Test Drive Unlimited 2 shifts to Q1 2011

After a four-year hiatus, Atari made the surprise announcement in March that it would finally be delivering the long-awaited sequel to 2006's open-world racer Test Drive Unlimited by September this year.

Now, the publisher has revealed that it will be delaying the release of Test Drive Unlimited 2 to Q1 2011. The move was done to provide developer Eden Games more time to polish the game's connected console multiplayer experience.

Eden Games studio manager David Nadal said the extra time will also allow his team to take into account consumer feedback. The game's beta has also been pushed back to coincide with the new release schedule and will be confirmed by Atari in the coming weeks.

As consolation, the publisher announced it will reward gamers already signed up to the beta with an as-yet-unannounced exclusive in-game item.

Test Drive Unlimited 2 will see players racing in locations that include the Spanish party hotspot Ibiza and the paradise island of Oahu from the original title. In addition to new vehicles, race types, and a revamped single-player mode that can be played online or off, the game will give players the chance to build and grow in-game clubs composed of friend networks.

Test Drive Unlimited 2 will be available on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC.