Bigben Interactive Secures Rights to Test Drive Unlimited; New Game in the Works
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- JMarine25
Oh, surely this is encouraging. You know you have reason to be optimistic when you have people who know what the heck they are doing. Why do you think longtime WipEout fans liked The Designers Republic and Studio Liverpool and such?
When I think of the Test Drive Unlimited series, I just think... what is TDU's identity? Is it an open-world racing and driving game? Is it a game where you collect cars and homes while also dressing up in the finest clothing? Is it a social networking medium where you can chat with others while also enjoy driving together? I mean... what IS TDU? I met a LOT of people on PlayStation Network through TDU2. I drove with many more people. But when it comes to TDU2 in racing and offline play, it has been relatively disappointing. Whatever this new group does with TDU3, I hope they can take the best elements of both TDU games while finding ways to make everything better for TDU3. Maybe introduce some new elements to make the series better. Or... they can just basically make TDU3 a prettier TDU2 and end up failing to improve upon TDU2.
We'll see what happens moving forward...
When I think of the Test Drive Unlimited series, I just think... what is TDU's identity? Is it an open-world racing and driving game? Is it a game where you collect cars and homes while also dressing up in the finest clothing? Is it a social networking medium where you can chat with others while also enjoy driving together? I mean... what IS TDU? I met a LOT of people on PlayStation Network through TDU2. I drove with many more people. But when it comes to TDU2 in racing and offline play, it has been relatively disappointing. Whatever this new group does with TDU3, I hope they can take the best elements of both TDU games while finding ways to make everything better for TDU3. Maybe introduce some new elements to make the series better. Or... they can just basically make TDU3 a prettier TDU2 and end up failing to improve upon TDU2.
We'll see what happens moving forward...
- 5,086
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- Filracer
I would say TDU wasn't a failure though.
When TDU was introduced, everything was new back then. The ability to buy houses, create and edit your avatar, different kinds of dealership, and a whole scale map of Oahu was new. No racing game ever had a map that big as TDU has during its time. Of course the PC and Xbox 360 version beats the PS2 and PSP version but all versions were good.
I don't totally remember the first game but I think I saw the ps2 version. But I bought tdu2 at launch and was instantly bummed out by it. Am I in the minority in thinking tdu2 was really bad?
The car list was really disappointing too not one car I liked.
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- JMarine25
A whole lot of things could have made TDU2 better. Remember I played the PS1 version, so this version was devoid of some of the vehicles in the XBOX 360 and PC versions. Then you have TDU2. I don't know where to begin with this one... okay. I think the graphics are solid for TDU2. What makes it less than stellar is a lot of things- the Solar Crown, the wonky physics, and maybe the sounds. I found the Car Wash thing to be an absolute joke. I think the car list is okay. It could have been all sports cars and no regard for even some of the oddball machines (or do you prefer everyone have a Bugatti Veyron?). Since TDU2 had Ibiza, I said in the Forza Horizon thread that Forza Horizon is what TDU2 COULD have been, especially how people know of Ibiza as a party destination aside from its beauty. Heck, TDU2 even had two famous nightclubs featured in the game! I even made a rudimentary point-to-point race to go from one of those nightclubs to the other. I just felt like TDU2 was more a missed opportunity rather than something that could have been amazing.
Despite the flaws of the TDU series games, I don't see either TDU or TDU2 as any kind of failure. If you're going to make Test Drive Unlmited great, I say look to Forza Horizon, though my only FH experience is with the demo to the first Forza Horizon. Take some notes and apply them to TDU3, but don't completely copy FH. I say make TDU3 as combining the best elements of TDU and TDU2 while being a viable competitor to FH. That is how I at least think TDU3 will be any kind of great success.
Despite the flaws of the TDU series games, I don't see either TDU or TDU2 as any kind of failure. If you're going to make Test Drive Unlmited great, I say look to Forza Horizon, though my only FH experience is with the demo to the first Forza Horizon. Take some notes and apply them to TDU3, but don't completely copy FH. I say make TDU3 as combining the best elements of TDU and TDU2 while being a viable competitor to FH. That is how I at least think TDU3 will be any kind of great success.
