Black Rock wants Split/Second feedback

By Wesley Yin-Poole Published 11 August, 2010

Will help shape DLC and future titles.

Brighton developer Black Rock Studios has called on gamers to give it feedback on racer Split/Second: Velocity.

It's launched an online survey it hopes will help shape downloadable content and future titles.

On Monday Black Rock Studios' Facebook page revealed plans to release four downloadable content packs for Split/Second, including a new environment.

The first three will be vehicle-orientated and are due "in the next couple of weeks".

Finally, Black Rock will release a "major DLC pack featuring a new environment" for the game in September.

Yesterday Black Rock released a Split/Second title update, which grants the ability to filter lobbies dependant on car class – a change based on feedback garnered from forums and Facebook.

Split/Second: Velocity came out for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 in May.

It allows players to trigger explosions and track-changing demolitions to take down their opponents and make progress through the field.

We thought it was great, and awarded it 8/10.

Picture of Wesley.

About Wesley Yin-Poole

Wesley is Eurogamer's news editor. He likes news, interviews, and more news. He also likes Street Fighter more than anyone can get him to shut up about it.

Read more articles from Wesley by visiting the Wesley Yin-Poole archive page.

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Comments (47) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • mfnick #1 2 years ago

    I absolutely loved the game. Just give me more tracks & i'll be happy. Especially if they have more huge powerplays like the Dam & Airport ones.

    Could do with sorting the online out too. You should be able to set a limit on which cars you can use or have them all unlocked (in MP) from the off. Otherwise people who havent played the SP much will always get battered when going online. I know this pissed off a lot of people.

    Edt - Just read the entire piece (just read the headline & did the survey). Theyve already done that car class thing. Excellent.
    Edited by mfnick at 11/08/10 @ 11:30

  • bad09 #2 2 years ago

    Well I can only give feedback from the PC demo I tried. It was awful.

  • Ryboy #3 2 years ago

    Superb game, but the UI needs a complete overhaul. Especially on the PC version.

  • clarkec321 #4 2 years ago

    Great game, ranks alongside Burnout Takedown & Revenge as my fave racer,

    I have no interest in cosmetic DLC (for any game ever) but a new circuit would be amazing.

    @bad09 Well, you're in no position to give feedback if you haven't even played the game.

  • jambii267 #5 2 years ago

    Stop the AI from cheating and you have a near perfect arcade racer.

  • Earlyflash #6 2 years ago

    Grr, my main gripe was the game was too damn hard, and the AI cheated outrageously. Of course, there is nothing in the survey to allow me to tell them that.. :(

  • Macdory #7 2 years ago

    I'll give you some feedback - fuck DLC, and focus on making a game that is fun, rather than looking at ways to fleece customers. That way, you may even achieve decent sales. Produce crap and then try and layer on DLC is just not gonna work i'm afraid.

  • darkmorgado #8 2 years ago

    Stop cheating/ rubberbanding AI

    More environments

    Allow me to use my powerplay gauge as a boost bar as well, as powerplays are useless when you're in first place and if you're in last place you need to get back in the race, not trigger explosions on unpopulated track.

    Oh, and make the time limits for hot laps more lenient. I had to use a bloody exploit to beat some of those lap times, as did many others.
    Edited by darkmorgado at 11/08/10 @ 10:51

  • the9000 #9 2 years ago

    I completely loved this. More tracks please!

    The only events I didn't like were the time trials where all the powerplays were auto-triggered, you were forced to use a certain vehicle, and there were no competitors on track. It lost all of the emergent madness that made the races so fantastic.

    I didn't think the AI was too hard or cheaty, felt just right to me. You had to fight tooth and claw for 1st, but it was so satisfying to win!

  • dr_zoidthrob #10 2 years ago

    Sort the AI out - it's just awful.


    Add a turbo boost (on the X button). Which would at least use the power-up bar when you're in the lead, you can't do anything with it even though you can keep adding to it. It would also be handy for when you get robbed on the line

    Oh wait, this need to go on the Facebook page, right?

