God made DIRT, and DIRT don't hurt

In today's contest you can win DIRT 5 Amplified Edition for PS4, Xbox One, or Steam!

No disrespect here, but man how does a game called "dirt" sell so many copies? It's crazy! You've gotta have some cajones to name your game after stuff you swish off your feet after wal??king around outside.

Well, DIRT 5 is upon us, so you know what that means -- contest time! We're giving away the Amplified Edition, which includes all post-launch DLC and other goodies. I'm also going on a technicality on this one, but since the game has a free upgrade to PS5/Xbox One Series S/X (God I hate typing that), you're technically getting the next ??gen for free, too!

Read so??me press info while I mak??e sure my car doors are locked.

DIRT 5 delivers breathtaking wheel-to-wheel pack racing on multiple surfaces including rugged terrain, harsh desert sands, snow, ice, tarmac and more. Weather conditions change in a heartbeat, cars flip and crash as the action heats up, and players must keep their wits about them to stay in the race. With a variety of game modes including Career, Arcade, Time Trial and Multiplayer games, DIRT 5 is an adrenaline rush from start to finish. DIRT 5 also introduces split-screen which can be played offline in co-op and competitive modes for up to four pla??yers.

For those who cra??ve variety, the trailer ends on the new Playgrounds feature. Create, share and discover custom arenas across three event types: Gate Crasher, Smash Attack and Gymk??hana. All published Playgrounds are hosted online with a global leaderboard allowing players around the world to upload an arena and post their best score.

After five entries, I think you know whether or not you want this?? one.

The Amplifie?d Edition comes with the base game, as well as:

• Access to every post-launch addition to DIRT 5
• 3 exclusive vehicles: Ariel Nomad Tactical, Audi TT Safari, VW Beetle Rallycross
• 3 exclusive player sponsors with fresh objectives, rewards and liveries
• Currency and XP boosts
• Pre-order bonus: Ford F-150 Raptor PreRunner by Deberti Design

To enter to win, use the widget below to leave your name and email address. You can enter daily. For bonus entries, click around and follow the instructions within, and be sure to hit up PC Invasion for more chances to win!

We have f??ive keys each for PS4 (NA), Xbox One, and Steam. Our winners ?will be drawn next Thursday.

DIRT 5 is available now for PS4, Xbox One, and Steam.

Dtoid Contest: Win DI??RT 5 Amplified Edition for PS4, Xbox One, or Steam

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Dirt 5's a looker

During almost any other time, I would not be interested in Dirt 5. I say this confidently because I was not interested in Dirt Rally 2.0 or Dirt 4. There have been seven previous Dirt games (!!) and I did not h??ave a lick ??of interest in any of them.

Dirt 5 is different though because it looks so goddamn pretty on PS5 and Xbox Series X. That's the way it goes with new hardware. Racing games are a technical showcase because they always end up looking the most impressive. Dirt 5 is the next-gen racing launch game -- Gran Turismo 7 and Forza Motorsport don't have re?lease dates yet -- and it seems like it'll nice?ly play the role of visual stunner.

The dates are a little staggered over the next two weeks. Dirt 5 first launches on PC, PS4, and Xbox One on November 6. Then it hits both new consoles on their launch days -- Xbox Series X on November 10 and PS5 on November 12. That's where Codemasters is promoting options for 4K resolution and 120fps gameplay. If you want to start early, know that both PlayStation and Xbox offer free next-gen upgrades. Just remember that? saves won't transfer over from PS4 to PS5.

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November 12 release date confirmed for the PS5 version

Even when it comes to games we've known about for a while, the PlayStation 5 launch lineup isn't set in stone just yet. Today, Codemasters confirmed Dirt 5 will make the November 12 deadline.

In a tweet, the studio also reiterated several features: 4K and 120fps support, faster load times, cross-generation multiplayer with the PS4 player base, and "DualSense haptic feedback and adaptive triggers." As we previously learned, there's a free upgrade from PS4 to PS5 – but saves won't transfer.

Aside from the save-file caveat for PlayStation users, the rest of that list should sound familiar. Codemasters is making a similar pitch – including a 120Hz mode – for the Xbox Series X version.

As it now stands, Dirt 5 will hit PC, PS4, and Xbox One on November 6, followed by Xbox Series X/S on November 10, and finally PS5 on November 12. There are a lot of dates to keep track of next month. (Speaking of: Dirt 5 will come to PlayStation 5 in "other territories" one week later, on November 19.)

The last time I got a racing game for a just-launched console was Project Gotham Racing 3.

@dirtgame [Twitter]

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'If that changes, we'll let you know'

Bringing our save files from PS4 over to PS5 isn't someth??ing we should have to wonder about – it should be o?ne of those invisible "it just works" features – but that's not how things are shaping up.

Dirt 5 is another game that will be available on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 but will not let players transfer their progression from one console to the next when they freely upgrade to the PS5 version.

"Currently on Xbox, all progress can be carried over between generations," Codemasters said in response to a question on Twitter. "On PlayStation, your Playgrounds creations can be carried over, but other game progress (Career, currency, saved liveries) cannot. If that changes, w?e'll let you know!"

We're still making sense of how widespread this issue will be for PlayStation fans hoping for a smooth console transition, but for now – with Spider-Man: Miles Morales supporting PS4-to-PS5 saves and Maneater and Yakuza 7 proactively announcing otherwise &nda??sh; it's very much a case-??by-case basis.

I'm curious to hear specific details about the transfer process for Miles Morales "closer to launch."

[Via VGC]

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Another road-ripper for British studio

Codemasters has announced that it has secured the official World Rally Championship (WRC) licence, allowing the British developer to create games based on the off-road racing sport. Currently owned by Bigben Interactive, C?odemasters will become the official WRC licensor in 2023.

The news might come as something of a surprise, given that Codemasters already has its own successful rally franchise in the form of DiRT - an evolution of the Colin McRae Rally series of the early '00s. Codemasters has stated that it intends to remain committed to the DiRT series, a new entry for which was announced just last month.

Going forward, Codemasters will helm individual franchises under the DiRT and WRC banners, with the first WRC title expected to release in 2024. The publisher will also play host to all related esports tournaments DiRT 5 is currently in development? for a 2020 release on current and next-gen platforms.

Codemasters to create gam??es based on the W??orld Rally Championship [GamesIndustry.biz]

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Likely ahead of a delisting

Humble is teaming up with Codemasters to give out DiRT Rally for free. Available until September 1, 2019 (or while supplies last), this is likely being done ahead of a delisting. As with other Humble giveaways of Codemasters racers, the titles eventually became delisted from digital stores shortly after. While Grid 2 took a good few years, DiRT 3 and Showdown were removed shortly after their free period.

If you have any interest in playing this and would rather wait for a cheaper price on its sequel, make sure to grab this offer while you can. You can head on over to Humble here and redeem? the game to your Steam account. From what I've heard, this is an excellent arcade/sim game and it's fr??ee of any DLC shenanigans.

