Compiled official information on Patch #1 and Megapack

[tenebra]

Atari confirm that Eden are currently working on a patch for the PC version of Test Drive Unlimited which will be available in May. With the patch Eden are working to address the following issues:

* Corrupted saved games (previously corrupted save games will not be restored)

* Game freezing / crashes

* Performance optimization

* In-game exploits

The patch will undergo thorough testing at Eden and Atari prior to release to ensure the quality. Further information will be available in due course. Thank you for playing Test Drive Unlimited.

[tenebra]

Atari confirm that the Test Drive Unlimited PC patch is on track for a May 2007 release.
Further information will be revealed next week.

Thank you for playing Test Drive Unlimited.

[tenebra]

In order to give players the high quality of experience they expect, the Test Drive Unlimited PC patch will be released in mid-June following further testing to ensure the complete stability of the code.

As a special exclusive gift to all PC players, two brand new cars will be included with the patch completely free; the Audi RS4 and Nissan Skyline R34.

Main fixes of the patch are as follows:

· Corrupted saved games (previously lost save games cannot be restored)

· Freezing / crashes (at saving points and other specific places in the game)

· Some performance issues (low fps, stuttering fps, micro freezes)

· Anti-cheats system improved

· Audio bugs

· Other miscellaneous issues

Regarding Nvidia card issues, Nvidia has addressed this for some of its cards with driver updates. Eden and Atari are still working closely with Nvidia to solve the remaining issues.

[kalniel]

Latest info from an Atari Inc. admin, posted today on the US forums:

Originally Posted by Ciel

Well, I've finally received an update about the patch.

Unfortunately, we were not given an exact release date, but the patch is now at its final testing stages. The patch will be a zip file that contains the following:

-build notes
-the patch itself (approx. 20-30 MB)
-two new cars (Audi RS4 and Nissan Skyline R34)

When it is released, it will be available for download on the TDU community website.

Players will also be notified in-game when the patch becomes available.

This is all the information I have at this time. I know our community is becoming weary (and you folks have every right to be), but try to remain patient. It's almost done.

[kalniel]

Latest info

Originally Posted by The_Mole, 9/7/07

There is going to be a patch

Originally Posted by The_Mole, 9/7/07

We are awaiting for communication on release date.

Originally Posted by The_Mole, 9/7/07

The patch is not suffering from financial limitations and it's being treated as gold code. We do understand your frustration and apologise for the delay.

[tenebra]

Dear TDU players,

please do not download the TDU patch 1.64A and 1.66A as they are not validated by Atari and may cause unknown problems to your game. The official TDU PC patch will be released very soon. Keep checking the Atari websites for further information. Thank you for your understanding.

[tenebra]

Dear all

Patch #1 will be released on Monday 16th July. Patch notes will be posted in the forum soon.

We apologise for the delay, and we hope the patch will make your gaming experience more enjoyable.

[tenebra]

ETA for the patch release is today at 3pm GMT+1. At the same time, the server will be updated and the rankings reset.

We'll update you of any changes in the plan.

[tenebra]

The Test Drive Unlimited PC-DVD patch has been released following the successful completion of the standard rigorous testing procedures at Atari to ensure the highest quality possible for the players.

Included with the patch are two brand new cars completely free, the Audi RS4 and Nissan Skyline R34.

Players must not tweak any of the files of their games, even save games, as it may prevent your game from launching / connecting online.

The patch features a number of improvements and addresses a number of important issues, including cheat prevention, as follows:

• Anti Cheat measures implemented throughout the game
• Fully reworked save system. Profiles can not be corrupted anymore (note: players will not be able to load a corrupted savegame.)
• Fixed crashes and improved stability everywhere in the game
• Fixed bug when a 'New game' is created with an online profile (remanent information)
• Improved online code (better management of lobbies, optimization of freeride sessions, “isolate” feature of the free ride improved)
• Fixed various bugs in drive in (linked with scores and cars)
• Fixed traffic cars flying around
• Fixed bug on multi-threading code
• Fixed some crackering/stuttering sound issues
• Fixed bugs in photo mode
• Fixed some corruption on car graphics
• Improved volume balance and bass power

Performance issues with Saitek2600 controller: Atari is aware of significant loss of frame rate if the user removes the Saitek P2600 controller during game play.

