Test Drive Unlimited Interview

In this latest exclusive interview, eToychest spoke with Eden's Ahmed Boukhelifa, the producer on Atari's upcoming Xbox 360 MOORG (Massively Open Online Racing GAME), Test Drive Unlimited, to get his insight into the game, as well as what the game's success means for Atari.It seems as if every time a story regarding Atari comes up in the news today, it's always preceded by feelings of dread. The one-time console developer in the 80s has become the epitome of a company that seemingly cannot catch a break, its recent history punctuated by failed releases and financial hardship. The company has even gone so far as to sell of the bulk of its recognized IPs, including Driver and Timeshift, as well as lowing the cost of its current-gen offerings to just $19.99 in a desperate attempt to stay afloat.

Also reeking of desperation is today's news when Test Drive Unlimited arrives on store shelves this September for the Xbox 360, it will do so under the comparatively budget price of $39.95. A treat for gamers, to be sure, but you cannot help but feel that if this and the forthcoming next-gen survival horror title Alone in the Dark do not so well, Atari's future could very well be cut short.

But things are not all doom and gloom just yet, and there is still the very real possibility that both titles will sell through the roof, especially considering the fact that the Xbox 360 in particular is not exactly bristling with new titles on store shelves. We recently spoke with Eden's Ahmed Boukhelifa, the producer on Test Drive Unlimited, to get his insight into the game, as well as what it means for Atari.

Hello, and thanks for taking the time to speak with us today. So, what other titles have you worked on in the past? How has working on Test Drive Unlimited compared with those projects?

We're no stranger to the racing genre. Our past titles include Need For Speed Porsche Unleashed, the V-Rally series and currently we're developing a first-person shooter, Alone in the Dark, in addition to Test Drive Unlimited.

Over the years, the name Test Drive has become more of a brand name than a racing franchise, with the name being attached to several different styles of racing games. Why has Atari decided with Test Drive Unlimited to take the series back to its roots, so to speak?

Well, when we sat down with Atari, we discussed creating the "ultimate sandbox for car enthusiasts, racing fans, video game enthusiasts and mainstream audiences. In order to create something universally appealing, it has to contain the most basic element of any form of entertainment: it has to be fun. Atari's game lineup is all about making games fun.

When Test Drive first launched, it was fun gameplay, arcade style racers and something that was addictive and a world of its own. Since then, the franchise has become so well known that it's hard not to think about it when you think of racing video games. Because of that fact, to create the ultimate racer in the ultimate racing franchise was our ultimate goal - the best of the absolute best.

Without question, Test Drive's most unique feature that players are expecting is its so-called persistent MMO-style racing world. Can you talk a a bit about how this will work?

It's called M.O.O.R. - Massively Open Online Racing. This goes back to our primary goal of creating the most fun, addictive ultimate racing game. We have tried to reinvent racing for next-generation consoles (as well as online PC gaming). Next-generation isn't just about graphics. It's about audio, gameplay and pushing the limits of what the industry is used to in terms of expectations. Imagine being able to see 1000 players online in the Test Drive Unlimited world.

So, when you're actually playing the game, will you be able to see all the other people online at the same time, just out on the street? I ask because in the demo it appeared that you couldn't see other players until you actually went into the racing menu.

You can see people in clubs and you can see people in their cars. Remember that demo's are not final products.

Most players have come to expect that a "persistent" game usually carries with it a "premium", or monthly price. Will Test Drive Unlimited have any sort of monthly fee to play online?

Absolutely not. We are not charging for online play.

With 125 licensed vehicles included, one of the issues that has faced games in the past is car manufacturers not allowing realistic damage - or vehicle damage of any sort - to be included within the game in which their product is represented. Is that true here as well?

It may have been true in the past, but today more brand owners, meaning in this case car manufacturers, are letting go of that old way of representation. However, in our case, we actually decided that it wouldn't be fair to have realistic car damage to your car.

Think about it this way, because in an online world there are very little consequences to reckless behavior: You're an expert player who's spent dozens of hours unlocking every secret, winning every race, etc etc. Your blood, sweat and tears are in your various houses, garages and pristine wardrobe that only you own. You just upgraded the rarest car on the island. It's in prime condition and it's ready to go. You drive out of your garage and before you can even challenge anyone: BAM! Some amateur online who's only mission in the game is to wreck other cars just plowed into and totaled the one car it took the entire game to achieve.

