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Codemasters pulls McRae ads
Following the death of rally car driver Colin McRae last weekend in a helicopter crash, Codemasters has decided to pull advertising for the PS3 version of Colin McRae: DiRT out of respect. Codemasters says that the ads are being stopped "with consideration to and in agreement with McRae's family." The helicopter crash in which McRae died also claimed the life of his five-year-old son.We're curious to see how McRae's death will impact the future of the series. Considering the American version of DiRT didn't really have McRae's name attached to it, it's more of a question about the European versions.
Breaking news: Racer Colin McRae dies in helicopter crash
[Update: Codemasters, publisher of the Colin McRae games, has issued an official statement.]A sad day for fans of racer Colin McRae on Saturday as news broke that he died in a helicopter crash. He was apparently piloting a chopper near his home in Lanarkshire when something went tragically wrong, and according to eyewitnesses it exploded in a fireball. It's not known who else was onboard with him, but some reports say his five year old son may have been aboard as well. McRae's five-year-old son was also killed in the crash.The official Colin McRae website is completely black as a sign of mourning, and our thoughts go out to his friends and family during this tragedy. The last video game bearing his name, Colin McRae: DiRT was released earlier this summer, and sold over 500k copies in its first week of release. Born in Lanark in 1968, McRae was the son of five-time British Rally Champion, Jimmy McRae. He was the first Briton to be named world champion when he won the event in the mid-1990s and was awarded an MBE by the Queen for his outstanding achievements.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Worldwide PS3 releases for the week of September 10th
This week's release list can only be described as ... heavenly. We've been waiting for a long time for this. Heavenly Sword is finally available to the masses this week and we can't wait to get our hands on it. Here's the full release list: US Games Heavenly Sword DiRT NHL 08 NHL 2K8 European Games Heavenly Sword DiRT Asian Games Megazone 23: Aoi Garland Megazone 23: Aoi Garland Limited Edition Check it out. Two potentially great games being released simultaneously throughout America and Europe. This is what we really love to see. As for Megazone 23: Aoi Garland, we've never heard of it. If you're intrigued and want to try it out then go right ahead, your PS3 will play games from any region. Release dates are constantly subject to change, so always keep that in mind.
PlayStation Network store gets a DiRTy update
We don't know if you realized this, but since July 16th, the only new releases for the Xbox 360 and the PS3 have been three football games and a NASCAR game. When times get this tight, you've got to take the fun where you can get it, and PS3 gamers got a nice fun infusion yesterday with a big update to the PSN store. You can now find demos for DiRT and NCAA Football 08, trailers for Folklore and Timeshift, a making-of doc for Heavenly Sword and a few assorted movie trailers. Hopefully, there's enough there to get you guys through, just remember, when times get tough: Warhawk's just around the corner.
PSP Fanboy Theatre: Volume 29
Finally, after a long E3-related hiatus, PSP Fanboy Theatre is back with an all new edition. Every weekend, PSP owners can download files wirelessly via m.pspfanboy.com. Instructions: Save all movie and thumbnail files to the VIDEO folder. These high resolution 480x272 videos require firmware 3.30 or above. (Note: OE custom firmware will also play these videos.) New for PSP: Get selected videos delivered automatically to your PSP via our new RSS feed. Legend of the Heavenly Sword: Part 1 Download MP4 (13.0MB) | Download JPG The following videos are featured after the break: Tekken: Dark Resurrection, Stranglehold, WWE Smackdown Vs RAW 08, Haze, Dirt.
Get Dirt on your PS3 this September
Codemasters has announced that the PlayStation 3 version of gratuitously grimy off-road racer, Dirt, will skid into stores this September. Having already crushed several Xbox 360 controllers due to the sheer tension experienced when rapidly hurling a screeching hunk of metal through a tight corner, we're pleased to note that the Playstation 3 version will support sturdy racing wheels and force feedback functionality. Several PlayStation 2 peripherals, including the Logitech Driving Force range, are more than welcome at these rally events.One feature touted as being unique to the PlayStation 3 is 7.1 audio, bolstered by "third-order Ambisonic soundfields for the most realistic positioning." We're not sure what that is exactly, but it sounds like something we'd enjoy. There's no mention of Sixaxis motion support in the release, though shaking the controller violently would be an appropriate way of strangling Dirt's annoying co-driver. Take that, "Mr. Smooth!"
Picking up the PS3 version of DiRT? It's ready to rumble
John Yan recently took the time to tour the booths at E3 and came away with his impressions for a few games, but one bit near the end caught our attention above all else. He saw the PS3 version of Colin McRae's DiRT and claimed it looked more refined than the 360 and PC counterparts. We're not worried about the graphics and all that, though. There was something else that piqued our interest. There was a rumble option in the game's options screen. John asked the folks showcasing the game if the rumble feature would exist in the final product for the PS3 and they answered yes. DiRT is prepared to take advantage of the new rumble feature coming to the Sixaxis controller in a matter of months. Isn't that exciting? The controller isn't out yet, but game developers are already prepared to offer the feature in their games. It's great news for all of us, especially those who really need to feel some vibrations in their hands. You know who you are! [Thanks, John!]
