Eudemon

TDU Forever! TEST DRIVE is making a return!! The rights to the future of the brand have been bought by Bigben Interactive from the Atari Group. The last game to be released in the long running series was Test Drive Unlimited 2 (TDU 2) back in 2011. Coming 5 years after the release of the cult classic Test Drive Unlimited (TDU) which is still played to this day by a loyal following on the PC mainly due to the talent and generosity of the modding community. And those fans and many like them will be delighted to hear that Bigben has plans to develop new titles in the Test Drive Unlimited franchise. We are more than confident with respect to the quality of this franchise, which is loved by so many players[...]Our teams are very enthusiastic at the idea of being able to work on this license, which has already proven its worth - the game Test Drive Unlimited 2 sold 1.8 million units. – Alain Falc, CEO of Bigben Interactive TDU 2 by many of the previous title’s fans was seen as a bit of a step back despite it’s second island location of Ibiza, improved graphics, roads quality and dynamic weather, because of the handling. However there are many out there who very much enjoyed their time with, or still play TDU 2, so it’s not a one flavour works for all. And of course, the Forza Horizon series of games have certainly improved on the open-road/open-world formula that the TDU games evolved, but even still to this day, the environment size is seen as a bit of negative, and the same has been said about other games such as Midnight Club Los Angeles. The Crew is a game that has been developed by numerous members of the original and second game and it’s easy to see that yet again the environment size is one area where they really excel. However, the driving feel and world physics are an area that doesn’t exactly let it down, but it does take a bit of the shine off. In conclusion then it appears that the best blend for an open-world game is something with: authentic handling with options to tweak as player requires complete freedom great road quality – no stair like hills and blocks for kerbs support for keyboard, pads and wheels (clutch and shifter would be nice too) dynamic day/night & weather customisation to allow players to make the vehicles their own lovely engine sounds accurate details of car interiors and instruments So simply put: a mix between TDU/2 and The Crew’s environments + Forza Horizon handling + DRIVECLUB weather effects and vehicle detailing + Forza/NFS customisation + RaceRoom Racing Experience engine sounds. See, simple! *a hat tip to The Compensator for letting us know about this [via Videogamer.com]

Blizzard Mountain Expansion Winter has well and truly arrived in Forza Horizon 3’s Australia with the release today of the ‘Blizzard Mountain’ expansion. First heard of back at the end of November the expansion is set within a snow covered, ice laden alpine environment. And in case you were wondering, yes Australia does actually get snow! The whole point of it all is that players are bidding to become the ‘King of the Mountain’, and they do this by tackling a new campaign featuring over 50 new events and challenges that they will compete in. Being on this sort of surface and the fact it’s a bloody mountain they're doing this on, the addition of new races like Descent, Hill Climb and Blizzard will provide a bit of a new challenge to seasoned players of the vanilla game who may be becoming more used to its surroundings. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOB0QAVUiXc After staking their claim as the King of all below them, players can then hunt for and crash through the new bonus boards, locate the beauty spots and see how they fare against others in new Bucket List Blueprint and Rivals events as they chase after the 500 Gamerscore attainable through the 28 new achievements. Seven new vehicles along with one new Barn Find (so that makes 8!) are there to help players take the crown and are especially set up for the treacherous conditions of the mountain. Front and centre of them all is Ken Block’s Ford Focus RS RX. For the ice-rally fan who wants a bit more of the classic approach though there are two icons of rallying with the Lancia Stratos HF Group 4 and Lancia Delta S4 Group B. The full list (sans Barn Find) of those contained within the pack is shown below: Forza Horizon 3 ‘Blizzard Mountain’ - Vehicles 1965 Ford F-100 Flareside Abatti Racing Trophy Truck 1975 Lancia Stratos HF Group 4 1985 Lancia Delta S4 Group B 2016 Nissan Titan Warrior Concept 2016 RJ Anderson #37 Polaris RZR-Rockstar Energy Pro 2 Truck 2016 Subaru #199 WRX STI VT15r Rally Car If players have a particular vehicle they cannot tear themselves away from in their inventory already then the option to stick on some snow tyres is also there and should see them spending many hours sliding about and possibly falling off from great heights. Now that's a picture we would love to see! Blizzard Mountain is available now on the Microsoft Store for Xbox One and Windows 10 PC. The pack can be bought standalone or as a part of the Expansion Pass. [gallery type=rectangular" link="file" size="seven-post-image" ids="6311,6312,6314,6310,6307,6308,6306,6309,6313]

