Test Drive Explained

Test Drive
Genre:Racing
Developer:Distinctive Software (1987-89)
Accolade/Infogrames North America (1990, 99)
Elite Systems (1997)
Pitbull Syndicate (1997-99, 2002)
Xantera (1999–2000)
Eutechnyx (2000)
Velez & Dubail (2000)
Infogrames/Atari Melbourne House (2000-02, 07)
Eden Games (2000, 06-11)
Digital Illusions CE (2000)
Angel Studios (2001)
Monster Games (2004)
Slightly Mad Studios (2012)
KT Racing (2022-)
Publisher:Accolade/Infogrames North America (1987–2000)
Electronic Arts (1987–88)
Pony Canyon (1989)
Cryo Interactive (1999)
Infogrames (2000–2002)
Atari (2004-11)
Rombax Games (2012)
Nacon (2022-)
Platforms:Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, MS-DOS, Apple II, PC-98, Apple IIGS, MSX, ZX Spectrum, Sega Genesis, SNES, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation, Game Boy Color, Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Xbox 360, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
First Release Version:Test Drive
First Release Date:1987
Latest Release Version:
Latest Release Date:July 3, 2012

Test Drive is a series of racing video games that were originally published by Accolade until they were bought by Infogrames (later Atari), the first game was released in 1987 and has since been followed by several sequels and spin-offs, the last of which was released in 2012.

Gameplay

In Test Drive, the player typically uses one of several exotic performance cars to race to a finish line against opponents or in a time limit, while avoiding traffic and police.[1]

Unlimited series

Test Drive Unlimited includes an open world environment and allows for the purchase of houses, cars and character customisation.

History

Early titles (1987–1991)

In 1987, Accolade published Test Drive as a computer game worldwide, while Electronic Arts released the game in the United Kingdom. The quality of the Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64, and DOS ports differ from each other.[2] The Amiga version's detailed visuals and audio realistically depicted the game's racing theme, while its Atari ST counterpart used simplified graphics and sound effects. The Commodore 64 and DOS ports were of similar quality to the Amiga version. The gameplay was kept intact for all platforms.[3]

Test Drive was a commercial success, with sales having surpassed 250,000 copies by November 1989.[4] It received generally positive reviews from video game critics. Computer Gaming World stated in 1987 that Test Drive "offers outstanding graphics and the potential to 'hook' every Pole Position fan".[5] Compute! praised the excellent graphics and sound, but noted that the game only had one course.[6] The game was reviewed in 1988 in Dragon #132 by Hartley, Patricia, and Kirk Lesser in "The Role of Computers" column. The reviewers gave the game 4 out of 5 stars.[7]

Test Drive spawned several sequels and spin-offs. Distinctive Software developed its 1989 sequel, , using several software libraries. Distinctive (as Unlimited Software, Inc.) used the aforementioned software libraries for an MS-DOS port of Outrun, resulting in the Accolade v. Distinctive lawsuit. Distinctive Software won, so the rights to make the Test Drive games without the source code transferred to Accolade. The court also found that Accolade had failed to demonstrate that the balance of hardships was in its favor.[8] Another sequel, , was developed and published by Accolade in 1990.[9]

Revival series (1997–2004)

After a few years of the franchise being in dormancy, In 1997 Accolade reinvented the franchise with brand new titles. The first of these was , an off-road truck racing spinoff,[10] and Test Drive 4, the first video game developed by Pitbull Syndicate.[11]

In 1998, Pitbull Syndicate developed two further Test Drive titles, Test Drive 4X4 (also known as Test Drive Off-Road 2), a sequel to the Test Drive: Off-Road spinoff, and Test Drive 5; both games were the two last entries in the series to be published by Accolade.[12] [13]

In April 1999, Accolade was acquired by French video game company Infogrames for a combined sum of, of which in cash and in growth capital, and was renamed Infogrames North America, Inc.[14] [15] The company chief executive officer, Jim Barnett, was named head of Infogrames Entertainment's American distribution subsidiary.[16] As a result, Test Drive 6 was the first game in the series to be published by the newly named Infogrames North America in 1999.[17] An in-house team at Infogrames North America would go onto develop Test Drive Off-Road 3 in 1999, and would also go to develop Test Drive Cycles, which was cancelled in June 2000 with the exception of the Game Boy Color version.[18]

In 2000, due to copyright problems between Infogrames North America and Infogrames Multimedia over the Test Drive trademark, Cryo Interactive picked up publishing rights to Test Drive 6 in Europe for a May 2000 release,[19] while Infogrames Multimedia released Test Drive Off-Road 3 under the name of 4x4 World Trophy in April 2000. Around this time, Infogrames North America released Le Mans 24 Hours and the Dreamcast version of V-Rally 2 under the localised names of Test Drive Le Mans and Test Drive V-Rally respectively. A Nintendo 64 localisation of known as Test Drive Rally was also planned, but this was cancelled in February 2000.[20] Fellow Game Boy Color titles included Test Drive Cycles and Test Drive 2001, an update to the GBC version of Test Drive 6.

