Xpand Rally Review at IGN [26-07-2006 | JZ | Comments (0) ]
If you eliminated the massive packs of cars, the frantic wheel-to-wheel action, and the bumper-to-bumper drafting from PC racing, you'd eliminate most of the fun, right? Right? Wrong. Like Colin McRae Rally and Rallisport Challenge before it, TopWare's Xpand Rally proves that automotive competition doesn't necessarily need a whole gaggle of cars to be both exciting and ridiculously compelling.

Xpand Rally Review at Out of 8 [18-04-2006 | JZ | Comments (13) ]
I love rally racing. I think the skill required to maneuver a car around treacherous corners inches from trees and other assorted obstacles (like people) is much more than the more asphalt related racing series around the world. Although it hasn�t gotten a strong foothold in the U.S...

Xpand Rally Gold in USA [27-03-2006 | JZ | Comments (7) ]
Las Vegas, 27th March 2006. Xpand Rally, the critically acclaimed PC racing title featuring:

� Over 70 races in 5 diverse scenarios
� Over 35 sports cars in 8 divisions
� Over 80 tuning parts for all cars
� Authoring tools for editing tracks and importing cars
� Free style maps
� Time attack tracks

is set to ship to a retailer near you on 4/4 at the unbelievable price of $19.99.

Managing Director James Seaman, �It was our intention to bring one of the most unique and amazing racing experiences to the PC at a price that everyone could afford - and we have hit the proverbial nail on the head. Xpand Rally will simply blow away the PC gaming audience with its� extraordinary graphics, life-like controls, incredible tracks, importing of additional vehicles, and virtually limitless modifications.�

Xpand Rally In North America [15-02-2006 | JZ | Comments (2) ]
Topware Interactive has acquired the exclusive rights to publish Xpand Rally in the North American market. Xpand Rally, the critically acclaimed PC racing title, from established developers Techland, will be hitting the shelves in April of 2006 for only $19.99. Managing Director James Seaman, �As first release PC titles are closing in on $50; Topware will deliver a triple �A� PC gaming experience at a rock bottom price.� �From its� amazing graphics to its� in depth game play, Xpand Rally will be ready to race onto the gaming scene in early January 2006.�

Xpand Rally Review at NL Gaming [17-01-2006 | JZ | Comments (2) ]
Like most racing games, you have the option of taking on a single race or trying your skills in the championship circuit. On the other hand, if you think your good enough lock your skills against your friends, to see who walks away with the bragging writes. No matter which way you decide alone or with others you will have the ability to pick your game style mode, either arcade, which sets the physics, damage and driving levels for fun and easy use, or if you prefer a more realistic challenge then try out the simulation mode, which has more realistic controls and damage.

SimHQ Review: Xpand Rally [30-03-2005 | IS | Comments (0) ]
With the advent of Richard Burns Rally and Colin McRae Rally 2005 (as of yet neither of these titles have been officially released in the U.S.), and FlatOut which is set for U.S. release in April, one wonders if the demand for PC simulations, or games, can support one more offering for European Rally Fans.

What makes Techland's Xpand Rally interesting (it has not yet been released in the US either) is the expandability that is hinted at in the title.

Xpand Rally Official Patch 1.1.0.0 [27-01-2005 | JZ | Comments (0) ]
Techland, the developer of Xpand Rally, has today released the first update of the game. The patch brings the game to version 1.1.0.0 and changes the following:

- improves the performance of the dedicated game server;
- fixes game�s mods problems in multiplayer;
- allows for changing the time of the day and weather conditions when running player-created maps;
- introduces (on a popular demand) a �less dust� feature to the multiplayer (to increase the game�s performance and will make racing with more people easier);
- improves the ChromEd tool.

There are several files with the patch for national versions of Xpand Rally. All Players should verify their game version (in the bottom left corner of the main menu screen) before download.

Xpand Rally Multi-Player Utility Released [03-01-2005 | IS | Comments (4) ]
This is a utility that allows car and track (including custom) and Java Mod selection prior to launching the game. It also will allow the host to launch directly to the in- game race room, and allow players to join hosts game directly from a chat room environment. Specifically, it enables the registry to cause the Microsoft gaming Zone to list Xpand Rally when entering the "Direct Play Lan Room" This does NOT allow for auto launching using the Zone rooms, but this does provide for a meeting place that allows players to separate into race rooms. then a copy and paste launch system is used for players to host and join with just those people in the race rooms.

Maybe people can start going to the Zone room friom time to time, so we can build a community.

