Test Drive Unlimited 2

[sambo]

Atari has announced Test Drive Unlimited 2.

The original game pioneered the first console attempt at merging racing with MMORPG-style online play, and Test Drive Unlimited 2 will build on that with Massively Open Online Racing.

It will feature vehicle damage, weather effects, day and night cycles and a brand new island to race around on.

[Failed]

WAHT?! they've only JUST released Unlimited 1 ... like 5 years ago!

[GamerMan316]

I've still not properly played the first game, had it for ages too.

[TaraJayne]

I have this for the PC. Its pretty cool

[CRracer_912]

I really liked test drive 4 and 5, bought 6 for the PC and didn't really care for it.  Bought TD4 for the playstation and don't really care for it because it doesn't have the graphics that TD4 for the voodoo card in a PC had.

[GamerMan316]

Two islands in Test Drive Unlimited 2

Atari and Eden Studios have revealed that Test Drive Unlimited 2 takes place in Ibiza, but that at some stage you unlock the airport and get to fly to the Hawaiian island of Oahu from the first game.

The open-world racing game's due out for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 this autumn.

Eurogamer contributor Christian Donlan - who is in Barcelona at Atari's ongoing press event seeing the publisher's 2010 line-up - reported that Oahu "has been filled with new roads and new challenges and missions - i.e. game is huge!"

Ibiza is huge as well, with off-road networks to complement the miles and miles asphalt, and you can now make progress in the game's career mode through a mixture of competitive racing, exploration, social activities and collecting stuff.

It all adds to your global levelling up, but Test Drive Unlimited 2 is still largely about completing challenges, earning money, and buying fancy motors in a huge open environment.

On the social side, you can now get out of your car, at which point you discover you have a customisable PlayStation Home-style avatar, so you can wander around your house, buy and tweak furniture and chill out here on the deck etc.

Online and offline blend together seamlessly, but online you can form your own racing clubs with friends, customise a clubhouse and take on other clubs to buy more impressive stuff for, er, your clubhouse and cars.

As you've probably observed in the trailer below, released yesterday, it's a much prettier game too. There's also procedural damage modelling, but it doesn't affect car physics, only visuals. The handling has also been refined so every car has its own personality.

[GamerMan316]

Test Drive Unlimited 2 director reveals plans for beta and bikes



There's a lot of news on Eden Studios' sequel, Test Drive Unlimited 2, coming out of Spain today. VG247  attended the event and spoke to the game's director, Alain Jarniou -- he had a lot of new information to impart. As you may have guessed by the title of this post, three very juicy tidbits were dropped.

First, players will not longer find themselves bound by their automobile. In the sequel, it will be possible to run around on foot and interact with the game world "in specific places." An example given by Jarniou is the pre-race: in the first game, there was simply a lobby for players to interact in before they got down to business. In the sequel, it's an in-game place where avatars stand around and interact.

But Jarniou didn't stop there. He also revealed that plans are underway to offer an open Test Drive Unlimited 2 beta. "Right now, the plan is to have an open beta of TDU2. The difficulty of having a demo for a game like this is the fact it's a huge island, and a huge amount of data. It's not the best way to show the game. So yeah, for now the plan's an open beta."

Finally, Jarniou promises bikes will be available in the game -- just "not for the day one version." He says that the developer rebuilt the way cars handle from scratch, as Eden Studios wasn't totally pleased with how that worked in the first game. "So we decided to start from the beginning," he said, "and we now have a new handling for the cars, and we want to, of course, [do the same] for the bikes."

[GamerMan316]

Test Drive Unlimited 2 accepting beta applications



If you're one of those cautious, try-before-you-buy types, you may want to check out the recently posted beta application for Atari's online racer, Test Drive Unlimited 2. It's pretty much your basic application: Name, gender, address, computer specs, which consoles you own, how long you spend playing games each week, and detailed report on your sexual history over the past eighteen months.

You'll need to register for an Atari account to fill in these parameters, though if you've already got a Champions Online or Star Trek Online account, you should already have access to the application. Also, we were kidding about the whole "sexual history" thing. They only want to know about the past six months. Whew!

[GamerMan316]

Screens of the Ferrari California in Test Drive 2, they look pretty.   

[GamerMan316]

Test Drive Unlimited 2 dated
Due for release in February 2011

Atari has slapped a February 8 US release date on Test Drive Unlimited 2.

Pre-order rewards for the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC racer include collectable limited edition vehicles, exclusive cars, and even a playable casino.