Humble Freebie [Humble]

The post Humble is offering up DiRT Rally for free appeared first on Destructoid.

360 degrees of DiRT

The long-requested VR update to DiRT Rally 2.0 is now live on PC. The update is free for the Steam version of the game while a special Oculus package is available on the Oculus store that includes additional in-game liveries. Both the Rift and the Rift S are supported, bringing full 360??-degree rotation to the game and some change??s to textures to better maintain a solid framerate.

Sadly, the PS4 version of DiRT Rally 2.0 will not be receiving a VR update this time out. As stated on Codemasters' official blog, "There are no plans to add PSVR support to DiRT Rally 2.0." That seems like a real missed opportunity, what with the first DiRT Rally getting a VR release on the console.

At any rate, if you have a PC capable of running this, you'll finally be able to experience a whole new view of DiRT.

VR, DirtFish & Patch Notes: Version 1.7 of DiRT Rally 2.0 [Codemasters]

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New cars, liveries, and locations

DiRT Rally 2.0 is about to enter its second season of content and Codemasters has detailed what players can expect. In addition to a bevy of new cars, additional liveries and locations will be available for racers to test out. Content will be coming every two weeks starting on June 4, 2019, with a focus being on Rally-X. Tradi?tional rally fans aren't left out in the cold as the Wales circuit will be making a return to the fray in a few months.

The release of these cars and their groups is a bit hard to keep up with. A press release from Codemasters contains a description of Group B rallycross cars (a class that premiered in DiRT 4), but then shows the release of them staggered by a month and a half. ?It's so bizarre to hold off on certain disciplines for?? such a long time, but I suppose it gives players the chance to put each vehicle through the wringer.

At any?? rate, this is when you can expect each piece of ??content:

• Week 1 (June 4): Peugeot 205 T16 Rallycross, Ford RS200 Evolution, Special Livery
• Week 3 (June 18): Latvia RX
• Week 5 (July 2): Porsche 911 SC RS, Lancia 037 Evo 2, Special Livery
• Week 7 (July 16): Wales Rally
• Week 9 (July 30): Lancia Delta S4 Rallycross, MG Metro 6R4 Rallycross, Special Livery
• Week 11 (August 13): Germany RX

All of this content is included in the deluxe edition of Rally 2.0 or the season pass that is available on your respective digital storefront of choice. If you only want specific cars or seasons, you can buy them individually for a slightly l?ower cost. The deluxe edition retails for $20 over the standard package while the season pass will set you back $30.

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This game is DiRTY

If you're wondering what type of racer DiRT Rally 2.0 is, then let me explain my first five minutes with the title. I booted the game up and was? greeted with an exceptionally plain splash screen and menu. A narrator started to talk, but I accidentally p??ressed a button and it canceled out the speech. Assuming the first option led to a career mode, I picked "Events" and "Career Rally," then selected my car and mentally prepared myself for the race.

The very first track I was greeted with was an 8.34 mile stretch of road in Poland that took around 11 minutes to complete. I had no rewinds, very minimal assists, and my lac?k of understanding saw me jump the starting countdow??n and accrue extra time on the clock. I clipped a turn at one point and my tire exploded, requiring me to make a stop and manually replace the wheel to continue.

Yeah, this is certainly a ?hardcore rally simulator. I just wish the rest of the package could have lived up to that brutal opener.

DiRT Rally 2.0 (PC, PS4 [reviewed on PS4 Pro], Xbox One)
Developer: Codemasters
Publisher: Codemasters
Released: February 25, 2019 (PC), February 26, 2019 (Consoles)
MSRP: $59.99

For an entire console generation now, the DiRT series has been known for being quite the accomplished racer. Codemasters has crafted a very specific title for a certain niche of fans that like to delve into almost sim-like attention to detail. While the mainline series has threaded the line between arcade goodness and extreme realism, the 2015 spin-off DiRT Rally catered specifically to the veteran racers that were looking for an accurate replication of this brutal sport. It was not a welcoming title for those looking to jump into this off-shoot of the Colin McRae games.

Rally 2.0 continues this trend and makes no concessions for players not versed with the rules of Rally racing. If you don't understand that "Don't Cut" means you really should not cut your turn, just walk away now. I will say that I'm surprised there isn't a tutorial mode here, but I can't exactly blame the second entry?? of a hardcore racing series to assume fans played the first. You either know the game by now or you don't.

Even with that expectation in mind, the menu system is way too thin. This is a game with little to no personality and with an announcer that you can accidentally cancel out. Like I said in the opening, a man started talking and I accidentally pressed the X button, which then ceased his explanation with no way to replay it. I was left to discover the menu on my own, but it's so threadbare that I almost thought I was playing the limited install version of the game (DiRT Rally 2.0 on PS4 has one of those "Ready to Play" option??s).

No, there really is just nothing else to the game. You have a menu option that says Events, another for Freeplay, then Store and just general game?? options. I naively thought Store would be for the in-game garage, but it's actually a link to the PlayStation Store (or your platform equivalent) that is primed to sell you DLC before you even begin racing. It's not the best introduction and it certainly made me question what was going on.

When you do finally accept that the career really is just six locations with four tracks each, you'll begin racing with one of two cars available at the start. Not that any racer should give you the full garage from the get-go, but you're not even given an option to try many different cars should you opt to jump right into the career. You're expected to rac??e with some POS mobile in a game that is ridiculously punishing to earn around 20,000 credits that will barely cover the repairs you might need.

To put it bluntly, I think the career is a total wash. I take issue with how racing games start off small and then repeat the same content with more laps (as if that is an actual increase in challenge), but Rally 2.0 doesn't even bother crafting an interes?ting career. It just throws literally everything at you at once with no set dressing and no variation. You're here for Rally or Rally Cross and that's it. I suppose it cuts the fat??, but it does nothing to foster improving your abilities. It also really hurts that it requires an online connection, meaning you can't even make progress offline.

At least the racing model used for Rally 2.0 is stellar. There is an exceptionally accurate physics model going on that puts a lot of modern racers to shame. Readers of this site will know that I've lobbied my complaints at Forza 7 and Gran Turismo Sport, but I have no beef with the way DiRT Rally 2.0 plays. It's occasionally frustrating and I can't continuously play it for more than a few hours, bu?t this is likely the best racer Codemasters has ever produced. The rush of adrenaline you get from making a perfect turn is simply unmatched in any other racer, not to mention there is a real rush when you're flying down the road at 80 MPH in a pitch-black forest because your stupid self trashed your headlights in a collision.

It's just that every other aspect of Rally 2.0 feels undercooked. While I have no problem with how Rally and even DiRT 4 decided to lean more into the Rally aspects of the sport (considering the series began that way), my biggest problem with both outings is how limited in content they were. DiRT 3 may not be the standout entry for many fans, but I was floored with how much content was present in the game. Gymkhana be damned, there was always something new ?to explore and see with plenty of cars to tinker with. Multiplayer was also fully featured and had a ton of extra options for playing with friends.

