Dash of Destruction

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Dash of Destruction (often abbreviated as DoD) is a video game developed by independent software developer Mike Borland under the sponsorship of Doritos, a brand owned by Frito-Lay. It was released for free on the Xbox Live Arcade service of the Xbox 360 console. The game is notable for its origin from a contest held by Doritos, called "Unlock Xbox", which invited fans to pitch their ideas for a video game. Dash of Destruction emerged as one of the winners, leading to its development and release in 2008.

Gameplay

Dash of Destruction is a simplistic arcade-style game that features two main playable entities: a Tyrannosaurus Rex (T-Rex) and a Doritos delivery truck. The game is split into two distinct gameplay perspectives based on which entity the player chooses to control.

T-Rex Gameplay

When playing as the T-Rex, the objective is to chase down and consume Doritos delivery trucks before they can make their deliveries. The T-Rex gameplay is characterized by a top-down perspective, allowing players to navigate through various environments to find and destroy the trucks. The T-Rex has a limited ability to dash, which can be used to catch up to the faster trucks but requires a cooldown period after each use.

Delivery Truck Gameplay

Playing as a Doritos delivery truck involves evading the T-Rex while attempting to make deliveries to specific locations on the map. The gameplay for the delivery truck is more focused on speed and maneuverability, with players needing to navigate through the environment quickly and efficiently to avoid being caught by the T-Rex. Successful deliveries reward the player with points and sometimes power-ups that can temporarily enhance the truck's abilities.

Development and Release

The development of Dash of Destruction was a direct result of the "Unlock Xbox" contest, which sought to involve the gaming community in the game creation process. Mike Borland's concept was selected as one of the winners, and with the support of Doritos, the game was developed and released on the Xbox Live Arcade. Its release was met with mixed reviews, with some praising its fun and addictive nature, especially considering the game was available for free. However, others criticized it for its simplicity and lack of depth.

Reception

Critics and players had varied opinions on Dash of Destruction. While its accessibility and price point (free) were widely appreciated, the game's simplistic gameplay and short length were points of criticism. Despite this, it served as an interesting case study in promotional video games and user-generated content in the gaming industry.

Legacy

Although Dash of Destruction is not widely remembered for its gameplay, its development process and the involvement of the Doritos brand in the gaming industry were notable. It paved the way for future promotional games and highlighted the potential for community involvement in game development. The game is often cited in discussions about the impact of advertising in video games and the possibilities of cross-promotion between different media and consumer products.