http://www.elspa.com:80/?i=3944 |title=ELSPA Sales Awards: Platinum |work=[[Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association]] |archivedate=15 May 2009 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref> indicating sales of at least 300,000 copies in the United Kingdom.<ref name=gamasutrasales>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918063107/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/112220/ELSPA_Wii_Fit_Mario_Kart_Reach_Diamond_Status_In_UK.php |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/112220/ELSPA_Wii_Fit_Mario_Kart_Reach_Diamond_Status_In_UK.php |title=ELSPA: ''Wii Fit'', ''Mario Kart'' Reach Diamond Status In UK | author=Caoili, Eric | date=26 November 2008 |work=[[Gamasutra]] |archivedate=18 September 2017 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref> After an extensive and intensive promotional campaign, ''Driver 3'' received "mixed" reviews on all platforms except the PC version, which received "generally unfavorable reviews", according to video game [[review aggregator]] [[Metacritic]].<ref name=MCGBA/><ref name=MCPC/><ref name=MCPS2/><ref name=MCXB/> ''[[The Times]]'' gave it all five stars, saying, "The graphics are divine, with vast urban locales and spectacular crashes. The cars handle well, and each vehicle has its own characteristics. Yet this is no easy driving game — one of the reasons why, subject matter aside, it carries a 16+ rating."<ref name=TheTimes/> ''[[Playboy]]'' gave it an 88% and stated: "Your investigation jump-starts reckless car chases through more than 150 miles of highways and city streets in detailed re-creations of Miami, Nice and Istanbul. Slam into any of the 30,000 buildings and your car crumbles realistically."<ref>{{cite journal | title=DRIV3R (PS2, Xbox) | magazine=[[Playboy]] | date=April 2004 | page=38}}</ref> However, ''[[The Cincinnati Enquirer]]'' gave it three stars out of five and called its controls and animation "unresponsive and stiff".<ref name=Cincinnati/> ==="DRIV3Rgate"=== While ''Driver 3'' received mostly mixed reviews, two outlets operated by [[Future plc]], ''[[PSM3|PSM2]]'' and ''[[Xbox World]]'', gave the game 9/10 scores.<ref name=MCPS2/><ref name=MCXB/> This disparity led some gamers and journalists to claim that the [[early access]] Atari gave Future was contingent on receiving favorable ratings, but Atari and Future denied any wrongdoing.<ref name="D3CheatSheet">{{cite web | url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2011-04-26-franchise-cheat-sheet-driver-article | title=Franchise Cheat Sheet: Driver | publisher=GamesIndustry.biz | date=3 May 2011 | accessdate=29 June 2016 | last1=Whitehead |first1=Dan}}</ref><ref name="PCWorldGate">{{cite web|last1=Lui|first1=Spandas|title=A history of gaming's biggest scandals|url=http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/341103/history_gaming_biggest_scandals/?pp=2|accessdate=12 April 2016}}</ref> The incident was dubbed "Driv3rgate".<ref name="PCWorldGate"/><ref>{{cite web|last1=Fahey|first1=Rob|title=A Question of Trust|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/a-question-of-trust|accessdate=12 April 2016}}</ref> After the accusations of review fixing arose, the [[GamesRadar]] forums (also operated by Future) were filled with critical posts, many of which were deleted by moderators. Although the comments were said to be removed for being libelous, some users suspected a cover-up.<ref name="D3CheatSheet"/><ref name="PCWorldGate"/><ref name="WorldofStuartDriverGate">{{cite web |url=http://worldofstuart.excellentcontent.com/drivergate/drivergate.htm | title=Driv3r and corruption, continued |access-date=29 June 2016 |author=[[Stuart Campbell (game journalist)|Campbell, Stuart]]}}</ref> Some comments defending ''Driver 3'' and Future were traced by forum moderators to Babel Media, a marketing company that made use of [[astroturfing]].<ref name="WorldofStuartDriverGate"/> The users admitted they worked for Babel, but said that they were posting on their own behalf, not for Babel.<ref name="WorldofStuartDriverGate"/> The thread was eventually deleted in its entirety.<ref name="WorldofStuartDriverGate"/> {{clear}} ==References== {{reflist|30em}} ==External links== *{{IMDb title|id=0362577}} {{Driver series}} {{Ubisoft Reflections}} [[Category:2004 video games]] [[Category:Cancelled GameCube games]] [[Category:Driver (video game series)]] [[Category:Game Boy Advance games]] [[Category:N-Gage games]] [[Category:Detective video games]] [[Category:Open world video games]] [[Category:PlayStation 2 games]] [[Category:Video game controversies]] [[Category:Video games scored by Allister Brimble]] [[Category:Video games developed in France]] [[Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom]] [[Category:Video games set in Miami]] [[Category:Video games set in France]] [[Category:Video games set in Turkey]] [[Category:Windows games]] [[Category:Xbox games]] [[Category:Video games set in the 1990s]] [[de:Driver (Spieleserie)#Driv3r]]'