With games such as Need of Speed slowly reaching its breaking point. Developer Black Rock Studios, the developers behind over the top ATV racer PURE, feels that its upcoming racer Split/Second will help mark a turnaround for the genre.

When speaking to Develop in an in-depth feature looking at the creation, production, and technology of Split/Second, studio head Tony Beckwith and the game’s director Nick Baynes both asserted their view that the racing genre is in an unhealthy state.

“If you look at the sales figures, the racing genre is in many respects dying out – take Mario Kart out of the equation and the category is in a dire way. I think this genre is ripe for something new and inventive to give it a kick start,” said Beckwith.

“We’re all fans of street racing here, but as a genre it is relatively stale – the evolution is only coming from how you customise cars, which can only serve to remove you from the action – I think Split/Second will do the opposite,” added Baynes.

The new 360, PS3 and PC game, Split/Second, pits players as a race car driver starring in a TV show in were you trigger explosive special effects to eliminate racing competitors. If that’s not innovation I don’t know what is.