Dirt 2/ Dirt 3

[CeeKay]

the next game in the series is doing something pretty cool: they're putting in a memorial race in Colin McRae's memory. 

oh, and the game looks really cool to boot.

[CeeKay]

looks like it will also be one of the first PC games to support DirectX 11.

[CeeKay]

creat your own tatoos, and see if your hand is steady enough.

[CeeKay]

here's an idea of what to expect when the PC version comes out.

[Tals]

here's an idea of what to expect when the PC version comes out.

Looks good but PC ver not due to December and as it's codie that could mean anything up to not being released. It's a UK publisher but they're not my favourite

[EngineNo9]

here's an idea of what to expect when the PC version comes out.

Looks good but PC ver not due to December and as it's codie that could mean anything up to not being released. It's a UK publisher but they're not my favourite

I'd like to request that in addition to their announced support for DirectX 11 in the PC version, they also seriously consider de-Americanizing the menus, voice-overs, etc.  

[Tals]

here's an idea of what to expect when the PC version comes out.

Looks good but PC ver not due to December and as it's codie that could mean anything up to not being released. It's a UK publisher but they're not my favourite

I'd like to request that in addition to their announced support for DirectX 11 in the PC version, they also seriously consider de-Americanizing the menus, voice-overs, etc.  

You can wish all you like but this is codemasters we are talking about. The same publisher that announced the imminent appearance of 1.3 of Grid

http://community.codemasters.com/forum/showthread.php?t=329608

But we still wait it's release. For such a small publisher they're not great with their player base.

Tals

[CeeKay]

a couple of videos showcasing DX11[/url].

[CeeKay]

    Recommended Specifications - Enhanced for DirectX 11:

    Operating System: Windows Vista or Windows 7
    Processor: Intel Core i7 or AMD Phenom II
    Memory: 3GB
    HDD Space: 10GB
    Video Card: ATi Radeon HD 5700 Series

    Minimum Specifications:

    Operating System: Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7
    Processor: Intel Pentium 4 3.0Ghz or AMD Athlon 64 3400+
    Memory: 1GB (2GB for Windows Vista)
    HDD Space: 10GB
    Video Card: ATI Radeon X1500 or NVIDIA GeForce 6800

GeForce 6800?  I'd hate to see how that looks/runs.

[CeeKay]

PC demo is due tomorrow. apparently there is a leaked version out there right now.

[EngineNo9]

I tried out the demo tonight and was pleasantly surprised that it runs great on my system and looks even better.  I ran their benchmark utility and got a minimum framerate of 48.1 and an average of 60.  My system is good, but not top of the line: 3GHz Core 2 Duo, 2GB DDR3 RAM, 512MB GeForce 9800GTX+.

I forgot my 360 wireless adapter at work so I had to try it out with just the keyboard, but it was surprisingly not too bad driving that way. 

[disarm]

i already have the game for my 360, but i'll be trying out the demo tonight just to see if the DirectX 11 support really makes a difference in how the game looks or performs.  i'll report back with my results...

[Chaz]

I grabbed this on D2D's $10 sale, and I'm really glad I did.  It controls really well with the 360 controller, looks amazing, and is a bunch of fun.  So far, worth the $10.

[Crawley]

Yeah I picked it up for $45 way back when and after some initial frustration with the game the driving mechanics clicked and this game became my favorite racing game. $10 is a steal. The game runs amazingly fast with everything turned on and I have a low-end system (Q6600 / Radeon 4850).

[Chaz]

Is the Q6600 low end now?  I have that processor with a GTS 250, and it's run every game I've thrown at it with everything maxed at 1680x1050 with no problems.  Frankly, I wonder what the point is of spending $2000 on a new rig if a $500 rig will do just as well.

[CeeKay]

I figured I might as well lump Dirt 3 into here too since there were only a few people interested in Dirt 2.

new Dirt 3 video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaF7b2nR9Kw .  the game is looking awesome as usual, kinda makes me want to reinstall the second to give it some proper time.

