Today Codemasters revealed the first official trailer for their new addition to the DiRT series “DiRT Showdown“. At first I thought this was the sequel to DiRT3 but Codemasters will be the first to tell you that a sequel this is not! Instead DiRT Showdown is an “extension” of the DiRT series that provides a different experience than the first three DiRT games. How do they do this? Well from what I see DiRT Showdown is a mash-up of rally, demolition derby, gymkhana, and a little modern warfare 3 thrown in for flavor. DiRT Showdown is all about “full-contact, combative racing”. You are encouraged to ram your rivals off the road if it means winning! There are other game modes such as demolition derby (self-explanatory), and “Hoonigan Events” which looks to be a new version of Gymkhana mode but, well, bigger. DiRT Showdown will also be the official video game debut of Ken Blocks Ford Fiesta H.F.H.V. used in Gymkhana FOUR. In addition to new cars there will also be new locals such as Tokyo, San Francisco, and Miami. Expect to see DiRT Showdown hit stores in May 2012. For now check out some screen shots, the official trailer, and press release below.
All-action Trailer Now Showing at www.dirtgame.com Reveals a Brand new and explosive extension of the DiRT series coming May 2012
Los Angeles, Calif. – Dec. 12, 2011 – Set to deliver a brand new dive-in-and-drive rush of speed, style and destruction, today Codemasters® announced that DiRT Showdown, an action packed extension of the award-winning DiRT series, will debut May 2012 for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft®, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and PC.
In DiRT Showdown, players will jump into a new world of competitive and combative racing, boosting, tricking and smashing their way to “Showdown” finals on a chaotic tour of motorised mayhem. The first trailer capturing the unique atmosphere and high-octane thrills of DiRT Showdown is now playing at www.dirtgame.com.
“DiRT Showdown is not the sequel to the authentic rally-centric DiRT 3, but a brand new experience from the DiRT team,” said Julian Widdows, VP, development. “We’re building on Codemasters Racing Studio’s world-class strengths in track design, graphics, AI, damage and online to create a new theatre of racing with the emphasis on accessibility and fun from race one.”
“DiRT Showdown charges into the arcade racing space with a uniquely Codemasters feel,” said Mike Chapman, senior games designer. “Whether players are using nitrous to boost, smashing into their opponents or pulling off stunts, DiRT Showdown’s fresh handling system and super-charged damage engine embed excitement into every event.”
There are three broad categories to DiRT Showdown’s action-sport racing. Players will use nitrous to blast past rivals and negotiate courses filled with ramps, multiple routes and obstacles in full-contact Racing events. Gaming’s most advanced 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.
From San Francisco to Miami and London to Tokyo, players will dominate their rivals and wow the crowds. Pyrotechnics, lasers and thousands of fans give each venue a sports entertainment atmosphere, becoming the perfect stage for players to perform. 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.
DiRT Showdown will feature an exciting new line up of off-road machines. Ken Block’s all new Gymkhana FOUR H.F.H.V. Ford Fiesta debuts alongside an eclectic mix of vehicles across a range of classes. From saloons and muscle cars to pick-up-trucks, hearses and vans, players have a wide selection of custom cars to trick, race and destroy.
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.
DiRT3 is coming out next month and there are scores of Gymkhana and Rally fans waiting for its release with baited breath. Usually when a big game release is on the horizon there is some sort of “special edition” or bundle pack offered to those who really want something collectible when they pick up the game they’ve been waiting months for. It’s a common practice with popular shooter franchises like Halo and Call Of Duty. Now DiRT3 will be among that group as there will be a special bundle pack available now for pre-order in which buyers will get the game itself but also the popular Ken Block Traxxas R/C Gymkhana car. Awesome right?! The bundle pack will set you back $299 but before you scoff at the price you should know that the R/C car itself normally goes for 300 bucks. So instead of thinking of it as paying $299 a game you should see it more as buying a cool R/C car and getting a $60 game for free with it! If that wasn’t enough, pre-ordering with Game Stop will also get you several unlockable cars, tracks, and events right off the bat while the rest of the world has to earn them the legit way!
