Hot Wheels Unleashed

Hot Wheels Unleashed was a game built to bring the full Hot Wheels experience to life. The team worked closely with Milestone and internal producers to ensure that the game didn’t just capture the essence of racing, but also evoked the nostalgia and creativity that Hot Wheels represents. Set in imaginative, larger-than-life environments like garages and kitchens, the game’s use of its iconic orange track and larger-than-life stunts tapped into the core of what makes Hot Wheels unique.

Concept & Development: From the start, the goal was to create an immersive world where players could live out their Hot Wheels fantasies. The focus was on bringing vibrant environments to life, like the Skatepark and Basement, while emphasizing the high-speed, gravity-defying stunts that are a hallmark of Hot Wheels. The game needed to balance the fun and imagination of toy car play with a dynamic, fast-paced racing experience. The team collaborated across departments to ensure every vehicle, from muscle cars to monster trucks, had a distinct personality that players could feel on the track.

Customization also became a key part of the game. The Livery Editor allowed players to design and create their own unique vehicles, further immersing them in the Hot Wheels universe. We aimed to empower players to personalize their experience, making it more than just a racing game but a full creative platform.

DLCs – Expanding the Hot Wheels Universe: Post-launch, Hot Wheels Unleashed really came into its own through its extensive downloadable content (DLC) releases. Each DLC brought fresh, exciting content that expanded the game’s universe, from adding new vehicles to introducing iconic brands like Looney Tunes, Batman, and Spongebob Squarepants. These DLCs weren’t just new cars and tracks—they provided a way for the game to grow and engage players over time.

The DLCs allowed us to continually bring something new to the table. The trailers we produced for each release were dynamic and energetic, highlighting new features, characters, and worlds that added depth to the game. With each DLC, we emphasized that Hot Wheels Unleashed was evolving—offering new experiences that kept the community engaged and excited for what came next.

The Path to Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: The success of the first game, particularly through its extensive DLC content, laid the foundation for the sequel, Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged. Our team’s work on keeping the game fresh and engaging post-launch showed the power of expanding the universe with thoughtful, brand-aligned content. The world of Hot Wheels Unleashed became not just a game but a platform for continual exploration and high-speed fun, paving the way for even more ambitious projects.