Rally 2.0 mostly feels like a reskin of DiRT 4 with a more realistic focus and some odd concessions with career and cars. There are fewer vehicles, the random track generator is gone, Rally Cross reuses the exact tracks from 4, and the online multiplayer is still super basic. You can actually verse opponents in live competition with Rally Cross, but the traditional Rally mode might as well be a solo affair. Everyone connects, but you can??'t interact with other cars while starting at the gate. They seemingly disappear into another realm while you're racing.

It doesn't help that once you finish the career modes, there is nothing left. Time Trials are there and you can create your own custom championships (which is what multiplayer is limited to), but unless you feel like committing to four- or five-hour-long stretches of races that lock your car out from other game modes, you're just going to be sitting around doing nothing. The career options don't dole out many credits, so even trying to partake of the Daily and Weekly challenges to earn extra money means you'll probably not have another car available for the job. You can't rent them out except fo?r in Freeplay and that doesn't earn you any money.

I might not be so salty about this lack of content if Codemasters wasn't openly marketing a "Deluxe" version of DiRT Rally 2.0 that includes two seasons worth of content. Like I mentioned above, the Store option on the main menu takes you directly to your digital marketplace of choice and advertises a $29.99 season pass that includes six additional locations, 10 extra ??vehicles, new events, and high payout rewards. Talk about a slap in the face to longtime fans.

So I'm very conflicted with DiRT Rally 2.0. It is a rewarding and difficult racer that is sure to please die-hard racing fans but may even aggravate them with how barren it feels. Looking almost identical to DiRT 4 in both graphics and menu design, it becomes incredibly dif?ficult to recommend at full price when you can get almost the same experience with the last main entry.

Maybe that season pass will improve things so dramatically that I'll be singing a different tune, but I honestly don't think fans should consider grabbing this game at full pr??ice. Codemasters has honed its craft with regards to its racing model, but it really has taken a step back with the full package. I don't need oodles and oodles of modes, distractions, and persistent progression to feel accomplished, but I also don't expect anyone to happily pay $60 for a game with less content than its predecessors.

DiRT Rally 2.0 might be the best-feeling racer Codemas?ters has ever produced, but it most definitely is not the best iteration of this long-running?? series.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]}

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Take a bath, stinky

Hit the dirt with today contest for DiRT Rally 2.0 for PS4 and Xbox One.

I hate it when I get all covered in dirt. Yuck! But if you're lo??oking to get nice and DiRT-y?, then we've got you covered.

Come win a copy of DiRT Rally 2.0, courtesy of your friends at Dtoid!

I'll let Codemasters give you the dirt. Lol.

Carve your way through a selection of iconic rally locations from across the globe, knowing that the smallest mistake could end your stage. You will need to rely on your instincts with the most immersive and truly focused off-road experience yet, including a new authentic handling model, tyre choice and surface deformation. Power your rally car through real-life off-road environments in New Zealand, Argentina, Spain, Poland, Australia and the USA, with only your co-driver and instincts to guide you. Race on eight official circuits from th??e FIA World Rallycross championship, complete with licensed Supercars and support series. Develop your team and cars around race strategies, and progress through a varied selection of Events and Championships in both a single player Career Campaign and a competitive online en??vironment.

• OVER 50 OF THE MOST POWERFUL OFF-ROAD CARS EVER BUILT -- Tear through environments with an iconic roster of historic and modern-day rally cars, VW Polo GTI R5, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X & Citroen C3 R5. Also take on the challenging power of the Chevrolet Camaro GTR.4.
• 6 REAL LIFE RALLY LOCATIONS -- Take the wheel through the stunning environments of New Zealand, Argentina, Spain, Poland, Australia and the USA.
• FEEL YOUR RACE -- Improved handling, surfaces, fallibility and environments deliver the most authentic and focused off-road experience ever.
• THE OFFICIAL GAME OF THE FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP -- Race at Barcelona, Montalegre, Mettet, Lohéac Bretagne, Trois-Rivieres, Hell, Holjes and Silverstone in a multitude of different series.
• DEVELOP YOUR OWN TEAM -- Create a team, hire your staff and expand your garage of vehicles as you choose.
• TUNING -- Tune your vehicle to suit your driving style and environmental characteristics. Alleviate wear and tear by configuring each car's set-up, and upgrade your parts to ensure your vehicles are ready for whatever challenge lies ahead.
• GET COMPETITIVE -- Race the entire DiRT Community in Daily, Weekly and Monthly Challenges, with worldwide leaderboards and events.

Normall??y I'd use my own words for that se?ction, but I didn't want to drag the game through the mud. Mud. Get it? Because mud is just wet dirt? Is this thing on?

??To enter to win your copy, tell us below which system you'd like a key for (PS4/Xbox One) and just why this series is so damned dirty. I think one of my roommates left it in the sink after eating a microwave bur??rito on it. Of course they didn't even bother scraping off the excess cheese or rinsing it before leaving it there -- they just let the cheese harden and crust over. It'll take two dishwasher cycles to clean, now, and well there goes my lovely Tuesday evening. The messy bastards.

We have three keys for each platform to give out. Our PS4 keys are for North American PS Store accounts only. Winners will be drawn on Sunday, March 3. Make sure to comment using a Dtoid account up to date with your current email address. New users can sign up here to come clean on the dirty laundry.

DiRT Rally 2.0 is available today for PS4 and Xbox One. Head over to our PlayStation and Xbox Enthusiast sites for more chances to win!

The post Contest: Win DiRT Rally 2.0 for PS4 or Xbox One appeared first on Destructoid.

PC Version only

DiRT Rally 2.0 is still set for its February 26, 2019 release date, but we haven't heard too much else about post-launch content. While two seasons of content are planned, most people were curious to know if the excellent VR mode would return from the first DiRT Rally. As it turns out, VR will be coming to the PC version this summer, though it seems to be l?imited to Oculus Rift.

The real bummer is that PlayStation VR won't be receiving this update. I suppose the upgrade in visuals didn't leave enough horsepower for Sony's aging console to push out a reliable framerate. Whatever the reason, at least Rally 2.0 won't be losing a feature from its predecessor.

DiRT [Twitter]

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*Extremely Sunny voice* 'I just wanna be pure'

Codemasters is taking another crack at rally racing with DiRT Rally 2.0, a sequel due out on PC, PS4, and Xbox One next year. You and your co-driver are headed to New Zealand, Argentina, Spain, Poland, Australia, and the United States for eight circuits from the FIA World Rallycross champions?hip.

"We are not afraid to make a? challenging game," said chief games designer Ross Gowing. For the sequel, the development team is promising "improved handling, surfaces, fallibility, and environments."

While the original DiRT Rally touted virtual reality support on PlayStation 4 and PC, there's zero mention of VR for DiRT Rally 2.0. M?aybe that'll ?come in time, but for now, it doesn't seem like a priority.

DiRT Rally 2.0 will launch on Feb. 26, 2019. That said, Codemasters is jumping on the? increasingly-prevalent "pay for early access" trend. Players who buy the Deluxe Edition have a four-day head start.