DiRT for the PS3 "looks fantastic compared to the 360"
PlayStation 3 owners currently have to deal with some headaches when it comes to third party multiplatform titles. Games like Rainbow 6 and GRAW 2 come months and months after the 360/PC versions and games like The Darkness that arrive on time frequently are missing a couple of the graphical flourishes found on the other versions. It's frustrating though not entirely unexpected considering the complexity of the PS3 and it's shorter time on the market. Fortunately, as developers get more accustomed to developing for the PlayStation 3 they're getting better and better at making the PS3 version of multiplatform games.Codemaster's DiRT is a good example, while it is arriving a couple months after the PC/360 version it's not a huge delay and it appears that the time isn't being spent simply bringing the PS3 version up to the quality of the 360 version. No, according to a Gamespot interview, the time is being spent making the PS3 one better than the other versions. The developer espouses at length about how much better the PS3 version will be, saying that it "looks fantastic compared to the 360." He further explains that the framerate is better, that there is full support for all the PS2 steering wheels, and that they now have full uncompressed 7.1 surround sound -- something 'the 360 didn't allow us to do.' Great news all around for PS3 owners frustrated about the delay of the highly anticipated racer. While it's always nice getting a game as soon as possible, getting a better game by waiting a couple months is a pretty solid trade-off. DiRT will be out this fall (around September) and according to the developer we'll also be getting a demo before then, so keep an eye on the PS Store for more gorgeous offroad racing.[Via N4G]
Codemasters says DiRT sold 500,000 in one week
Behold the power of mud! Rally racer DiRT has sold globally 500,000 copies in its first week of release, according to Codemasters. The publisher cites statistics from web site VG Chartz that the Colin McRae-less US version was number one on the Xbox 360 charts, a move that is sure to get the NPD a little hot and bothered.Speaking with Joystiq, VG Chartz president Brett Walton said that the 500,000 shipment figure "is likely to be a shipment figure" (i.e. Codemasters has sold 500,000 to the retailers, not necessarily to the consumer). Walton said that the sales were 110,000 in the US (70,000 for Xbox 360 and 40,000 on the PC) and around 150,000 total in Europe.
DiRT kicks up 500,000 copies in one week
Codemasters announced today that DiRT has sold over 500,000 copies worldwide in its first week of sale. Codemasters further notes that the game has reached the number one sales position in North America for Xbox 360 and is in the top 5 globally for all platforms. Additionally, the company notes that the Xbox Live Marketplace and PC demos have been downloaded in excess of 500,000 times. On a console dominated by shooters and action games, a racing game landing at number one is a hefty feat indeed, and landing in the top 5 globally is impressive for any title. It would seem Codemasters is on a roll, with both DiRT and Overlord receiving impressive reviews. We're curious to see how well Overlord does at retail (we're guessing that 500,000 copies is a bit high).
Shipping this week: mo' DiRT edition
With the demo available for weeks, rally racing fans can finally get their hands on Colin McRae: DiRT. At first we were hoping it was the long awaited video game adaptation of Joe Dirt. Much to our chagrin, this is not the case. Still, it appears that DiRT is a competent racing game. We're told these "racing games" typically involve automobiles which are attempting to circumnavigate a predetermined path as fast as possible, preferably faster than the other automobiles. We're also told that it is purportedly "badass" with the Wireless Racing Wheel. Alas, there are no other retail releases for the 360 this week.
New games this week: DiRT edition
This week's new batch of games marks the release of DiRT, once headlined by Scottish racer Colin McRae until he was deemed less popular than dirt for the US release. Those looking for something a little creepier may be happy to know that everyone's favorite smokey-voiced merchant has returned for the now-thrice-released Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition. Otherwise, there's a rather nasty drought of new-gen games this week, though PC and portable consoles have plenty to play until next Tuesday. You can commence reading the release list starting .... wait for it ... now.%Gallery-4072%
Founders of Codemasters bought out by venture firm
After redesigning its face, European publisher Codemasters has now undergone some internal changes as well. A capital venture firm, Balderton Capital, has acquired the remaining stake held by the publisher's founders, David, Richard and Jim Darling. The purchase is accompanied by a further £50 million in finance from Goldman Sachs for the future growth of the company -- already the largest independent video game developer and publisher in Europe."This new investment heralds the next stage for Codemasters as it realises its ambitions to be a global player, readying itself for the digital age," says Codemasters CEO, Rod Cousens. "For more than 20 years, Jim, David and Richard built Codemasters to become one of the video game industry's great British success stories; they brought enjoyment to many and made a valuable contribution to the industry as a whole." Have a look at their latest contributions, Dirt and Overlord, later this month.