    EDIT: Oh yeah, being able to knock the other cars would be a plus too


    @darkmorgado - Great minds, eh?
    Edited by dr_zoidthrob at 11/08/10 @ 11:18

  • Vitor #11 2 years ago

    More tracks and release the DLC for those of us who enjoy the game on PC! New skins/cars don't change the game enough, more track variety is a must as the power plays get old fast.

    Hell of a first impression though and still a blast, just not as deep as something like Burnout 3 (the pinnacle of arcade racing imho).

  • lucky_jim #12 2 years ago

    1- The detonator events are maddening, everything else is great.

    2- EG, the word you're looking for is "dependent", not "dependant". Argh! Sorry, I can't help it, these little things annoy me...

  • mfnick #13 2 years ago

    I liked the Detonator events :/

    I also liked the 'challenging' AI. *Shrugs* maybe gamers just want everything to be really easy these days...

  • bodypopper #14 2 years ago

    New tracks please. And Powerplays aren't as satisfying as Takedowns so a bit more hands on opponent wrecking would be nice. Without ripping off Burnout of course ;-).
    Missile launchers perhaps?
    Edited by bodypopper at 11/08/10 @ 11:14

  • dr_zoidthrob #15 2 years ago

    @mfnick I didn't find the AI overly 'challenging' - it just cheats... Badly. Mario Kart 64 badly in fact.

    Losing a five second lead in the space of one corner when you're going as fast as you can in the the current car is hugely unfair. It very nearly became a very good reason to return the game, which I didn't want to do

  • pacifika #16 2 years ago

    use the feedback form dudes they wont read this comment box. dont waste your time
    Edited by pacifika at 11/08/10 @ 11:26

  • DoctorFouad #17 2 years ago

    maybe they could create a 60 fps games ?

  • mfnick #18 2 years ago

    @Dr_Zoid - i didnt really find that. If I got that kind of lead they would eventually catch up (not that fast though) but even then, they still wouldnt overtake me unless I fucked up or if I let them past so I could hit them with a powerplay & get a good lead again. Which is another thing I liked about the AI - powerplays that dont work on you or other human opponents (that are any good anyway) would always work on AI - it kind of balanced things out.

    Either way, every race had a nailbiting finish & were very satisfying to win - many even ending in a split second finish. I loved that about it.

  • LR100 #19 2 years ago

    Seconding peoples suggestions about a turbo boost or a backwards activating power play if you are in front. Sort the AI out so you don't come last just because you turned a corner badly. I would like to see many more environments in DLC and potential sequels, at least 20.

    Hopefully the new one coming soon in DLC will be a forest set level. Imagine driving behind Niagra falls, giant trees falling down etc. I enjoyed this game quite a bit, but like Blur, the single player mode was stretched too far by reusing the limited number of tracks for each game type.

  • Concrete #20 2 years ago

    @pacifica

    Ohhh, I wouldn't be so sure ;)

  • muscleblade #21 2 years ago

    Drop the detonator events or at least make them easier so you dont have to spend most of the time in singleplayer trying to beat them. They arent very fun in the first place.

  • darkmorgado #22 2 years ago

    Ohhh, I wouldn't be so sure ;)

    Is that a stealth 'I work for Black Rock' post?

  • mfnick #23 2 years ago

    If they are reading this - can you make sure you give us a set of race's to do in the new environment too please?

    Its pointless just giving us a track to race round in quickplay or something. One go on it, we'll think "well that was a cool track" & then never touch it again because theres nothing to do on it apart from a quick race.

    Look at PGR4 & NFS SHIFT on how to do DLC properly. They only gave new cars (not a track) but still they added some new career/SP events to complete with them. its just gives DLC that bit extra worth & means the people who buy it will have some use for it past 5 minutes of curiosity.
    Edited by mfnick at 11/08/10 @ 12:20

  • swisstony #24 2 years ago

    at Dr.Fouad, I doubt any developer could get this much going onscreen at 60fps.

