If you've sworn off genAI Crazy Taxi and dislike all the twerking in GTA 6, consider Shifu: Traffic Masters, a jolly open world driving game set in 1990s China

Shifu: Traffic Masters is a newly announced open-world driving game set in 1990s northern China, drawing inspiration from titles like Driver and Midtown Madness. The game is developed by solo creator Boxy.Poly and is available as a demo on Steam. Players can engage in activities such as hauling cargo with realistic physics, pursuing criminals in police vehicles, operating a taxi service, driving city buses on schedules, and participating in arcade-style street racing.

The game’s setting features a bustling city populated by pedestrians and cyclists, with weather conditions affecting vehicle handling. Between missions, players can freely explore the city using a variety of low-poly vehicles from the 1980s and 1990s, each with distinct weight and handling characteristics. The game emphasizes a period-accurate aesthetic, avoiding modern elements like generative AI, as noted on its Steam page.

A notable feature of the game is the inclusion of 'Traffic Masters' traffic congestion notifications, which use old-timey robot voices to alert players. The developer, Boxy.Poly, has not yet announced a release date for the game, which will be available in both Chinese and English. The Steam demo provides an early opportunity to experience the game’s mechanics and setting.

The announcement follows recent scrutiny of AI disclosures on Steam, though Shifu: Traffic Masters does not mention generative AI on its page. The game’s blend of simulation and arcade driving, set against a nostalgic backdrop, distinguishes it from modern AI-driven titles. Players interested in classic driving experiences may find this an appealing alternative.