In November 2001, the last entry in the Off-Road subseries - Test Drive Off-Road Wide Open, known in Europe simply as Off-Road Wide Open, was released on the PlayStation 2, being developed by Angel Studios. An Xbox port was released a year later with additional content and graphic improvements.

In May 2002, Infogrames released (released as Test Drive in North America), the last entry in the series to be developed by Pitbull Syndicate[21] and the first one to feature a storyline.

The next game in the series, , was developed by Monster Games in 2003, and was released in 2004. The game was released in Europe under the name of Driven to Destruction.[22]

Unlimited series (2006–present)

Test Drive Unlimited, developed by Eden Games and released in 2006 and 2007, features an open world modeled after the Hawaiian island of Oahu. Its sequel Test Drive Unlimited 2 was released in 2011 and includes both Oahu and the Spanish island of Ibiza.

A spin-off title called was developed by Slightly Mad Studios and published by Rombax Games under license from Atari, in celebration of the 65th anniversary of Italian sports car manufacturer Ferrari, featuring Formula One, sports cars, and rally cars. The game was heavily based upon technology developed for, and shares little with the Unlimited series.[23]

In 2016, French publisher Bigben Interactive (later renamed Nacon) acquired the Test Drive intellectual property from Atari, with plans to revive the franchise.[24] In 2018, Bigben acquired French racing game developer Kylotonn, with Roman Vincent, president of Kylotonn suggesting they were working on the next installment of Test Drive.[25]

In April 2020, Nacon filed a trade mark to the Intellectual Property Office for Test Drive Solar Crown,[26] [27] the last two words referring to the Solar Crown in-universe racing competition series featured in Test Drive Unlimited 2. The full title of the next game in the series is Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown.[28] [27] [29] The Kylotonn-developed game will feature a 1:1 recreation of Hong Kong Island.[29]

Games

YearTitleDeveloperPublisherPlatformsNotes
1987Test DriveDistinctive SoftwareAccoladeAmiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64, MS-DOS, Apple II, PC-98Apple II and PC-98 ports were released in 1988 and 1989, respectively.
1989Distinctive SoftwareAccoladeAmiga, Amstrad CPC, Apple IIGS, Commodore 64, MS-DOS, MSX, ZX Spectrum, Atari ST, Sega Genesis, SNESSega Genesis and SNES ports were released in 1992
1990AccoladeAccoladeMS-DOS
1997Elite SystemsAccolade, Eidos InteractiveMS-DOS, PlayStation
1997Test Drive 4Pitbull SyndicateAccoladePlayStation, Microsoft Windows
1998Test Drive 5Pitbull SyndicateAccoladePlayStation, Microsoft Windows
1998Test Drive 4X4Accolade, Pitbull SyndicateAccolade, Electronic ArtsPlayStation, Microsoft WindowsTitled Test Drive Off-Road 2 in North America.
1999Test Drive 6Pitbull SyndicateInfogrames North America
Cryo Interactive
PlayStation, Microsoft Windows, DreamcastPublished by Cryo Interactive in PAL regions. Dreamcast version was not released in Europe
XanteraGame Boy Color
1999Infogrames North AmericaInfogrames North America, Infogrames MultimediaMicrosoft Windows, PlayStationTitled 4X4 World Trophy in PAL regions.
XanteraGame Boy Color
2000Test Drive Le MansEutechnyxInfogramesPlayStation, Microsoft WindowsNorth American localisation of Le Mans 24 Hours
Velez & DubailGame Boy Color
2000Test Drive V-RallyEden StudiosInfogramesDreamcastNorth American localisation of V-Rally 2: Expert Edition.
2000Test Drive Le MansInfogrames Melbourne HouseInfogramesDreamcastNorth American localisation of the Dreamcast version of Le Mans 24 Hours.
The later-released PlayStation 2 and Microsoft Windows versions were released under the original game name
2000Digital Illusions CEInfogramesMicrosoft Windows, PlayStationA Nintendo 64 port was in development under the title Test Drive Rally but was canceled.[30]
2000Test Drive CyclesXanteraInfogramesGame Boy ColorA Windows, PlayStation and Dreamcast version was developed but was cancelled in June 2000.
2000Test Drive 2001XanteraInfogramesGame Boy ColorUpdated version of the Game Boy Color version of Test Drive 6.
2001Angel StudiosInfogramesPlayStation 2, XboxTitled Off-Road Wide Open in PAL regions.
2002Pitbull SyndicateInfogramesPlayStation 2, Xbox, Microsoft WindowsTitled simply Test Drive in North America.
2004Monster GamesAtari InteractiveXbox, PlayStation 2Titled Driven to Destruction in PAL regions.
2006Test Drive UnlimitedEden GamesAtariXbox 360, Microsoft Windows
Atari Melbourne HousePlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable
2011Test Drive Unlimited 2Eden GamesAtariMicrosoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
2012Slightly Mad StudiosRombax GamesPlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows
2024Test Drive Unlimited Solar CrownKT RacingNaconMicrosoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

