Test Drive Unlimitedwas an open-world racing game that launched in 2006 and was developed by Eden Games. It allowed players to drive around a tropical island in a number of vehicles. In 2011,a sequel arrivedand introduced more in-depth multiplayer features. In 2018, the servers shut down, and well, things have been quiet as to whether or not a third installment is to arrive in the future.
It seems as ifTest Drive Unlimited 3is in development but it’s being developed by a different studio, as subtly confirmed in an interviewfrom GamesBeatwho spoke with Benoit Clerc, Nancon’s head of publishing. “We bought five companies. But they represent eight studios.” Clerc begins when answering a question about Nancon’s acquisitions in 2018 and 2019.
“The first company is KT Racing, Kylotonn. They’re based in Paris and Lyon. They’re specialized in racing. They’re doing off-road racing with WRC (World Championship Rally), and they’re doing two-wheel racing with Isle of Man TT.”
Kylotonn has previously worked onFlatOut 4: Total Insanity, WRC 5, 6, 7,and8, andV-Rally 4to name a few. In 2016,Bigben acquired theTest Drivebrand, later in 2018they acquired Kylotonn.
“They’re currently working on our biggest project by far, which is the next Test Drive Unlimited game.” he mentions but doesn’t share any further details throughout the interview.
WccfTechbrings up a rumor that hitReddit 2 months agofrom an apparent developer working at Ubisoft Paris who shared details ofTest Drive Unlimted 3.Of course, take information from rumors with a pinch of salt, but so far, the leaker has accurately revealed that the game is published by Bigben Games and being developed by KT Racing, Kylotonn.
The map is said to be based somewhere in South America this time around and is to be bigger than Ubisoft’sThe Crewwith the team wanting to apparently make it roughly the same size asFuel’sworld. There might be around 90 vehicles at launch, but there are apparently licensing issues that might see the number drop.
Houses may make a return and the physics engine sounds like it’s being taken fromWRC 8.Multiplayer looks to be a focus, and the game is rumored to release in late 2020. The leaker suggests that the game may be out later “looking at the current state of the game” and could be a PS5 and Xbox Series X title with PS4 and Xbox One being possible. It may also be heading to PC as an Epic Games Store exclusive for a year and will then hit Steam and Google Stadia.
According to comments from the leaker, they say"I havn’t [sic] actually seen the game myself" and that the game wasin development in 2017 with a small team, and in 2018 the whole team started working on it.
I guess, if the 2020 release date is to be believed, we’ll see a trailer or an official announcement hit the internet at some point this year.
