test-drive-unlimited-2 posts

So Friday is usually on the slow side for game news, but we have a feeling that will not be the case tomorrow.

• Rumors are hitting the internet that there could be major layoffs at Test Drive Unlimited developer Eden Studios.
• There's more stupid commentary on the threat of violence from games from none other that Jennifer Hart.
• Apparently the team in charge of EVE Online like to do something called Chessboxing.
• EA wants 1 million "likes" on its Battlefield 3 Facebook page so it can release the 12 minute gameplay trailer early.
• Battlestar Galactica Online is now letting players take command of a Battlestar (or a Basestar if you swing Cylon)

Test Drive Unlimited 2 has had some launch pains as the open world driving game from developer Eden Games and publisher Atari has been dealing with a number of issues since it was first released earlier this month. Today a post on the game's official message board reveals that players of the game will be getting some compensation for all of the game's launch issues.

Specifically, the post states that the first premimum DLC pack for Test Drive Unlimited 2 will now be provided to its players for free. The post states,"The Exploration Pack contains new wrecks to be discovered that unlock the Lancia Stratos version Rallye and 1969 Dodge Charger." There's no word on when the DLC pack will be released. The post also contains a list of all of the issues in the game that have been fixed. You can check out the list after the jump:

Despite some bug issues that have plagued the game's release, the open world driving game Test Drive Unlimited 2 is still on top of this week's top 10 best selling PC games list on the Steam download service. This year's sleeper hit Magicka comes in this week in the number two spot while the fantasy strategy-RPG game Dungeons shows up at number three on the list.

The full top 10 list is as follows:

1. Test Drive Unlimited 2 - Eden Studios/Atari
2. Magicka - Arrowhead Game Studios/Paradox Interactive
3. Dungeons - RealmForge/Kalypso
4. Two Worlds II - Reality Pump/Southpeak Games
5. Warhammer 40,000 Dawn of War II Retribution - Relic/THQ
6. Call of Duty Black Ops - Treyarch/Activision
7. DC Universe Online - Sony Online
8. Dead Space 2 - Visceral Games/EA
9. Battlefield Bad Company 2 - DICE/EA
10. Dragon Age 2 - BioWare/EA

Saturday we posted up word on various online connection issues that player of Test Drive Unlimited 2 were experienced following the open world driving game's release earlier this week. Now the game's official message boards have a new update that states progress is being made on correcting the connectivity and DLC problems.

According to the note from developer Eden Studios, the development team is " ... working around the clock to continue optimizing the game. As with many large multiplayer and MMO launches, the initial rush of new players into the game revealed a variety of issues that are now mostly addressed." While adding that the team will continue to address any more problems that come up, " ... most of you should be able to play the game without issues."

Test Drive Unlimited 2 is having some engine problems since the open world driving game was released earlier this week. The game from developer Eden Studios and publisher Atari has been plagued with online connection problems and other bugs that are causing lots of players to flood the game's official message board.

In a post on those forums the game's producer David Nadal stated on Friday, "We are aware of the issues that some of our players are encountering. The development team is working around the clock to rectify the situation and provide players with the ultimate Test Drive Unlimited 2 experience. We appreciate your patience and your continued passion and will be updating you on the progress." The forums have launched a section dedicated to the issues found specifically for the PC version along with updates on when they will be fixed. At the time of this post the online multiplayer servers are up but are being monitored. Other game features such as the casino access and clubs are offline.

GDC is getting closer and we've already heard through various whispers in the wind that there will be quite a few announcements coming before and during the conference. Just sayin'

• For example the Shoot Many Robots web site is hinting that the first details on this game will be revealed next week.
• Steam has new automatic updates for Crasher, Dungeons and Cricket Revolution.
• Steam also has a new update for APOX that adds a new Survival gameplay mode with six new maps.
• The Steamcast Podcast has the first part of a two part interview with Valve head man Gabe Newell. Interesting stuff is brought up in the chat.
• The original art for the box cover for Castle Wolfenstein is on sale on eBay.
• If you are having some issues with Test Drive Unlimited 2, head over to this forum post.
• Combat Arms is getting a new map, Costra Recon, on February 16.
• Duke Nukem Forever won't be edited for its Australian release. Yay!
• Bulletstorm will be heavily edited for its Germany release. Boo!

This week's new PC game releases include a sequel to an open world-based driving game, a Dungeon Hero-inspired game and a fantasy RPG that was made available first last week via download sites.

Test Drive Unlimited 2 - Developer Eden Studios and publisher Atari give us this second game in the open world driving game series this week. Set on two islands, the game has over 3,000 kilometers of road to explore as you drive in competition with others both offline and online. A lot of the cars in the game are exotic sports vehicles but the game wasn't able to get the licencing rights to any Lamborghini cars.

Test Drive Unlimited 2 is pushing its collection of exotic and luxury vehicles, and this trailer is no exception. Depicting a number of cars from British manufacturer Jaguar, it is little more than porno for the car enthusiast. Slick chassis, shiny finishes, and smooth handling (in this trailer, anyway) make these cars a dream for anybody with a love for cars. For the rest of us, though, it's just a bunch of sports cars.

Download Test Drive Unlimited 2 'Jaguar' Trailer
Check out all Test Drive Unlimited 2 downloads

This Test Drive Unlimited 2 trailer starts off pretty standard. Cars changing colors, fancy garages, the works. Where it ends up, however, is somewhere completely baffling. Unlimited 2 plans to feature full car customization, and if this trailer is any indication, they aren't just restricting it to things such as certain patterns or certain color combinations. Want to make a bright blue car with earthen brown bubbles along the side? Go ahead! You can be as outlandish as you want, it seems. And despite the potential damage to our retinas, that's a good thing.

Download Test Drive Unlimited 2 'Car Customization' Trailer
Check out all Test Drive Unlimited 2 downloads

For the past few days we have been going over our most anticipated PC games in the next 12 months in the first person shooter, action, RPG-MMO and strategy genres. But there are a lot of games that just don't fit comfortably in those categories. But that doesn't make them any less notable in our eyes. Also there are some games that we missed out on writing about in our previous parts of the series.

Today is the conclusion of our most anticipated PC games feature of 2011. Today's list includes a number of racing games along with some sim titles, adventure games and indie titles. As with our previous articles these games are listed in order of their planned release dates but those dates can, and usually do, change with little notice.