The Driver brand is a global phenomenon that has achieved sales in excess of 11 million units worldwide. The new title is scheduled to ship in early 2006 for play on the Xbox® video game system from Microsoft, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and personal computer.

"The approach, style and gameplay of the original Driver game spawned a multi-million selling global video game franchise that set the pace for the action driving genre explosion of recent times, " said Cyril Voiron, Marketing Director, Atari Europe. "For the return of the franchise that started it all, we are focusing on the key qualities that attract millions of fans to the Driver brand and make it the success that it is."

Without yet revealing details, the brand will return to its game play roots with a highly sophisticated, adrenaline-pumping car chase AI and unprecedented vehicle dynamics and physics. The new game is set in a photorealistic interpretation of New York City, features a seamless open mission structure integrated around a central storyline, and will be one of the first games of the genre to incorporate online play for console versions.