With Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown set for a September release as a car MMO, testing its network-connected abilities will be key to a smooth launch – and now those with a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X|S can be part of a beta to do just that.
This follows a limited-time demo on PC – with restricted progress – which acted as a form of open beta, back in June.
Those who have pre-ordered the Gold digital edition can access the ‘VIP’ beta from today, 13th August, running until 18th August. This version retails for $89.99/€89.99/£74.99 and includes seven days of early access when the game releases alongside additional cars and cosmetic items.
A second console beta, dubbed the ‘closed beta’, then begins 27th August until the 30th. Once again, those who have pre-ordered the digital Gold edition will receive access, but so will those who have orders for the digital Streets Silver/Sharps Silver editions and the physical Collector Edition.
The Streets Silver/Sharps Silver versions are $79.99/€79.99/£64.99. They both include clan-related cosmetic items but differ in included bonus cars. The Range Rover Sport SVR and Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG come with the Street Silver edition, while the Sharps Silver edition is equipped with the Jaguar F-Type SVR Coupe and Audi R8 Spyder V10 RWS.
Meanwhile, the all-singing-all-dancing Collector Editon is €249.90 with all the digital goodies mentioned in the other versions plus, among other items, a leather key ring, ceramic casino chip, cufflinks and a Porsche 918 Spyder model car.
Those who have pre-ordered the regular edition or would like to check out the game before making a purchasing decision are excluded for now. The work-in-progress build for the beta will run at 30 frames per second, whereas the final game will hit 60.
This is particularly contentious, as those who own a PC did not need to confirm ownership of the game to gain demo access.
Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown is not alone in employing similar tactics, with games such as Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 also requiring a pre-order to test beta builds.
The completed game will be released on 12th September 2024 for PC and the two consoles, with a plan for live service support in the years following.
Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown PS5 and Xbox Series X|S beta at a glance
- VIP Beta: 13th August 8 am UTC – 18th August 2024 8 am UTC, for those with Gold digital edition pre-orders on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S
- Closed Beta: 27th August 8 am UTC – 30th August 2024 2024 8 am UTC, for those with Gold, Streets Silver, Streets Sharps digital edition or physical Collector Edition pre-orders on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S
