"awesome graphical payoff" when taking out opponents or parts of the environment. Second, the game's AI was revised so that a computer combatant "learns from the player" and will react and adjust more similarly to a human opponent. Third, a "Dynamic Interactive Fodder" system was constructed to increase the destructibility of environments and generate more objects with which the player could destroy, use as weapons, or take damage. These include blimps, fuel trucks, jets, and helicopters. Finally, the performance boost allowed for more realistic vehicle physics and movement, as well as added terrain topography for larger, more detailed levels. GT Interactive officially announced Rogue Trip in April 1998. The game was showcased at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in late May alongside Streak: Hoverboard Racing, another PlayStation-exclusive from SingleTrac. The alpha phase of the game's development was completed around mid-July of that same year. One month later, its beta phase was finished ahead of schedule, allowing the publisher to gain US release approval in August. Rogue Trip was officially released in North America on October 6, 1998 and in European territories that November. GT Interactive backed its launch with a multi-million dollar marketing campaign comprising a television spot, online and print advertisements, and cross-promotions with apparel companies. Reception and legacy The game received favorable reviews according to the review aggregation website GameRankings. Reviewers extensively compared and contrasted the game with SingleTrac's previous efforts Twisted Metal and Twisted Metal 2, as well as two other 1998 vehicular combat games for the PlayStation: Vigilante 8, published by Activision; and Twisted Metal III, published by Sony. Publications like Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (OPM), Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM), and GameFan even featured side-by-side reviews or comparison articles in some issues. Gameplay, play control, and level design in Rogue Trip were mostly praised. Shawn Smith of EGM, Duke Ferris of GameRevolution, Craig Harris of IGN, OPM, and editors for both GameFan and Game Informer all had positive comments concerning the gameplay and vehicle mechanics. EGM awarded it "Monthly Editor's Choice" award for November 1998, with Smith stating "Rogue Trip delivers all the car-blasting action I'd want." When considering this game, rather than Twisted Metal III, as a follow-up to SingleTrac's Twisted Metal 2, the magazine summarized, "Rogue Trips bigger, quirkier arenas, complete multiplayer package, arcade control and crazy secrets pin it as the true heir." Andy McNamara, Paul Anderson, and Andrew Reiner of Game Informer fully