  • beastmaster #25 2 years ago

    Some new on-line modes would be great too. Not sure what they might be though.

  • lordofthedunce #26 2 years ago

    Loving SS. Only got five more events to get gold in :-)

    I've personally enjoyed the Detonator races, feels like the least random mode imo.

  • kinky_mong #27 2 years ago

    Only feedback I have is if you're going to release DLC is don't add achievements if it's going to be overpriced and add very little because I don't want my 1000/1000 spoilt.

  • RobotRocker #28 2 years ago

    BlackRock. I will buy all your games if you give me 5 minutes alone with the S/S AI Programmers. Cant promise I will return them intact but I wont use the heavy weaponry

    Seriously I haven't had a rage incident with a video game since Diddy Kong Racing made me plant a hole in the wall with my N64 controller (And I got a master class in plastering while I was grounded). S/S drove me up the wall as the AI cheated to numerous wins. I preserved and finished it, but thoughts of spray painting the c-word on the side of the offices crossed my mind too (And Vertical Slice too. QA, my ass).

    Otherwise more jumps, Play Outrun 2 and start thinking about that drifting model, Expand Detonator and Survival, get rid of Air Revenge, get a bit more outlandish and vertical with the settings, start getting experimental with power plays with defensive power plays or sacrificing a section of the PP bar for a nitro. Then we good.

  • Fletche #29 2 years ago

    • No useage for power bar when first.

    Apart from activating short-cuts.

    Excellent game and I'm eager for more, could do without the airstrike missions as they are really frustrating and boring, I basically want huge explosions, cars skidding around the track, more airtime and takedowns, oh and the ability to find your friends online in public lobbys would be nice
    Edited by Fletche at 11/08/10 @ 14:18

  • Sniper_007 #30 2 years ago

    Absolutely incredible game... but one thing missing!! Boost

    I know they were trying to seperate themselves from being seen to be a Burnout clone, but the first and last impression anyone I know has when they played it was... why can't I just go for it, risk everything with a Boost?

    Oh and please, please, please, please do not go open world!!! I am still struggling with the disappointment that is Burnout Paradise and I really did try to love it, three times!!!

  • knightmt #31 2 years ago

    I do not think I gave this game a fair go, because I played the demo and thought it was far too easy a linear. I might buy it going on some of the comments on here.
    Edited by knightmt at 11/08/10 @ 14:15

  • DoctorFouad #32 2 years ago

    @swisstony :

    ohhh believe me, there is more going on in GT5 (physics, 1280*1080, 16 cars on screen, higher poly models than split second...etc) at 60 fps.

    so no excuse please

  • pinebear #33 2 years ago

    Superb game, great soundtrack and sounds, and some spectacular course-changing powerplays. Few could replicate the "What The?" factor of the airport jumbo though. Dry Docks, Canyon, and the train wreck were great.

    For this one, just give us more tracks. Keep it cheap, Burnout Paradise style. Go for long term community rather than short term gains. Possible to integrate YouTube uploading & viewing, Skate style? Option to set how aggressive the AI is in terms of powerplay usage (ie increase it to Online Multi levels of carnage)?

    Next time, how about a boost vs powerplay dynamic, making boost a riskier option - erratic, or too fast perhaps.

  • 8bitMofo #34 2 years ago

    Online race classes.

    The user should be able to select a slower car, and race with others in or around the same spec. Its so boring now with everyone picking the same car...

  • darkmorgado #35 2 years ago

    I played the demo and thought it was far too easy a linear.

    WTF? You're complaining about a fricking RACING game being linear?

    Get real.

  • Pasco #36 2 years ago

    60 FPS please

  • andywilkie35 #37 2 years ago

    My feedback is to fix it so it works properly - if I fuck cunts up with a power play and drive a perfect race, I don't expect them to be on my arse in seconds overtaking me. This also applies to the cunts who overtake me when I'm activating a power play.

    /leaves game on the shelf. It had so much potential.