This $80 version also includes "two seasons of post-l??aunch additional content, each with three locations (split between rally and rallycross) and five early vehicle??s unlocks (Ford Escort MkII, Lancia Stratos, Subaru Impreza 1995, AUDI Sport quattro S1 E2 and Ford Fiesta OMSE SuperCar Lite)."

The post DiRT R??ally 2.0 is a full sequel arriving next year appeared first on Destructoid.

Fearless Hyena

DiRT 4’s tagline is "Be Fearless" and it definitely makes s??ense. This is a game more concerned about accurately recreating the sensation of Rally Sport than it is about accommodating lesser-skilled players. You need to be willing to throw away your conception of what racing games are and engage with how brutal this game can be. You have to push yourself to your limits to get better or else go home with nothing.

To put to bluntly, DiRT 4 is not for everyone. This is a game for pe??ople who are willing to work for their entertainment and the rewards can be sweet. The biggest issue plaguing the whole package, thou??gh, is a lack of content beyond basic modes.

DiRT 4 (PC [reviewed], PS4, Xbox One)
Developer: Codemasters
Publisher: Codemasters
Released: June 6, 2017 (US), June 9, 2017 (EU)
MSRP: $59.99

Codemasters has smartly decided to stick to what the DiRT series is famous for with this latest entry. Instead of spending time creating superfluous modes or multiplayer diversions, DiRT 4 is primarily focused on providing the best possible rally e??xperience it can. This takes the form of a random track generator that, theoretically, provides an endless amount of courses for o?ne to tackle.

This option is ridiculously simple to use. You can access it from the main menu under Joyride, Freeplay, and event in Custom Events. You just select "Rally," choose one of the five locations, set a few parameters, and then click generate. While I would like to see more opti??ons for customization (like where towns are or elevating certain segments), the tracks all feel really natural when driving on them.

Dirt 4 contains two handling models available to players. Split between "Gamer" and "Simulation," each mode feels distinct from each other and puts as much or as little control over the various aspects of your car as you want. The former is definitely tighter and feels like playing with training wheels, but if you aren’t quite ready to dive head first into extreme racing, it acts as a great way to acclimate yourself to the world of DiRT.

"Simulation," though, feels outstanding. This is one of the most accurate racing models I’ve ever felt in a game and I wouldn’t want it any other way. Pulling off last-second turns and overtakes requires so much concentration and attention to detail that even the basic act?? of keeping your?? car straight feels like an accomplishment. To say that "Simulation" is hard is an understatement; this mode will kick your ass if you aren’t careful.

Along with those presets, you can tweak different assist??s from the menu before each race. If you want to lock the game into dash cam, you can do that. You’ll also be able to turn on/off anti-lock braking, traction control, throttle control, and even automatic windshield wipers for when your windows get dirtied up. Some of these features make no sense to me, but they are bound to please hardcore fans.

As for where you get to test these different models, DiRT 4 has all the requisite career and time trials modes that have been made standard in racing titles over the years. Career is a more stripped-down affair than previous entries in the series (and other racing games, in general), only containing three truly different modes of play. You’ll tackle "Ral?ly," "Rally-X" and "Land Rush" disciplines with "Historic Rally"?? being the final option, though that is mostly the same as the regular rally option, just with classic vehicles.

"Rally-X" and "Land Rush" are where this game can get mean. Even with the "Gamer" handling model, you need to learn to control your car like it is a part of your body. The variation in the types of ground can be devast??ating to your wheels if you blindly floor the gas pedal. Some courses will see you shifting from gravel to asphalt and then onto regular old dirt before even making your first turn, which can then send your car swinging wildly about the course without proper braking. It is frustrating, but can be surmounted by honing your technique and focusing on what is ahead of you.

Those two modes are also the only options for direct competition within DiRT 4. The regular rally option?? is basically a time trial, as rally racing is, but there isn’t an option for rolling starts or interaction with oppone??nts. That seems like a missed opportunity, especially with how difficult it is to gauge where other player’s split times are. Passing an opponent on a track would be sublime.

As well as having actual racing, the campaign in DiRT 4 features a team-building aspect that is really poorly explained and kind of shoved into the background. While the announcer did mention something about buying cars for my garag??e to start a team, the game does absolutely nothing to clue you into hiring staff, upgrading your facilities, and tweaking your cars for maximum performance.

These options are all listed under "My Team" fro?m the main menu. From there, you can customize your team’s livery, hire different staff to fill positions like PR Rep, Chief Engineer, and Co-driver, as well as upgrade parts on your cars and acquire new vehicles. It doesn’t play the biggest role in how you’ll progress through career mode,?? but it can be fun to feel like you’re assembling a crack team of experts to help you win.

While that adds a bit of depth to the proceedings, the career in DiRT 4 isn’t without its faults. It starts off looking compact, but eventually bloats itself out to feat?ure championship tiers that have 30 races. Everything is broken down into smaller events (typically consisting of two to five races), but once you select a specific championship, you’ll have to finish it out before progressing onto something else.

Thankfully, you can quit the game and make an interim save of your progress. Curiously, though, you can’t skip over events you may have already completed should you fail an event or decide to jump into a different tier or discipline. You also can?’t change your vehicle once you’ve started? a championship, so you might run into situations where you’re acing the first event and then bombing out in the second.

Most people would be fine with this if DiRT 4 had the rewind feature that has become standard over the last half decade, but Codemasters axed that functionality. While I applaud them for making the game they want to make, it certainly limits the appeal of DiRT 4 to enthusiasts and dedic?ated fans. Newcomers probably won’t like how punishing a single missed turn can be. At least you’re given track restarts, though you can actually turn those off to truly make this game a nightma?re.

If you’re willing to stick it out, DiRT 4 does featu??re an extensive set of tutorials to train you how to properly race. Situated in the DiRT Academy from the main menu, this mode has a plethora of interactive demons?trations that give almost enough information about different racing techniques and advanced skills for conquering tough maneuvers.

I do really like how the game does a guided run-through of the short course you’ll be driving with visuals that show when to apply gas or brake, but once you’re given the reigns, it doesn’t matter how long it takes you? to finish the lesson or if you even follow the guidelines set before you. You can crash through walls and totally disobey what was said and the lesson still counts as being finished.

The DiRT Academy also has a joyride mode and a set of time trial options you can complete. Along with the time trials comes "Smash Attack," an option that was present in DiRT 3’s Gymkhana mode. While you don’t gain any money or cars from completing these modes, it’s a fun way to challenge yourself to be????tter understand the game and its mechanics, so it works as a more organic kind of reward for your troubles.

Finally, there is some very basic multiplayer support included with DiRT 4. That whole suite of various modes in DiRT 3 is entirely gone; DiRT 4 basically mimics the career with wha??t you’re able to tackle with other people. Rally still doesn’t have direct interaction with other players and "Rally-X" and "Land Rush" are limited to roughly 20 tracks combined. "Rally" mode also doesn’t feature any pre-made cou?rses, opting to stick solely to the "My Track" option. It isn’t the most robust offering around.

