Anyone take the plunge on Test Drive:Unlimited?

[dbdynsty25]

What would be neat is if every year a new city was the focus along with general other improvement to the game. Like next year it would be a japanese city after that a european city, etc. Basically a world tour.

That would be ridiculously awesome.

One thing that no one mentioned is how great the map system works (IGN did at least). The GPS navigation works pretty good, although sometimes hard to see when you're doing 200+mph...but when you pick waypoints and places to go, it uses a little google earth action to show you wear to go and then once you select where you're going...it zooms right in to your car location and into the cockpit (assuming you're using that view). Freakin' amazing. Seriously...this game is so damn good.

[fiore22]

Anybody want to trade referal codes? Just picked this up. Thanks!

[billharris44]

You son-of-a bishes!

I'll second that nomination. Now I've got to pick this up tonight somewhere.

[Slumberland]

Played the demo last night and enjoyed it. Just picked up the real thing. If anyone would like to exchange referral codes, shoot me a PM!

[btmmayor]

Played the demo last night and enjoyed it. Just picked up the real thing. If anyone would like to exchange referral codes, shoot me a PM!

PM Sent.

Same goes for myself if anyone else would like to exchange referral codes.

[Badgun]

Anybody want to trade referal codes? Just picked this up. Thanks!

I'll trade with you. Just let me know.

[btmmayor]

I'm loving the cockpit view but I just wish there was a way to move the GPS map to a different area of the screen. In every car that I own, the GPS map is directly over the side mirror.

[btmmayor]

Huge maps that never really need to load...unbelievable.

Now we just need hardware to get to a point where they can eliminate all of those tiny, little hitches and delays as you are driving. They are very slight but still mess with the immersion factor at times.

[Zeppo]

I'm loving the cockpit view but I just wish there was a way to move the GPS map to a different area of the screen. In every car that I own, the GPS map is directly over the side mirror.

I would also like some options as to where to place that GPS map. What I really don't like is that even if the car I am in has its own GPS map in the dashboard, if I turn the GPS off in the options it no longer gives me audible instructions or the big arrows, even though I can still see the map modeled in the dash. I would like to be able to turn off the big graphical map overlay, but still have the audible help with directions.

[Dave]

I'd also be interested in the referral code trade. PM me if you're interested.

[dbdynsty25]

I'm loving the cockpit view but I just wish there was a way to move the GPS map to a different area of the screen. In every car that I own, the GPS map is directly over the side mirror.

I would also like some options as to where to place that GPS map. What I really don't like is that even if the car I am in has its own GPS map in the dashboard, if I turn the GPS off in the options it no longer gives me audible instructions or the big arrows, even though I can still see the map modeled in the dash. I would like to be able to turn off the big graphical map overlay, but still have the audible help with directions.

There are quite a few cars that don't have the GPS in the car itself.

And as for the map not loading fast enough sometimes...has anyone gone off the edge of the earth? I was cruising around, trying to get to the other side of the island and a couple times along my 30+ mile cruise...my car just went off the edge of the world. The map then correctly loads and I continue on my way from that point, but still. I guess it's a minor bug because it's just an annoyance more than anything, but still...it's kinda strange.

[TCrouch]

This may be one of the most pleasant surprises I've ever had as far as gaming goes...not expecting a whole lot, but getting 10 times more than I could have hoped.

[Zeppo]

I just discovered something about the camera inside the car: the RB button. I never understood what that icon meant, the one that pops up when you hold down the RB for a few seconds. It shows a little camera with a "X1" or a "X5" below it. Well, in "X1" mode, the camera moves in all directions but slowly; in "X5" mode, it doesn't let you look up and down, but it snaps quickly from side to side. Perfect for racing!

[Wilk5280]

Went to pick the game up this evening and each of the 3 stores I went to tried to sell me an opened copy at a new price.

Why do they look at me like I'm some sort of freak when I tell them no thank you?

I don't care that it's for display purposes or whatever. IMO if it's open it ain't fuggin' new and I refuse to pay full price.

[TheTruth]

Zepp,
Sorry I couln't accept your invite. I had just got the game about 15 minutes before and was going to log off in 5-10 minutes to watch some football.

[Gurantsu]

Wow! I just got done the Island Tour race, and it was a complete blast. I used my tweaked out Ford GT, and the competition was pretty fierce, with the lead changing hands many times. Finally towards the end the cars closest to me got together and wrecked and couldn't catch up with me again.

FYI, the Island Tour race is a offline race around the whole island, coming in at just over 118 miles. Took me 48 minutes to do, and was totally worth it. It was a load of fun, plus you get $200,000 if you win, and they also give you a free Alfa Romeo just for completing it. Not bad! And all it cost me was corpal tunnel syndrome...

I'm also having fun just cruising and doing offline missions. I've joined some online stuff, and for the most part its been cool. I've rejected my share of challenges, usually by folk who slam their cars into you first, then want to challenge you. The few I have accepted have been fun though.

I was cruising around last night and saw Mix on the road. I followed him for a little bit, but he was really flying and I missed a turn and wrecked and he was gone. Still cool! I like that you can just filter the players list to show your friends.

