Test Drive Unlimited 2 goes gold

Atari sent word today that following a delay in August, Eden Games' Test Drive Unlimited 2's engine is revved and ready to debut for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC on February 8 in North America.

Test Drive Unlimited 2--due out in Europe on March 11--is being touted as a game that "blends the single and multiplayer experiences seamlessly" by offering gamers what it calls M.O.O.R., an acronym that stands for Massively Open Online Racing.

Additionally, the title sports a day/night cycle, vehicle damage, and weather-based effects, as well as various cosmetic options that will ultimately afford players the "accoutrements of a luxurious car-based lifestyle."

Gamers looking to score additional items and features for the racing title can preorder Test Drive Unlimited 2 at various retails. Those who reserve the title at specialty retailer GameStop will earn the Casino Online downloadable content, while those who preorder the game at Amazon, Best Buy, Atari.com, Direct 2 Drive, K-Mart, Steam, and Wal-Mart will receive an exclusive vehicle. For more on the preorder incentives, check out the entry on Test Drive Unlimited 2's website.

Test Drive Unlimited 2 will see players racing in locations that include the Spanish party hot spot 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.

For more on the racing game, check out GameSpot's most recent hands-on preview of Test Drive Unlimited 2.