Sega Rally skids onto PSP this September
We never really understood what a "garally" was or why we had to say it, but our love for rapidly moving metal objects needs no explanation. Joining the previously announced PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 version on store shelves this September, Sega Rally for the PSP is described by Sega as a provider of "everything its predecessors laid out when defining the rally genre; amazing visuals, superb handling and closely fought competitive racing." And as any rally fan will tell you, the real competition comes in the form of dirt, dust and remorseless trees.In terms of human competition, the game will feature an infrastructure multiplayer mode along with Wi-Fi support. And for those worrying that Sega Rally might be a shoehorned PlayStation Port-able game, Sega assures us that it's been developed from scratch by Flatout's Bugbear Entertainment. Garally![Via PSP Fanboy]
European PSN releases for June 8th
Those of you who enjoy your beat-em-ups will no doubt be pleased with the recent European PSN update. As well as a couple of trailers for upcoming PS3 games, Sony gave us Mortal Kombat 2. The full release list is as follows. Mortal Kombat 2 (£1.99) Colin McRae: DiRT trailer (free) Ninja Gaiden Sigma trailer (free) Isn't it is nice to finally get some playable content with a name that doesn't start with "Go!"? MK2 is a worthwhile purchase, especially considering the low price. We reviewed it in May (back when the Americans got it), giving it a score of nothing-to-write-home-about out of ten. Things can only get better for the PSN though, with upcoming releases of Calling All Cars and Super Stardust HD. Will removing the spines of our friends over the internet keep us occupied until then? We hope so.
Live Top Ten: Betacular
This week's Live Top Ten shows a trend that will continue on through to the 10th. The Halo 3 Beta is being played a lot, by way of our actions Crackdown. Not enough to knock Gears of War of its top spot, but certainly enough to give the retail game second, and the beta in accesses in third. Of course, there is more on the list worth noting other than those three worth mentioning, such as the DiRT demo, or the free XBLA title, Aegis Wing. Full list can be found after the break, or you can just go back to playing the beta. We'll encourage you in your habit.
New DIRT pre-order goodies revealed
Codemasters has announced that those who place pre-orders on Colin McRae: DIRT will get some exclusive in-game content. Pre-ordering players will receive a code to unlock 10 additional cars as well as access to exclusive videos featuring Travis Pastrana (whom we're guessing is famous). It's unknown if this code will unlock cars that can be obtained in other ways or if the content will really be exclusive to those with pre-orders. The 10 cars are: Subaru Impreza WRX-RA STI version II Toyota Celica GT-FOUR Peugeot 205 T16 Lancia Delta S4 Icker Jimco buggy McMillin Racing Car Kamaz 4911 MAN TGA Freightliner Century Class S/T Kenworth T2000 So, is that enough to make you get your pre-order on? [Via Evil Avatar]
Forza 2 racing wheel tuning possible through DiRT
Over on the Forza Motorsport 2 forums members are investigating a way to change the 360 racing wheel's force feedback in the Forza 2 demo. Currently, the Forza 2 demo does not allow customizable racing wheel options, but the Colin McRae DiRT demo does allowing players to change various settings. And, as such, some forum members are reporting that the DiRT demo's force feedback settings magically transfer over to the Forza 2 demo. So, if you're feeling the need for more force feedback in Forza 2, fire up DiRT, customize your racing wheel options and see if it helps your Forza 2 demo situation. Although, all this confusion could be avoided if Microsoft would integrate some sort of racing wheel options menu through the dash. You hear us Microsoft? [Thanks, thermodynamic]
DIRT demo tracks mud onto nice, clean marketplace
Rally fans rejoice, for the Colin McRae: DIRT demo has finally arrived on Marketplace. If you prefer your racing a little muddier than, say, Forza 2, then DIRT is just the thing for you. If the footage we've seen of the game is anything to go by, then DIRT looks to be a stellar title. Why not download the 770MB demo and find out for yourself? Have any fanboys out there taken this filthy racing sim for a test drive yet? What do you think?
Colin McRae: DiRT demo is positively filthy
Maybe you liked that Forza 2 demo, but it just left you feeling a bit clean. Maybe you long to break the cement shackles and cruise the natural roads that God made for you. Or, maybe you just want to kill a few minutes. The new Xbox Live demo for Colin McRae: DIRT doesn't care, it's chill like that. Unless, of course, you live in Mexico or Asia. In that case, you're out of luck.We haven't played through it yet (our severe obsessive-compulsive disorder would force us to stop every 30 feet to use our economy-sized Windex and paper towels) but we're looking forward to hearing what you think. Just, you know, wipe your feet first.