Performance issue with MS Sidewinder Wheel: Atari is aware of low frame rate with MS Sidewinder. Please note that Microsoft no longer supports the use of such peripheral under Windows XP.

[kalniel]

Regarding why the warning was given about the beta patch:

Originally Posted by The_Mole

At the time of the leak, 1.66A was still under testing in QA and was not approved for release. The approval only came on Friday morning. I would say it's pretty obvious that Atari would warn against applying non approved code.
1.64 (also leaked) was an old superseded file.

Until a patch has finished testing it is in beta state and Atari would not know if it was going to cause any problems (or how serious they might be). Once it has passed stability testing the patch becomes final and can be released. Hence 1.66A is now the final version.

[kalniel]

Patch can be found at:

www.testdriveunlimited.com/community

[kalniel]

Originally Posted by tenebra

You thought it wouldn't happen but there you go

The Test Drive Unlimited PC Megapack will soon be available for download with 46 immaculate dream machines.

The 45 cars and one motorbike included in the pack range from American muscle to Italian grace with some of the most desirable vehicles on the planet rendered in painstaking detail. After installing the pack, all cars can be bought as normal from the relevant in-game dealerships.

You know I'm cruel (admit it, you love it!) and I will only reveal a few cars at a time

Confirmed list so far is:

• Alfa Brera
• Audi RS4 quattro Saloon
• Audi S6
• Chrysler Crossfire® SRT-6 coupe
• Chrysler Crossfire® SRT-6 Roadster
• Dino 246 GT
• Dodge Challenger RT
• Dodge Charger Super Bee
• Dodge Viper SRT-10 coupe
• Edonis
• Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole
• Ferrari 512 TR
• Ferrari 612 Scaglietti
• Ferrari Challenge Stradale
• Ferrari F40
• GM (Cadillac®) Cien™ Concept
• GM (Cadillac®) CTS-V™
• GM (Chevrolet®) Corvette® C1 1957
• GM (Chevrolet®) Corvette® C6™ Convertible
• GM (Chevrolet®) Corvette® Stingray™ Convertible 1971
• GM (Saturn™) Curve™ Concept
• Holden Efigy Concept
• Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R
• Koenigsegg CCR
• Lamborghini Countach 25th anniversary
• Lamborghini Gallardo Coupe
• Lamborghini Murciélago Roadster
• Lexus GS 450h
• Lexus IS 350
• Lexus LS 460 L
• Lexus LS 600h L
• Lexus SC 430
• Ferrari 250 GTO
• McLaren F1 GT
• McLaren F1 LM
• Mercedes CL CLK GTR
• Nissan Skyline GTR R34
• Noble M400
• Pagani Zonda C12S Roadster
• RUF RGT
• RUF RK Spyder
• RUF Rt 12
• RUF Rturbo
• Spyker C8 Spyder
• Spyker C8 Spyder T
• TVR T440R

[kalniel]

Other tenebra quotes:

Originally Posted by Tenebra

Guys, considering the cost of development free downloads are wishful thinking

The price will be around 9.99 euros - less than 0.22 euros per vehicle.

Pl-Destroy, yes, I work for Atari and this is official news

Originally Posted by Tenebra

No typos, no 1st April, this is genuine, official news that came to me about 30 seconds before being posted.

Now go, celebrate, and please answer my little questionnaire (your gaming habits) as I've been pestering on your behalf for months

Originally Posted by Tenebra

I do have an idea about the "soon" (more than an idea, to be honest), but since the digital distributor hasn't given us a date yet I'd rather keep it for myself

Originally Posted by Tenebra

Yes, I'm afraid. I know, it's not ideal but it brings the cost down - to you, first of all.