[EngineNo9]

Well, I for one am super excited about Dirt 3.  I played a whole lot of Dirt 2 after getting over their "Americanized" presentation and this looks better on every front.

It sounds like they have listened to some of the complaints and are going to have a much bigger focus on rally in this one. And adding the Group B's is just icing on the awesomecake.   

[shon]

I completed all the races in Dirt 1.  Dirt 2 was pretty good but I wanted more Rally Races.  Dirt 3 looks awesome and I can't wait for the game especially the gymkata.

[Zekester]

Are the big trucks that were removed from 2 returning?

[disarm]

i really enjoyed the original DiRT and completed every event, but i just couldn't get into DiRT2 in the same way.  one of the things i loved most about the original was the solitary experience of the rally and hill-climb events.  the emphasis on multi-car races in DiRT2 just didn't work as well for me due to the game's demand for precision driving even when you're on a course with a full field of unpredictable AI drivers.  i found it incredibly frustrating to always find myself starting from the back of a field that seemed to have no problem with bumping me off course as i tried to make a run for the lead, and at the same time slowing me down too much to ever have much chance of catching the leader before i ran out of laps.  i just felt like the margin for error was too low considering the unpredictable and sometimes overly aggressive behavior of the AI.  i know there are people out there who excel at the game and don't have the same trouble, but i think the DiRT series is at its best when they just let you take on a course by yourself and focus on flying down a narrow course on the edge of control to get that top time.

[Jumangi]

I thought Dirt 2 had a similar mix of multi-car and solo events in SP compared to the first one.

[wonderpug]

Do the Dirt games have a navigator calling out the severity of turns?

[TiLT]

Do the Dirt games have a navigator calling out the severity of turns?

I never played the first one, but Dirt 2 has a map reader during certain kinds of races. He or she will keep you updated on turns, their severity, bumps in the road, which side of the road you should stay on, and so on.

[EngineNo9]

Yeah, having a co-driver depended if it was a real rally race or one of the rally cross, stadium truck, etc types of races. 

I also thought the first Dirt was less about cramming 6 cars on a tight track and more solo or wide-open roads than Dirt 2 was, but I didn't count the number or anything.

Also, a short Q&A that came in the Dirt 3 newsletter email:

Q -      Does rally in D3 have split screen option?
A -      In DiRT 3 you will be able to play most game modes in Split Screen. Rally will of course be included.

Q -      What are the features of the replay/upload aspect?
A -      The YouTube upload feature lets you select a 30 second section from your replay and upload it direct to your YouTube account.

Q -      What changes have been made to the physics?
A -      Our physics have been improved to more accurately represent weight shift and the way the suspension reacts to different surfaces.

Q -      Will there be a lot more rally stages in DiRT 3?
A -      Yeah we have considerably more rally stages in DiRT 3. We also have variations in weather & time of day to increase variation.

Q -      Why lower the amount of non-rally races for Dirt 3? You're changing the very thing that made Dirt 2 my favourite racing game.
A -      The amount of non-rally races is actually pretty similar in #DiRT3. We have increased the amount of rally races though to compliment them.

Q -      I hope the main menu is a bit more simpler in Dirt3. The menu in 2 was awesome but too much...
A -      The menus are more stylised but also more streamlined than those in DiRT2. They should satisfy those that want to get on with the game

[CeeKay]

and the PC get's shafted on a special edition once again 

[EngineNo9]

While that is actually an interesting special edition, looking at the specs it seems like that is a "special edition" of that RC car, with a less powerful motor than the standard Ken Block Fiesta that retails for over $300. 

I had been looking at those a few months ago and most reviews of it aren't all that flattering.  It seems like the balance is off making it hard to control and it isn't actually a very good drift car, which you kind of expect out of a Gymkhana edition with drift wheels. 

Still, I think it is neat that they are doing a cool promotion like that and I'm sure most casual RC people will be happy with the speed and power of that car.  That is a far cry some crappy hunk of plastic toy car I'd expect as a bundle.  Hopefully they aren't expecting a ton of preorders though. 

