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[-bakalhau-]

In terms of scale, the game measure in real miles, rather than scaled ones. The bottom right corner of miami to the top left corner of the map is about 100 miles, with no straight route to get there. I drove from Detroit to Washington, to NYC to Miami and that probably took over an hour. It has an impressive number of towns and cities and they're very reminiscent of their real life counterparts, though aren't hugely detailed. There are some notable ones missing, like Orlando and Houston, but it still had the likes of Daytona and Tampa. Graphically, it's not so hot. On ultra it was reminiscent idea mid gen ps360 title. The scale is so utterly ludicrous that it gets away with it though. Oh, and you can drive almost anywhere.

It feels next-gen in some aspects, the cities are pretty detailed and seem to be up a notch from open world cities in the Xbox/PS3. Lighting is great, view distance is amazing, you can see mountains a huge distance off and drive to them. The world is huge, it is freaking huge. There's animals roaming in the wild and people roaming on the streets in the cities and villages. The reflections are off and seem low-res, and traffc cars' reflections are very very sub-par. The actual cars themselves while driving don't really appear next-gen.

I traveled around a bit in Los Angeles for a specific reason. I wanted to know the cities' scale compared to some other games. In my honest opinion in this ame LA, for example, is as big as LA in Midnight Club: LA. Now that's pretty cool. The sense of scale is really well done because in the desert you have small villages with motels but when you get to New York or LA it is appropriately huge.

If you've played MC: LA and know that this LA is as big or at least close to it, ten take a look at the game's map and roads, it just becomes very clear how huge this thing is.

And it's not boring to travel either. Graphics for me end up being good despite everything because the scale is well done and most of all the world is varied. Lots of little details, and the visuals come together very well with the aforementioned scale. It's a step up from the TDU1/2 worlds, where I felt a lot of copy pasting.

 

[trinest]

I checked out a stream and the fella said he'd got the OK to stream it, and to ignore the NDA notice. I guess it must have been left in this version by mistake.

Isn't it the build from E3? I imagine its an all purpose build. (Or am I confused with The Sims?)

 

[LiquidMetal14]

Game is pretty awesome. Feels MMO-ish but very cohesive. Loved the world design as well.

 

[craigrushforth]

I have a code that I'm probably not going to use.

If anyone wants it first to PM me can have it.

 

[craigrushforth]

Code went to Phloxy.

 

[LtOrange]

I really want to give this a try. The streams make it look like something I would enjoy.

 

[RazorbackDB]

I think people need to understand that this isn't trying to be a sim racer in any way, the graphics are fine, the handling is fine.

 

[Glass Shark]

If I don't have a code yet, that means I didn't get in?

 

[Overdoziz]

Forgot I even signed up for this. Got an email a couple of days ago about the beta, but no code yet sadly.

If I don't have a code yet, that means I didn't get in?

I think they're giving them out throughout the week.

 

[ph00p]

Could I have a code?

 

[Hip Hop]

Anyone got a code to give out?

$5 Paypal or Amazon GC.

I need this!!!

 

[TheHollowNight]

Just watched Danny on Gamespot play it and he seemed to have a blast, which as a developer on the game, is all I care about. If people are having fun, that's all that matters to me.

People are getting genuinely blown away from the scale from the sounds of things. I got my bro a spare key from work and he was impressed by the sheer size of the world. It's just weird to see this in public hands after working on it for a year and a half. So yeah, good stuff

 

[aravuus]

Code went to Phloxy.

Fcuk

 

[Hip Hop]

Just watched Danny on Gamespot play it and he seemed to have a blast, which as a developer on the game, is all I care about. If people are having fun, that's all that matters. People are getting genuinely blown away from the scale from the sounds of things. I got my bro a spare key from work and he was impressed by the sheer size of the world. So yeah, good stuff

It's like what I always wanted from a spiritual successor of Test Drive Unlimited 2, one of my favorite racing games last gen. Some people complained that TDU2 didn't have the best driving mechanics, but I looked at all the other stuff it offered and it more than made up for it.

