

Though Midnight Club had a long and glorious run, its flame died down with Midnight Club: Los Angeles. The studio collaborated with DUB Magazine, which is a magazine focused on car customization, and this helped developers fine-tune the game's aesthetic and car customization options in order to best cater to car lovers. Rockstar's commitment to authenticity is seen most prominently with Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition which was released in 2005. It features a thumping hip-hop and techno soundtrack that perfectly captures the import car culture of the time. Midnight Club also has a level of authenticity that makes it stand out from its numerous competitors.

Players can go crazy customizing these vehicles with glossy paint and shiny rims. Gamers have been attracted to the series due to the large selection of vehicles on offer, ranging from luxury cars and Japanese imports, to motorbikes and SUVs. The series takes its name from the real-world Japanese street racing group that achieved great notoriety before it disbanded following a race that resulted in a terrible accident in 1999. Rockstar also entered the scene with the Midnight Club series. Many gaming franchises piggybacked off the cultural wave, including EA's Need for Speed series, which dominated the genre with Underground, Underground 2, and Need for Speed: Most Wanted. These games were popular because they encapsulated the car customization culture that pervaded pop culture, in part due to the popularity of the Fast and Furious film series.

The 2000s brought with them many gaming trends, including the rise of arcade street racers.
