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Dirt 2 is the 'breast' tattoo simulator ever
Somehow we totally missed Dirt 2's reinvention of digital "dirt" -- from dusty rally racing to busty Sally tracing. At least, that's what the ploy at Dirtytats.com (NSFW) would have us believe. The game's promotional site presents visitors with a pair of animated assets to put one's ink on. We decided to give our models a lace bra–like tattoo to cover up the ample skin real estate and express -- in a word -- what we thought about this type of marketing being tied into a racing game (after the break, fellow art lovers).Now, if Saints Row 2 had done something like this ... brilliant! It's all about context.%Gallery-45501%
Sony publishing DiRT 2 for PSP, PS3 in PAL regions
Sony continues its third-party publishing strategy in PAL territories today by taking up Codemasters' DiRT 2. Unlike the Ghostbusters venture, however, this is not a timed exclusive for PlayStation platforms. MCV reports that Sony will publish the PSP and PS3 versions of the game, while Codemasters handles publishing duties on all other platforms.Codemasters' senior VP of publishing for EPAC, Axel Herr, is glad to have Sony take over, citing the series' "great affinity with the PlayStation brand in PAL territories for over 10 years" as one of the key factors behind the decision. We're sure all of the buzz around the PS3 Slim didn't hurt either.
New Dirt 2 trailers feature fancy cars, lots of dirt
What do a BMW Z4 Coupe, a Subaru WRX Hatch, and a mess of big trucks have in common? They'll all be at your disposal in upcoming rally-racer Dirt 2, silly! Aside from the game's striking visuals -- the ones that we marveled over when we saw it last February -- gameplay has always been a strong suit for Codemasters' dirt racer. While the video above, titled "Baja Raid," looks vaguely similar to games like Motorstorm and Pure, we expect a different, more simulation than arcade, feel from Dirt 2. Check out the rest of the trailers after the break or head over to our sister site Big Download and snag them for yourself in full HD glory.%Gallery-45501%
Dirt 2 release date all cleaned up
Codemasters today announced the official release dates for Dirt 2. The utterly filthy racing game will hit US shores on September 8, Europe on September 10 and the UK on September 11. For those out there who aren't filthy rich enough to own all the consoles, have no fear, for Dirt 2 will be available on PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, DS and PSP. Much like actual dirt, you should be able to find it just about anywhere.Unless you want to pick up the PC version, which was recently delayed in order to accommodate DirectX 11. Expect it to arrive in December.%Gallery-45501%
First DiRT 2 media lacks polish
When people criticize the Wii, the graphics are usually one of the first things mentioned. Codemasters' DiRT 2 is sure to bring about cries of "N64!" and other such malarkey, because, well, it looks bad. We'd like to be more diplomatic, but, yeah, you can see it in the trailer above and in the screens in the gallery below. Bad, right? %Gallery-66584%
DiRT 2 tips its hat to the late Colin McRae
When Scottish rally racer Colin McRae died in a tragic helicopter accident in September 2007, many wondered how his passing would affect the final version of DiRT, the McRae-branded racing game that would come out later that month. The answer? Well, it was too late in the game's development to include any significant changes -- but Codemasters is making sure that the upcoming sequel to the well-reviewed racer adequately tips its hat to the driver who spawned the series.MTV Multiplayer checked out DiRT 2 during a recent preview in NYC, and reports that players will be working to qualify for the Colin McRae Memorial Cup -- what's more, Codemasters' Mark Turosz explained that players will "hear other drivers talking about him," and that "he's the central figure in the narrative." Rarely do video games dabble in real-life tragedies -- though it looks like Codemasters is handling it with a refreshing touch of class. %Gallery-45501%
Codemasters signs Ken Block for DiRT 2
Taking up duties as the face of the DiRT franchise, popular rally driver Ken Block tells us why he wanted to be involved in Codemasters' racer in the video above. Taking inspiration from the late (and sorely missed) Colin McRae, the new kid on the block regales his story of getting involved in the sport of rally racing and how he hopes to fill the gigantic shoes left behind. The video isn't all sitting around and talking, however, as it also shows Ken's influence in the sequel, with some brief snippets of gameplay. Expect plenty of big air opportunities in DiRT 2, as is Ken's style.DiRT 2 is drifting toward a Fall release on the PS3, PSP, Xbox 360, Wii, ColecoVision, DS, Virtual Boy, and PC.%Gallery-45501%
Codemasters wants 'gamer's games' on Wii, finds other publisher strategies 'bewildering'
Codemasters has a couple new execs talking about the publisher's "cautious strategy" on the Wii -- and, by "cautious," they mean making titles that appeal to core gamers. UK General Manager Jeremy Wigmore and Marketing VP Alex Bertie tell MCV that Codemasters "can't ignore Wii," despite the publisher's emphasis on next-gen titles. Bertie finds it "bewildering" to see what other companies are doing with Nintendo's juggernaut. He expresses that Codies isn't going to make "cheap, crappy ports" and expects the company to produce "gamer's games." Wigmore believes that other publishers constantly going to retail with a "mass-market product" only makes those games become "white noise." It'll be interesting to see if Codemasters retains its thinking about Wii after Overlord: Dark Legend releases in a few months and the publisher starts seeing sales figures.
