Gameplay revelation for TDU Connect
Through a unique presentation format, the gameplay revelation was done in a community-driven manner. Some members of the development team were joined by three passionate racing game content creators: Blackpanthaa, Alex VII, and Alan Boiston were able to experience the first gameplays of the game by participating in races, rides, or even visiting the Solar Crown Hotel. They were able to experience the game live on Nacon channels to provide their feedback and impressions on a game in development. This format highlights a significant aspect of Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown, which is a prominent social dimension in TDU and one of the main innovations in Solar Crown. Innovations are made on the perpetual confrontations under the banners of Street or Sharps, which have two very different lifestyles and influence your gaming experience. The goal of this social novelty is to allow players to live in luxury by choosing their car together or customizing it as a group
During the game presentation, we wanted to showcase the game not only for fans of the franchise but also for all racing game players and car enthusiasts in general, by adding a fun aspect to the presentation with players bantering and challenging each other, while highlighting the universe and features that the game offers. But Test Drive is not just that, it's also about the most exceptional car rides, whether cruising calmly towards a predefined destination or not, alone or in a group, to enjoy the scenery and the beautiful island surroundings. Driving calmly also allows you to fully explore the features that the car offers, with options as if you were really there. Above all, you have the opportunity to drive luxury cars as in a simulation, where you can choose to drive while respecting or disregarding traffic rules
Visual Quality and Performance
You were able to get a first visual glimpse of the game during this presentation. The development teams continue to work on the overall visual quality of the game to provide the best possible graphics rendering for the environment and landscapes, as well as for the vehicles to be as realistic as possible. Our goal is to faithfully recreate the island of Hong Kong and the cars that will be featured. This live game presentation mainly aims to share with you the current progress of the game, much like an alpha version that you were able to witness. Optimization of the game in terms of performance, networking, and graphics is one of the current priorities for the coming months of development, which will continue to be improved and optimized until the game's release
The first Closed Playtest
Following TDU Connect, many of you were able to form your own opinion about the game through closed playtests. Some had the opportunity to test the game during these initial playtests. These playtests were initially conducted to verify the stability of the game and servers, taking into account the feedback from players who experienced the game and the various suggestions they made. Given the number of people who signed up to be among the first players of Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown, the playtest confirmed that Test Drive players are still present and that the game holds something special for all the participants, even 12 years after the first installment
To revisit the figures provided by this playtest, there were over 2800 cumulative hours of gameplay and 55,000 kilometers traveled, demonstrating the players' commitment to the franchise. Individually, one member completed over 1000 kilometers, while another became the first Solar King of the game with over 50 completed races. In total, there were over 15,000 races launched, 2500 wrecks, and 8500 radars triggered
This first playtest allowed us to test on a larger scale all the features we have implemented and thus to have feedback on the experience, which is already rich in lessons. And for that, we thank you. Thanks to all those who closely follow the progress of the game as well as to those who are eager to play it, and thanks to the players of the playtest who once again allowed us to evolve the game
If you weren't able to participate in the playtest, don't worry, other sessions will take place and will allow you to play the game and closely follow the game's progress, the evolving graphics, and the features being incorporated into it