You can play in?? "Jam Session" mode, which is basically an unranked option, and there is even a neato option called "Pro Tour" that simulates career mode with other players. The tracks are all randomly generated in "Pro Tour," so you won’t have time to practice your runs before facing off against the world.

There aren’t many people populating the PC version of the game, but every match I had was flawless. I’m not sure if there is any lag compensation, but it felt like I was in the same room with those people. That being said, DiRT 4 doesn’t actually have split-screen play (even on consoles), so ??you won’t be sharing the fun with anyone direct?ly next to you.

Omissions like that are what stop me from wholeheartedly recommending DiRT 4. I’m fine with the game being more realistic and focusing on a specific niche, but it’s bizarre how basic the amount of content feels. I know that "My Track" provides unlimited potential, but every other mode doesn’t have a lot of options. For that matter, there aren’t ?even that many cars in the game and a bunch are repeat??ed models from previous years.

There is an exhilarating and engaging rally mode, but the rest of the package feels a bit undercooked. The quality is high (especially the graphical presentation, which looks outstanding), but the amount of content is thin. DiRT 4 feels lik??e less when stacked up against previous entries in the series, let alone other games on the market right now.

I have to hand it to Codemasters for not shoving DLC down our throats. Hell, no DLC has even been announced for this game. I also commend them for not trying t?o please everyone with a single product. That doesn’t mean we should be ready to accept a lighter package just because the devs focused their attention on one mode.

Does that make DiRT 4 bad? Absolutely not; as a matter of fact, I think this may be my favorite entry in the series thus far. It just puts me in ?a strange position where I love jumping into this game, but don’t see myself sticking around long after completing the career mode. There is only so high my skill can go before I master rally mode and just put up the same times over and over.

With better care given to the other modes and maybe some concrete rally tracks, this could have been the definitive rally racing game. As it stands, though, DiRT 4 is a hardcore simulation with limited appeal beyond a specific au?dience. Those fans will absolutely love this game, but any newcomers should try to cut their teeth somewhere else.

_{[This review i??s based on a retail build of the game provided by the ??publisher.]}

The post Review: DiRT 4 appeared first on Destructoid.

Big cut at Amazon for console copies

Don't have Amazon Prime or Best Buy GCU? No worries, because you can currently pick up the freshly released DiRT 4 at a large discount. Not just a little discount, but a surprisingly large 33% price cut for PS4 and Xb??ox One copies at Amazon on the North American console release day.

PC gamers aren't completely left in the dark, with discounts up to 23% off - though note that PC is facing a release date of June 9 instead of June 6 (which unsurprisingly confused a lot of people).

Reviews look to be positive, so a poor r?eception doesn't seem to be the reason for the big cut. For now, we'?re filing this away as an aggressive Amazon price robot - which means the deal can expire at any given time.

DiRT 4 Deals

• DiRT 4 (Steam) — $46.79 at GMG  (list price $60)
• DiRT 4 - Day One Edition (Xbox One) — $43.48 at Amazon  (list price $60)
• DiRT 4 - Day One Edition (PS4) — $40.31 at Amazon  (list price $60)

Given the delayed release date for PC is later this Friday, the Steam key above will still include the pre-order bonus offer of the Hyundai R5 rally car, tea??m booster pack, and the f??ounder icon.

Game deals from Dealzon. Sales help support Destructoid.

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It used to take one, now it takes four

I was a bit of a strange teenager. While most of my peers were busy playing the latest in flashy games, I tended to look for obscure titles and different genres. I remember having a grand old time on the original Xbox playing things like Gunvalkyrie and Jet Set Radio Future, but my friends never seemed to understand. Then came along Rallisport Challenge and I found my answer for a racing game.

I always loved how intense off-road racing felt and was taken with the breathtaking graphics. It looked like live action and DICE (yes, the Battlefield developer) managed to create one of the most realistic racing games ever, for the time. I just loved plowing through water, dirt, and grass while careening on ??the edge of cliffs. It was thrilling in a life-or-death kind of way.

Much to my dismay, Microsoft didn’t continue the franchise on the Xbox 360. I figured we would never get another rally game on then-next-gen hardware, but Codemasters seemingly stepped in to fix that issue. While not the first rally game developed by the company, Colin McRae: DiRT brought the excitement of off-roading to the next-genera?tion and it was a blast.

I, stupidly, didn’t get into the series until DiRT 3, but I’ve been hooked ever since. After an absence of six years, Codemasters has returned to the main DiRT series with DiRT 4 and has made some grea??t change?s to keep the game feeling fresh and wild.

DiRT 4 (PC [reviewed], PS4, Xbox One)
Developer: Codemasters
Publisher: Codemasters
Released: June 6, 2017 (US), June 9, 2017 (EU)
MSRP: $59.99

Many people bemoaned the lack of focus on rally racing with DiRT as the series progressed. While DiRT 2 was seen as the high point by fans, DiRT 3 and Showdown kind of took the series in different directions. 3 brought in a plethora of modes that had nothing to do with off-roading and Showdown might as well have been a different IP with how little resemblance it bared to its predecessors. Codemasters was seemingly aware of this divide, so that led to the development of the second spin-off game, DiRT Rally.

For DiRT 4, it looks like Codemasters has taken inspiration from the success of its Early Access title. While the amount of content isn’t staggering, the number of options dedicated to purely rally racing is awesome. This is a game that is about recreating the sensation of barreling through the woods or hills and doesn’??t really care if you want something else.

That isn’t to say other modes aren’t present, but DiRT 4 has a laser focus that hones in on why people started to gravitate towards this series to begin with. This is also helped by a more traditional gameplay style that puts emphasis on performing well over handing out too many assists to players. If you’ve come to love the rewind feature that almost every racing game has adopted, I’ve got some bad news for you: DiRT 4 axes that entirely and doesn’t care if yo??u screw up five minutes into a track.

While I had begrudgingly accepted rewind features in other g??ames, I forgot how amazing it feels to conquer a difficult course without such a safety net. It makes se??nse, too; rally racers aren’t magically rewinding their cars and reversing damage in actual races, so why should a simulation game have that?

As accessible as previous games have been, DiRT 4 is eager to be more realistic. While you can still toggle a bunch of different driving options on or off (like anti-lock breaking, steering assist, and throttle control), there is? no map or d?riving line to guide you. You have to pay attention to your co-driver and actually watch the track to succeed.

At least if you are brand new to rally games, DiRT 4 offers a handling option that should prove sufficient. When you first boot up the game, you’re given the option of playing with "Gamer" or "Simula?tion" handling. For the purposes of this review-??in-progress, I’ve only played with "Simulation," but that is mostly because I have past experience with these games. I’ll be taking a look at the "Gamer" option for the full review, but it handles a lot of the more sophisticated maneuvers you’ll need to employ on the tracks.

