Test Drive Unlimited

Another twist on in-game economy was released this week for the Xbox 360. Atari’s Test Drive Unlimited is a pseudo-MMOG driving/racing game. Over 1000 miles of of Hawaii’s Oahu island are available both in single-player and multi-player modes. You can race a variety of challenges against AI or against other players across the world.




In addition to customizable avatars, houses to own and creation of original race challenges, there isan in-world economy. As you buy and modify vehicles you have the option to sell to other players, using profits on additional clothing and vehicles.

While Microsoft has yet to implement their promised in-world customization (from the beginning of the 360 they have talked about custom content creators creating things like clothing for in-world use and purchase through the marketplace) it is an interesting step despite its limitations and of course no real-world monetary gain.

It will be interesting to see if additional titles take on these aspects of in-world creativity and economy on the road to additional worlds created and possibly owned by their users.

I was wondering about this very thing yesterday - http://blog.rebang.com/?p=997

Thanks.

There are three tiers of content providers for Xbox Live Marketplace, the third being totally in-game content such as custom clothing, weapons and more. My guess is the link between the top tier (the game developers) nd that tier has yet to be worked out, and may even be delayed for the impending release of "Live Anywhere", the link between Xbox 360, PC and other devices. In the end MarketPlace Points have been alluded to in a similar sense to L$, with a cash-out prospect in the future.

If you are interested in this type of development be sure to look at Microsoft's requirements for this tier. I belive it will change radically next Spring with the Professional release of the XNA Game Studio product. I'd certainly love more direct information, but it does seem many of the principles of user-created and owned content are coming to Xbox Live sooner rather than later.

Thanks again. I've not done enough investigating of late. The info is appreciated.

I stumbled across the new location of the information...

From: Xbox 360 Registered Content Creator Program

The Xbox 360 Registered Content Creator Program is designed to allow established freelance content creators (composers, sound designers, and artists) access to Xbox 360 content creation tools, hardware, and support in order to familiarize themselves with the architecture, and to be able to bid for and secure projects for the Xbox console. This program is unrelated to specific “gigs” working on particular games – contracted positions for content creators are offered by individual game developers such as Microsoft Game Studios.

You can read the details here:

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/dev/contentproviders.htm

I think there are coming changes to the program as I mentioned regarding the XNA Developer Studio. One cool thing though is with the Professional release you and others will have the chance to deliver full applications into the MarketPlace for profit.

Down with Microsoft!

Anyone playing TDU on 360? I thought about forming a Second Life Refugees Club, but I'm not spending $750,000 if no one else is playing!

fiiiine. I'll take that as a no then! *shrug* saves me three quarters of a million bucks I can go buy a 10th car with