Atari Delays Test Drive Unlimited 2 To 2011

Atari said Thursday that it delayed the Eden Games-developed online racing game Test Drive: Unlimited 2 from fall this year to 2011 in North America to smooth out the title's online gameplay. Atari did not offer a specific revised release date for the game, only saying it would launch in first quarter 2011. The game is slated for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC. "The new release date will provide the developers additional time to fully enhance the connected console multiplayer experience for consumers," the company said in a statement. David Nadal, studio manager for France-based Eden Games added, "By moving the title's release date to early 2011, we will be able to further advance the game and take into account consumer feedback..." Eden Games and Atari released the original Test Drive Unlimited for in 2006. The game was the newest entry in the Test Drive series, which has existed since 1987. The Unlimited games focus on arcade-style racing, licensed cars and, most notably, online multiplayer -- Atari pitches it as an M.O.O.R. game ("massively open online racing"). Along with the game's delay, Atari and Eden Games said they will also delay Test Drive Unlimited 2's beta scheduling. The companies will announce new beta dates soon.