RedLynx's Trials HD Passes Million Mark

The Xbox Live Arcade motorcycle stunt game Trials HD from Helsinki, Finland-based RedLynx has sold more than 1 million units since its release in August 2009, the studio said Tuesday. "Only a handful of downloadable console games have reached this plateau," said RedLynx CEO Tero Virtala in a statement. "For a company of about thirty-five people, it's a significant achievement, and it validates our strategy of focusing on online and downloadable games that have the potential to evolve into long-term, successful game franchises," he added. RedLynx said that the million-unit milestone includes the original Trials HD for Xbox 360, not additional unit sales of the December 2009 expansion pack, Trials HD -- Big Pack. The studio recently announced a second expansion pack, Big Thrills, due in Q4 this year. Trials HD is an Xbox 360 exclusive and sells for $15, while the Big Pack expansion sells for $5. Players race against the clock in the physics-based game in which ramps, loops, explosives, and other obstacles stand between the start and finish lines. Previously, RedLynx updated the sales status of Trials HD, stating that the game had sold 300,000 units as of September 2009. In February this year, RedLynx said that in total, the studio sold 1.5 million units in 2009, making it the best year ever for the company, up from 150,000 units of the studio's sole 2008 release, Trials 2 SE for PC. Games released last year by the studio included Trials HD, Monster Trucks Nitro and DrawRace. RedLynx chalked up its growing success to a greater focus on digital distribution platforms. The upcoming Big Thrills package will include about 40 new tracks, including 10 user-generated courses, judged and chosen by RedLynx as part of its Track Creator Challenge. The studio is currently trying its hand at the Nintendo Wii market with the WiiWare "platform racer," MotoHeroz.