Split/Second renamed and dated

By Robert Purchese Published 24 February, 2010

Subtitled Velocity and due in May.

Disney's Split/Second will henceforth be known as Split/Second: Velocity, and will be released here on 21st May.

That covers all three - PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 - versions of the game.

Developed by Brighton's Black Rock Studio, Split/Second combines speed with incredible special abilities that can trigger huge scenery-destroying special moves to trap and hinder other racers.

So far we've been impressed.

Check out our Split/Second gamepage below for a just-baked batch of screenshots.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (48) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • FortysixterUK #1 2 years ago

    Think I preferred Split Second !

  • Vlad27145 #2 2 years ago

    Ok. I don't really get why there was the need to add a subtitle to the already over-complicated and not too inspired name, but as long as the name's the only insipid thing about the game, I'm perfectly fiine with it.
    Bring it forth.

  • NunianVonFuch #3 2 years ago

    Should be Split/Second: Speed as the publisher doesn't seem to know where it wants to go with the title but wants to get there fast (bad physics joke) :-D
    Edited by 1 at 24/02/10 @ 15:48

  • MiniAmin #4 2 years ago

    @NunianVonFuch

    And I wonder if Bizzare will change Blur's name to "Oasis"

    /runs

  • Quint2020 #5 2 years ago

    This is clearly going to be the name of the Wii/DS version.

  • UKGN_Zoidberg #6 2 years ago

    Isn't Blur due out around the same time?

    Fight!!

  • altitude2k #7 2 years ago

    Why?

  • kangarootoo #8 2 years ago

    The first in a series then no doubt.

    I expect "Split / Second: Mass", "Split / Second: Density" and "Split / Second: Length" to follow in due course.
    Edited by 1 at 24/02/10 @ 16:02

  • linea #9 2 years ago

    I'm maxi-looking forward to this.

    I hope they'll do a Pure 2 at some point though....

  • HermitArcader #10 2 years ago

    Post deleted at 09:17:39 22-12-2011

  • NunianVonFuch #11 2 years ago

    @kangarootoo with "Yor Ma" in the starring role as the biggest and best in each game :-P

  • menage #12 2 years ago

    Useless subtitle

  • altitude2k #13 2 years ago

    @ linea

    I like the idea of Split/Second: Viscosity, myself

  • FogHeart #14 2 years ago

    This/Is: Ridiculous.

    Must/All: Games have a subtitle now?

    The/Slash: Is bad enough.

    Or/Maybe: The implication is that this is the first of a franchise.

    Even/Then: Is the colon subtitle a de facto convention to name each entry in the series?

    Taken/Joke: Too Far Now.

  • dr_faulk #15 2 years ago

    The subtitle reinforces the notion of velocity in the game, as velocity is what makes the game exciting, and kids love as much velocity as possible. I'm surprised they didn't just call it, "Split/Second: The cars that wouldn't slow down."
    Edited by 1 at 24/02/10 @ 16:13

  • bodypopper #16 2 years ago

    Fail to see how subtitling it Velocity widens the appeal as it's a scientific term that class-dodging game-addicted kiddywinks probably won't understand or care about.
    If people have to think about the meaning of your game title for more than a second or two, you're doing it wrong.
    Might as well call it Split Second: Fast Cars.
    Edited by 1 at 24/02/10 @ 16:21

  • MiniAmin #17 2 years ago

    @ Linea

    Pure 2 with split-screen multiplayer would be wonderful.

  • LOLLERS #18 2 years ago

    Split/Second: The cars that wouldn't slow down

    Brilliant.

  • kangarootoo #19 2 years ago

    @NunianVonFuch

    "Yor ma"

    That was random :)


    @bodypopper

    On the subject of the scientific word choice, technically velocity requires a vector (a direction). This means if you change direction (i.e. turn a corner), your velocity will change even if your speed remains constant. A change in speed means you are accelerating or decelerating along the given vector, even if to the average punter this does not appear to be the case.

    /breathes in

    I think "Split/Second: The cars that wouldn't slow down" was probably the better option.

    .... unless of course this title change implies there are NO CORNERS! Exclusive reveal. You heard it here first.

  • MENTAL1ST Verified Senior Software Engineer, Picsel UK Ltd. #20 2 years ago

    The cars that wouldn't slow down.

    What, like a Toyota Prius?

  • NunianVonFuch #21 2 years ago

    @kangarootoo: sorry can never resist a good "Yor Ma" expecially when scientific based, the temptation - it's too much!
    @dr_faulk: "Split/Second: The cars that wouldn't slow down" - Quality! :-D

  • bodypopper #22 2 years ago

    @kangarootoo

    Maybe they should put that definition on the box. Who says games can't be educational?

  • bushwod #23 2 years ago

    Hmmm, think it needs more punctuation. How about

    Split/Second: Velocity - Return of the King! [Episode 1]

  • Beano #24 2 years ago

    Terrible name ... I wonder if Slash is on the soundtrack?

  • Vlad27145 #25 2 years ago

    The news itself is utterly useless at best, as is the name of this game, but (I'll pay copyright fees to FogHeart):
    This/Thread: Is shaping up to be total win

    edit:please do continue with the name calling! for the game, I mean
    Edited by 1 at 24/02/10 @ 16:41

  • SAMagic #26 2 years ago

    I imagine this is so they can maintain it as a franchise from now, with each incarnation having a different subtitle rather than number, like EA with Need For Speed.