 

[TheHollowNight]

It's like what I always wanted from a spiritual successor of Test Drive Unlimited 2, one of my favorite racing games last gen. Some people complained that TDU2 didn't have the best driving mechanics, but I looked at all the other stuff it offered and it more than made up for it.

Yeah, I mean, there are a ton of things about the crew that personally drive me nuts as a designer. But I've probably been scrutinizing it so much, that I'm not seeing the bigger picture of what the game is offering up. Seeing it out in the wild is a big relief knowing that folks are finding a lot of enjoyment with the content.

Is the beta only for US residents?

I don't know all the territories in which this beta is available, but definitely in the US and Europe (if not potentially worldwide). I haven't really been paying attention to those aspects during the run up to us launching it. All I know is a lot of people were surprised that it was even on PC at all haha

 

[sunnz]

It's like what I always wanted from a spiritual successor of Test Drive Unlimited 2, one of my favorite racing games last gen. Some people complained that TDU2 didn't have the best driving mechanics, but I looked at all the other stuff it offered and it more than made up for it.

I am pretty critical of driving physics but I enjoyed TDU 2's driving. Great challenge to drive cars.
If it is similar to that then I am ok with it.

I am just glad that we are seeing these massive open world driving games, hope it sells very well and makes it so we see more of these games ( TDU 3?)


Is the beta only for US residents?

 

[-bakalhau-]

Just watched Danny on Gamespot play it and he seemed to have a blast, which as a developer on the game, is all I care about. If people are having fun, that's all that matters to me.

People are getting genuinely blown away from the scale from the sounds of things. I got my bro a spare key from work and he was impressed by the sheer size of the world. It's just weird to see this in public hands after working on it for a year and a half. So yeah, good stuff

Glad to have you here and glad you're pleased with our response Man, I just feel like shooting a million different questions at you about the game's engine and design.

 

[low-G]

Woof, also looking on YouTube, I agree it's not looking too hot. I was considering picking this up on PS4, but I may give it a pass. Lots of other games to get into coming out.

 

[TheHollowNight]

Glad to have you here and glad you're pleased with our response Man, I just feel like shooting a million different questions at you about the game's engine and design.

I'm sure there's a few things I could answer!

 

[Megasoum]

Still nothing in my inbox /sadpanda

 

[The Cowboy]

No key yet, /me = sad.
---
Just watching some nice quality maxed out footage, i really do not get how people are saying this is ugly, considering its scale its not just decent looking - its actually quite great looking.

 

[Skyfireblaze]

The scale of this game is incomprehensible... I was in New York and set the in-game GPS to Seattle... I drove ONE REAL HOUR till I reached it and that was just driving mostly in a straight line as the GPS told me... my god... o.o

 

[VE3TRO]

Just got a key. Are we allowed to show videos?

Pretty funny I received my key as the Need for Speed film I was watching finished. How limited is the car selection for the beta?

 

[jesu]

No key for me yet...
How is the handling compared to other racers?I played most of them last gen but not the Test Drive games!
I prefer arcadey to sim...

 

[ViciousDS]

The scale of this game is incomprehensible... I was in New York and set the in-game GPS to Seattle... I drove ONE REAL HOUR till I reached it and that was just driving mostly in a straight line as the GPS told me... my god... o.o

Blast that means fuel is still bigger and by a LOT.

 

[Sodding_Gamer]

No key for me yet...
How is the handling compared to other racers?I played most of them last gen but not the Test Drive games!
I prefer arcadey to sim...

It's definitely got an arcadey feel to it. It reminds me of Forza Horizon in that respect. Although I only drove a few cars. The physics is rather weird though when you are in the air. It doesn't like you being in the air, much like Dirt series.

It's definitely got me interested in the game though.

 

[Dilly]

I am pretty critical of driving physics but I enjoyed TDU 2's driving. Great challenge to drive cars.
If it is similar to that then I am ok with it.

I am just glad that we are seeing these massive open world driving games, hope it sells very well and makes it so we see more of these games ( TDU 3?)


Is the beta only for US residents?

This is TDU3, the team behind the crew mainly consists of people who made TDU1 and 2.