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- Filracer
Everybody says that the Crew is basically what TDU3 is with some of the Eden Games employees working with Ivory Tower and Ubisoft Reflections. I for one halfly agree with that but at the same time I disagree.
The reason why I say that because sure some of TDU's content/feature was there (map size, different kinds of cars to use and nothing more.) but to say that TDU3 is the Crew, that's where I kinda disagree with that.
The reason why I say that because sure some of TDU's content/feature was there (map size, different kinds of cars to use and nothing more.) but to say that TDU3 is the Crew, that's where I kinda disagree with that.
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- ShobTheGrob
- Shob The Grob
I think that if they're going to take inspiration from the previous TDU games, I would say look more at the original rather than the sequel. TDU1 didn't have the greatest handling model of all time, but at least they committed to an arcade style rather than trying to be both at the same time like TDU2; that, and I think it had a better, more varied car selection with some that haven't been in many, if any, other racing games. Cars like the TT Sport, Tuscan Roadster, and the various concept cars like the VW W12 Nardo and Mustang GTR were certainly unique, while the only real oddballs I can remember from TDU2 are the V6 powered Camaro, 2CV, and an old Beetle. Plus, most DLC in TDU2 seemed to overlap the original list quite a bit; having most every edition of the Zonda and Veyron, not to mention some other pointless additions like the 599 GTB China that had only a different paint scheme and maybe slightly altered interior were, quite frankly, lazy and unimaginative.
While there were some poor decisions being made, stuff like the casino was actually decent, and added a fun new way to socialize (or develop a slot machine addiction trying to get that R8 Spyder), or the wrecked cars you could find scattered across the island. That, and the fact they added a full day-night cycle with weather was a nice improvement as well. Hopefully, this doesn't turn into vapor ware, or get delayed for years on end, or end up being a buggy mess that has good ideas but poor execution like TDU2 was at launch. While The Crew is decent fun, it just doesn't feel quite the same as cruising around an exotic island at a relaxing pace like you could in TDU.
While there were some poor decisions being made, stuff like the casino was actually decent, and added a fun new way to socialize (or develop a slot machine addiction trying to get that R8 Spyder), or the wrecked cars you could find scattered across the island. That, and the fact they added a full day-night cycle with weather was a nice improvement as well. Hopefully, this doesn't turn into vapor ware, or get delayed for years on end, or end up being a buggy mess that has good ideas but poor execution like TDU2 was at launch. While The Crew is decent fun, it just doesn't feel quite the same as cruising around an exotic island at a relaxing pace like you could in TDU.
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- wocsoM
TDU2 is quite decent so long as you don't come from TDU1. 
TDU2 was also the only game in existence that seemed to have Spykers that weren't the C8, despite one being slower than the C8 and the other being a slightly horrid C8-SUV fusion, if anything, the C8 is the hardest one to get a hold of, with the coupe being a 360 exclusive(despite it still appearing in the dealership from the outside on the other versions if you pay attention) instead of the 458, and the spyder being part of the Casino DLC. But Spyker probably won't be in the next installment, though, along with the Farboud-Ginetta, but still more likely to reappear than the Alfa GT. Atleast the car dealership mechanic from previous installments, with it allowing you to choose any wheel/interior the car comes with along with the color, will probably make an appearance with Alain Jarniou being the Creative Director again, or atleast it better.
Anyway, i suppose i'll be paying attention to whatever Bigben decides to do for TDU3. Hopefully there won't be any licensing problems this time to keep Lamborghinis and such as unused lines of code.
