DiRT 2 confirmed for 2009

Off-road racing sequel coming to Xbox 360, PS3, PC, Wii, DS and PSP.

Codemasters has announced that Colin McRae: DiRT 2, the sequel to the acclaimed best-selling off-road racer of 2007, is now in development at Codemasters Studios for Xbox 360, PS3, PC, Wii, Nintendo DS and PSP due for simultaneous release in 2009.

The announcement confirms that the game will be headlined by Colin McRae, Codemasters noting that it honours the life of the racing legend. McRae consulted on the series for over ten years, but tragically died in a helicopter accident in September 2007. The decision to continue the famous series bearing his name was made jointly between the McRae family and Codemasters.

"Colin McRae was all about the speed, the excitement and the entertainment of rally driving. Even when we first worked with him over ten years ago, he captured a freedom and a spirit that enthralled rally fans." said Gavin Raeburn, senior executive producer at Codemasters Studios. "Later his showmanship shone through in events such as the X-games, the Dakar Rally and the Race of Champions. He could do things with a car that no one else would and that's where we're taking the series with new events at the extreme edge of rally and autosport. It will be a great tribute to an incredible champion."

DiRT 2 will feature a roster of off-road events, taking players to a host of diverse, challenging and dangerous real-world environments, including canyons, jungles and stadium-based events.

The game will be powered by the third generation of Codemasters' EGO Engine and will benefit from tuned-up car-handling physics and new damage engine effects. Cars and tracks promise to be twice as detailed as those seen in Race Driver: GRID.

In DiRT 2 players will begin with the Group N Subaru - the ultimate car from the original game - and rides are said to just get even more impressive. In Addition to the World Tour mode, DiRT 2 will feature full online functionality core to the whole experience. This includes head-to-head competitive online play and new social features to engage the racing community.