 

[PaulLFC]

I need to play this more to test, but it wasn't detecting my DS4 (connected via USB with DS4Windows) properly yesterday. It's fine in the menus, but when starting the first driving section, the car would just accelerate a bit and then slow down until it came to a stop.

It works with a keyboard, but driving with a keyboard...

 

[GlamFM]

So this game is actually pretty good?

 

[Hasney]

Really disliked what I played at my friends, just do not get on with it at all, so someone else can have this:

Instructions for participants:
I am giving away a Steam key. To enter this giveaway, send a PM to ModBot with any subject line. In the body, copy and paste the entire line from the message below containing the game you want to enter for. Confused? Watch this GIF tutorial or ask for help.

ModBot Basics:
- This is a giveaway for the thread url: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=857170.
- This giveaway has a manual blocklist. The giver has identified members who abuse giveaways and restricted them from participating.
- I really appreciate thank you messages, but please send them to me (Hasney, not ModBot!) via PM instead of in thread.
- Do not trade keys you win off-site to enrich yourself. Don't try to claim games you have no interest in collecting or playing. Don't claim games to give them to friends off-site.
- If the key is already taken you will not receive a reply. Replies may take a minute or two.

Rules for this Giveaway:
- This giveaway is a raffle. The winners will be selected by random draw 3 hours after the draw was created. Any games not claimed after that point will be given away first come first serve.


The Crew Beta Key -- MB-1DA64D6DB2065705 - Taken by The Cowboy. 22 entrants total.

 

[red731]

hai guiz, pls gib beta code. pm pls luv <3 xoxo
#meow #yurop

 

[Newline]

Gameplay wise it's great, but it looks and runs like shit. Long as they can clean it up i'll be dipping in at launch.

 

[Piston Hyundai]

Gameplay wise it's great, but it looks and runs like shit.

Came here to say the same thing. It looks so rough, especially considering the framerate I'm getting.

 

[RawNuts]

Do any racing game fans have impressions on what the handling is like (maybe mention a title that it feels similar to)? I didn't get a key; was hoping to try it because the only thing that concerns me is how the driving feels, everything else looks awesome.

 

[Sodding_Gamer]

Do any racing game fans have impressions on what the handling is like (maybe mention a title that it feels similar to)? I didn't get a key; was hoping to try it because the only thing that concerns me is how the driving feels, everything else looks awesome.

Look at my last post. It's definitely arcade feel. The handling reminds me of Forza Horizon a tad. But the physics is rather wonky right now. Whether that will change for release I highly doubt.

Gameplay is great and graphics are ok. For the sheer scale of the map the graphics get a bit of a pass for me.

 

[Phinor]

I think people need to understand that this isn't trying to be a sim racer in any way, the graphics are fine, the handling is fine.

There's still a difference between sim racing, and driving that just feels good while not being simulation style. Forza is a good example of the latter.

Anyway, visually the game is a bit rough but if you take into account how vast the game world is, you just accept it. Obviously it'd be nice if at least on PC we could disable some of the effects that make the game look worse, like the grain effect etc. Maybe such features are coming for the release version. All in all, it looks like they are close to achieving what TDU games should have been.

Now will a game like this sell enough to warrant the high budget it (probably?) had? That's tough. Ubisoft has been known to put some serious money into marketing but I'm not sure..

 

[Hip Hop]

I need a key for this, can't wait until November to try out and nothing in my Email Contacted support but no luck (EA gives out beta codes if you ask ).

Thanks for the raffle opportunity Hasney.

 

[RawNuts]

Look at my last post. It's definitely arcade feel. The handling reminds me of Forza Horizon a tad. But the physics is rather wonky right now. Whether that will change for release I highly doubt.

Gameplay is great and graphics are ok. For the sheer scale of the map the graphics get a bit of a pass for me.

Does the beta allow you to change the assist settings as well? I think they're supposed to have three settings as far as handling goes.

I'm not expecting sim handling or anything, and mentioning Forza Horizon seems like it's going in the right direction for an arcade-style racer. You mention that the physics feel rather wonky, but does it still feel predictable at least? Like, does it give you a sense of confidence that the car is going to do what you expect it to do when you take a corner?