If that sounds like a good deal to you then head over to Game Stop and pre-order the bundle right now for Xbox 360 or PS3 before they run out.
DiRT3 Gymkhana Mode Trailer:
Bundle Pack Details:
Bonus Item
Instantly access all four cars
Gain Higher Drive Rep
Unlock four bonus racing events
Pre-Order Dirt 3 with GameStop and unlock the Exclusive Texaco Racing Superteam Unlock!
Instantly access all four cars from the Texaco Racing Line-Up
Gain Higher Drive Rep at start of play
Unlock four bonus racing events
Online Customers: A code with instructions will be emailed to you within 2 business days after your game ships.
Store Customers/In-Store Pickup Customers: A code with instructions will be printed on your receipt at time of game pick-up.
Product Details:
Race through the snow, rain and dirt and experience dramatic night races with the most rally content in the series yet. Express yourself in the stunning new Gymkhana mode, inspired by Ken Block’s incredible freestyle driving event, and upload your best runs direct to YouTube! Compete in iconic cars representing 50 years of racing, from the classic Audi Quattro to the 2011 Ford Fiesta WRC, and take on all game modes in split-screen and competitive online multiplayer. Competing as a professional you’ll enjoy intense racing across three continents – from the forests of Michigan to the infamous roads of Finland and the national parks of Kenya.
Experience night racing and dramatic snow courses.
Over 100 routes across 9 locations.
Experience jaw-dropping damage.
Rewind time with flashback.
Upload your best runs direct to YouTube!
About Ken Block Gymkhana RC Car Bundler: MODEL 7308: Traxxas Ken Block Gymkhana Fiesta, Fully assembled, Ready-To-Race®, with TQ AM radio, Titan® 550 motor, XL-5 Electronic Speed Control, 7.2 volt NiMH battery & charger, and ProGraphix® painted body.
Officially licensed Ford Fiesta body design and Ken Block/Monster Energy graphics
Officially licensed Volk Racing TE37 wheels (1.9″ diameter, 12mm hex)
Unique green pushrods and toe links, exclusive to the Ken Block Gymkhana Fiesta
Pre-glued, low-profile Gymkhana-compound slick tires molded in a specially formulated rubber compound for authentic Gymkhana performance and handling
Full-time 4WD
Powerful Titan® 12-Turn 550 modified motor
Includes Traxxas Power Cell battery pack and charger
TQ AM Transmitter
Waterproof electronics
Digital High-Torque Waterproof Micro Steering Servo
Rubber-sealed ball bearings
Impact absorbing foam front bumper
Race-winning, F1-inspired Revo® suspension technology and E-Revo integrated chassis design, perfectly optimized for 1/16 scale
After his magnificant crash at the WRC Rally Of Portugal, Ken Block decided to hop on a red-eye flight back to the states to spectate at the first round of Global RallyCross at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale. I caught up with him to get his thoughts on the event and ask him about his 2011 plans which include welcoming a new hooigan into the world.
In this Dev. Diary for DiRT3 we find out how the guys at Codemasters reached the level of realism that will make DiRT3 true to rally racing while still keeping the game fun and accessible. They even enlisted some help from Gymkhana ”hoonigan” Ken Block. We can’t wait to get our hands on this!
I’m a bit late with this but I’ve finally gone through my photos from the Ken Block Gymkhana Invitational event last weekend and posted the gallery to the MotorworldHype Facebook page. If you didn’t hear by now Tanner Foust won in the AWD class while Dai Yoshihara won in the RWD class. Counting the X Games this is the second time in 2010 that Formula D drivers pretty much swept a non-drifting motorsport event! All in all the event I think was successful enough for Mr. Block to consider expanding his Gymkhana event into a full-on series. Rumor has it that he just may do that in the near future with a 6 event calendar. Stay tuned for the announcement on that. In the meantime check out our galleries at the links below:
I’ve been waiting all freakin’ day and now its finally here! Scroll down to watch Gymkhana THREE Part 2 which was filmed in France at l’Autodrome de Linas for a very specific reason as you can see in the picture above. Ok, enough talking. Turn up your speakers and prepare for 7:42 of super hoonage! Watching this video makes me even more excited for Gymkhana Grid!
