Summary
Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crownlooks promising, but it comes with a downside that may turn away interested players, and that’s an always-online requirement.Solar Crownis anupcomingracing gamewith a focus on its multiplayer sandbox. Slated for a 2024 release, the game leans into its branding not only as a racer but as a lifestyle experience, allowing players to explore the lush nature of Hong Kong Island, complete with offroad driving, at 1:1 scale to the real-world location.
Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown’s online connection is required not just to access the online features, but to work in general. This aspect of the game is a red flag to some, as there are some people who have current-gen systems but do not necessarily have consistent or quality online access. Because of this one requirement, some would-be players may choose tospend money on a different racer.
Test Drive Unlimited’s Always Online Requirement Continues an Industry Trend
An online requirement has become a trend with newer games, with a noteworthy example beingArkane’sRedfall, a game where the developer ultimately began to work on enabling an offline single-player mode after enough outcry from fans.Solar Crown’s developer KT Racing has quality on the mind at the moment, as the studio stated in a press release that it is focusing on ironing out the game’s performance and stability before giving out a release date, but it will be interesting to see if the developer acknowledges concerns from fans aboutSolar Crown’s always-online nature.
Despite these concerns, gaming has been entering a new status quo for some time now. With so many devices that rely on the internet, and better internet being more easily accessible in most areas, it is a certainty that some games will use that reliance to their advantage.
