Test Drive Unlimited Launch Event – Racing, Buying, and Cruising the Game’s Massive World

by Louis Bedigian

Great controls and stellar track design highlight Atari's online racer.

The race begins with the screech of tires. Puffs of smoke are the only thing left behind the launch of a Ford concept.

The city is in chaos as it tries to keep up. Traffic moves unpredictably -- the slightest mistake could have you come to a crashing halt. You're shook up, you're frozen. You've lost your place. You're out of the race.

Somehow you manage to pull through. You ignore your disappointment, not wasting a second on hesitation. At the end of this race you must be in first place. Because at the end of this race you will either be the champ – or the loser – of a competition against real gamers.

Test Drive Unlimited, the world's first MOOR (massively open online racing), sped into stores this week. Overjoyed by the developers' accomplishments, Atari teamed up with Ford for a launch event unlike any other.

When you get up into the mountains and discover the enormous, unfamiliar terrain... When you leave the city limits only to find yourself plummeting down a 200-foot hill that came out of nowhere... Or when you miss crashing into an opponent at 150 miles per hour because you steered left at the very last minute – you will be excited, consumed, and will not be able to wait to get online. 

Everything you see in the game is exactly what you'll encounter online. Opponents literally cruise the streets. You can flash your lights (by tapping the A button) any time you come in contact with someone. That player will receive an invite to race, can choose to accept or decline, and you'll be on your way. Either you'll get to enter a race immediately after the challenge has been initiated, or the opponent will chicken out and you'll be able to continue your search for new thrills – and new wins.

Steering controls are the first thing I think about when playing a new racer; track design is the second. I was amazed when I picked up the controller for the first time and was able to cruise the city without a "getting used to it" period. The game felt smooth and natural, whether at low speeds or as fast as you could possibly travel. I crashed a lot, that's unavoidable if you're riding the gas pedal (right trigger) and enter a narrow road without slowing. But you can get away unscathed -- if you're very lucky, or very good.

While the challenge of high-speed steering is great, the initial race competitions are not at all overwhelming. You'll zoom past your AI opponents without breaking a sweat. We're told that, once you break out, explore the world, find new areas and locales, the game gets very challenging.

We obviously didn't have time to get to that point, and when you see the size of the world you'll understand why. Test Drive Unlimited is based in Hawaii, a state with rich beauty and diverse environments. The game brings that beauty and diversity to life, leaving onlookers as impressed as the one actually holding the controller.

After finding a location, players can hit the right directional button to view the world map. The transition from game to map is quite impressive, demonstrating the 360's raw power as the camera pulls out of the city and into to a dynamic satellite view. From there you may select a location (such as a race event or car dealer) and jump to it instantly. If you see a location on the map that you have not yet discovered in the game, you may select it to activate your GPS system. Follow the easy directions (a colored line marking your path) and you'll be there in no time.

Only the surface of this game has been scratched, but I did get a brief look at TDU's character customization elements. The game starts with you selecting one of several pre-made characters, each one cleverly lined up at the airport while waiting to board the plane to Hawaii. Next you'll get to buy your first ride (with $200,000 to spare) and your first home. Shortly thereafter it's time take a look at your wardrobe. Whoa, it's empty! Take a spin over to Marc Ecko's shop, choose some new threads (using clothing vouchers won by completing driving missions – think Crazy Taxi but less frenetic), and you'll look cooler than ever. 

Test Drive Unlimited is in stores now. Stay tuned to GameZone as we bring you more on the game and this exciting event. We'll be hitting the track for some real-world racing, followed by an online competition between the launch events in New York and San Francisco.

And don't miss our feature on our visit to the one of the world’s coolest mansions.

Test Drive Unlimited Launch Event – Visiting the Henry Ford Estate