Unleash the Absurd: Discover the Delightfully Unconventional World of "What the Car?"

In a realm where racing games strive for unparalleled realism and authenticity, one title stands out as a delightfully subversive outlier. "What the Car?" is a game that defies convention, inviting players to experience the thrill of racing in a way that is anything but ordinary. Developed by the Copenhagen-based studio Triband, this absurdly silly adventure challenges the very notion of what a racing game can be, blending laughter, surprises, and a healthy dose of the unexpected.

Buckle Up for an Unconventional Ride

Redefining the Racing Experience

Imagine a world where the cars you race don't just zoom around the track, but rather sprint, climb, and maneuver through a series of increasingly outrageous obstacles. This is the reality of "What the Car?", a game that turns the traditional racing genre on its head. Developed by a team that openly admits to not owning or even liking cars, this game embraces a refreshingly naive approach to the subject matter, allowing the creators to explore the absurd and the unexpected.From playing table football to chopping vegetables, the car in "What the Car?" is no ordinary vehicle. It's a character that defies the laws of physics, engaging in a wide range of activities that have little to do with traditional racing. Each of the game's hundreds of levels presents a new challenge, requiring players to paraglide, play football, or even transform into an accordion to reach the finish line.

Embracing the Absurd

The Triband team's approach to game design is rooted in a deep appreciation for comedy and the art of subverting expectations. "As a studio, we focus on comedy games, and when you build a joke, you start by setting up expectations, usually by providing some mundane background – and then you subvert them by doing something different," explains creative director Tim Garbos.This philosophy is evident throughout "What the Car?", where the team's "complete disregard for any realism, car fans, and actual vehicles" allows them to unleash their creativity and craft a truly unique gaming experience. Whether it's the car growing larger legs, gaining the ability to fly, or even swimming, the game's absurdist approach is a refreshing departure from the industry's obsession with realism.

Blending Humor and Gameplay

While "What the Car?" revels in its absurdity, the team at Triband is acutely aware that for a game to truly succeed, it must strike a delicate balance between humor and gameplay. "Sometimes, we just need the car to have bigger legs, be able to fly, or swim – and then we make that happen… [but] while we do have stupid simple laughs, it also needs to work as a game. It needs to bring hours of playing time. That takes time and dedication," Garbos explains.The result is a game that not only elicits laughter but also provides a genuinely engaging and satisfying gameplay experience. The team's commitment to crafting a "great experience as a whole" ensures that players are not only entertained by the game's comedic antics but also invested in the challenges and obstacles they must overcome.

Expanding the Boundaries of Comedy in Gaming

"What the Car?" joins a growing number of games that are actively embracing comedy as a genre, challenging the notion that video games are primarily serious endeavors. Titles like Octodad, Gang Beasts, and Untitled Goose Game have demonstrated the power of physical comedy in the gaming medium, and "What the Car?" builds upon this tradition, offering a fresh and unapologetically silly take on the racing genre.As Garbos notes, "I do think comedy as a genre is underrepresented in video games compared to, for example, TV." By prioritizing laughter and the subversion of expectations, Triband is not only entertaining players but also pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the world of gaming.

Unleashing the Absurd: What's Next for Triband?

With the success of "What the Car?" and the studio's previous hits, such as "What the Golf?" and "What the Bat?", the team at Triband is clearly on a mission to bring more absurdist delights to the gaming world. When asked about their future plans, Garbos teases, "We're just getting started. We are considering making a parody game of most mundane well-known things… including newspapers."As the gaming industry continues to evolve, the demand for unique and unconventional experiences is only growing. "What the Car?" stands as a shining example of how developers can embrace the absurd, challenge conventions, and deliver truly memorable gaming experiences that leave players in stitches. With Triband at the helm, the future of comedy in gaming looks brighter than ever.