Split/Second rolls out May 18

Disney is scaling back its investment on "highest end" console games, but the publisher's not done with that market quite yet. Today the publisher announced that it will launch Black Rock Studio's Split/Second on May 18 in the US, with a European launch following May 21.

Described as "racing through an adventure game" by one of the developers, Split/Second is set in a fictional TV racing show where safety concerns get a well-deserved DNF. By skillfully employing driving techniques like drifting and drafting, players will fill up a power meter. Once full, the meter allows players to trigger all manner of explosive catastrophe on and around the track, from bursting water pipes in opponents' paths to dropping cargo liners across the track and forcing players to take a detour or shortcut.

Black Rock Studio is best known as the developer behind all-terrain vehicle racer Pure. While Split/Second will be just the second game to bear the studio's name, it developed its racing game acumen as Climax Racing, developer of 2002's MotoGP for the Xbox and Sony's ATV Offroad Fury series. The studio was acquired by Buena Vista Games (now Disney Interactive Studios) in 2006.

Split/Second will be released for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. For more on the game, check out GameSpot's latest preview.