TDU2 was also the only game in existence that seemed to have Spykers that weren't the C8, despite one being slower than the C8 and the other being a slightly horrid C8-SUV fusion, if anything, the C8 is the hardest one to get a hold of, with the coupe being a 360 exclusive(despite it still appearing in the dealership from the outside on the other versions if you pay attention) instead of the 458, and the spyder being part of the Casino DLC. But Spyker probably won't be in the next installment, though, along with the Farboud-Ginetta, but still more likely to reappear than the Alfa GT. Atleast the car dealership mechanic from previous installments, with it allowing you to choose any wheel/interior the car comes with along with the color, will probably make an appearance with Alain Jarniou being the Creative Director again, or atleast it better.
Anyway, i suppose i'll be paying attention to whatever Bigben decides to do for TDU3. Hopefully there won't be any licensing problems this time to keep Lamborghinis and such as unused lines of code.
LeGeNd-1
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I got the opportunity to try TDU1 2 years ago and didn't really find it anything special. The car list and map is huge but mostly it's quite monotonous. The handling is ok at low speeds, but at high speeds it feels very restricted with a pad. Also don't like the whole house buying thing - it's such a hassle when each house can only store 5 cars and you have to remember where you keep which cars. Cops are annoying as well. When you just want to explore and accidentally set off a pursuit 
I guess it's down to me playing an old game in an era where I'm used to HD graphics, but I really don't get the hype with the original TDU.
TDU2, tried it for 5 mins at a friend's house and concluded it has one of the worst handling models of any car game I've played. Even worse than some PS1 era shovelwares. Nothing more to say.
TDU3, the company making it doesn't give me much hope. So some staff has credentials in Simbin sims, but that's no guarantee of future products. Arcade games need a different approach to sims so they are basically starting from zero here. I'll keep an eye on this, but at this point I'm more cautious than optimistic.
I guess it's down to me playing an old game in an era where I'm used to HD graphics, but I really don't get the hype with the original TDU.TDU2, tried it for 5 mins at a friend's house and concluded it has one of the worst handling models of any car game I've played. Even worse than some PS1 era shovelwares. Nothing more to say.
TDU3, the company making it doesn't give me much hope. So some staff has credentials in Simbin sims, but that's no guarantee of future products. Arcade games need a different approach to sims so they are basically starting from zero here. I'll keep an eye on this, but at this point I'm more cautious than optimistic.
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- JMarine25
Well, that is a very fair assessment, LeGeNd-1. With the home thing, I'm kind of okay with it because you're not a professional racer or anything. You're also not running a racing team or running proper races. I am also okay mostly with trying to explore parts of the given realm rather than unlock certain parts. I just wish the exploration process wasn't so precise. Like, you could miss somebody's driveway or some onramp and not get full exploration. Like... do you have to go down EVERY road to fully explore an area? And maybe it's just me, but doesn't it seem sad to go a car dealer that has only one car you can buy? Like on the western side of Oahu (Hawaii) in TDU1, there is one car dealer that has only the Cadillac XLR-V you can buy. Big, expansive car showroom... and all you have is one Cadillac you can buy.
The PS2 version of Test Drive Unlimited seemed (no pun intended) limited. You still have to be impressed with the level of detail in the various cars. I recall on the box of a review saying it was (indirect quote) "the biggest quantum leap in racing since Gran Turismo." There is promise with what TDU provides. Promise, however, takes you only so far. TDU1 for the PS2 was mostly devoid of a certain amount of vehicles and features. There are no motorcycles in the PS2 version of TDU1. You can't change up clothes in TDU1 on the PS2. So the full experience isn't there.
As much as there are many car dealers in TDU2, there could probably be MUCH more used car dealers scattered across places instead of just having that one used car dealer where you could also pick up some cars you've recovered from Wrecks. I remembered having some fun on some twisty roads in TDU1 on the western central part of Oahu drifting in a Shelby Mustang. I couldn't get that kind of fun with the roads in TDU2. I'm not saying the cars have to handle like in the Ridge Racer games (especially Ridge Racer Type 4 and up), but it is just not as fun in TDU2.