How fair is that? And would you be willing to start all over again to get it? Probably not. We thought that player damage would take a lot of what's fun about this game out of it…so it wasn't the manufacturer's call this time, it was ours.

Very true. But the amount licensing in general that has been signed for this game, from cars to clothing for individual drivers, is impressive. However, this would seem to suggest that there is a significant dollar investment that the company, as well as Atari parent Infogrames, has riding on this project. Given Atari's recent shaky financial reporting for the fiscal 2006 fourth quarter and year, is there concern regarding this rather ambitious project if it does not sell as well as expected?

We believe Test Drive Unlimited WILL be a success for the company. The game has been receiving rave previews all year from the media, and received several nominations and awards for best racing game at this year's E3. There is no other racing game that has the depth and robust features that Test Drive Unlimited has - whether it's the selection of cars and manufacturers, lifestyle aspects to the gameplay (shopping, socializing), clubs and challenges - and of course, Test Drive Unlimited is MOOR - Massively Open Online Racing.

Shifting gears, with so much road included in the game - 1000 miles if I recall correctly - how much variety has been included? Can you give an idea of what sorts of tracks players can expect?

We didn't actually lay out tracks for the players like other racing games. It's the island of Oahu, only edited for smaller streets and game continuity, meaning dead ends and such have been removed. This is Oahu, baby, you find it, you can race it. It's 1000 miles of Oahu roads which are as diverse as you can imagine: everything from mountains to cities, neighborhoods and farm roads. It's all there to be raced on.

What sort of different modes can players expect from the game, and will these be playable both on and offline?

Most of the challenges online can be found in single player mode. However, there are a few things in multiplayer mode that aren't available due to the nature of the challenge. There are several different areas to explore in the game, including racing challenges, which in itself holds a world of options; tasks like hitchhiker delivery and then of course tasks that include finding certain spots or items on the island for points and/or cash.

Speaking of offline, how does this mode work, since it seems as if the bulk of the emphasis is being place on the game's online component?

While we are definitely offering a great offering in the multiplayer mode, the single player mode also rocks! Single player challenges include winning all the preset races against up to seven bots, time challenges, speed trap challenges, missions to deliver goods, hitchhikers, and vehicles with good driving and within time limits, and even pulling a top model. Non-driving achievements include owning 50 cars, 3 bikes, 15 houses, and even having a wardrobe packed with 10 or more Marc Ecko and Ben Sherman outfits. The rival driver AI is almost indiscernible from the behaviour of the real thing - sometimes they accept challenges to race, sometimes they don't, and they always drive hard.

So really, the challenges of single player are just as customizable as multiplayer mode - plus, if you want to hone your skills in single player, you can build up your credibility and then jump online.

One of the things that looks to extend the shelf life of Test Drive even further is the Game Mode Editor. Can you talk a bit about how this will work?

Sure, there are three different game modes in TDU:

- Ola Mode - In Hawaiian, ‘ola' means ‘life'. Otherwise referred to as Career Mode, Ola Mode makes up the bulk of the TDU experience. Live the racing life on Oahu, earning money to buy cars, clothes and homes. Challenge your way through the numerous single-player events or chill out and explore the island at your leisure. Meet up, race against, trade items or just hang with players online (PS2) or LAN (PSP). TDU 360 is PS2/PSP's Ola Mode.

- Quick Race - Quick Race allows players to start racing immediately. Choose a vehicle and a race type, or just let the game surprise you with a random selection. Be up and racing with just two button presses from the Main Menu.

- Arcade Championship - Arcade Championship gives players a structured series of races to challenge through. Unlike Ola Mode, where the player balances racing and lifestyle, Arcade Championship allows the player to focus solely on racing progression.

Thank you for your time today, it was very much appreciated. Is there anything you would like to add?

See you online. Bring your best racing game. You're going to need it.

Jul 20, 2006 - 12:21 pm | 0 comments
Jason Dobson