The career mode is also wonderfully pared back from the bloat that most racing games suffer. You’ll find the majority of your challenges in "Rally" mode, but "Rally-X" and "Land Rush" are also present along with "Historic Rally," which is mostly a repeat of regular rally, but with classic cars. Events follow the standard racing game archetype of starting off with single tracks and burgeoning out to have multiple events with multiple races each. It can be tiring, but it thankfully doesn’t repeat the sin that DiRT 3 did of just ha??ving the entire campaign again for n??o reason in a final tier.

Along with that, there is something similar to the Battersea Compound that was present in DiRT 3. It goes by the name of Joyride and it allows you to freely roam around to get a handle on your cars. It also has a few challenges that you can complete. They don’t seem to do much for you, but it's fun to try a??nd reach time trial goals while dodging pick-ups that will add or subtract time from your score.

"Smash Attack," one of the modes that was a part of Gymkhana in DiRT 3, also makes a return in Joyride. It offers the same idea as time trials, just that you’re smashing through things instead of racing. I loved Gymkhana, but I know a bunch of people? were very indif??ferent to it, so at least this doesn’t comprise a part of the main career mode.

Then there is the widely touted "My Track" mode, which randomly generates a track in rally mode for you to race on. It's as easy as going into the menu, selecting "my events," and then picking a country to put your t?rack in. After that, you get sliders for intensity and length and you just press a button to generate the track. You can even save what the game comes up with, if you’re so inclined.

I haven’t put a huge amount of time into testing this feature, but it makes me wonder how much of the "Rally" campaign is actually made up of carefully crafted tracks. It may not be the ultimate answer for endlessly creating new courses, but the results are pretty damn convincing. I even generated?? a track that was close to nine miles long, so you could potentia?lly have a race that takes upwards of 15 minutes to complete.

My biggest complaint with DiRT 4, thus far, mainly lies with the price point. I’m fine with the game not featuring as much content as previous entries, but charging $60 ??for less is concerning. Refreshingly, Codemasters has not announced any DLC for the game, so maybe new modes and features will be add??ed for free.

Still, to run out and drop $60 ??on the game today might not be what most people should do. I do really love the way the racing feels, but I’m not sure how much time I’l?l spend with this game after I’ve completed the campaign. For that matter, I still have to look at multiplayer, which doesn’t seem to sport a lot of options.

I’ve ?refrained from talking about graphics as the version of the game I played for this review-in-progress was based on a beta build of the title. Parts of it looked odd, but that is set to be fixed with a day-one patch. Any screenshots I’ve included in this article come with the caveat of not being on final code, so if you notice any oddities, those are set to be fixed.

Even with the lighter amount of content, though, DiRT 4 feels like a totally different game from its immediate predecessor. Hopefully the multiplayer works fine on launch, but there isn’t much?? to worry about as far as sing??le-player content goes. Everything works as advertised and feels exhilarating.

DiRT 4 may not redefine what a rally racing game should be, but its focus on providing the purest experience possible is admirable in an industry that tries to be everything for everyone at once. I can’t wait to get back?? into the campaign, even though it's nearing midnight (at time of writing) and I’m tired as hell.

_{[This review i??n progress ?is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]}

The post Review in Progress: DiRT 4 appeared first on Destructoid.

Man without fear

A lot of people don't realize that the DiRT series is based on a real sport. Rally driving is pretty damn dangerous and many a driver stare death in the face on a regular basis. You have to be crazy to get behind the wheel on a slim mountain, but that life or death factor is what makes for gut wrenching excitement. Codemasters is looking to capture that feeling with DiRT 4, so this latest trailer takes a closer look at the racers that are helpin??g shape the game.

I can't say I've ever sat down and watched real life rally racing, but I love Rally sport games for their attention to detail. The realism in course design and car handling has always been a big draw for me, so I'm glad that DiRT 4 looks to be mai??ntaining that. Hopefully everything turns out well when the game launches next month.

The post Newest DiRT ??4 trailer takes a look at real drivers appeared first on Destructoid.

I Feel Like a Millionaire

DiRT 4 is still on track for a summer release, Codemasters has let us know. Along with the first "gameplay" trailer below, they have confirmed that June 6 will be race day. The game is speeding to PC, PS4 and Xbox One for $59.99 and it doesn't look like Gymkhana is in? sight at all!

Some of the new features for DiRT 4 include "Gamer" and "Simulation" handling models, the "DiRT Academy" training mode and the "Your Stage" procedural track generation system. That should provide tons of hours of entertainment, especially since the soundtrack features the likes of Queen??????????????????????????s of the Stone Age, Sigma, The Amazons, The Chemical Brothers and Disclosure.

The car highlights include a Subaru WRX STI NR4 (my favorite), Audi Sport Quattro S1 E2 and a Ford Fiesta R5. The game will include over 50 vehicles, so there is bound to be something to please you. You'll be racing in Australia, Michigan, Wales, Sweden and Spain with iconic tracks Montalegre, Holjes, Lydden Hill and Hell (which is a real place in Norway, I'm told.).

I feel super dirty writing all that PR info. Still, I am a fan of DiRT and actually really enjoyed 3, even if Gymkhana comprised something like 30% of the campaign mode. If we can get something along the lines of DiRT Rally, then I'll be even more pleased with 4.

The post Co?demasters unleashes a new trailer, soundtrack info for DiRT 4 appeared first on Destructoid.

For $13

The more simulation-based DiRT Rally spin-off now has its official PlayStation VR update as of today. The bad news: it costs $13. Owners of the base game will need to pony up an additional $12.99 (£9.99) to experience Rally with more "realis?m." If you don't already own the title, you can grab it in a bundle for $43.39 (£??;39.99) with one additional DLC pack.

The VR upda?te also contains some PS4 Pro enhancements and a new "Co-Driver" mode. This allows ?player two to help steer player one on the course, although without a VR headset. It works similar to a rhythm game in that player two will be pressing buttons that correspond with the direction the driver should turn. Sounds like an easy way to be a dick to your friend.

Dirt Rally PS VR Out Today, PS4 Pro Optimized [PlayStation Blog]

The post DiRT Rally’s PSVR update lands on the PSN store appeared first on Destructoid.

Switch shift!

This story reminds me of how developers were cautious with porting their titles to the Wii U because of the consoles' "unique features." In an interview with Daily Star, Darren Hayward (senior games designer at Codemasters) briefly mentioned Nintendo's upcoming console and how DiRT 4 might not be the best fit for the platform.

"There are signs of more traditional games coming out for Switch with full controller support," Darren stated, "but would DiRT Rally or DiRT 4 work on a split Switch controller? I think we'd have to do quite a lot in terms of extra tweaks." Now, what sense does that make? Harward didn't outright deny the game eventually making the jump, stating mostly "we've nothing to announce," but continued by saying, "There are not many inputs, so you'd have to have super simplified controls and because of that, it may not be the ideal scenario for DiRT 4."