TDU3 probably isn't going to set the world on fire. All I do know is that in the right hands and with the right execution, TDU3 could be the best ever in the TDU series. Maybe the crew behind TDU3 should think about what all made TDU great in the first place and find ways to make it totally better. I hate to make this phrase from all the goings on of 2016, but this new group will need to find ways to "make TDU great again."
The PS2 version of Test Drive Unlimited seemed (no pun intended) limited. You still have to be impressed with the level of detail in the various cars. I recall on the box of a review saying it was (indirect quote) "the biggest quantum leap in racing since Gran Turismo." There is promise with what TDU provides. Promise, however, takes you only so far. TDU1 for the PS2 was mostly devoid of a certain amount of vehicles and features. There are no motorcycles in the PS2 version of TDU1. You can't change up clothes in TDU1 on the PS2. So the full experience isn't there.
As much as there are many car dealers in TDU2, there could probably be MUCH more used car dealers scattered across places instead of just having that one used car dealer where you could also pick up some cars you've recovered from Wrecks. I remembered having some fun on some twisty roads in TDU1 on the western central part of Oahu drifting in a Shelby Mustang. I couldn't get that kind of fun with the roads in TDU2. I'm not saying the cars have to handle like in the Ridge Racer games (especially Ridge Racer Type 4 and up), but it is just not as fun in TDU2.
TDU3 probably isn't going to set the world on fire. All I do know is that in the right hands and with the right execution, TDU3 could be the best ever in the TDU series. Maybe the crew behind TDU3 should think about what all made TDU great in the first place and find ways to make it totally better. I hate to make this phrase from all the goings on of 2016, but this new group will need to find ways to "make TDU great again."
LeGeNd-1
Premium
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Well my original post was probably a bit harshly worded, @JohnBM01. I'm sure TDU was a groundbreaking game in its day, to be able to drive the whole island of Oahu, buy houses and store your own supercars. It must have been amazing during the PS2 era. But, I was playing it in an age of HD graphics, where open world racers are fairly numerous, and after hearing all the hype over the years my expectations are probably bigger than the game itself. Not the fault of the game, but more like I'm playing it in the wrong era and the wrong mindset. If I had played it in the PS2 era I would probably have fond memories of it and still love it to this day. Heck, I still have fond memories of certain obscure PS1 racing games that no one knows/liked, just because I was more easily impressed as a child back in those days.
TDU2 is still shovelware though. No question about that
TDU2 is still shovelware though. No question about that
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Anyways can we talk about the soundtrack for both TDUs?
In TDU there's only one song that I only liked and listened for the my whole playthrough and that is Carbon Kid by Alpinestars. As for the others, for me it ranges from meh to bad. Still listening to Carbon Kid these days.
As for TDU2, Road Rock was the only radio I played for and not Hariba Radio (except for a few such as Ghosts N Stuff).
They should improve the soundtrack and choose the ones that suit well to the cruising experience of TDU. I for one welcome the return of old Test Drive soundtracks from TD4 to TD: Eve of Destruction. I would mark out if they bring back Cars by Fear Factory and Lackluster by Saliva.
In TDU there's only one song that I only liked and listened for the my whole playthrough and that is Carbon Kid by Alpinestars. As for the others, for me it ranges from meh to bad. Still listening to Carbon Kid these days.
As for TDU2, Road Rock was the only radio I played for and not Hariba Radio (except for a few such as Ghosts N Stuff).
They should improve the soundtrack and choose the ones that suit well to the cruising experience of TDU. I for one welcome the return of old Test Drive soundtracks from TD4 to TD: Eve of Destruction. I would mark out if they bring back Cars by Fear Factory and Lackluster by Saliva.
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Hopefully, LargeBen does us proud and makes the best TDU ever and better than the much ballyhooed Forizon. Let's hope they add hypercars such as the One:1 and throw in some pedestrians, like The Crew has.
