If there’s one thing that Codemasters has down to an art form, it’s racing game development. The United Kingdom-based video game company has built a reputation based on quality tire burners. Normally, those games are relatively realistic interpretations of the gas-guzzling automotive sport, with some arcade elements added in. Take the DiRT franchise, for example, and you’ll discover a quality mixture that favors realism more than anything. At least, it did.
This May, DiRT Showdown will mark the fourth release in the popular, current generation series. Its emphasis on arcade-style challenges like demolition derbies, will mark an evident detour from its predecessors’ core formula. Then again, it’s sometimes nice to change things up. I, for one, am looking forward to this new-look DiRT experience.
Check out the game’s Massive Destruction trailer and screenshot set to see just how much damage modeling we can expect to see. It showcases two destruction derby racing modes referred to as Rampage and Knock Out.
FEED YOUR APPETITE FOR DESTRUCTION WITH NEW DiRT® SHOWDOWN™ GAMEPLAY TRAILER
Weak Points Hit for Massive Damage in New Video Now Playing at www.dirtgame.com
Los Angeles, Calif. – March 14, 2012 – Featuring cars, trucks, vans and hearses crashing, bashing and smashing to victory, Codemasters® today premiered the full-impact DiRT® Showdown™ “Massive Damage” gameplay video; the video is now playing at www.dirtgame.com. DiRT Showdown is the action-packed extension of the award-winning DiRT off-road racing series and is set to debut May 2012 for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft®, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and PC.
The “Massive Damage” video features work-in-progress gameplay footage and reveals the destruction-focused game modes to feature in DiRT Showdown. In demolition derby event Rampage, eight racers take no prisoners, earning points for spectacular smashes on their rivals’ vehicles and eliminating other drivers in gladiatorial automotive auditoriums. DiRT Showdown’s Knock Out mode is also revealed, featuring drivers using their cars as weapons to force opponents off a raised platform in a chaotic battle for domination. Eliminated vehicles can re-enter the fray by racing up ramps and jumping back onto the platform, where points are earned for knock-outs, hits and owning the ring alone.
DiRT Showdown will deliver a new world of competitive and combative racing as players boost, trick and smash their way to “Showdown” finals on a chaotic tour of motorized mayhem. From San Francisco to Miami and London to Tokyo, players will dominate their rivals and wow the crowds on their way to becoming a driving superstar. Pyrotechnics, lasers and thousands of fans give each venue a vibrant sports entertainment atmosphere, with the player taking center stage. Over 50 different events across four championships will challenge gamers in a variety of conditions – sun, snow and rain – through the day and under the floodlights at night.
There are three broad categories to DiRT Showdown’s thrilling action-sports racing. Players will use nitrous to blast past rivals and negotiate courses filled with ramps, pinch points and obstacles in full-contact Racing events. Gaming’s most advanced vehicle damage engine is unleashed in Demolition Derby themed events where players smash and crash their way to victory in bone-jarring style. Finally, in Hoonigan events, gamers will send fans wild in huge stunt parks where accessible new controls offer every player the chance to become a freestyle driving hero.
DiRT Showdown will be Codemasters’ most connected game ever – split-screen multiplayer, eight-player online racing, on and off-line quick-fire party games and YouTube integration all come as standard. Players will also be able to issue “Showdown Challenges” to compete with friends whether they are online or not.
Powered by the award-winning EGO Game Technology Platform, DiRT Showdown will be uncaged May 2012 for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft®, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and PC.
For all the latest updates straight from the studio, crash over to www.dirtgame.com, www.facebook.com/dirtgame or follow the team at www.twitter.com/dirtgame.