Any news yet on the problems with the cars clubs? I still have mine created, its at the club just north of Honolulu. Half the time I check you guys still have invites, the other half it says you've never played the game before! I really hope they get all that straightened out soon, it seems like a cool idea.

[Gurantsu]

Oh, I forgot to mention that if you are in a closed cockpit car, and you open the windows, the sound of your engine changes as you are now also hearing it through the window.

Last night before I logged off, I was driving back to one of my houses and got into a little fender bender. The police meter shows up, I figure no problem, its happened a lot before and I've never gotten caught... I should have taken the advice I always give when watching Cops on TV:"Don't run!" Well I did, and I could not shake the police. After about 15 minutes and a ton of roadblocks they finally caught me and slapped me with a $115,000 fine. OUCH.

[Teal]

My only reaction to this game! Wow, what fun! There has never been a driving game like this. Driving 30 miles is driving literally 30 miles-incredible. I've been having a bear of a time doing the little timed missions, have only been able to complete ONE, but just cruising around has been a blast.

This is one great little game...

[grtwhtsk]

You guys are killing me...I need to hold off!

[TCrouch]

I can't seem to browse for vehicles online? Always says no vehicles no matter what filter. I can't find friends. I tried filtering to friends on the map, warping to the red dot, and nothing there. I can't browse the Diner trials, or it freezes.

The driving is excellent. I just can't use any features

[TheTruth]

Question..last night when I played it always said that the TDU servers were not available. But when driving around I noticed several high speed cars and a couple of motorcycles flying past me and they had a name in white in parenthesis, but the name wasn't a xbox live type name, just a regular name like Alex or Mike or something. I was beginning to think that they were AI controlled guys, but they sure werent acting like it and then I noticed some were warping like when u play online. Whey would their name be normal if they are xbox live players?

[ScoopBrady]

Question..last night when I played it always said that the TDU servers were not available. But when driving around I noticed several high speed cars and a couple of motorcycles flying past me and they had a name in white in parenthesis, but the name wasn't a xbox live type name, just a regular name like Alex or Mike or something. I was beginning to think that they were AI controlled guys, but they sure werent acting like it and then I noticed some were warping like when u play online. Whey would their name be normal if they are xbox live players?

I saw the same thing last night while playing the demo. I'm pretty sure they were ai controlled.

[Zeppo]

Question..last night when I played it always said that the TDU servers were not available. But when driving around I noticed several high speed cars and a couple of motorcycles flying past me and they had a name in white in parenthesis, but the name wasn't a xbox live type name, just a regular name like Alex or Mike or something. I was beginning to think that they were AI controlled guys, but they sure werent acting like it and then I noticed some were warping like when u play online. Whey would their name be normal if they are xbox live players?

Those guys are AI guys designed for players who do not have connection to XBL (or maybe just connection isn't enough and you need the XBL gold). They are meant to replace real people online and they will challenge you to races etc. You'll notice that the same AI drivers will show up in offline races, but they will be zipping around in free race mode if you are not connected to the TDU servers.

I can't seem to browse for vehicles online? Always says no vehicles no matter what filter. I can't find friends. I tried filtering to friends on the map, warping to the red dot, and nothing there. I can't browse the Diner trials, or it freezes.

The driving is excellent. I just can't use any features

None of the online stuff has been working properly, and none of it was working at all yesterday. Word is there may be a patch today or tomorrow to address some of this.

The Diners were active enough on Thursday for me to try a couple of challenges (very few restrict the class or car, so it was tough to find one I had a chance at). On Friday I was able to post my challenge, and drive it once, but since then either the diners don't appear at all (if "TDU servers are down") or if they do, the game freezes on me when I try to get the list.

Yesterday, I was surprised to discover that even if the servers are down, I could still start an online race and get other drivers into the lobby to race with. There sure are a lot of differing courses for online racing around the island, although a number of them seem to be a lot of straights and very few corners. I am amazed by how maby long races there are, beyond just the ol' around the island, 124mi. one. I've noticed some 25-30 milers, a 40+ miler, etc.

I hope to get some DSP racing in, maybe Wednesday? Maybe Thursday? It sucks the game can only hold 8 in a race, but I haven't been able to attract more than 2 off my friends list to a race yet, so maybe that's not so bad

[TCrouch]

I'd be down, but I had a major snafu. I dropped the $550K on a Saleen and hated it, then test drove the Enzo and loved it. Since the auctions didn't work, I lost most of the investment on the Saleen (it sold for like 270K). I tried to copy my save to a memory card and start over, see if I could do all the car deliveries and just save for the Enzo, but wham...it was all gone when I tried to load it back on. I think it has like one universal save for your gamertag or something, I don't know. I had a nice Ferrari Spyder and an upgraded, 8-car house...the 400 mile achievements, etc. It's all gone and I started over. Now I'm back to a Volkswagon Golf or whatever it is in the F class, unlocking everything again. Good thing it's so fun to drive

[TheTruth]

All I have is an Audi F class and that $70k corvette I bought last nite. I would be up for anything.

What is the easiest way to get money? My limited time playing, I got easy money doing the car deliveries. Is there anyother easier ways?