  • StriderRex #38 2 years ago

    One of my favourite racers of all time just slightly behind RRT4 and Burnout 3:Takedown, it was just so much fun, the best part in the whole game for was when I first saw the dam crashing down on canyon, my mouth just dropped open and went into a huge grin, these people must have had great fun making this game, oh and for the dam again, trailing badly in last place one race, figured 'go for it' brought the dam down on all the other racers and took 1st in the race, bliss!!!

    The AI is hard and detonator annoyed me a lot, but I have to say as hard as the game was it just made it all the sweeter when I finally finished with all gold, it made all those moments of me threatening to throw my controller through the screen and cursing under my breath when someone beat me at the last corner worthwhile, if they kept the difficulty exactly the same no complaints for me, I love the challenge, not too hard, or easy, just about right, you just need to be patient and not give up in some of the harder races.

    Put bluntly though, brilliant game BRS, you should be proud of yourselves (PURE was ace too btw!), just less detonator please and the idea of using boost when your 1st (or just more shortcuts?) is appealing, cant wait for the DLC, bring it on!

  • SomaticSense #39 2 years ago

    The Detonator events were way too hard.

  • byakuya83 #40 2 years ago

    Post deleted at 10:03:41 30-03-2012

  • neems #41 2 years ago

    I don't think using the power bar as boost would work that well - nothing would ever be able to catch you, as you could keep topping the bar back up again. Maybe if you could balance it very carefully, maybe require a full bar or something.

    Or (this just in) how about the boost is insanely fast, so that it becomes extremely difficult to control the car? The speed keeps building until you brake or crash, and if you do crash you wipe out and it takes twice as long to respawn.

    More imagination in the power plays and track settings would be nice - I feel that there is an over reliance on minor explosions. More trains, maybe some juggernauts (having to powerslide a sports car under the trailer section). Collapsing buildings where you drive through whole floors of offices (a la Lethal Weapon... 4?). More alternate routes (I think only one environment had a route choice, and I never take the alternate because it's so much slower).

    More fully featured multiplayer. The class filter is a welcome addition (I may try it later) but make online play more of an event, rather than an (admittedly very entertaining) addition.

    I never had any great problems with the AI - usually if I was struggling it meant it was time to change car. Possibly a difficulty option would be a worthwhile investment though.

    For what it's worth, one of my favourite games of the year - possibly even #1. I can't remember any other game making me whoop with joy so often.

  • espibara #42 2 years ago

    More Tracks
    More Tracks
    More Tracks
    More Tracks
    More tracks
    More Tracks
    More Tracks

  • swisstony #43 2 years ago

    Dr. Fouad, there is not more going on in GT5 than Split/Second, otherwise Split/Second would be 60fps. Powerplays, particles, serious vehicle deformation, i.e. the cars and the environment, not just the cars.

  • Zebula77 #44 2 years ago

    Hmf, survey didn't work. I just answered the question about favourite powerplay, clicked "next" and then...nothing.

    Split/Second was great. At first I didn't really like the handling, but I got used to it. What I liked the most was the variety, both in track design/route changes/powerplays and the variety in modes. The time trial being my fave, air revenge my least fave (only event I couldn't get gold on!).

    Also don't like the catch-up AI. It does make things more frustrating than they need to be and seems unfair, but I never found the game to be all that difficult so it didn't bother all that much.

    Don't really care fore DLC unless it's more tracks, so I'll wait for the sequel.

  • Tinrib72 #45 2 years ago

    More tracks

    Wheel support

    Backwards firing powerplays

    Wheel support...

  • neems #46 2 years ago

    @Zebula 77 - on the question about your favourite powerplay, you have to look at the picture at the top and put it in exactly as it shows it there eg drydocks - ship launch. I spent ages on that page trying to get it to work; I had this big long comment and blah blah blah. It's an odd mix of powerplays they give you though - canyon - gas station? WTF? No mention of the Dam?

    If they really want feedback, they should they have put a 'your comments' section in.

  • old_man #47 2 years ago

    I love this game too, just got the very last race to complete.

    The only thing I don't like are the helecopter levels, mainly because I can't do them.