Here's the full rundown of what's on offer:

Amazon
Amazon.com pre-order shoppers will receive the iconic Aston Martin V12 Vantage Carbon Black special edition, exclusive avatar apparel and an additional bonus of Amazon Video Games Credit. The carbon edition features a bespoke Carbon Black color scheme, distinctive carbon fibre details, black mesh components, and high polish black 10 spoke diamond turned alloy wheels. A bright finished grill and front parking sensors complete the exterior detailing of this hand crafted masterpiece. Amazon customers receive an exclusive apparel item for their avatar to compliment the Carbon Black package on their Vantage V12.

Atari.com
Customers who pre-order on Atari.com will unlock the impressive Ford Shelby GT 500. The rebirth of a legend, this reinvented Shelby delivers classically inspired styling and a supercharged engine. The rear-wheel-drive Ford Shelby GT500 is one of the all-time greatest muscle cars ever to hit the pavement. Draped in prestige, and history, tame this masterpiece of modern American muscle and tear up the roads of TDU2.

Best Buy
Best Buy pre-order consumers will be rewarded with the Aston Martin DBS Carbon Black special edition - Aston Martin's ultimate sports car, and a Carbon Black themed apparel item for their avatar. Featuring bespoke Carbon Black metallic paint complimented with gloss black 10 spoke diamond turned alloy wheels and the iconic Aston Martin side strake fashioned from carbon fibre. Customers will also receive a piece of exclusive Avatar apparel to compliment their new ride. Best Buy Reward Zone members also receive a significant bonus in reward zone points with their TDU2 pre-order.

Direct 2 Drive
Atari fans that pre-order from Direct 2 Drive will receive the Jaguar XKR with Speed Pack and Black Pack. The XKR speed pack increases maximum speed from 155 mph to an awe-inspiring 174 mph. In addition, the Black Pack is a sleek, black custom package that includes a unique, aerodynamic body kit with front splitter and larger rear spoiler, body colored rear signature blade and diffuser, side sill extensions, gloss black front grilles, air intakes and 20" Kalimnos gloss black alloy wheels. An "XKR" side graphic has also been added. Pre-order customers will receive an exclusive shirt for their avatars that compliments the jet black cloth seats, steering wheel, shift knob and center console.

GameStop
The TDU2 Casino Online is a fully functional add-on product for Test Drive Unlimited 2, this valuable game mode is available as a pre-order bonus exclusively to GameStop customers. Unlock this fully interactive in-game environment to play popular casino games, meet up with friends, and more. Players who master the table games in the casino can unlock TWO unique vehicles, the Audi R8 Spyder and the Spyker C8 Aileron Spyder. Casino owners can even win additional money to spend on your cars, properties, and avatar in the world of Test Drive Unlimited 2.

K-mart
Pre-orders at K-mart will unlock the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti. The design, especially the large side scallops and the headlights, pay homage to the custom 1954 Ferrari 375 MM that director Roberto Rossellini had commissioned for his wife, Ingrid Bergman. The car is capable of speeds up to 196 mph and can reach 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds. This grand tourer is unique as a true 4 seater with adequate space in the rear seats for two adults. Only sixty of these rare masterpieces were built (60 units) to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the company.

Steam
Steam pre-order customers receive the special edition Pagani Zonda Tricolore. The Pagani Zonda Tricolore is a high end performance coupe produced in extremely limited numbers by revered Italian manufacturer, Pagani. The ultra-exclusive Zonda Tricolore is both a savory treat and a spectacular sports car, built to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Italy's Frecce Tricolori, the nine-plus-one aerobatic training squadron based at Rivolto Air Force Base in northern Italy. Steam customers will also receive a stylish pullover to wear when driving this exclusive masterpiece, highlighting the unique design features and striking coloring of the Zonda Tricolore.

Walmart
Walmart.com pre-order customers will receive the Bugati Veyron Supersport 2010. This beloved supercar has been clocked as one of the fastest production vehicles in the world, setting a previous street record at 267.86mph. The Supersport packs an impressive 1200 HP that can launch this fireball from 0 to 60 in 2.2 seconds.

[GamerMan316]

Achievements inc. DLC

[Failed]

DLC already??

[GamerMan316]

DLC already??

Yep, available at launch too.

[Jaynestown]

DLC already??

Yep, available at launch too.

Tsk tsk, then why isn't it in the main game?

[GamerMan316]

DLC already??

Yep, available at launch too.

Tsk tsk, then why isn't it in the main game?

Apparently it comes free with pre-orders at most stores, but you're right, it should be on the disc.