Codemasters kicks up DiRT 2 for PSP too
Codemaster's critically acclaimed DiRT racing game is coming to PSP. Specifically, the sequel will be hitting the platform. This is surprising considering the first game never released on the handheld. DiRT 2 will launch on the PSP simultaneously with its big brother cousins on PS3 and Xbox 360 in 2009. [Thanks, David B.!]
Wii to get DiRTy in 2009
The sequel to 2007's gem of a racing game, DiRT, is going to be releasing on Wii, says Codemasters. What do we say? Yay! We're pumped! The Wii version will release simultaneously with the other console ports of the game next year, and is to include a "tuned-up car-handling physics system" and "new damage engine effects." We're hoping the game will be solid on the Wii, as it could benefit from the Wiimote. Think Excite Truck, but better. So, who's excited for DiRT 2 next year?
Colin McRae: DiRT 2 is official, arrives 2009
In a recent interview with IGN UK, Codemasters' Gavin Raeburn spilled some of the first detaiils on Colin McRae: DiRT 2. First, Raeburn spoke to the decision to keep McRae's name in the title -- McRae died tragically in 2007. According to Raeburn, the decision was made by Codemasters in conjunction with the McRae family. He added that Colin McRae's "ventures into events such as the X-Games, Dakar Rally and the Race of Champions have inspired [Codemasters] to look at events covering the extremes of off-road motorsport. Raeburn says DiRT 2 will move in that direction and that "Colin will play a part in that." Raeburn concluded that "DiRT 2 will be a great tribute." The game will be running on an improved version of the EGO engine, which powered the previous DiRT as well as the more recent GRiD. Among some of the improvements are "more physical modelling of the environment, improving lighting and shadowing" as well as greater use of a streaming system "to allow much higher texture detail." Raeburn adds that Codemasters is "pushing the boundaries of what is possible with the hardware as much as possible, and we're confident in our ability to lift the quality bar again." Given that DiRT is still considered one of the best looking games available, these are some hefty statements to make. Players can also expect revamped single-player and multiplayer experiences, with Raeburn promising "progressive reward system and community features" for online multiplayer. DiRT 2 is scheduled to launch in 2009. [Via Joystiq]
Codemasters talks Colin McRae: DiRT 2, coming 2009
IGN UK has an interview up in which Codemasters provides some, well, dirt on Colin McRae: DiRT 2, due next year. Yes, the game is in development (for PC, PS3, and 360), and yes, the Colin McRae branding is being retained despite the legendary rally driver's untimely death last year. So, what's new for the off-road racing series that caused Ludwig bodily injury? Not the engine – it's running on the EGO tech that drove the original DiRT and GRID, albeit an enhanced version of it. "More physical modeling of the environment, improving lighting and shadowing, and broadening the use of our streaming system to allow much higher texture detail," are to be expected, according to executive producer Gaven Raeburn.It's not just retaining McRae's name, either. "His ventures into events such as the X-Games, Dakar Rally and the Race of Champions have inspired us to look at events covering the extremes of off-road motorsport," said Raeburn. "DiRT 2 will be a great tribute, and we'll be revealing more about this over the coming months." Hopefully, Ludwig will still be playing Far Cry 2 when DiRT 2 hits, so we won't have to insitute a Joystiq Injury Watch program.[Via Shacknews]
DS Daily: Keeping it clean
Although this blogger personally prefers the cool, Mac-esque appearance of the Polar White DS (it is, after all, the perfect match for the Wii), there's a good reason I don't own one: it gets hella dirty, hella quickly. It's just fairly unavoidable -- the thing is called a handheld. Hands aren't always clean.Not that DSes of a different shade are much better. Indeed, as beautiful as the DS Lite is, they all have their fair share of grooves for dirt to creep into. Fingerprints on the glossy casing and grime that accumulates around the edges of the screens are particular culprits.So today's question is simple: what's your cleaning routine for keeping your DS sparkling and muck-free? How often do you give it a clean (you do clean it, right?), and are there any useful techniques you'd like to share for those of us who'd prefer to keep our DSes skinless?
Codies share design knowhow with automotive tech firm
Worlds are colliding, as Codemasters has announced what it calls a "strategic partnership" with automotive 3D effects firm Realtime Technology to share vehicle rendering and modeling practices for upcoming projects. The partnership includes collaboration over rendering tools such as RTT DeltaGen and RealTrace, used in rendering CAD models in real time, and Codemasters' EGO game engine, seen in titles such as last year's DiRT and the upcoming Race Driver: GRID. What exactly this meeting of the minds will mean for gamers remains fuzzy, though considering Realtime Technology's considerable footprint in the automotive industry with clients such as Audi, Maserati and Rolls-Royce among many others, maybe this is all part of Codemasters' grand scheme to make racing games exciting once more.