Porsche License To Be Set Free Hallelujah and it’s about damn time! Porsche is no longer going to be stuck to EA!! Okay that isn’t entirely fair as the license has been seen on other titles via sub-licensing and other side agreements, but, it is a fact that for tooo bloody long if you’ve wanted to enjoy a Porsche in your racing game, then that game would more than likely need to be a Need for Speed. Thankfully we had RUF to take up the empty space that Porsche would have sat in within many a racing game like Gran Turismo, PGR and others. But, it always seemed insane to me how underused and almost forgotten Porsche was in every EA title that used it. Sure in the earlier days you had gems like NFS Porsche Unleashed but after that it seemed to be more about only including a select few from the famous marque in their future releases and mobile games, even to the point where it essentially felt like they were lauding the fact they had it over others. Now though, Porsche has seen the light. (or the person making the decision decided after putting down their controller in disgust many moons ago, to make it their ambition to get the relevant qualifications, join Porsche, become the person in charge of branding and close the door on the exclusive deal once and for all!) As through an interview on german site Speedmaniacs where at a recent event they met up with people from both Assetto Corsa developers Kunos Simulazioni and Porsche, we learn that Porsche are ready to seek roads new as they will end the exclusive agreement with EA by letting it run out at the end of this year. >“According to Sebastian: The license with EA runs out this year, because one has come to the realization that the current situation is no longer desirable for both sides.” Has the partnership with Assetto Corsa made them see that their brand is worth something in the virtual space? After all, players today could be owners tomorrow and there is a huge amount of people out there who cannot afford the real thing but would still very much like to drive a Porsche in their games. You could also imagine that the whole ‘Holy Trinity’ of hypercars ideal, with the LaFerrari, P1 and Porsche’s own 918 Spyder might have shown that there is something to giving people the ability to recreate what they have seen on TV, YouTube and such. Many folk after all, will jump on their favourite game after a race or try to recreate that scene they just watched, and with the immediacy of social media and virals, it makes sense to take complete advantage of that. Nowadays it’s more about viewability than anything else, and so having your brand out there for many to see and experience is better than being enclosed into something that actually can lay detriment because of how it is used. Exclusivity is a horrible thing, I hate them all. Only console warriors or PC masters would appreciate having something the others don’t but what is the point in that really? I cannot wait to see Porsche in more titles along with more from the Porsche stable. Not just the usual sort but the lesser known and the still equally incredible; Assetto Corsa is already doing this and it is great to see. It is time to let the garage doors open and to flood the virtual track and streets with all that have sported a Porsche badge! [via Speedmaniacs] (German) :: [image credit: The Car Spy]

Race Game History in Forza Horizon 3 A clever and creative person has been having some fun in recreating scenes from many iconic racing games within Forza Horizon 3. Found on the Forza reddit, user EYui shared their imgur link that shows off many scenes that you probably wouldn’t even need the superimposed logos to identify. Well except for you young eggs of course but even you are represented with examples from the original NFS Most Wanted, Burnout 3 and more. [gallery type=rectangular" link="file" size="seven-post-image" ids="6278,6277,6282] It’s only natural that we would be massive fans of the Test Drive Unlimited example but there are so many more that make me personally smile, because of the feelings and memories that they draw up. The iconic yellow Diablo SV that screams NFS III Hot Pursuit; the awesome jumping Crazy Taxi; the leaping Focus of Colin McRae; the getting severe angle Outrun Ferrari; the exceptional Castrol Supra in GT3 A-spec which is still in fact one of my favourite ever cars seen in a game; and finally the stunningly composed shot of a wet race for PGR4. [gallery type=rectangular" size="seven-post-image" link="file" ids="6285,6276,6279,6283,6286,6280] There are more and naturally you will no doubt differ in your picks from myself, but that’s the great thing about all of these images. There is something for everyone and with the way they have been captured – don’t be surprised if they stir up some fantastic memories in you too. [via Forza reddit]

