E3 2001 Preshow Hands-onCel Damage

The cel-shading phenomenon, popularized by Sega's Dreamcast skating game, Jet Grind Radio, has taken many forms over the past year or so. Electronic Arts and developer Pseudo Interactive are teaming up to co-publish Cel Damage, a car combat game that adheres closely to the Who Framed Roger Rabbit? school of physics.

The level we played was a flag grabbing level. There are four flags in a level, and your objective is to collect all four flags and reach a finish circle in the center of the arena. In your way is a collection of toon vehicles, each of which is vying for the same set of flags. To fight off the bad guys, you'll pick up power-ups, which last for a short period of time. Most of the weapons result in one-hit kills. The woodchipper will simply eat up your opponents when you ram them, turning them into wood chips. Other weapons include a freeze ray, a set of boxing gloves, a gigantic mallet, a chain gun, a homing missile, and a shrink ray. The final game is scheduled to feature 36 different weapon power-ups. Cel Damage will contain six different lead characters, each with his or her own vehicle. The game will feature four different cartoon themes and over ten levels.

What really sets Cel Damage apart from the car combat crowd, aside from its smooth, beautiful cel-shaded appearance, is its physics. The game's controls are very forgiving. You're able to turn in mid-air to correct yourself before landing, and even if you don't hit a ramp just right, you'll still be shot into the air like you had hit it straight on at full speed.

Cel Damage is currently scheduled to release on the Xbox in the fourth quarter of the year.