Even More Unlimited
Test Drive Unlimited is headed to the PS2 and PSP.
Published: May 5, 2006
Test Drive is one of Atari's biggest and strongest brands; even when they go and make it all white trash demolition derby style, the series refuses to be stomped out -- and it's a good thing, too, because it left room for a little next-gen properly called Test Drive Unlimited to come along.
Though the game is being developed by Melbourne House, the folks behind the Transformers[/game] games and not long-time series developer The Pitbull Syndicate, we're still happy to see a new [i]Test Drive game. Then again, this was a game created to show off next-gen console and PC visuals, and the concept for it -- a massive online recreation of the island of Oahu -- was certainly something that seemed only possible on next-gen systems.
But, here we are, delivering the news that TDU is indeed coming to the PS2, and with the massive world and online component fully intact. The allure of a console with a near-twelve-digit install base means production costs can be offset rather nicely if it turns out to be a fair compromise of the hardware.
What, then, of this news of a PSP version too? Surely this high concept of an online-enabled, streaming world can't work on Sony's portable? In fact PSP gamers will get an entire exclusive Arcade Race Mode made for short burst races in addition to the online-enabled portion of the game. Yes, we're a little shocked too.
"Test Drive Unlimited is a revolution in the racing genre, and to bring all of this to the PlayStation®2 and PSP systems alongside Xbox 360 and PC is a powerful offering,” explained Rick Mehler, Atari's Director of Marketing. "Test Drive Unlimited’s unprecedented features and luxurious lifestyle feel will blow players away.”
We'll know a little more about the game once the E3 dust settles -- including what parts will or won't carry over intact from the next-gen and PC big brothers. The second we find out, we'll make sure you know too.
Though the game is being developed by Melbourne House, the folks behind the Transformers[/game] games and not long-time series developer The Pitbull Syndicate, we're still happy to see a new [i]Test Drive game. Then again, this was a game created to show off next-gen console and PC visuals, and the concept for it -- a massive online recreation of the island of Oahu -- was certainly something that seemed only possible on next-gen systems.
But, here we are, delivering the news that TDU is indeed coming to the PS2, and with the massive world and online component fully intact. The allure of a console with a near-twelve-digit install base means production costs can be offset rather nicely if it turns out to be a fair compromise of the hardware.
What, then, of this news of a PSP version too? Surely this high concept of an online-enabled, streaming world can't work on Sony's portable? In fact PSP gamers will get an entire exclusive Arcade Race Mode made for short burst races in addition to the online-enabled portion of the game. Yes, we're a little shocked too.
"Test Drive Unlimited is a revolution in the racing genre, and to bring all of this to the PlayStation®2 and PSP systems alongside Xbox 360 and PC is a powerful offering,” explained Rick Mehler, Atari's Director of Marketing. "Test Drive Unlimited’s unprecedented features and luxurious lifestyle feel will blow players away.”
We'll know a little more about the game once the E3 dust settles -- including what parts will or won't carry over intact from the next-gen and PC big brothers. The second we find out, we'll make sure you know too.