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- Filracer
More likely yes there will be hypercars given TDU2 had the CCX-R, Veyron Grandsport and Supersport, Gumpert Apollo, and FXX.
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- JMarine25
There should be quite a few hypercars to TDU3. After all, aren't the Bugatti Veyron and Koenigsegg CCXR hypercars? My only thing I was so jaded about in TDU2 was seeing people on PSN (at least for the PS3 version of TDU2) mostly in Veyrons, like they own everything. Give me the McLaren P1, and I'll be fine. Or maybe even (granted we get this car company) the Porsche 918 Spyder.
Maybe what I hope for best with TDU3 is that I don't have to continually try to grind to acquire more cars and homes. And if there was an opportunity to make more money, I do hope it becomes as simple as doing online racing in the Gran Turismo games (especially at the maximum money bonus).
Maybe what I hope for best with TDU3 is that I don't have to continually try to grind to acquire more cars and homes. And if there was an opportunity to make more money, I do hope it becomes as simple as doing online racing in the Gran Turismo games (especially at the maximum money bonus).
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- Filracer
You can beat anyone with a Veyron in TDU2 (PS3 user here) as long as the track you choose is technical plus with a lot of corners. The Veyron killer would have to be the FXX or the 599XX or if you are skilled, then try the RUF.
I actually had a lot of guys who uses the Veyron (mostly Grand Sport drivers) and they all suck at corners especially the ones with jumps.
I actually had a lot of guys who uses the Veyron (mostly Grand Sport drivers) and they all suck at corners especially the ones with jumps.
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- Ljubuski
- Antonio89R
Im sure new Test Drive Unlimited will be amazing trust me ....with so many great cars, question is will there be Hawaii again or Ibiza
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- JMarine25
Something tells me we might see Ibiza and Hawaii... but maybe one new locale. Or maybe they stick to one locale entirely. I haven't a problem going around Oahu (Hawaii) again. I think Ibiza is better with the motorcycles. Call me crazy, but can you imagine maybe racing in the South Pacific- especially Fiji or French Polynesia (especially Tahiti)? It would be pretty fun. Another venue I probably wouldn't mind having Test Drive Unlimited go around would maybe be the Greek islands or maybe even the beautiful nation of Malta. The team has their options...
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- FairladyZ-L24
Or maybe they will start where Eden stopped? Ibiza/Hawaii and (the unreleased) Dubai.
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- JMarine25
I don't mind Dubai. I'm cool with that. It would surely be cool to drive something like the Koenigsegg Agera or even the bonkers Koenigsegg One: 1 on the streets of Dubai. I could practice by playing GRID 2 if there TDU3 goes through Dubai.
Not many of us think about classic cars in regards to most racing/driving games. When you look at TDU2, there were a few classes: A (modern cars), B (off-road vehicles), C (classic cars) and M (motorcycles). I want to wonder what classic cars could be among the many in the lineup. One thing I loved about the Test Drive Unlimited games is the attention to detail with the cars. So whatever classics make it into TDU3 will probably look amazing. I probably wouldn't mind seeing cars like the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray, the classic Ford GT40, or even a 1980s Ferrari Testarossa. Even throw one of my personal favorite cars- the Jaguar XJ220. An oddball kind of machine in TDU3 would be if we got the Lamborghini LM002. It probably would be a B-class machine.
TDU2 had only Ducati and Harley-Davidson on the motorcycle front. If TDU3 were to have more motorcycles, you pretty much can't ignore the Japanese. You surely can't forget about something like the Suzuki Hayabusa and its incredible top speed. You have to also consider the latest superbike offerings from Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, and Kawasaki. I probably also wouldn't mind seeing some good middleweight bikes from Triumph or something. I also wouldn't mind if you had some luxury bikes (like the Honda Goldwing) or a sport tourer (like the Ducati Multistrada).
There is still a lot of think about.
