TOCA Race Driver 2: Ultimate Racing Simulator release date
by VGLN Staff

Tuesday, February 10, 2004

Racing simulator looks to arrive on the scene in Spring.

Codemasters’ informed VGLN.com this week that TOCA Race Driver 2: Ultimate Racing Simulator (confirmed as official worldwide title of the game) will be shipping this spring 2004 for the Xbox video game system from Microsoft.

TOCA Race Driver 2’s “Terminal Damage Engine” is a realistic damage engine and claims to affect the performance of each of the different 35 in-game cars when they becomg progressively damaged. Windows smash, doors can be ripped open, and a head-on collision can end the race.

Racers get both audio and visual cues when damage is inflicted. In addition to the detailed body-panel deformation and paint chips and bits lying on the race track, drivers will be able to hear the gearbox dropping gears, engine clanking, brakes screaming and other internal malfunctions.

The player won’t be punished too much. “Race Over” means just for that particular race. The save system in TOCA Race Driver 2 saves after every event, so the player will only have to re-run that one race in order to progress.

The damage model system is based on detailed observation of real-life motor sports crashes for the ultimate in authenticity. Each vehicle model contains thousands of deformation points (and collision consequences are computed in real-time), so the crash effects occur exactly as they would in real life.

The “Terminal Damage Engine” is fully scaled and allows for relative vehicle weights and forces, and can leave racers without windscreens, bumpers, and doors. Crash into one of the 4-ton trucks and the results are unthinkable.

TOCA Race Driver 2 will feature 31 championships, cover 15 different motor racing styles including GT Sports Car Racing, Street Racing, Rally, DTM, V8 Supercars, Global GT Lights, Rally Cross, Formula Ford, Open Wheel Grand Prix, Classic Car Racing, Super Truck racing, Stockcar Oval Racing, Ice-Racing, Convertible Racing, and Performance Cars.

TOCA Race Driver 2: Ultimate Racing Simulator will have complete online functionality featuring head to head play for both Xbox Live.

--- Paul