Notes and References

  1. Finals. Next Generation. 37. Imagine Media. January 1998. 154–155.
  2. Web site: CVG Magazine Issue 076. February 1988.
  3. Web site: The Games Machine Magazine Issue 04.
  4. Staff . Chart-Busters; SPA Platinum . November 1989 . 5. . 112.
  5. Christmas Buyers Guide: Test Drive . Computer Gaming World . November 1987 . 20.
  6. Tucker. Troy. February 1988. Test Drive. Compute!. 50. November 10, 2013.
  7. The Role of Computers: Test Drive. Lesser. Lesser. Lesser. Hartley. Patricia. Kirk. Dragon. 132. April 1988. 80–85.
  8. Web site: Case: Accolade v. Distinctive (N.D.Cal. 1990) [C]]. Dannenberg, Ross. May 30, 2005. Patent Arcade. September 26, 2019.
  9. A Passionate Tryst with Speed . Computer Gaming World . April 1991 . November 17, 2013 . Wilson, David M. . 51.
  10. Web site: Marriott . Scott Alan . Test Drive Off-Road (PS) - Review . . . https://web.archive.org/web/20141115093537/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=2319&tab=review . November 15, 2014 . dead . January 31, 2019.
  11. Web site: Pitbull . www.pitbull.co.uk . 12 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20020207132058/http://www.pitbull.co.uk/games.html . 7 February 2002 . dead.
  12. Web site: Wigmore . Glenn . Test Drive Off-Road 2 (PC) - Review . . . https://web.archive.org/web/20141115093545/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=19517&tab=review . November 15, 2014 . dead . February 4, 2019.
  13. Web site: Sackenheim . Shawn . Test Drive 5 (PS) - Review . . . https://web.archive.org/web/20141114224258/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=14435&tab=review . November 14, 2014 . dead . February 3, 2019.
  14. Web site: Infogrames Takes Accolade . IGN Staff . April 19, 1999 . ign.com . July 6, 2017.
  15. Web site: Infogrames Buys Accolade . Micheal . Mullen . April 27, 2000 . gamespot.com . July 6, 2017.
  16. Web site: Accolade's Barnett to Head Infogrames US . IGN Staff . May 10, 1999 . ign.com . July 6, 2017.
  17. Web site: Mosquera . Fernando "Lagi" . November 24, 1999 . REVIEW for Test Drive 6 (DC) . . Shinno Media . https://web.archive.org/web/20000126090146/http://www.gamefan.com/repre.asp?g=1388&t=r . January 26, 2000 . dead . February 5, 2019.
  18. Web site: Gantayat . Anoop . May 11, 2000 . E32000: Infogrames Halts Test Drive Cycles . IGN . Ziff Davis . April 19, 2017.
  19. Web site: Bye . John "Gestalt" . 2 February 2000 . Cryo to publish Test Drive 6 . . . 21 December 2021 . 21 December 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211221023010/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/article_25916%3E . dead .
  20. Web site: A Late Rally Has Been Held Off. IGN Staff. 4 February 2000.
  21. Web site: White . A.A. . June 2002 . Test Drive Review (PS2) . . . https://web.archive.org/web/20150924012259/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/test-drive . September 24, 2015 . live . February 11, 2019.
  22. Kato . Matthew . Test Drive: Eve of Destruction . . . 138 . October 2004 . 123 . https://web.archive.org/web/20060108092430/http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/265C866B-1A9F-4BFA-836B-FE623DBFE27C.htm?CS_pid=210655 . January 8, 2006 . dead . January 28, 2019.
  23. Web site: Schembari . Sam . 2012-02-13 . Ferrari Racing Legends: A Single-Make Historical Tour, From Atari . 2024-05-12 . Wheels Blog . en.
  24. News: Parfitt. Ben. Bigben has acquired the Test Drive brand. December 15, 2016. MCVUK.com. December 15, 2016.
  25. News: Leonard . Michael . Kylotonn Games Working on the Next Test Drive Unlimited? . October 18, 2018.
  26. Web site: Trade mark number EU018224192: TEST DRIVE SOLAR CROWN . . July 4, 2020.
  27. Web site: Bodnarescu. Florin. Test Drive Solar Crown teased, reveal happening on July 7 during Nacon Connect. Neowin. July 4, 2020. July 3, 2020.
  28. Test Drive. testdrive. 1279051015002525696. July 3, 2020. We're back! ☀ #NaconConnect 7th July. en. July 4, 2020.
  29. Web site: Robinson. Martin. Kylotonn's new Test Drive Unlimited officially unveiled. Eurogamer. July 7, 2020. July 7, 2020.
  30. Web site: A Late Rally Has Been Held Off. IGN Staff. February 4, 2000.