Um, what simplified inputs? Unless you're talking about split-screen multiplayer, the Switch has the same amount of inputs as both the Xbox One and PS4. For that matter, DiRT games don't utilize more than eight buttons; you have the t?wo triggers for acceleration and deceleration, two face buttons for manual gear shifting, a power break, look beh??ind (which is also mapped to the right joystick), camera change, and pause. The Switch can definitely support that.

I feel this is going to be the same kind of BS we got with the Wii U; Nintendo's marketing focused so much on all of the extra gimmicks of the console that most developers felt they absolutely needed to make use of the GamePad. Randy Pitchford once stated that Borderlands 2 would never work on Wii U because it wouldn't be able to concoct a gimmick for the GamePad, even ??though putting the menu on there would have? been perfect.

Are we now going to see game creators looking at technology like "HD rumble" and single Joy-Con gameplay and saying, "that can't be done?" Maybe DiRT 4 is too graphically demanding, but I'd rather Codemasters just out and say that?? instead of feeding us a contrived excuse. Why couldn't the Switch be as simple as its initial reveal trailer?

DiRT 4 Nintendo Switc??h UPDATE: Codemasters "wouldn't rule it out??" [Daily Star]

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The fast and the filthy

It's been six years since DiRT 3 was released, but earlier today Codemasters announced a new sequel in the DiRT franchise will? be coming to the PC, Xbox One and PlayStation 4 in June of this year. The game's t?heme is "Be Fearless," and it sounds like the developer wants to put more of an emphasis on rewarding risky behavior than previous titles have featured.

Prior DiRT games have focused on rally races rather than doing laps around a circuit, although you can also blaze your own trails in some modes. Both DiRT Showdown and a title from Codemasters' other racing franchise, GRID have been made available as free downloads recently, possibly as a way to promote familiarity with the franchise. The DiRT games are very well regarded, but Forza Horizon 3 did provide players with beautiful open terrain to drive across late last year. There's not much gameplay shown in the trailer, so we'll have to wait and see how DiRT 4 shapes up ahead of its launch in June.

Announcing DiRT 4 [Codemasters Blog]

The post DiRT 4 revealed, confirmed for June appeared first on Destructoid.

You and I are going to have a showdown

The overlooked DiRT Showdown is now free on the Humble Store for the next two days.

While the game isn't exactly groundbreaking or packed with loads of content, it does basically replicate the style of Burnout while providing some neat diversions in the form of an open-ended, goal-oriented Tony Hawk-style side mode. I love "Joyride" and all of those random objectives, even if Codemasters copy and pasted one entire area from Dirt 3 into Showdown.

If this trend keeps going, the entire Codemasters racing catalog is going to end up free for everyone. I doubt you'll find many people complaining, as the studio has been putting out quality racing titles for quite awhile now. Well, most of them are; Grid 2 can go rot.

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Post-release upgrades like this have turned out well so far

Codemasters is planning an upgrade for DiRT Rally that enables PlayStation VR support as well as a co-driver feature in which a friend can use a second controller to send you calls. Talk about a trust exercise! While this will be sold as DLC, a new retail edition of Rally will have the add-on baked in.

It might go without saying, but the VR support extends to "every car, every route, and every discipline." I feel like that's actually worth stressing, though, in the case of game's like TrackMania Turbo which cordon off their VR functionality. That said, this is a paid upgrade, so you'd expect as ?much?.

Funni??ly-labeled scr?eenshots aside, here's how it looks:

I passed on Driveclub VR, but this? I may just go for this. The DLC is due "in the coming weeks" and while Codemasters didn't specify pricing in its blog post, Eurogamer is reporting a £9.99 price tag.

Wonder if there'll be a demo.

Announcing: DiRT Rally PS VR [Codemasters]

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And it's even the Complete Edition

Well, this is a nice little gift to wake up to. Today and tomorrow, the Humble Store is giving away DiRT 3 Complete Edition for Windows and Mac as part of its b??irthday sale. Once you sign in or create a free account on the site, you can request a Steam key for the 2011 Codemasters racing game.

I imagine some of you own DiRT 3 in one form or another, but perhaps just the base game. This package rolls in a ?bunch of new stages, routes, cars, and liveries that were once sold as? DLC.

A helpful tip from Steam user Zhnigo: you can disable the narration, which is more than likely something you will want to do shortly into your racing career. You'll just need to rename or delete a file.

The post The Humble Store is giving out DiRT 3 for free appeared first on Destructoid.

'We're very, very close'

Dirt Rally deve??loper Codemasters is hoping to hit 1080p and 60fps when the racer releases on consol??es later this year.

“We’re very, very close [to 1080p/60fps] on PS4,” chief game designer Paul Coleman told Videogamer. “We’ve still got a little bit more work to do on Xbox One. But, you know, I think that’s fair to say that f??or everyone out there, PS4 is certainly a little bit easier to get this stuff running smoothly.”

Though the target for Xbox One remains "a bit touch and go," Colema??n confirmed that if the studio was unable to make it work with “troublemaker scenarios” like heavy snow, they’ll adopt a dynamic resolution approach rather than drop it to 900p across the whole game.

"[The Xbox One version] doesn't look like we've stripped it back or anythi??ng," he added. "It looks much the same as the PS4 version. I think it's just that it's been easier for us to get PS4 working at the performance we've been?? hoping for."

"But ultimatel?y I want to be running at 1080p/60fps wherever we can."

Dirt Rally is scheduled to ??release on PlayStation and Xbox One on April?? 5, 2016. 

The post Dirt Rally dev targeting 1080p/60fps on consoles appeared first on Destructoid.

On your marks

Dirt Rally is coming to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on April 6, 201??6.

Th?e racer - which has now left Steam Early Access with the arrival of the Winter Wonderland pack - will also be available on PC as a physical version, too.

"??The launch on Steam early access has been a resounding success," said Codemasters' Frank Sagnier. "We want to thank the community for their valuable feedback and support which has guided our development for the past eight months, resulting in a 92% positive user score."

The Winter Wonderland Pack includes the new, wintery Swedish Varmland region and two new cars - the Volkswagen Polo Rally and the Hyundai Rally?. 

The post Here’s when you can play Dirt Rally on Xbox One and PS4 appeared first on Destructoid.

Woooo, car stuff

If you're a fan of Codemasters' racing game DiRT Rally, then you'll probably be excited to learn a new handful of cars a??nd tracks has been added to the game. Vroooo?oooooooom!!!!!

So, what's been added to the game? Twelve new tracks have been added, allowing you to drive around corners in different orders, as well as some cars that should be exciting to car fanatics. The cars added are the Opel Kadett GT/E 16v, Opel Manta 400, Lancia 037 Evo 2, Seat Ibiza Ki??tcar, and Peugeot 306 Maxi??.

There you go, car news. Honk honk, beep beep, vroooo??om wshhhhhhh?h.

The post DiRT Rally gets a bunch of new tracks and cars appeared first on Destructoid.

