Dirt 3 to feature insane 'Gymkhana' events, WRC driver Ken Block consulting
When Codemasters releases Dirt 3 next year, it'll arrive with a new type of event to participate in: Gymkhana. Gymkhana is a solo event in which drivers have a starting line and finish line, with a whole lot of obstacles to navigate and complex maneuvers to memorize in-between. By "complex maneuvers," we're taking backwards driving, drifting though figure eights and, in the case of the video after the break, doing doughnuts around someone riding a Segway. Yeah.
In fact, the star of the video, WRC driving ace Ken Block, is working with Codemasters as a consultant on Dirt 3, as he did previously for Dirt 2. After watching the frankly incredible video of him in action at L'Autodrome in France, we couldn't imagine anyone being better suited to advise the developer on how to recreate this stuff in-game.
Just in case Codemasters is reading this, here's what we're thinking for the Dirt 3 pre-order / collector's edition bonus: a ride with Block on a real Gymkhana run. Make it happen!
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SEE THE INSPIRATION BEHIND DIRT® 3™'S NEW GYMKHANA DISCIPLINE IN KEN BLOCK'S LATEST GYM3 VIDEO
Floor it over to www.dcshoes.com/gym3 to witness DiRT® 3™ consultant Ken Block's latest viral masterpiece
Now showing at www.dcshoes.com/gym3, WRC Rally driver and DiRT® 3™ consultant Ken Block stars in the latest video in his award winning series, Ken Block's Gymkhana THREE Part 2; Ultimate Playground: L'Autodrome(GYM3). The stunning video features Ken Block's trademark aggressive and spectacular driving style as he executes a series of breathtaking stunts in his purpose built Gymkhana THREE Ford Fiesta. The series has received 70 million views worldwide and is the inspiration for the brand new Gymkhana discipline in DiRT 3, the latest in the multi-million selling racing series from Codemasters®, set for launch in 2011.
DiRT 3's new Gymkhana game mode tests players freestyle driving skills in large racing compounds packed with props and jumps, capturing the same freedom of expression, showmanship and precise car control as seen in the world-famous video series. Players can take on specific career based events, compete and hang out with friends in online multiplayer or split-screen or become gymkhana stars themselves by uploading videos of their favorite sequences direct to YouTube. The new discipline has been developed in consultation with Ken Block and is set to break new ground for the racing genre. DiRT 3 will also be the only videogame where players can get behind the wheel of Ken Block's Ford Fiesta 2011 as seen in GYM3.
"I had a blast working with the guys on last year's DiRT 2, and with the introduction of Gymkhana to DiRT 3 we're pushing both the series and racing games forward," said Ken Block. "I love doing the gymkhana videos, and it's so great to work with Codemasters to give players that unique sensation of pushing a car to its limits while hooning about. With the video upload function, maybe I'll get some competition from gamers!"
Coming 2011, DiRT 3 will boast more cars, more locations, more routes and more events than any other game in the series, including over 50 rally cars representing the very best from five decades of the sport. With more than double the track content of 2009's hit, DiRT 3 will see players start at the top as a professional driver, with a top-flight career in competitive off-road racing complimented by Gymkhana-style showpiece driving events.
As players race to elevate their global standing, DiRT 3 delivers mud, sweat and gears the world over: from the intense weather-beaten rally stages of Europe, Africa and the US, to executing performance driving showcases and career challenges where car control is pushed to spectacular limits. DiRT 3 is now in development at Codemasters Studios for a 2011 release for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft®, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and PC Games For Windows® LIVE.