Originally Posted by Tenebra

Please don't start begging for a release date. I already had to make a case for releasing this info now rather than holding it until 3 days before the actual release of the download, so if you want me to carry on with my line ("the community needs to know *now*") then please support my case Otherwise I'll have to bow at other beings and tell them they're right to withold info, do you really want that?
We're talking about weeks, not months. Once I have a solid date from the digital distributor, I will post it in the forum straight away

Free content - it's one big pack for only 9.99 euros. If you prefer, I can say 30 vehicles at 9.99 euros plus 16 free. I'm not that mental.

I'll check the technical sides of this, ie reinstalling and patch, hopefully I'll be able to get back to you tomorrow.

I totally understand your frustration for the lack of a physical (DVD) version but the only way we could keep it cheap was going for download only

Originally Posted by Tenebra

Righto, some answers for you:

* Like in the X360 version, vehicles from the pack will look like default vehicles to those who haven't purchased and installed the pack (no special servers)

* Download size is 200Mbs

* If a player needs to reinstall TDU, he will need to reinstall the pack afterwards

* the pack can be used without the patch

Originally Posted by Tenebra

That's the one question I'm chasing clarification for. The answer I got leads to another question, I'll get back to you on this when I have the full answer

Originally Posted by Tenebra

Nononono, no monthly payment. It's a one off as if you bought a disk, that's all We already sell digital versions of our games via Metaboli in Europe (and I believe Digital River in the US)

Originally Posted by Tenebra

Please, no rumours on dates. We don't have a date at the moment.

Originally Posted by Tenebra

Pack localisation: I have just received confirmation that the pack works with all European languages, and it's also compatible with the Polish and Japanese versions. However, the pack does not work with the Russian version.

Originally Posted by Tenebra

DriftNismo, I think that Metaboli only accepts cards, I'm afraid. I am looking into alternatives for those of you who don't have one.

Originally Posted by Tenebra

I'll look into the Russian issue.

As for the credit card/download issue, the easy solution I can think of is for us at the UK office to burn the pack onto a dvd and send it out upon receipt of cash or a cheque. Is it something you'd be happy with?

I'm not promising anything at this stage - I'm happy to do it from a logistics point of view but I need to check with the Finance Director if it's doable, but I'd like your opinion first. With some notice, I can most probably have this organised so that you get it bang on on release day.

Originally Posted by Tenebra

I'll look into the Paypall option as well, I do understand that the credit card payment is quite restrictive, I'm trying to make things as accessible and easy for everybody, your input is most appreciated.

[kalniel]

Some more..

Originally Posted by tenebra

As for the release date, we're ready and waiting for Atari US to be ready to press the button so that we have a worldwise synchronised release. A bit of patience, it shouldn't be too long at all

Originally Posted by tenebra

You'll get change

Originally Posted by tenebra

You know I don't have an answer, otherwise it'd be already here I'm not exactly known for withdrawing info from the community, am I?

Originally Posted by tenebra

*looks at the collection of forum members pulp stored in jars and realises no new additions have been acquired in a long time*

Guys, I know you're impatient, I know you want cars, it's just not that simple, as some of you said. Legal...blah blah...setting up a distributor...blah blah...

I know it's boring but that's how it works. I'll keep you posted.

Originally Posted by tenebra

Guys, I'm not teasing, I'm not holding back any info, you know everything I know. Atari US is sorting things out at their end and once they're ready we will both push the button. I don't have any indication whatsoever of the timeframe at this stage. I'm not keeping anything for myself. I stand exactly where you stand.

Very good point. I'm looking into this.

[kalniel]

A little one

Originally Posted by tenebra

Hi Domino, I understand your thoughts but as I explained the issue here is that 2 publishers are involved - Atari Europe and Atari US. Unfortunately this involves a great level of co-ordination as we need to release the pack simultaneously.

You have concrete, official information - the pack is coming. We're just missing a release date, and this will be announced as soon as it's set in stone.

[kalniel]

A little one:

Originally Posted by tenebra

Hi guys

apologies for the silence - unfortunately there was little I could do over the weekend.

There will be an announcement for Europe very soon.

Originally Posted by Tenebra

If I had a date or a time I would have posted it instead of using the word "soon"

Rest sure that I'll be here posting the minute the annoucement gets in my inbox