Ignore the signs

The new DiRT game is coming together piece by piece, and today's morsel has me reminiscing about a certain scenic climb in Colorado. Today's update for DiRT Rally is a big one, and centers on Pike??s Peak (both its "full fat modern tarmac state" and the "mixed surface variant").

Three new Hillclimb cars (the Peugeot ?405 T16, the Peugeot 205 T16, and the Audi Sport Quattro S1) will aid in the ascent. Codemasters also "Sent all [its] AI drivers back to rally school; turns out they w??ere struggling to keep up with you guys so expect a bit more of a challenge from now on."

By the time I get to playing this post-Early Access, the AI drivers wil?l probably be flawless. That's fine. Not like I was going to win anyway.

Pikes Peak - Out Now For DiRT Rally [Steam]

• New – Added over 4,300 metres of rock otherwise known as Pikes Peak
• New – Or old depending how you look at it, yes that’s right we’ve also added the mixed surface version of Pikes Peak too
• New – Each route on Pikes Peak is available with a variety of weather conditions (Sunny\Rain\Overcast\Clear)
• New – Hillclimb car class featuring the Peugeot 405 T16 Pikes Peak, the Peugeot 205 T16 Pikes Peak and the Audi Sport Quattro S1 Pikes Peak.
• New – Hillclimb career mode and full support for Online Events and Leagues
• New – Added a few tutorial messages and hints and tips to some menus and loading screens
• New – Sent all our AI drivers back to rally school, turns out they were struggling to keep up with you guys so expect a bit more of a challenge from now on
• New – Your changes in position are now shown on the event and championship standings
• New – Added a message to let you know when you’ve been promoted or relegated in Championship mode
• New – 13 new achievements for all you unlock and rub in your friends faces.
• New – Added the ability to map clutch and gears for the following steering wheels: Logitech Driving Force EX, Logitech Driving Force GT, Logitech Driving Force Pro, Logitech MOMO Racing Wheel, Thrustmaster F430 Force Feedback Racing Wheel, Thrustmaster Ferrari GT Experience Racing Wheel, Thrustmaster RGT FF Pro, Microsoft Wireless Xbox 360 Racing Wheel
• New – Added analogue handbrake support
• Change – Engineer slots now unlock based on distance driven rather than spending your hard earned credits
• Change – When using a wheel the ragdoll shake effect is now turned off
• Change – Custom Events now use the full fat versions of the cars rather than the poor mans versions
• Change – Improved our Steam error reporting, this won’t really change anything for you right now but it will help us in the future in particular with getting to the bottom of error 41 issues
• Change – Made it clearer when you can’t afford a car
• Change – Improved the messages which tell you what the different game modes are
• Change – Custom events now tell you if a stage is a “Long” or “Sprint” (short) version
• Change – Changed certain title headers in the leagues reward screens to make it clearer where you finished
• Change – The weekly event is now six stages instead of four
• Fix – If you’re using a H-Pattern with clutch setup, the game no longer shifts to neutral when contact with your kit is lost.
• Fix – Turns out that sometimes the AI would overshoot the start line, we’ve had a word with them about it
• Fix – Hand braking when using manual clutch now no longer locks all four wheels on the Ford Fiesta
• Fix – Position indicators will now stop showing the incorrect information
• Fix – Fixed a weird thing that would sometimes let you have more than one go at an online event (bet you’re gutted you didn’t notice that one)
• Fix – Ever been caught in an infinite loop of disconnects and reconnects at the end of an online event? Yeah, we fixed that.
• Audio – Increased overall volume of game audio
• Audio – Co-driver should now be clearer
• Audio – Fixed volume issues of cockpit cameras not lowering in volume when changed in options.
• Audio – Clearer audio feedback on skidding and locking
• Audio – Fixed gear grind for stuck gears
• Audio – Collisions should be more obvious
• Audio – Landings should now sound better
• Audio – New aero sound effects
• Car update – The Fiat 131 Abarth now has historically accurate rear lights
• Car update – The Fiat 131 Abarth now features the Rallysport Development livery
• Car update – The Ford Escort Mk II now features the Phil Collins’ livery
• Car update – The Lancia Fulvia HF now features the Lancia livery.
• Car update – The Peugeot 205 T16 Evo 2 now features the Peugeot Sport livery

The post You can fly off Pikes Peak in DiRT Rally appeared first on Destructoid.

DiRT Rally

The next entry in Codemasters' DiRT racing series is available now on Steam Early Access and that "scares the absolute crap out of [the studio], but in a good way." It's called DiRT Rally, and if this is the first you're hearing about the title (much less that it's playable), we're not so different, you and I.

"You've been asking us for a game that is pure rally with none of the fluff, one that has more stages, longer stages and repairs in between stages," wrote Codemasters. "You've told us how you want your own team, to be ??able to set the car up how you want and to feel like you own the car you’re driving. We want to deliver that game."

Until that time arrives, assuming it ever does, here's the current content breakdown: 17 cars, 36 stages, team managem?ent, league support, an??d asynchronous daily, weekly, and monthly challenges.

Initial user reviews for Rally on Steam are positive and cite a return to form for Codemasters. Early Access is something I??'m always hesitant to participate ?in, but if this approach to development results in a better game and people feel they're getting their money's worth when they pay, that's cool with me.

As for potential console ports, Codemasters will deliver those "if there is sufficient demand" -- but not until the DiRT Rally experience feels "absolutely right" on PC first.

The post Codemasters brings DiRT to Steam?? Early Access minus th?e Gymkhana appeared first on Destructoid.

Codemasters

Codemasters is the latest publisher to participate in a Humble Weekly Sale and it's another one worth recommending if for no other reason than Overlord (and DiRT!). Name your price for the first Overlord and its Raising Hell DLC, Operation Flashpoint: Red River and Dragon Rising, and Rise of the Argonauts, with proceeds able to go to the UK-ba??sed charity SpecialEffect.

Paying $6 or more for the bundle will also get you Overlord II, DiRT Showdown, and DiRT 3. While I've always preferred Little King's Story as my go-to alternative to Pikmin, the Overlord series isn't far behind with its dark sense of h??umor. And there's no such thing as too much of these games.

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Codemasters' racing title will switch to Steamworks

As we bid farewell to the Games For Windows Live service, like we would an unwelcome and bossy relative that you feel compelled to put up with, Codemasters has taken the step of removing the GFWL client from its racing title DiRT 3. Just like BioShock 2 and the first two Batman: Arkham games in the past few week, DiRT 3 will now su?pport Steamworks instead of Microsoft's much mali??gned service

Whilst I'll be the first to admit that I had minimal problems with GFWL, it left me wondering what other PC g??ames still require it. Capcom has already announced that it is looking to remove the GFWL client from its games but there's still a few ??older titles that have it bundled in.

Fallout 3 is one I'd love to have an excuse to play again. GTA IV and Dark Souls are the other two games still saddled with G??FWL but both have online components that might make removing GFWL a ??bit harder.  

DiRT 3 to give Games Fo??r Windows Live the slip, mov??e onto Steamworks [PC Gamer]

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