GameTap Thursday: Mardi kicks up DiRT and Pop-A-Tronic Warlords
GameTap pulls one of its random Tuesday updates this week immediately causing us to become suspicious. There must be some dastardly trick in here somewhere for this April Fool's update to make sense?! Typically the Tuesday updates are only reserved for exclusive releases or holidays. We're pretty sure it's got nothing to do with this week's three new games. DiRT (Windows) - An exceptional racer that broke one of our writers. Hours of gameplay to be had for those looking for something between simulation and arcade style racing. Pop-A-Tronic (Windows) - It's a color matching casual game. As with all match-three color games it's best enjoyed with some pharmacological enhancement. Not that we condone such actions. Warlords (DOS) - A strategy game from many moons ago which eventually transformed into the Warlords Battlecry series. Well, there was nothing nefarious in that update. After the break we've posted GameTap's list of free games, which adds the enjoyable Mr. Robot and Captain McGrandpa -- Memory of the Forgotten. Qu'est-ce que c'est? What's Captain McGrandpa? Hmm, we may have to check out the GameTap forums later to see what this mélange of trick and treat might be.
Deal of the Day: Rock Band goes on sale
Yes, it's a $148 deal. amazon.com has the Rock Band Special Edition (with guitar, drums and microphone) for $148 -- that's $22 cheaper than elsewhere. And with free shipping, you won't have to lug this beast of a package around. The drum kit is also available by itself, for $69. That's $11 off the regular price. Oh, and if you don't like music, there's the racing game DiRT for $30. [Via CAG]
Japanese plastic dirt is half as dense as real dirt, over 100 times more plastic
We've seen quite a few efforts to use gardens and terrariums in cities to order to bring down overall CO2 emissions and reduce temperatures, but Tokyo's earthquake-prone location means that structures there have to meet strict load requirements -- so a company called Suntory Ltd., has developed a synthetic dirt substitute called Pafcal it says weighs less than half as much as real soil. The fake dirt, which is made of urethane, can reduce the internal temperature of a building with a roof garden up to 10 degrees Celsius (18 degrees Fahrenheit). Of course, there's considerable irony in trying to save the planet by covering concrete buildings in fake plastic dirt, but then again, such a solution is about as Japanese as it gets, no?
Best of the Rest: Ludwig's picks of 2007
Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure (Wii) Though its puzzles may occasionally infuriate, the real source of frustration regarding Zack & Wiki stems from the fact that nobody bought it. Every year has its share of titles that deserve an audience yet never find one, and in this regard, Zack & Wiki is easily one of the most tragic games to put an uncontrollable smile on your face. Relentlessly charming and beautifully presented, the debut of Capcom's choc-chomping pirate and his simian sidekick challenges the mind and warms that cynical, meh-spouting lump in your chest. How refreshing it was to overcome obstacles and bosses by choosing the power of the mind over an impossibly large bazooka.
Codemasters pushed into record year by US sales
Overlord, Dirt and Meh-richo publisher Codemasters has announced its financial results for the full year ending June 30th, a year the European company claims was its best in the 22 years since inception. A 38% rise in sales and an increase of revenues to $149 million is largely to blame on a 332% improvement in sales within the US retail channel. Perhaps blasting rally fans with the faux hip voice of Travis Pastrana wasn't such a bad move after all.A Gamasutra report further notes that these positive results follow from a recent $84.3 in game design and development, as well as a prominent marketing and distribution agreement with Warner Bros. home entertainment group. Mind you, releasing solid games such as Overlord and Dirt couldn't have hurt either.
The B[ack]log: Coming clean (about Dirt)
[The B[ack]log now returns from hiatus which, given the subject matter, is probably a bad thing.]A few weeks ago, I experienced my first proper gaming injury... and it wasn't at all how I imagined it would be. My fantasies of physical folly usually involve a mangled foot on a Dance Dance Revolution machine or a Wii remote lodged in an eye socket, bodily damage incurred from activities that largely require, you know, activity. I considered it a dubious achievement to have unlocked pain in a part of my body simply by sitting on a couch and fervently pushing buttons. How fragile my body is! Though the process of waking up is generally one I try to avoid -- it feels too much like being dragged through the dangling rubber strips at the top of an airport baggage claim -- I immediately knew that Monday morning was off to an even worse start than usual. The immobilizing lower back pain was the obvious clue, its origin being quite the mystery at first. Was I picking up refrigerators in my sleep? Did someone replace my mattress with a pile of rakes? Or did I really manage to hurt myself by playing Dirt non-stop for a weekend?
