F1 2012 has been out for less than tw0 weeks and Codemasters is already on to the next one. Today they released the first gameplay footage of GRID2, the racing game that started it all for the UK developer. In the two gameplay videos we get to see two different environments that will be a part of the final product. The first is a one on one race through a beautiful “California Coast” setting. There are giant trees on your left and a vast infinite ocean on your right. The second video features a multi car race on the streets of Chicago, with all of the city’s towering buildings surrounding you and small details like flocks of birds flying between the skyscrapers in the distance. You might also notice a ton of Fatlace, Hellaflush, and NOS Energy Drink signage. Codemasters is making no secret of its partnership with brands that are well known to their audience.
You may also notice that the opponent cars in the Chicago race are all muscle cars. It looks like the Mustang BOSS 302, Camaro SS, and Corvette Z06 are all confirmed to be in the game. However, I doubt GRID2 will be a strictly domestic affair. I would say we should look forward to more car announcements in the future.
A new feature you will not see in the video is the use of a new physics system called “TrueFeel” which uses real physics to create realistic handling capabilities while still making the driving “accessible” for novice players. Obviously I am not sure how well the new system works out but I am sure I will get a chance to play it before the Summer 2013 release date and when I do I will be sure to tell you all about it! In the meantime check out the two gameplay videos below.
Los Angeles, Calif. – Sept. 27, 2012– Codemasters® today launched the first two gameplay videos for GRID® 2™, the long-awaited sequel to the BAFTA-award winning, critically acclaimed GRID™. Revealing races at two of the game’s new locations, Chicago and California Coast, the GRID 2gameplay videos are captured from pre-alpha, work-in-progress code and are now showing at www.youtube.com/gridgame.
The Chicago video features a Street Racing stage where muscle cars, including the Camaro SS, Z06 Corvette and Boss Mustang, charge through skyscraper-lined streets and chase through tunnels. The California Coast video follows a head-to-head, point-to-point duel between a contemporary Boss Mustang and a classic Mustang Mach 1 on a tight and twisting sprint for the line.
GRID 2will make its consumer debut at this week’s Eurogamer Expo (www.eurogamerexpo.com) at London’s Earls Court (September 27-30), where gamers can experience the return of the race themselves. Players can take to the streets of Chicago or hit the California Coast’s spectacular roads, each offering a different racing challenge, yet sharing the game’s core relentless, high-impact, aggressive competition.
GRID 2will challenge players to be fast, be first and be famous as they enter a stunning new world of competitive motorsport. Following the success of GRID, which set new standards for damage, AI, visuals and introduced the Flashback time rewind feature – now adopted by many racing games – GRID 2will again raise the gameplay and technological bar for motorsport gaming and remain true to the series’ core value – it’s all about the race. GRID 2 will also introduce the new TrueFeel™ Handling System, which uses real physics to hit a sweet spot between accessibility and simulation to deliver handling that is approachable yet challenging to master.
Going behind the wheel of a handpicked selection of automotive icons spanning four decades and three continents – North America, Europe and Asia – players will race their way to the top of GRID 2’s new, evolving world of motorsport. From Paris to Dubai, Miami to the sun-kissed California coast and beyond, beautifully created city streets, licensed circuits and twisting mountain roads will become home to the most visceral and exhilarating races in games.
GRID 2will also set new standards for a racing multiplayer experience with an entirely distinct and extensive gameplay component and unique progression system. Deep customization options and integration with RaceNet* – the online community portal for Codemasters Racing games which tracks player’s races, rewards and rivals – will offer further immersion and connectivity to extend each player’s GRID 2 experience.
GRID 2 is in production at Codemasters Racing Studiosand is available to pre-order ahead of its summer 2013 release for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Windows PC. Fans can keep up with all the latest updates straight from the studio by speeding over to www.gridgame.com and www.facebook.com/gridgame or follow the team at www.twitter.com/gridgame.
Today Codemasters is known for their racing games. In fact, they have changed their entire corporate strategy and focus their energy strictly on racing games now. However, things were not always that way. Even though they had a few years of Colin McRae rally games under their belt, it was not until the release of “GRID” that Codemasters solidified themselves as a racing game developer worthy of mention among the big boys like Turn 10 Studios and Polyphony Digital. Today Codemasters officially announced that GRID2 is coming.
