Russian Rivalry Heats Up

Vladimir Ubikov received a disturbing delivery in his race quarters: a headless sheep.

Delivered by one of Prince Yuri Galitz’s henchmen, the package was accompanied by a note, which read: “The People will never be fooled by your theatrical buffoonery. Give up now, Worker.”

Ubikov rose from the Russian working class to make a name for himself and gain success in the Quantum Redshift racing circuit. Galitz is a tyrannical ruler whose Quantum Redshift interest is to give himself glory beyond his political rule.

These Russian adversaries will take to the track in "Quantum Redshift," the futuristic racing game from Microsoft Game Studios and Curly Monsters Ltd., available only on the Xbox video game system this fall.

Ubikov’s Quantum Redshift racing career began when he was chosen to represent his factory in the Quantum Redshift circuit at his plant’s celebration to interest workers in sports. As Ubikov gained success in the Quantum Redshift circuit, he became a local folk hero. Taking notice of Ubikov’s good fortune Galitz sent him the sheep carcass to scare him away from racing, which would free Galitz to dominate the Russian races. Ubikov has emerged as the main challenger to Galitz’s Quantum Redshift success in Russia.

Because of the sheep carcass delivery, Ubikov appealed to the Eastern European Quantum Redshift Council to have Galitz banned from competition. But Galitz’s political and underworld ties worked in his favor and the Council did not ban him from racing.

Galitz claims to be a descendant from the last of the Russian czars. He has amassed vast wealth derived from questionable resources and he has dominant rule that lets him get away with almost anything.

When the Russian government faltered, Galitz stepped in and used his reserves of money (and criminal contacts) to build a fiefdom of Galitania for himself, ruled by terror. No one will speak out against him so he continues to win token elections to remain a “legitimately elected” leader.

Galitz races Quantum Redshift as a hobby, but it’s a pastime he takes seriously. He has a Quantum Redshift track behind his estate, which allows him to practice without foes.

Ubikov, 52, who pilots the “Volkh,” is sponsored by the Russian Union of Allied Trades.

Galitz, 39, who pilots the “Zaltys,” is one of the few racers to eschew corporate sponsorship because he races on his own wealth.