Atari’s Test Drive Unlimited Due Out Later This Summer

Atari? You mean the company that produces cheap, grade “B” games based on tired old franchises like “The Matrix“?

After a process that has cost around $20 million and taken three years, Atari is almost ready to change that image with their new Xbox 360 offering, Test Drive Unlimited. “We’ve been a poor-performing company for far too long,” says Nique Fajors, Atari’s V.P. of sales and marketing. “We’re hoping that Test Drive really helps bring credibility back to the brand.” The delays and cost overruns have raised a few eyebrows, but Fajors was adamant that the game not be released until he felt it was absolutely ready.”

If this screenshot and the prospectus are any indication, Fajors patience may pay off in spades. TDU models the entire Hawaiian island of Oahu. Players will be able to race any of 90 different autos over more than 1,000 miles (1600 km) of virtual roads. The game is still in testing mode by the developers (no word on beta, yet), but eventually, Oahu – at least in its cyber-incarnation – will be swarming with thousands of Internet players, challenging each other to “stop light rallies.” The primary platform will be the Xbox 360, upon which the graphics and sense of speed promise to be dazzling.

This is no bad thing for Microsoft either, who stands to collect a royalty on every copy of the game sold. Microsoft plans to use this game as a “showpiece” to promote the possibilities of their console and gaming network.

Developed by Eden Games, TDU will retail for $59.99. Exact release date has yet to be determined.

Via New York Times

Atari? You mean the company that produces cheap, grade “B” games based on tired old franchises like “The Matrix“?

After a process that has cost around $20 million and taken three years, Atari is almost ready to change that image with their new Xbox 360 offering, Test Drive Unlimited. “We’ve been a poor-performing company for far too long,” says Nique Fajors, Atari’s V.P. of sales and marketing. “We’re hoping that Test Drive really helps bring credibility back to the brand.” The delays and cost overruns have raised a few eyebrows, but Fajors was adamant that the game not be released until he felt it was absolutely ready.”

If this screenshot and the prospectus are any indication, Fajors patience may pay off in spades. TDU models the entire Hawaiian island of Oahu. Players will be able to race any of 90 different autos over more than 1,000 miles (1600 km) of virtual roads. The game is still in testing mode by the developers (no word on beta, yet), but eventually, Oahu – at least in its cyber-incarnation – will be swarming with thousands of Internet players, challenging each other to “stop light rallies.” The primary platform will be the Xbox 360, upon which the graphics and sense of speed promise to be dazzling.

This is no bad thing for Microsoft either, who stands to collect a royalty on every copy of the game sold. Microsoft plans to use this game as a “showpiece” to promote the possibilities of their console and gaming network.

Developed by Eden Games, TDU will retail for $59.99. Exact release date has yet to be determined.

Via New York Times