When released in 1959, the film Ben-Hur was described as one of the
grandest theatrical spectacles of all time, winning eleven Academy Awards. One
of the film’s high points (that is still heralded to this day) was its chariot
race sequence, which still stands as one of the most elaborate film sets ever
constructed, replete with a cast of thousands and a fully constructed arena.
Only Gladiator comes close in scale to this epic film, but it is argued
that Ben-Hur is a grander production because none of its impressive
visuals were done digitally. This famous chariot race sequence was even
paralleled in such films as Grease (Danny’s reservoir car race) and, most
recently, Star Wars: Episode I (the entire pod race sequence was a new
spin on this sequence). What Kodiak interactive plans to do is to take the
intense spectacle of Ben-Hur’s chariot race and combine it with a technology
similar to what brought Gladiator to the screen to create a spectacle as intense
and fully detailed as possible in a video game. This is the plan behind
Circus Maximus: Chariot Wars. Yes, folks, let it never be said that nothing
new and different comes out of the industry these days, as Xbox gamers will soon
be able to command their own horse drawn chariots in a race to the death for the
enjoyment of the Romans.
![](http://www.planetxbox.com/images/screenshots/circusmaximus/circusmaximus01s.jpg)
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