First look: Test Drive Xbox

Infogrames has announced its first game for the Microsoft Xbox. The company will release a version of the latest game in its Test Drive series on Microsoft's next-generation console. The game's developer, Pitbull Syndicate, is creating an entirely new graphics engine for this latest game in the series. The developer hopes to improve the visual detail and quality of the series by utilizing specific graphical effects such as optimized vertex shading, per-pixel lighting, realistic light sourcing, reflection mapping, and environmental mapping in the Xbox version of the game. The game's courses will be set in four real-world locations, including London and San Francisco. Infogrames promises that each location will have multiple paths, aggressive traffic, pedestrians, and relentless cops who will try to chase the player down. A four-player split-screen option will also be available in the game.

As with the previous games in the series, Test Drive will opt for a more arcadelike gameplay style, as opposed to the more simulation-based driving games. However, several licensed vehicles, including exotic sports cars such as the Jaguar XK-R, Aston Martin DB7 Vantage, Lotus Esprit V8, and Nissan Skyline and American muscle cars such as the Dodge Viper GTS, Ford Mustang and Ford GT-40, Plymouth 'Cuda, and Dodge '69 Charger, will be featured in the game. Further licensed vehicles will be announced at a later date.

"The Xbox video game system supports features and technology that we've only dreamed of in Test Drive games of the past," Chris Downend, executive producer of racing titles at Infogrames' San Jose Label, said. "With the combination of highly sought-after licensed vehicles, action-packed Hollywood-style racing, and the exceptional graphics and technical capabilities of Xbox, Test Drive will have no limits."

Test Drive for the Microsoft Xbox will be released this fall.