 

[Seanspeed]

There's still a difference between sim racing, and driving that just feels good while not being simulation style. Forza is a good example of the latter.

Anyway, visually the game is a bit rough but if you take into account how vast the game world is, you just accept it. Obviously it'd be nice if at least on PC we could disable some of the effects that make the game look worse, like the grain effect etc. Maybe such features are coming for the release version. All in all, it looks like they are close to achieving what TDU games should have been.

Now will a game like this sell enough to warrant the high budget it (probably?) had? That's tough. Ubisoft has been known to put some serious money into marketing but I'm not sure..

Forza is definitely a sim. Not a hardcore sim, but still very much a sim racer.

Unless you're talking about Horizon...

 

[elektrixx]

I can't reach the second checkpoint at the start. What am I missing? I boost but it's not enough.

 

[Sodding_Gamer]

Does the beta allow you to change the assist settings as well? I think they're supposed to have three settings as far as handling goes.

I'm not expecting sim handling or anything, and mentioning Forza Horizon seems like it's going in the right direction for an arcade-style racer. You mention that the physics feel rather wonky, but does it still feel predictable at least? Like, does it give you a sense of confidence that the car is going to do what you expect it to do when you take a corner?

I haven't looked at the settings as far as handling goes however I did see settings for Wheel configuration, which is kind of cool.

Physics feel fine on the road. They are just wonky off-road or when doing jumps and stuff. Has an odd weighty feel where the car wants to plummet to the ground. If you played Dirt2-3 and you went mid-air, the physics act just like that.

Long story short, Physics are dodgy when not on the road.

Really like the fact they have cockpit view in the game too.

 

[RawNuts]

I haven't looked at the settings as far as handling goes however I did see settings for Wheel configuration, which is kind of cool.

Physics feel fine on the road. They are just wonky off-road or when doing jumps and stuff. Has an odd weighty feel where the car wants to plummet to the ground. If you played Dirt2-3 and you went mid-air, the physics act just like that.

Long story short, Physics are dodgy when not on the road.

Really like the fact they have cockpit view in the game too.

I think I get what you're talking about there; thanks for the impressions.

 

[Sodding_Gamer]

I think I get what you're talking about there; thanks for the impressions.

No worries

I'll blast a bit more of it tonight and post any more findings on here for anyone interested.

 

[LilJoka]

Got my key today will check it out, how big is the download and how big is the install?

 

[twisted89]

Got my key today will check it out, how big is the download and how big is the install?

Think someone said it was about 15gb download, no idea about install.

 

[RaceManIak]

I very liked what I saw of the Crew yesterday, it looks like a mix between TDU1 and Driver San Francisco and I liked those games A LOT.

 

[Piston Hyundai]

Holy shit, MSAA 4X and 8X bring this game to a crawl.

 

[The Cowboy]

/cries, come on Ubi hit me up with a key, i really want to try this out, after that teaser/trolling email on Saturday you owe me .

 

[Denton]

Just watched Danny on Gamespot play it and he seemed to have a blast, which as a developer on the game, is all I care about. If people are having fun, that's all that matters to me.

People are getting genuinely blown away from the scale from the sounds of things. I got my bro a spare key from work and he was impressed by the sheer size of the world. It's just weird to see this in public hands after working on it for a year and a half. So yeah, good stuff

Please ask the programmers to make sure the game is framerate unlocked and has great vsync and triple buffering implementation. Some Ubi games recently failed at this basic stuff (watchdogs, AC4) and have gotten horrible rep as bad pc ports, despite otherwise being perfect. I am tired of using D3D Overrider just to get synced nonteared image.
I am very excited about this game so I hope it won't suffer from any unnecessary issues.

Also, SMAA support would be great.

 

[Sodding_Gamer]

Holy shit, MSAA 4X and 8X bring this game to a crawl.

Yup I stuck to TXAA which was as default. Everything was maxed but this. I tried MSAA 8x (I have an overclocked GTX 770) and it went into slow-mo. frame rate took a dive, off a cliff.