Bigben has acquired the Test Drive brand

The Test Drive racing series has a new home.

Bigben Interactive has announced that it has acquired the IP from Atari, with the intention being to develop new games in the Test Drive Unlimited series. Atari has retained the rights to sell existing games in the franchise.

Bigben currently has the rights to the WRC rally IP, as well as the TT Isle of Man.

"We are more than confident with respect to the quality of this franchise, which is loved by so many players," Bigben CEO Alain Falc said. "Our teams are very enthusiastic at the idea of being able to work on this license, which has already proven its worth – the game Test Drive Unlimited 2 sold 1.8m units."

The Test Drive series debuted all the way back in 1987. It eventually graduated onto consoles in 1997. Test Drive Unlimited is perhaps its most recognisable iteration, arriving in 2006. There have also been several spin-offs touching on genres such as motorbikes, rally and off-road.