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Did anyone else miss the Dakar Desert Rally trailer?

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Dakar Desert Rally is the latest project from Saber Interactive, the team behind SnowRunner. And I almost missed it completely.

Back when Dakar 18 came out I was planning to make a video. Then I played it and, well, that was that. So my faith in a videogame that does the epic cross-country rally proud is limited at best. Or so that was the case.

A couple of weeks ago I saw that the official Dakar Rally license had fallen into the hands of Saber Interactive, who many of you lovely subscribers will know as the developer behind SnowRunner. A genuinely awesome, somewhat flawed off-road simulator.

While it is technically Saber Porto dealing with development of Dakar Desert Rally, not to be confused with Dakar Dessert Rally where you race for pudding, Saber Interactive is the copyright owner. So no doubt SnowRunner things will filter into the game.

Read: Dakar Desert Rally review

SnowRunner meets Dakar Rally?

Why is that interesting? Because for SnowRunner players it could mean new scenery and challenges that offer some or all of the truck-based driving we have grown to love. Albeit with more of a focus on navigation, of course.

And even if the lack of deliveries does not flip your switch, unless you count delivering the driver and co-driver, the swap from snow to sand should be very welcome. I mean, if I see one more Autumnal tree in SnowRunner I will go postal.

Dakar Desert Rally will be coming to PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One and PC via Steam and Epic. The release date is 2022, so, err, draw a really big line in your diary from now until next year basically.

Saber Interactive promises 30 stages of racing from the official 2020 and 2021 Dakar Rally. That includes officially licensed vehicles, teams and the drivers – all of which you can use in online multiplayer or lonely single player.

From what I can see, Dakar Desert Rally uses road books inspired by the real thing to give you routes to follow. Taking place in Saudi Arabia, you get to drive across an open world with dynamic weather. A feature that would be great in SnowRunner.

Snow escape!

Yes, if you thought you were getting away without snow you are sorely mistaken. All four seasons can come and go, including feet-burning sun, deep mud and the sort of rain that sends paper bags running in fear. Day and night changes are a thing, too. But hopefully not autumnal leaves.

Without knowing the map size, I will not pass judgement. It will be interesting how Saber Porto achieves the grand scale in a race where getting lost is an intended feature. However, the 150-plus vehicle roster from five categories (cars, bikes, trucks, quads and SSVs) sounds great.

Saber Interactive has even listed steering wheel support, so as to manage the power of internet disappointment. It appears Thrustmaster, Fanatec and Logitech are well covered – although the G923 reviewed on the channel is strangely absent.

The SnowRunner creators have promised something for hardcore and casual players, which probably means a good number of options to increase or decrease the amount of on-screen navigation help.

Damage severity will also likely be a thing although the official trailer does show rather aggressive metal-on-metal action. Here’s hoping for a more realistic approach – camels and all.

One other thing to note. I read that in-game advertising company Anzu has an exclusive deal with Saber Interactive, which will result in the use of in-game advertising. This includes roadside billboards, banners, flags, logos and even custom vehicle colours, liveries and garage takeovers.

According to YouTube, the Dakar Desert Rally trailer was posted on the 10th of December. Seems like a fair few people missed it, which is odd. I did not even get an email about it, as I usually do with most games. Stealth launch or am I just getting old and senile?

And that is it for this video, what do you think about Dakar Desert Rally? Should Dakar Dessert Rally be a thing? I’d love to know. Until next time. Take care, bye.