Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown commits to at least eight seasons, teases possible Pagani return

Developer KT Racing is committed to Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown for at least another year – despite some speculation about the WRC licence returning to publisher Nacon impacting the open-world title.

In fact, a deluge of information, teasers and roadmaps is expected in the coming months.

An upcoming ‘Year 2 Developer Diary’ video is currently being lined up for release in July, that, according to publisher Nacon, will be the “biggest yet” with insight into graphical improvements expected later this year (season 5) and further features, like homes, expected across the next 12 months.

“This [dev diary video] will go into detail on what you can expect to see in Season 4, Season 5, Season 6, Season 7, and Season 8 of TDUSC,” claims the most recent blog post for the game.

“I can confirm to you that the team we have on Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown is dedicated to Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown. We will not be removing people from Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown to go to WRC,” said Alexander Arthur (aka Alex VII), Racing Content Manager at Nacon, recently via his YouTube channel.

5 new car brands

Across the ‘Year 2’ content, more cars will be added, and the developers have also confirmed this will include five new brands, too.

Part of this will be to combat a relative lack of cars from Asian companies, and one in particular is said to be a returning brand seen in prior Test Drive Unlimited games. The clue “sì, sì, sì” is provided.

This, to Traxion, indicates an Italian marque. 

Existing Italian brands in Solar Crown are:

• Abarth
• Alfa Romeo
• Ferrari
• Lancia
• Lamborghini
• Maserati
• Pininfarina

An Italian brand last seen in Test Drive Unlimited 2, but not seen in TDUSC is Pagani. Thus, we think this is one of the five extra car brands on the way.

Network improvements

Solar Crown has been designed from the outset to be a connected MMO title – but for cars. However, its server performance at launch was woeful, and there are still frailties to the system.

“This is something we are going to continue to improve over the next Seasons to make sure things like group play in races, freeroam, and other areas of the game work more efficiently,” said Nacon.

It also condoms that work will continue throughout ‘Year 2’ with an “exciting way to improve the matchmaking”.

However, as discussed with Traxion a year ago, any pure offline mode will remain for when the game reaches end-of-life status.

Season 4 expectations

Season 4 for Solar Crown will arrive “mid-July” and, as previously covered, the Casino will arrive – a missing feature that has been teased since the very first game trailer and the reason it carries an 18+ age rating.

It seems as if this feature also comes with a regional restriction, as “the Casino will not be available in all countries where TDUSC is playable” due to “restrictions on ratings and gambling.”

At launch, playable slot machines will feature, but the ability to cash out money will be missing. It is confirmed for a later update, however.

Also discussed last month was the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series and Aston Martin DB11/12 Volante, plus changes to car distribution and the option to remove the HUD.

The fresh information, however, is that the Solar Pass (where you earn XP to progress through limited-time levels to unlock items, like a Battle Pass or F1 Podium Pass) switches on the paid-for option next season.

Using real-world currency, players have the option of purchasing Diamonds, and Diamonds can buy a paid Solar Pass. A Solar Pass is 600 diamonds, and it sounds like packs of diamonds start with 500. In Season 4, as a “special welcome offer”, there will be 600 for €4.99 / $4.99.

Those who have the Silver or Gold edition game can redeem a Solar Pass for no further charge, as it was part of their purchase pack.

The Solar Pass progression will also incorporate the following changes alongside increased XP income from completing daily challenges and making it 30 per cent quicker to complete:

• At Level 50, all players can unlock the signature vehicle of the season. 
• If you own the Solar Pass, you’ll get even more: At Level 1, instantly unlock an exclusive vehicle the moment you buy the Solar Pass. At Level 15, you can grab another vehicle. (This vehicle can also be obtained instantly with the VIP Solar Pass) And at Level 50, join everyone in unlocking the signature vehicle of the Season

We’ll be back once all the Season 4 update changes are announced and to deep-dive on the ‘Year 2’ development update video.