Press Release:
September 14, 2010 - HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA - DC and Ken Block are proud to announce the release of the newest video in the widely successful Gymkhana franchise with Gymkhana THREE, Part 2; Ultimate Playground; l’Autodrome, France. Following up Part 1; The Music Video Infomercial, this action-packed video focuses on the acclaimed raw driving style seen in the original Gymkhana Practice. DC Co-Founder/Chief Brand Officer and World Rally Championship driver, Ken Block scoured the globe to find the “Ultimate Playground,” an amazing location that allowed Ken to take Gymkhana to a new, groundbreaking level in his Ford Fiesta. Check out the craziest Gymkhana video yet now live at http://www.dcshoes.com/gym3.
“The stunts I perform in Gymkhana THREE, Part 2 are without a doubt the craziest stuff I have ever attempted behind the wheel,” said Ken. “We knew in order to out do the previous films, we’d really have to take it to the next level, and since you can’t kickflip a car, the location needed to allow me to do things never done before in car. Sure, I’ve seen people drift banks, but never ones this steep, and never head on. I treated the Autodrome’s 51-degree wall like a quarter pipe and it was awesome. Awesomely sketchy! Who knew you could do a wall ride in a car?”
Shot in Linas, just south of Paris, France at l’Autodrome de Linas -Montlhéry, the 1.58-mile oval track, built in 1924, features banks as steep as 51 degrees, which is more than double the standard incline of most NASCAR ovals. Chosen by Ken for this specific reason, the ramp-like banking proved to be a unique and exciting challenge. The driving physics for the stunts Ken did were completely unknown until he actually attempted them. Look for insane moves throughout the video including the ultimate trick- a 360 alley-oop performed at the top of the bank, as well as a 1440 (that’s 4, 360 degree spins!) in the rain, new multi directional Segway donuts, 360 bank spins and tire-killing donuts, to name a few.
“The originality and performance in this video is truly next level,” said DC’s President, Anton Nistl. “We are so proud of the entire Gymkhana series and we’re excited to show the public the next chapter in creativity and innovation from DC and Ken Block. Recent accolades have placed DC as the most successful footwear and apparel company to ever market in the digital marketing space. Not to mention that Gymkhana TWO is also considered to be the biggest viral automotive ad of all time. These are both huge accomplishments for us.”
A “star” of the video in its own right, the Gymkhana THREE 2011 Ford Fiesta was spec’d out and designed specifically for this project. Built by Olsbergs Motorsport Evolution, the Fiesta features a heavily-modded Duratec 2.0l engine that produces a staggering 650 horses with 660 lb-ft of torque. All this power in a 2,425 lb chassis creates a super-car beating power-to-weight ratio. Running from a stop to 60 mph in a staggering 1.9 seconds beating even the Bugatti Veyron, the car’s speed is only one part of the package. What makes Ken’s Fiesta unique is how it is intended to handle and slide on tarmac-like a rally car on gravel.
The overall design and livery featured on the Fiesta is an evolution of Ken’s current MWRT competition cars. Main features include Ken’s signature paint drip graphic as well as the personalized KB logo treatment including Ken’s signature “Block” lettering and # 43 graphic designed by famous graphic illustrator, toy designer and street culture artist, Huck Gee. Ken’s newest DC apparel, footwear and accessories, which can be seen in both parts of the Gymkhana THREE Project, were also inspired by the colors and graphics of Ken’s racing cars.
