Payload

Cover art

Developer	Tantalus Interactive (Australia)
Publisher	Nokia
Released	2005-11
Status	Released
Genre	Racing
Multiplayer	Bluetooth (4 players), N-Gage Arena

A futuristic N-Gage exclusive combat racing game developed by Melbourne studio Tantalus Interactive, in which players take on the role of courier Abel Harker transporting crystalline fuel called Furium through hostile open-world environments against armed rival runners. Featuring eleven customisable vehicle types called Skims, fifteen weapons, and non-linear race design across ten worlds.

Payload was one of only three N-Gage titles released exclusively through digital download rather than retail, sold via the N-Gage Game Shop for €9.99 from October 2006 — by which point the original N-Gage platform was effectively dead. The game had been announced under the working title Pit Runner. Tantalus Interactive was founded in Melbourne in 1994 by Andrew Bailey and Trevor Nuridin, both former Beam Software programmers; Payload was the studio's only original IP on the platform and reportedly achieved minuscule sales given its late release window. Tantalus was later acquired by Keywords Studios in 2021 for US$46.8 million. Nokia marketed Payload as the first combat racer allowing players to customise race environments and conditions for multiplayer.

Video

Trailer

Official Nokia Description

Enter the future and take on the most dangerous job on the planet! Payload is the first ever combat racing game on the N-Gage, taking you to a 3D world of futuristic high speed vehicles, deadly weapons and even deadlier enemies. Whatever you do, don’t lose the cargo!

Your job is to transport loads of mined crystalline mineral fuel through hostile environments. Gangs of marauders and rival courier teams are expecting you, and they will do anything to steal your payload. To get paid you have to deliver – that means driving fast, staying alive, and destroying your enemies.

Being a courier has never been this much fun! The huge 3D worlds and the gameplay system are designed to enable totally non-linear and unpredictable racing. You can even customize the environments and conditions when challenging friends via Bluetooth. The excellent driving dynamics guarantee a realistic driving experience.
- Easy to pick-up-&-play
- 10 worlds with 200 world objects and 100 cut scene images
- 30 races with 15 different weapons and 11 music tracks
- Customizable races and countless multiplayer races
- 11 different vehicles (Skims) and more than 30 vehicle skins/texturesN-Gage Exclusive Features
- Multiplayer gaming for up to four people via Bluetooth wireless technology
- Customizable race conditions for multiplayer gaming

Original All About N-Gage Description

Screenshots

Nokia Blurb

Enter the future and take on the most dangerous job on the planet! Payload is the first ever combat racing game on the N-Gage, taking you to a 3D world of futuristic high speed vehicles, deadly weapons and even deadlier enemies. Whatever you do, don’t lose the cargo!

Your job is to transport loads of mined crystalline mineral fuel through hostile environments. Gangs of marauders and rival courier teams are expecting you, and they will do anything to steal your payload. To get paid you have to deliver – that means driving fast, staying alive, and destroying your enemies.

Being a courier has never been this much fun! The huge 3D worlds and the gameplay system are designed to enable totally non-linear and unpredictable racing. You can even customize the environments and conditions when challenging friends via Bluetooth, or when Shadow Racing on the N-Gage Arena. The excellent driving dynamics guarantee a realistic driving experience.

Easy to pick-up-&-play
10 worlds with 200 world objects and 100 cut scene images
30 races with 15 different weapons and 11 music tracks
Customizable races and countless multiplayer races
11 different vehicles (Skims) and more than 30 vehicle skins/textures

N-Gage Exclusive Features

Multiplayer gaming for up to four people via Bluetooth wireless technology
Shadow Racing on the N-Gage Arena
Customizable race conditions for multiplayer gaming and Shadow Racing
Timed challenges, Unlockable vehicle upgrades, weapons and locations on the N-Gage Arena

Payload

Trailer

Screenshots

Nokia Blurb

N-Gage Exclusive Features

Links