[Purge]

for the normal edition.

[CeeKay]

party mode. 

First up is Invasion, wherein yourself and your friends will be trying to defend the earth from killer robots! Yes, really. The robots will, however, only be cardboard cutouts that the lot of you will have to run over or otherwise smash into, all while avoiding the cardboard cutouts of skyscrapers.

 

[CeeKay]

fired up Dirt 2 this morning and yeeesh!  I hope they change the menus.  it doesn't even give you an option to change the settings until you get into your fist race (I do like how they show FPS in the graphics options, I went from 104 on default to 61 on max).  I'm also getting my ass handed to me, too used to racing games with pavement I guess because I'm spinning out everywhere off road.

[CeeKay]

party mode preview.

[EngineNo9]

Since it looks like this is our only Dirt 3 thread, I figured I'd mention that you can preload it on Steam right now.  It seems to be about 11.8GB. 

Also, if you pre-purchase on Steam (for $45) you get a free copy of Dirt 2 for yourself or to gift.  Speaking of, anybody seriously interested in a copy of Dirt 2? 

[Misguided]

Wow, I thought this wasn't due out until October. Dang, pretty sure I don't have this on order yet. I don't know what system t get it on. I've been buying racing games on PS3 since 360 has crap for wheels, but I haven't actually used a wheel in years....in fact I've got a logi g25 that's never been used

[Tals]

I'd be interested to hear comparisons with shift 2 - love racing games but generally only play one at a time and shift 2's autolog feature is very good

[Kestrel]

if you pre-purchase on Steam (for $45) you get a free copy of Dirt 2 for yourself or to gift.  Speaking of, anybody seriously interested in a copy of Dirt 2? 

I'd be interested in Dirt 2. I have the original Dirt and the demo of Dirt 2. Like both of them.  PM on the way to you soon.

[Misguided]

While that is actually an interesting special edition, looking at the specs it seems like that is a "special edition" of that RC car, with a less powerful motor than the standard Ken Block Fiesta that retails for over $300. 

You're right: that is NOT the good car in the bundle. If it were, it would be a great deal and I was ready to order one. The car in the bundle is a 7305 model, not a 7309 (the listing says it is a 7308 which is a 7305 with the 7309 body). These are totally different animals. That's more like a 200 dollar car in that bundle, not a 300. My son has a different car in the Traxxas VXL line and I was all excited that we could race each other if I picked that up. Now I'm bummed, thinking I was going to get a great deal

[CeeKay]

4.5 out of 5 from Joystiq.  dammit, I'm being tempted even though I know I should wait for a demo since my driving skills in Dirt 2 are almost non-existent.

[EngineNo9]

Bah, Steam has this unlocking in about 4 hours, which seems like an unusual time. 

[shon]

Bah, Steam has this unlocking in about 4 hours, which seems like an unusual time. 

Yes it will be midnight central time so getting excited.

[EngineNo9]

Stupid Steam file decryption takes forever...  *grumble grumble*  

[EngineNo9]

Well, I need to head to bed but so far impressions are good.  So far it has been a good balance of real rally mixed with other events of rally cross, landrush, and even a drift challenge which was surprisingly fun.  I have only completed the first half of the first "season", but so far it feels like it falls right between Dirt and Dirt 2, which isn't a bad place to be.  We'll see what else opens up as time goes on.

As usual it looks great and runs like butter, even on my aging PC (core i5 760 w/ 4GB RAM and an older 512 MB Nvidia 9800GTX+ videocard).  I cranked everything up to the "Ultra" graphics preset (except mirrors) and the benchmark said average fps was 55 or something.

The only real complaints I have are that the announcer people sound pretty lame between races, and the loading takes a bit longer than I'd hope (not terrible, but just long enough to be a bit annoying).

Also, it says there are free cars and DLC stuff in the Marketplace, but so far nothing is showing up there (at least in the GFW Marketplace).  Maybe tomorrow.