The DC x Ken Block Gymkhana video franchise now consists of seven videos including Gymkhana Practice, Bonus Edit, TWO, 2.1; the educational anniversary video, Hot For Words, and now the two part Gymkhana THREE Project. A viral internet sensation, these videos have had more than 70 million views online and received numerous awards. Most recently the Gymkhana TWO video was named one of Ad Age’s “Top 10 Viral Ads of All Time”, a huge honor for DC and Ken; won a 2010 People’s Telly Silver Award, presented by YouTube; earned a Bronze Pencil at the One Show Entertainment Awards in the “Online Branded Entertainment” category, and was #4 on Ad Age’s list of top viral videos of 2009.
For more information on the Gymkhana THREE Project including behind the scenes photos and info on Gym3: Part 1 and Gym3: Part 2 visit http://www.dcshoes.com/gym3.
Ken Block needs to invite this guy to his Gymkhana Grid event! Sure he doesn’t slide under an exploding shipping container or do 360s around a dude riding a segway but what this guy does in a Caterham within a minute is just as exciting as one of Ken Block’s 5 minute hoonage extravaganzas!
DC Shoes has done a bit of pre-summer cleaning and redesigned the “Auto” section of their website (dcshoes.com/auto). The team page has been re-done and stuffed full of new photos and even some video. There is also a section to keep up with where each of their sponsored drivers are in the rally standings. Good stuff!
It doesn’t take a genius to assume that after the huge success of his first two Gymkhana videos Ken Block would be inclined to make a third. Especially now that he has a new ride in a rally spec Ford Fiesta. This time around Mr. Block decided to launch a blog specifically centered on the creation of the next Gymkhana video. He’s also decided to hold a contest in which the grand prize winner will get to visit the set of Gymkhana 3 and get a ride along in Block’s Gymkhana Ford Fiesta. The details are in the video below.
Ken Block and Subaru has been the hot campus couple for a while now but news came out that they broke up and Ken is already dating other OEM! You’ll never guess who it is either…Ford!! I know right?! Like OMG! Ok jokes aside this is all true. Ken Block wants to go to WRC and Ford along with Monster Energy Drink are willing to send him there. Hence the creation of his new Monster World Rally Team (or MWRT). He is looking to run a limited WRC schedule for 2010 in a Ford Focus RS but he will also still compete in Rally America and the X-Games in a rally spec Ford Fiesta similar to what Tanner Foust drove in the X-Games in ’09. Is Subaru stung by this? Maybe a little bit but they did get a decent amount of mileage from Mr. Block and his Gymkhana antics. Speaking of, the DC Shoes camp is telling us to stay tuned to another video. Will it be just as exciting with a Ford Fiesta? If anyone can find a way to make it so, its KB.
Press Release:
January 6, 2010-(VISTA, CA)- DC is proud to announce its 2010 sponsorship of the newly formed Monster World Rally Team (MWRT) headed by DC Co-Founder and Rally Car athlete, Ken Block. DC has sponsored Ken and its team of rally athletes for 4 years and is committed to expanding its global programs through the DC family of elite athletes. As part of the partnership, DC will produce apparel, footwear and accessories for the newly formed rally team and consumers worldwide.
“DC is proud to support Ken’s new venture into the World Rally Championship (WRC) series with his new rally team,” said DC President Anton Nistl. “Whether serving as DC’s Chief Brand Officer, creating viral videos, such as the Gymkhana series, or racing rally, Ken continues to exceed expectations and we’re sure that this new endeavor with the MWRT will be no different.”
DC will continue to create its exclusive rally products for Ken, team and crew throughout the 2010 season. Fans can look forward to an extended line of MWRT products that will be available globally through DC’s retail partners.
“I’m excited that DC is joining me on this new part of my career,” said Ken Block. “DC has supported my rally racing career from the beginning and they have developed a great rally program that will continue to grow with their support of the new Monster World Rally Team.”
Ken will compete in select races during the 2010 WRC series as well as the entire Rally America season and the Summer X Games 16. Ken will be the first American driver to campaign the WRC as part of a multi-year program. As part of his new team, Ken will drive for new auto partner, Ford Motor Company and will continue to race in the Rally America Series while competing in the WRC series.
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