PS4 Assetto Corsa v1.10 Update Back in late November Assetto Corsa on PS4 received the long-awaited Porsche Pack Volume 1 and the v1.09 update. Unfortunately it seemed to introduce some issues with it at the same time, the most annoying being with some wheels such as the Logitech G29 and Thrustmaster T300 where the steering was basically broken. And you need to be able to steer while racing as this isn’t NASCAR after all. *runs* Other fixes are included too in the small list which is shown below. Assetto Corsa – v1.10 Update Fixed broken steering rotation on wheels including G29, T300 Fixed horn button on certain wheels Fixed “Real Racer” trophy Fixed force feedback setting in UI Fixed wrong ghost car timing Fixed sound problems on certain tracks caused by reverbs Fixed Monza 66 invisible wall Fixed track temperature [via Assetto Corsa Facebook]

Porsche Pack 1 Out on Xbox One Players of Assetto Corsa on Xbox One now have Porsche Pack Volume 1 available to download, along with the v1.09 update which delivers many improvements, fixes and the first of the free Porsches, the Panamera. Been a bit of a torrid time for AC fans on the Xbox One in respect to the first Porsche Pack, it’s been bad enough having to wait so long after the pack first hit the PC but to have their bitter arch rival on PS4 get the pack and update back at the tail-end of November, that’s gotta sting! All jokes aside, it was a shame it had to happen that way but time is a healer as they say and finally, all platforms, have at least one of the Porsche Pack available for it now. And it’s not only those players who buy who get some new content remember, everyone will receive the Porsche Panamera and the historic Silverstone circuit also. Assetto Corsa is out now for PC, PS4 and Xbox One. The Porsche Pack can be bought individually or can be attained via the purchase of the Season Pass which is really good value for what it will get you.

Logitech G Car Pack The new content train is well and truly on a roll right now in regards to Forza Horizon 3, what with the new ‘Blizzard Mountain’ expansion due out shortly and now this – the latest DLC car pack called the Logitech G Car Pack. December’s offering is the third monthly DLC car pack to be released for the game and is available now for Xbox One and Windows 10 players to buy, or download if they have the Car Pass. https://youtu.be/GXqlST_53M8 As has become somewhat customary with the car packs with the game this one is again chock full of some really interesting and exciting contents. The most outlandish being the Morgan 3 Wheeler, which now happily joins the Reliant in becoming another vehicle that sports a trio of rubber to help keep it pointing in the right direction. Japanese fans will be ecstatic to see the icon that is the 1992 Toyota Supra added to the roster. This car I particularly fondly remember being a real gem in winning me many a race in the first and second Gran Turismo games. Bentley’s stupidly gorgeous EXP 10 Speed 6 Concept is a luxury grand tourer that will no doubt be right at home eating up the miles as it cruises along the coastal roads and wherever else players deem to take it. And with it being a hybrid you can feel contented knowing that you are doing your bit for the game’s virtual environment or something. And then there is the aussie nutcase who springs out from nowhere: the HSV GTSR. Boasting a lot of power, a lot of questionable styling and a lot of yellah, the GTSR is a real character and belongs blasting up, down and through the roads and greeneries of FH3’s Australia. The Logitech G Car Pack is available now for those on Xbox One and Windows 10 PC, or is free to those who have bought the Car Pass. [gallery type=rectangular" size="seven-post-image" link="file" ids="6259,6260,6261,6262,6263,6264]