Not many of us think about classic cars in regards to most racing/driving games. When you look at TDU2, there were a few classes: A (modern cars), B (off-road vehicles), C (classic cars) and M (motorcycles). I want to wonder what classic cars could be among the many in the lineup. One thing I loved about the Test Drive Unlimited games is the attention to detail with the cars. So whatever classics make it into TDU3 will probably look amazing. I probably wouldn't mind seeing cars like the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray, the classic Ford GT40, or even a 1980s Ferrari Testarossa. Even throw one of my personal favorite cars- the Jaguar XJ220. An oddball kind of machine in TDU3 would be if we got the Lamborghini LM002. It probably would be a B-class machine.
TDU2 had only Ducati and Harley-Davidson on the motorcycle front. If TDU3 were to have more motorcycles, you pretty much can't ignore the Japanese. You surely can't forget about something like the Suzuki Hayabusa and its incredible top speed. You have to also consider the latest superbike offerings from Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, and Kawasaki. I probably also wouldn't mind seeing some good middleweight bikes from Triumph or something. I also wouldn't mind if you had some luxury bikes (like the Honda Goldwing) or a sport tourer (like the Ducati Multistrada).
There is still a lot of think about.
- 5,086
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- Filracer
The classic cars where not given any love at all by Eden considering there were less classic cars in TDU2 compared to TDU where you have a lot of classic cars to choose from (you can even drive two versions of the AC Cobra dammit.) plus not to mention that they made the F40 a DLC car.
I would let them take notes from TD6 for a good car list. They even had the Toyota GT-One, Nissan R390 GT1, Lotus Elise GT1, Dodge Viper GTS-R, and the Ford GT40 in TD6. I wouldn't mind a TDU3 car list that has street versions of race cars like those I've mentioned.
I would let them take notes from TD6 for a good car list. They even had the Toyota GT-One, Nissan R390 GT1, Lotus Elise GT1, Dodge Viper GTS-R, and the Ford GT40 in TD6. I wouldn't mind a TDU3 car list that has street versions of race cars like those I've mentioned.
Silver Arrows
(Banned)
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- Brandon, MB
- Silver-Arrows21
It's telling that the only Corvette Eden put in until they added the C6 ZR1 was the ass level C1.
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According to the domains registered by Bigben Interactive in September 2017, it's more likely to come out Test Drive V-Rally 4 before Test Drive Unlimited 3.
Source: http://www.viewdns.info/reversewhois/?q=bigben+interactive
Source: http://www.viewdns.info/reversewhois/?q=bigben+interactive
- 10,007
- Upside-down in the final corner
- rallymorten
..hang on a second there. From what I've done of research, the only time V-Rally had anything to do with Test Drive was the North American Dreamcast version of V-Rally 2 being sold as Test Drive: V-Rally while the also-NA PlayStation equivalent was sold as Need For Speed because it was published there by EA and even back in the late 90's EA was no stranger to throwing around a well-known name for reasons of sales.
My point is, apart from that one marketing stunt, exactly what connections are there between V-Rally and Test Drive? Is there anything to prevent a V-Rally game being made without the parties involved also owning the Test Drive license?
Best case scenario, this is a semi-confirmation of a V-Rally sequel *alongside* a TD sequel. Then again, EA has yet to find a use for most of the Need for Speed domains they bought a while back.
My point is, apart from that one marketing stunt, exactly what connections are there between V-Rally and Test Drive? Is there anything to prevent a V-Rally game being made without the parties involved also owning the Test Drive license?
Best case scenario, this is a semi-confirmation of a V-Rally sequel *alongside* a TD sequel. Then again, EA has yet to find a use for most of the Need for Speed domains they bought a while back.
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Silver Arrows
(Banned)
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I wouldn't be surprised if the rights for the V-Rally name have lapsed long ago, Atari didn't care to snap it up, and only now have Bigben managed to grab it and make lemonade out of lemons.
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- FMecha_EXE
Why would Bigben make a V-Rally game if they still have the WRC license? I can see they repeating Milestone, which made SLRE after losing WRC license, though.
