TDK today issued a press release informing we will be seeing a brand new racer on the shelves next week in Europe. Read on for the juice...

TDK Mediactive Europe announced today the imminent release of its action-packed 3D racing-simulation game 'World Racing'. Developed in close cooperation with Mercedes-Benz, 'World Racing' is a virtual driving experience offering an extensive range of current, vintage, racing and even prototype cars - some shown here for the very first time in the public domain.

'World Racing' will speed into retail in first place for the Xbox video game system from Microsoft on February 28th 2003. After a short development pit stop it will also race in for the Sony PlayStation2 computer entertainment system and the Nintendo GameCube video game system. A PC release is also anticipated at the end of the first quarter 2003.

Barry Stearns, National Account Manager for TDK, said: "Excitement is mounting as we prepare for the launch of our highly anticipated World Racing title across the next generation platforms. Do you have nerves of steel and the stamina to take on the 'wall-of-death' in the ultimate test of endurance? or the racing lines and skill to burn up your opponents? If so, pull on your driving gloves and get the stop clocks ready as you prepare to enter this visually stunning driving spectacular. "

'World Racing' features a revolutionary 3D Landscape Engine, which not only creates separate race tracks but facilitates the creation of kilometre long 3D sceneries allowing a 'virtually realistic' full driving experience on the race tracks and also off the road. The player can select his favourite model car from a nearly complete current range of cars from Mercedes-Benz. Each model is sculptured based on original data from Mercedes-Benz.

'World Racing' offers training missions, race and championship modes and also mission based play. Advanced technologies allow each driver to develop its own character and driving history to enable them to master and accomplish different skills and missions successfully.

Key features of 'World Racing' will include:

A new dimension to graphical display: The new 3D Landscape Engine, developed especially for this game, combines the excellent spatial representation of complete scenarios of up to 6 km2, tracks up to 46 km long, and variations in altitude of up to 400 m, with a high-resolution vehicle display. Canyons and mountain ranges, deserts and river courses, weather effects and seasons: each vehicle can be tested under different conditions in 7 scenarios from all over the world.

Virtual reality simulation: Over 150 different variables allow players to develop a highly complex simulation of the whole driving experience, or to create fast fun runs in arcade mode. Mercedes-Benz has provided original technical data for the game. There is also a complex car damage model integrated, displaying all damages in many different levels.

An exciting drive: The quality of the 3D graphics, top-quality landscape display and the realistic car handling simulation combine to create a whole new experience in the car racing genre. Levels of difficulty that can be set to any level, three different game modes in single-player mode, plus a multi-player mode (4 Players Splitscreen), bring virtual driving to life.

Fascinating game design: The mission-based structure of the game provides more than a sequence of race tracks. Players can develop their own character, from Rookie to the Mercedes-Benz works driver to No� 1. As they master the different tasks, they gain access to new vehicles.

Unique original cars: World Racing offers for the first time the almost complete range of its current production line, and many classic cars and racing cars (e.g. CLK GTR, C-Class DTM, C 112). All the cars are drawn with around 15,000 polygons and modelled on original data. Players can choose from some 109 car variants.

'World Racing' also features soundtracks which have been specially written and adapted for the game by the Ministry of Sound including a breakbeat track and a vocal trance. In Germany the hit single "Explode!" which was written for the game by DJs Jordan & Baker will also be featured on the Ministry of Sound Germany Annual Album for 2003.

'World Racing' is being developed by Synetic, G�tersloh, Germany.