Blizzard Mountain Achievements With only a week to go until the first expansion of 'Blizzard Mountain' skids onto Forza Horizon 3 for Xbox One and PC a bundle of images and their accompanying achievements have been revealed. Found on the Xbox achievement encyclopedia that is Xbox Achievements, the posted list for the expansion gives an idea of what players can expect as they play through. However, these achievements are paired with images that depict what the task requires or a hint of how to obtain it. These in themselves are not only allowing us to see some of the action that will be available but also disclosing what the new Barn Find is. We won't spoil what that is, however if you want to know what is hidden away, be sure to check out the source link at the bottom. 'Blizzard Mountain' consists of a new alpine environment setting that will see buyers of the pack taking the seven new rides available – plus the aforementioned new Barn Find – across the more than 50 events and challenges that have to be completed in the quest to become ‘King of the Mountain’. Those wanting to live out those Ken Block fantasies will be glad to know they can make it a virtual reality, with the inclusion of Block’s latest Gymkhana Focus RS RX. New Bucket List Blueprint and Rivals events as well as a whole new batch of bonus boards to crash through and beauty spots to discover, make up the rest of what will take up players’ time while they roam around the snow and ice covered landscape. And this trekking around can be done in any of your stable of vehicles too because of the new snow tyres upgrade. Additionally, 500 Gamerscore can be attained through the 28 new Xbox Live achievements. Forza Horizon 3 ‘Blizzard Mountain’ will be available as a standalone purchase when it releases on December 13th, or is included with the Expansion Pass which gives buyers access to the two expansions (‘Blizzard Mountain’ and one other) for a discounted price. Ultimate Edition owners no longer get until the end of the year as was originally stated to buy the Pass, as that appears to have changed now to them having to buy it before the end of December 13th, 2016 in order to take advantage of the extra saving. [via XboxAchievements]

GT Sport Screenshot Feast! A pile of screenshots has been released for GT Sport by developer Polyphony Digital to go alongside the release of the latest trailer that was shown at this year's PlayStation Experience. Although dynamic time and weather will NOT (!) be a feature of GT Sport, the official images set out to make us forget about this as they contain numerous examples of times of day and their lighting conditions. Showing various examples from the likes of the Nürburgring, Brands Hatch, Willow Springs, Tokyo, and the fictional Fisherman’s Ranch rally circuit, it is clear to see that the game will certainly be a real looker no matter what time the races will take place, with those on a PS4 Pro and an HDR-enabled 4K tv getting the best out of what's on offer. Masters of the craft of creating a truly photorealistic look, the images could easily be mistaken for real life shots if the logo wasn't there on some of them. However let's wait and see if there is more to salivate over than just the pretty visuals. GT Sport aims to make a release at some point in 2017 for PS4 and PS4 Pro. GT Sport - PlayStation Experience 2016 Screenshots [gallery type=rectangular" link="file" size="seven-post-image" ids="6245,6244,6243,6242,6241,6240,6239,6238,6237,6236,6235,6234,6233,6232,6231,6230,6229,6228,6227,6226,6225,6224,6223,6222,6221,6220,6219,6218,6217,6216,6215,6214,6213,6212,6211,6210,6209,6208,6207,6206,6205,6204,6203,6202,6201,6200,6199,6198,6197,6196,6195,6194,6193,6192,6191,6190,6189,6188,6187,6186,6185,6184,6183,6182,6181,6180,6179,6178,6177,6176,6175,6174,6173,6172,6171,6170,6169,6168,6167,6166,6165,6164,6163,6162,6161,6160,6159,6158,6157,6156,6155,6154,6153,6152,6151,6150,6149,6148,6147,6146,6145,6144,6143,6142,6141,6140,6139,6138,6137,6136,6135,6134,6133,6132,6131,6130,6129,6128,6127,6126,6125,6124,6123,6122]