GRID2 will bring semi official street racing back to the masses and this time they are taking players around the world in various iconc licensed cars. To improve realism and handling physics, GRID2 is being developed on the newest version of Codemasters’ “EGO” game engine which should provide “total race day immersion” according to Clive Moody, the Executive Producer of the game. From the looks of the trailer I might be inclined to agree with the man. See for yourself, along with the first screen shots below.
THE RACE RETURNS IN 2013 – GET READY FOR TOTAL RACE DAY IMMERSION AS CODEMASTERS® UNVEILS GRID®2™
Be Fast, Be First, Be Famous – GRID 2 Trailer Makes Stunning Debut at www.GRIDGAME.com
Los Angeles, Calif. – August 8, 2012 – Codemasters® today announced that GRID® 2™, the long-awaited sequel to the BAFTA-award winning, critically acclaimed GRID™, is in production at Codemasters Racing Studios and set for a 2013 launch for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and PC.
Revealing the first of the game’s new locations, including Chicago and Paris, the debut GRID 2 trailer video is now showing at www.gridgame.com and captures a snapshot of the relentless, high-impact aggressive thrills that lie at the core of GRID 2’s cinematic race experience.
GRID 2 will challenge players to be fast, be first and be famous as they enter a stunning new world of competitive motorsport. In pre-production for two years, GRID 2 is now in full development on the latest evolution of the award-winning EGO Game Technology Platform. Following the success of GRID, which set new standards for damage, AI, visuals and introduced the Flashback time rewind feature – now adopted by many racing games – GRID 2 will again raise the gameplay and technological bar for motorsport gaming and remain true to the series’ core values – it’s all about the race.
“GRID’s back and we’re going to make street, track and road racing exciting again,” said Clive Moody, Executive Producer. “The core design philosophy for GRID 2 is that we treat the race as a character, not a consequence of simply putting cars on tracks. Everything that goes into the game impacts on that second-to-second, in the moment, blockbuster drama – the feel and personality of the race.”
“We’re pushing boundaries once again with what can be accomplished in the genre via new tools, technology and innovations. In single-player, split-screen and online, the next-generation of the EGO Game Technology Platform will power graphics, AI, handling and damage advancements that will immerse players in the racing experience like never before. Like its predecessor, GRID 2 will put the sheer thrill and adrenaline rush of the race at the heart of the experience. It’s what we call Total Race Day Immersion.”
In an expansive career mode, players will experience aggressive wheel-to-wheel racing against advanced AI where each spectacular race unfolds with cinematic immersion. Building on the handling model from GRID, the new TrueFeel Handling System will use real physics to hit a sweetspot between accessibility and simulation and deliver handling that is approachable yet challenging to master.
Going behind the wheel of a handpicked selection of automotive icons spanning four decades and three continents – North America, Europe and Asia – players will race their way to the top of a new, evolving world of motorsport. From Paris to Abu Dhabi, Miami to the sun-kissed California coast and beyond, beautifully created city streets, licensed circuits and edge-of-control mountain roads will become home to the most visceral and exhilarating races in gaming.
GRID 2 will also set new standards for a racing multiplayer experience with an entirely distinct and extensive gameplay component and unique progression system. Deep customisation options and integration with RaceNet* – the online community portal for Codemasters Racing games which tracks player’s races, rewards and rivals – will offer further immersion and connectivity in GRID 2’s new world of motorsport.
A while back I showed you the trailer for the new DiRT Showdown game which is coming down the pipe from Codemasters. When the trailer hit the intertubes it raised a lot of questions about the future direction of the DiRT series. The biggest question was: Is DiRT Showdown really “DiRT4″? Well recently I was invited to get a hands on preview of DiRT Showdown. Not only did I get to play an early draft of the game myself I also got to speak with Showdown’s associate producer Iain Smith and ask him some of the hard questions. Before we get to that I will answer a few of those questions right now. First of all yes, Ken Block will be making a return appearance in DiRT Showdown in his current Ford Fiesta ”Hybrid Function Hoonigan Vehicle” AKA H.F.H.V. Secondly, Gymkhana mode will be back and improved from DiRT3, meaning that it wont be so damn hard to execute stunts and tricks. Finally, as the trailers suggest there will be a demolition derby element to DiRT Showdown. There are more burning questions that will be answered straight from in our interview as well as some gameplay footage and new screen shots scroll below!
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