  • 00.00.01 #27 2 years ago

    Split/Second - Volume II - World Racing League Series - VROOOOOOOOOM-Edition
    .
    Also expecting this hype to cover other games:
    Guitar/Legends -
    Battlefield/Terrible Company - The illegal twins that fought for justice.
    Gran/Turismo - The Racing Simulator That Never Was Released.
    Epic Game/Disney characters take revenge on anti-semitic mousehold.

  • LeSpank #28 2 years ago

    Disney have this so wrong. To make the game sell the following format must be adhered to. 4 letter word: subtitle. (See DIRT GRID PURE HALO FUEL CLUB BLUR etc and HALO: ODST being the clear winner) Having said this the additional symbol / does go some way to remedy this. My suggestion is FA/ST: as f*ck

  • Eraysor #29 2 years ago

    Why was that even necessary?

  • light&shadow #30 2 years ago

    My guess is that they want to avoid the risk the name Split Second being already registered by some other companies or projects. That's a typical trick to add some subtitles and avoid the expensive charges of full legal name search. The longer the name, the lower the risk.

  • MENTAL1ST Verified Senior Software Engineer, Picsel UK Ltd. #31 2 years ago

    I always read ODST as 'odious tea'.

  • kangarootoo #32 2 years ago

    @light&shadow

    On that basis, perhaps "Split / Second: A dog called Boris and his incredible adventures through time and space in a basket made of monkey hair" would have been a safer bet.... though I concede it does not quite convey the same sense of speed.

  • light&shadow #33 2 years ago

    @kangarootoo
    Hehe.
    Hopefully I'd expect games names not to be that long until at least 2050.
    Then I'd probably don't care much anyway.

  • DAN.E.B #34 2 years ago

    hoping this is like what burnout used to be ie good for a quick race now and then!

  • jebus #35 2 years ago

    @ Linea
    Pure 2 with split-screen multiplayer would be wonderful.

    Unlikley seeing as Pure sold virtually naff all. Shame as it was a nice game.

  • MrGuiness #36 2 years ago

    Split/Second: The cars that wouldn't slow down." quality

  • Eraysor #37 2 years ago

    @light&shadow

    Ah, I guess that probably is the reason. For extra lulz they should have called it Split/Second: On the EDGE of Velocity

  • MeBrains #38 2 years ago

    disappointing. I would have bet on Gran Split/Velocity: Second Force Burnout of the Fuel Grid Turismo.

    I guess it's all great I have not. :|

  • GreatUncleBaal #39 2 years ago

    This went from completely off-radar to pretty much must-buy after a couple of plays at the Eurogamer Expo - managing to make avoiding a plane landing on my car third in my list of priorities (below overtaking one car next to me and dropping a building on another) was quite the achievement.

  • dr_faulk #40 2 years ago

    "Split / Second: Speed in a given direction"

    Oh just admit to being a nerd and laugh!

  • muscleblade #41 2 years ago

    They had to change the name since many believed it to be a movie license game based on the film Split Second with Rutger Hauer.

  • busboy33 #42 2 years ago

    @Fogheart:
    a +1 and a standing golf clap for you good sir. It's 11:55 PM herre (Los Angeles), and you just took "Bestest Thing Ever on the Internet Today" title just as the evening ended. Well done sir . . . damn well done.

    @dr_faulk:
    Will you shut the hell up? You just got the live-action movie green-lit, staring the Emos from Twilight, based on that title alone.
    They. Don't. Need. Encouragement. The proliferation of reduntantly obvious titles are now on your head sir!
    Just look at the rest of the thread -- its already spreading like a virus. Its . . . its too late, isn't it?
    I'll see you in Hell when this silliness and tarnation has ebbed. In Hell, Sir!

    edits: tried to use the italics, and couldn't turn it off. Sorry -- I forgot how they work because I am somewhat stupid occasionally.
    Edited by 4 at 25/02/10 @ 08:09

  • Eraser #43 2 years ago

    "The subtitle reinforces the notion of velocity in the game, as velocity is what makes the game exciting, and kids love as much velocity as possible. I'm surprised they didn't just call it, "Split/Second: The cars that wouldn't slow down."

    Technically speaking, you can't have more velocity, as it's a vector. Velocity isn't the same as speed, as velocity encompasses both speed and direction. Velocity is the amount of change of position in a certain direction.

  • PlugMonkey #44 2 years ago

    Velocity is the amount of change of position in a certain direction.

    And you can't increase the amount of change of position in a certain direction?

    Speaking personally, I like to go a long way in a short time. So I increase my velocity where possible, 'cos speed equals distance over time.

  • fizzyfish #45 2 years ago

    So much for 'henceforth': I don't think anyone is going to take much notice of the new title. Hell, even Rob dropped the suffix after the very first sentence :)

  • flakmagnet_ #46 2 years ago

    Agreed with GreatUncleBaal. At Eurogamer my thought train was this:

    Hmmm, no hud, all on the back of the car that's interesting. Cars don't handle perfect but then it's a Burnout knock off so that's to be expect- WAIT, HE JUST DROPPED A BUILDING ON ME!!! WHERE THE HECK DID THAT PLANE COME FROM??? Became an insta-buy for me at that moment.

    Watching fellow gamers actually try to physically "duck" under the plane had me laughing too. Most fun game to watch the players by far!

  • davisorle #47 2 years ago

    Split/Second: Velocity is cause the next will be called Split/Second: Sonething Else, cause its obvious they will be working on a follow up. Its a given

  • Acrid #48 2 years ago

    They had to change the title, Rutger Hauer was pissed off and Disney couldn't afford to pay Chuck Norris for protection!