Xpand Rally Editor Manual [22-12-2004 | JZ | Comments (0) ]
Techland the developer of Xpand Rally has today published the ChromEd complete user guide. The guide, directly related to ChromeEngine 2004 that powers Xpand Rally, allows users to fully modify the world of the game. The over 100 pages long pdf file contains complete information on level creation philosophy and specific editor tools.

�The owners of the original Xpand Rally game have been given a professional editing tool. ChromEd was used by our graphic artists and designers when they worked on the game. We�re convinced that the editor and the user guide will allow everyone interested in modding easily create their own maps and complete game mods. We�re hoping that Xpand Rally, with limitless modding features, will soon become the ultimate racing engine� � stated Paweł Zawodny, the co-designer of the Chrome Engine architecture and Techland game creation philosophy.

The tutorial is supplemented with a video material that shows the subsequent steps of track creation with comments from one of the Xpand Rally tracks developer. Techland�s Xpand Rally is the only racing game that offers unrestricted modification support. It allows the gamers to add their own tracks, car and also lets then change the game rules. It is then possible to not only to create mods but complete new racing games.

Xpand Rally R.E.G 8 Plyr Mod [17-12-2004 | JR | Comments (2) ]
MaxPlayers Mod (R.E.G)

As you are all aware, Xpand Rally comes standard as 8 players in lobby and 4 racing on track. Obviously i need not go into the realms of bandwidth and performance usage but i will note that this will need trial error and testing for best results. I have optimized several tracks to run with this as humungous detail in Xpand leaves settings to be tampered with for best effect.

Ive already got this compiled, packed up and ready to go, for 8 Player On track, Full crc checks 100%, I am just awating the fourthcoming patch so all you guys can run this, please contact me prior to release for testing as we need to see a few face in this. Ive been informed that there will be a few releases over the next few weeks from "techland" in regards to files,patches etc so as i say Contact me if you want to help test as i will supply what files are needed to only "Specific" people...

Xpand Rally Review at Gamershell [09-12-2004 | JZ | Comments (1) ]
Over the last few years, there has been an influx of interest in the rally cross scene in the U.S, and game developers have taken notice. Auspicious products, such as the Colin McRae series, along with the outstanding Rally Sport games have only fueled interest in the sport, and are continually raising the bar for racing games of all types. Techland's �Xpand Rally� is yet another entry in this growing genre, but does it have what it takes to differentiate itself from the rest of the pack? Well, sort of.

Xpand Rally Car Importer [02-12-2004 | JZ | Comments (1) ]
Techland the developer of Xpand Rally has today published an additional set of editing tools for its mod-friendly racer.

The file contains:

- Custom Cars Wizard - a tool for importing custom cars and allowing customization of cars parameters
- Game 3D mesh exporting plugin that allows the use of custom objects (including cars) created in 3D Studio Max in the game
- 3D Studio Max script that processes the car’s mesh and prepares it for the use in the game
- Sample car mesh - 3D Studio Max source file and XR custom car ready files

The Xpand Rally lead car designer Jan �Janusz� Borkowski said: �I am sure that with those tools importing of custom cars will be much easier for all Xpand Rally moders. Soon we will publish a complete tutorial showing all steps of car modeling: from the very beginning to the final in game placement. Thanks to that even a rookie modeler will be able to create his own Xpand Rally based racing game.�

Xpand Rally Custom Tracks [26-11-2004 | JZ | Comments (0) ]
Following its earlier announcement Techland has today published a set of custom tracks for its mod-friendly racing game Xpand Rally. The tracks have been made by game moders and after passing Xpand Rally compatibility tests they are ready for download from Xpand Rally official web page. The tracks are:

*dirty racing track - 100% gravel, eight-shaped with many obstacles to be omitted, placed in Arizona canyons;

* two destruction derby tracks � 100% tarmac, eight-shaped with narrow turns and short straights, spectacular crashes highly possible at crossings;

With this release Techland starts a weekly release schedule of game editing tools and authoring manuals. All game enthusiasts should stay tuned for upcoming Car Importing Wizard, Car Modelling Tutorial and ChromEd Manual. For more info on Xpand Rally ultimate moding capabilities, editing tools and add-on downloads please visit www.xpandrally.com/chromed.

Xpand Rally Retail Hotlaps Competition [01-10-2004 | JZ | Comments (0) ]
The latest version of the GTO program supports Xpand Rally Retail version now. The ranking is split into two separate leagues, for Arcade and Simulation mode. Both leagues use ghosts.

Xpand Rally Final Trailer [23-09-2004 | JZ | Comments (0) ]
Techland sends along the final movie trailer for Xpand Rally, again showing their new rally racing simulation in motion. This clip comes in the usual medium and high resolutions, sporting a minute and a half of high-speed in-game footage.