Porsche Pack Volume III As the end of 2016 approaches at dizzying speeds, it will also bring the end of the known Porsche Packs to Assetto Corsa, as the third and final one of Porsche Pack Volume 3 will release for PC on December 20th. We have known about what will be in these packs since their details appeared on Steam way back in October, in a way spoiling the surprise of the teasing that Kunos Simulazioni are so very good at. Nonetheless, the images that do get posted showing the in-game examples out on the tracks and road layouts within the game are always great to see, and are usually taken in an exciting and non-boring manner. This latest batch has a couple of pics that are of no exception to that. With a top-down helicopter-esque view of a 911 GT3 Cup 2017 or the awesome view as a 908 LH carries so much speed over a crest that it catches some sweet air. Porsche Pack Volume 3 - Contents 911 GT3 Cup 2017 911 GT3 RSR 2017 911 GT3 R 2015 919 Hybrid 2016 908 LH 917 K 911 R As with the other two previous packs, it will be time for another free Porsche. The Porsche Macan will be the final of the trio that was promised for the game and will join the Porsche Panamera G2 and Porsche Cayenne that came before it at no cost. PS4 players have only recently gotten their taste of Porsche Pack Volume 1, while those on Xbox One are still waiting for theirs, and yet here is the PC about to get the last of the three packs. Cwazy! Regardless, the coming of more Porsche is something that many an Assetto Corsa fan will be eager to sample and as the old saying goes: ‘’good things come to those who wait”. Now if only we could get Porsche out there and into more games, that would be a nice present for many racing fans. Porsche Pack Volume 3 is out on December 20th on Steam for PC and will be out for PS4 and Xbox One probably some time in 2017.

PlayStation Experience GT Sport A stupidly gorgeous new trailer for GT Sport has been unveiled at this year’s PlayStation Experience for us to feast on. Looking absolutely stunning and highlighting key visual features that the game will incorporate such as 4K support on PS4 Pro, HDR lighting and VR, we are also given looks at multiple forms of racing including rally and night racing along with the whole pre-race build-up as crews prepare the cars which are then seen pulling out of their boxes and lining up behind the pace car on the grid. In a game that is endorsed by the FIA it stands to reason that the whole show is being recreated accurately. It’s a nice touch but like the pre-game build-up sequences in football games such as FIFA and Pro Evo, it will likely be watched once or maybe twice before the ‘Skip’ option will be used every time thereafter. The trailer is clearly a technical look-at-this, rather than anything substantial about how players will actually play through it which is fine but with the other racing games out and due out (Forza 7) this has to be a title full of substance, and less about just the style; no matter how well it does it. Sound is well done in the trailer though it is more than likely dubbed as if there is one thing the past has taught us, and as George 'Dubya' so eloquently put: ‘fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice… *pause* ...you can’t get fooled again’ – so yeah we’ll wait and see before tearing up at those visuals if the sound once again makes us want to tear our hair out. Oh yeah, it’s out in 2017. Not early 2017, or summer 2017, or late 2017, no, just 2017.

Porsche Pack 1 Resubmitted Players of Assetto Corsa on Xbox One should shortly be able to join in on the Porsche fun that their PC and PS4 counterparts are currently enjoying, with the news that Kunos Simulazioni have resubmitted the content to Microsoft. Intended for release on both PS4 and Xbox One earlier this week, it was unfortunate that some gremlins seemed to hit the Xbox One, resulting in a small delay for those on the platform. True to their word though, the devs at Kunos have worked on fixing what needed done and got it back into the hands at Microsoft where hopefully this time no problems will occur. >Today, we're pleased to announce that v 1.09 has gone into submission and providing all goes well, we'll be releasing next week. So Xbox One fans will have a slightly longer wait for their fill of Porsche, but after waiting this long after the original PC release, what’s an extra week or so anyway?! [via Assetto Corsa forum]