DiRT 2 tips its hat to the late Colin McRae

by Griffin McElroy { Jun 18th 2009 at 8:25PM }

When Scottish rally racer Colin McRae died in a tragic helicopter accident in September 2007, many wondered how his passing would affect the final version of DiRT, the McRae-branded racing game that would come out later that month. The answer? Well, it was too late in the game's development to include any significant changes -- but Codemasters is making sure that the upcoming sequel to the well-reviewed racer adequately tips its hat to the driver who spawned the series.

MTV Multiplayer checked out DiRT 2 during a recent preview in NYC, and reports that players will be working to qualify for the Colin McRae Memorial Cup -- what's more, Codemasters' Mark Turosz explained that players will "hear other drivers talking about him," and that "he's the central figure in the narrative." Rarely do video games dabble in real-life tragedies -- though it looks like Codemasters is handling it with a refreshing touch of class.

Gallery: DiRT 2

Tags: colin-mcrae, dirt, dirt-2, racing

Related From Joystiq

ModNation Racers races back into view with new trailer
8 days ago
New Dirt 2 trailers feature fancy cars, lots of dirt
126 days ago
Codemasters talks Colin McRae: DiRT 2, coming 2009
374 days ago

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

mars @ Jun 18th 2009 8:31PM

well thats good news. he was a great driver and person, and dirt was a very good game that deserved a very good sequel.

and if the screenshots are any indication, it will be a great looking game, as well as a great playing, as the last one was.

Conrado @ Jun 19th 2009 10:21PM

There's already some gameplay footage on Game trailers.com

http://www.gametrailers.com/video/e3-09-dirt-2/50786

It looks amazing... It uses the upgraded EGO engine, twice details as in GRID.

R.I.P. Colin Mcrae

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsNW8TX2vGs&feature=related

j.howlett @ Jun 18th 2009 8:55PM

i loved the demo for dirt when i first got my ps3. i should look for the game

smooth @ Jun 18th 2009 8:58PM

nice to see it doesn't have to be ALL about money.

Joanna D @ Jun 18th 2009 9:15PM

It seems a little insulting though, doesn't it?

To have his name on this game which is about as far from what he was known for as was possible while still being off road. We need a REAL rally game this generation (based on WRC or something fictional) with racing on point to point stages against the clock in a variety of locations.

Instead we get X-Games BS :(

smooth @ Jun 18th 2009 9:31PM

you gotta remember that, at the end of the day, no matter what happened to whom, the bottom line is that games are made to sell. In my opinion, probably no one except for codemasters actually put a thought about another Colin McRae game or when his next sequel would come out. To be able to homage him in such a classy way, as Joystiq so adequately puts it, is just commendable.
Let us not bother about what kind of sand was put in the hourglass, but be thankful that we are able to tell time.

Kendachi @ Jun 18th 2009 9:41PM

Agreed. hoping they keep the rallies in this time, tho i have a feeling it'll be more like Dirt1's career mode. mcrae3 hd remix anyone?

Swagman @ Jun 18th 2009 9:56PM

Sounds like you should give FUEL, Codemasters' other rally racer a shot. It came out last month, and while it may not be the best rally game on the planet, it sure is a definitive step in the right direction. If it does not take them six years to develop FUEL 2, we may potentially looking at yet another racing dynasty for Codemasters.

SimbaDogg @ Jun 18th 2009 10:02PM

this is the same damn concept that he signed off for for dirt 1 when he was still with us. what the hell are you complaining about? you want them to change it to something other than what he he was signing off for AFTER his passing? now that would be a slap in the face if i've ever heard it.

Mackero @ Jun 19th 2009 5:27AM

"We need a REAL rally game this generation (based on WRC or something fictional) with racing on point to point stages against the clock in a variety of locations."

You're in luck then, Dirt2 also contains point to point racing against the clock on rally stages.

NitroMikeo @ Jun 19th 2009 6:25AM

Its called "Dirt 2", not "Colin McRae Dirt 2". Not insulting at all.

SimbaDogg @ Jun 18th 2009 9:25PM

::tip hat:: to the guys @ codemasters for recognizing him in a appropriate and classy way.

lord thanatos @ Jun 18th 2009 9:33PM

too bad the game sucked ass, and was missing so many modes that it was basically 'unfinished'. How vets like these can make a rally game that is 'unexciting' is beyond me. the rally mode in GT3 (GT4' rally mode sucked ass) is head and shoulders above any colin mcrae ive ever bought. who wants to play a rally game with no music- wtf?

their driving engine has been getting older and older- in how it 'feels'. they should look at the old champ rallisport challenge 2- THAT was a rally game.

Codemasters, STEP IT UP. Rally fans have been waiting a long time for a decent game.

Mr Clickerson @ Jun 22nd 2009 10:39AM

Apparently you haven't played DiRT or any other Colin McRae game... Sucks to be you... :l

LordToastington @ Jun 18th 2009 10:33PM

Colin McRae made me glad to be a Scot.

deft @ Jun 18th 2009 11:37PM

Good job on Codemasters part for the CMR homage in the game. He truly was one of the greatest drivers ever and the CMR Rally series is possibly the best rally series there is.

GordoJones @ Jun 19th 2009 12:04AM

DiRT is one of my all time favorite racing games EVAR. But I have the MS force feedback wheel secured on a rock solid custom stand, so it's just that much more fun for me. I expect DiRT 2 to be more of the same gaming goodness. DiRT 2 does not use a single pivot point like DiRT 1 did, so you don't have to worry about that.

Tyler @ Jun 19th 2009 12:13AM

By far, the best game for the racing wheel!

nakedatthecomp @ Jun 19th 2009 1:25AM

definitely picking this up, loved dirt 1

Stupidiot @ Jun 19th 2009 6:20AM

It looks suspiciously like those cars are racing in Battersea power station in that second image.

NOOK @ Jun 19th 2009 9:05AM

Guys ... DiRT was released on June 15th, 2007 in Europe (June 19th, 07 in the US). Colin McRae's tragic accident happened on September 15th, 2007. Exactly two month AFTER the game was inintially released.

The latest version to be released was the american PS3 version, which hit the stores on the day BEFORE the accident.

Graeme Q @ Jun 19th 2009 10:37AM

meh, this is another bit of old news.

Dev's have already shared this bit of info, probably a month ago now.

It was on a video on gametrailers I believe. Might have been eurogamer. Who knows.

Kattleox @ Jun 19th 2009 10:44AM

It really is nice of them to do that and remember one of the greatest rally drivers to touch the dirt.

On a gaming note, it would be really nice if other racing games would dabble a little more in the actual reality of the sport and not just the cars. It may sound rude, but McRae wasn't the first racer to die and I doubt he'll be the last. Forza, GT, and other racing games should show some respect for the fallen more often, as well as to those who still live.