Codemasters posts (Subscribe to this feed)

After suffering from a series of delays, Codemasters rallycross racer DiRT 2 is arriving on PCs this December 8. As confirmed by Codies community man "Ice" on the developer's forums, the game will be arriving a week late to the PC due to a reason that is "far too boring to go into." He assures fans that it's not a "technical issue in any way, shape, or form," and that he has assurance from the US office that the game's ship date is confirmed for December 8. Just a few more days, PC-owning DiRT fans! We promise this time!

The PC version of Codies racer DiRT 2 may be a bit behind the console pack, but it's crossing the finishing line in style. The extra time has allowed the team to throw a couple of more DirectXs in there (they've got it up to 11 now!) and fine-tune all of the game's tessellation.

And if you're still on the sidelines, wondering whether the game is for you (or, more importantly, if your puny rig can handle all of this Xtreme tessellation action), then why not try the game out right now? Codemasters was kind enough to hook up our sister site Big Download with a PC demo, so feel free to get a little dirty. Just, uh, change your clothes first. Your mom would kill us if you ruined that new Nickelback T-shirt.

Another Tuesday, another entry in the ever expanding Xbox Games on Demand library. This week, it's Race Driver: GRiD, the well-reviewed 2008 racer from Codemasters. The game is available everywhere except Japan, which gets Raiden Fighters Aces, a fact that fills us with jealous rage. Still, if you're a fan of the Codies school of racing, you might consider picking it up (be sure to try the demo first).

As usual, prices vary by region.

Add GRiD to your 360 download queue

[Via Major Nelson]

What do Sony's Michael Denny, Square Enix's Yoichi Wada, and Codemasters' Rod Cousens have in common? Okay, they're all middle-aged men that happen to work in the video games industry -- but they also share a common belief in pursuing original IP. "For me the answer is clear, simply, we must support new IP creation to survive as an industry. Consumers crave new things. If we want to stay relevant in an increasingly competitive marketplace, we have to continue to produce new experiences," Denny told GI.biz. Certainly, SCEE has been pushing a lot of new IPs this generation, with Denny overseeing games like Heavy Rain and EyePet.

Wada agrees with Denny's sentiment, noting that "as an entertainment company the business won't be viable if we don't continue to nurture new IPs." This may be ironic coming from a company that's releasing a game called Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers this holiday, and both Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy XIV next year, but we can credit them for making The World Ends With You, right?

Cousens goes a step further, saying innovation has always been at the heart of the industry. "From day one since we walked in the door we've always tried to be experimental, to be innovative, to take things into new areas and to make it interesting." Obviously, the reason why publishers need to invest in new IPs is clear -- let's not forget that games like Madden used to be an original IP at one point.

Source - Sony: Industry needs new IP to survive
Source - Wada: Business 'not viable' without new IP
Source - Cousens: Industry must pursue new IP

Tomorrow's one of those days when it'll be nice to be a PC gamer. Not only will you be able to get a title update for Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising (the full details of which are available here) you'll also be the first to get your hands on the "Skirmish" DLC, which includes four new multiplayer maps and two new Fire Team Engagement missions. The console title update (which you can read about about here) is due on the 360 tomorrow and on the PS3 "shortly after."

Moreover, when Skirmish is eventually released on consoles, it'll come with a price tag of 400 points ($5) on 360 and $3.99 on PS3. Sure, the price discrepancy will cause a flare up in the console war, but what do you care? You're a PC gamer. You rise above.

In an interview with GI.biz, Codemasters CEO Rod Cousens rejected the idea that there is no room for game publishers to tackle new IP during a recession. Concerning the difficulties of launching a new IP, Cousens said that if the industry only does "more of the same," it could stagnate like the movie and music industries. When asked if launching new IP is difficult when market conditions are poor and consumers tend to gravitate toward established franchises -- think Call of Duty -- Cousens said, "I don't buy off on that argument." He elaborated that one of the game industry's "most exciting things" is its ability "to be experimental, to be innovative, to take things into new areas and to make it interesting."

Cousens noted that it's easy to understand why retailers want to give shelf space to familiar titles, but he believes that this practice eventually "wears a bit thin" and that some shelf space must go to new IP. Aside from this, he explained that publishers have to promote awareness of their products through direct marketing. "Shelf space is the equivalent to air play for music," said Cousens, "so you work it by establishing direct-to-consumer links, and then through those links start to create new IP and give them what they want."

During Microsoft's big coming-out party for Windows 7 today in New York City, Codemasters showed off the new DirectX 11 version of the upcoming PC port of Dirt 2 that you see above. Though the developer said little of new content additions being made to the game, the already gorgeous visuals have been gussied up with help from DirectX 11, and cheevos will be ready for the taking on Games for Windows Live. Meeting its previously announced delay head-on, Dirt 2 starts shipping in North America on December 1, with December 3 and 4 release dates for the rest of the world (in your face, world!).

Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising is set to receive a network optimization patch alongside the game's first DLC at the end of October, according to executive producer Sion Lenton. In an interview with Eurogamer, Lenton said the team at Codemasters has planned for more downloadable content, but has yet to decide what the new content will be.

"It's not a lot of fuss for us to make new content - it's actually quite easy for us to get it out there, with regards to things like levels, game modes, etc," Lenton said. What is being fussed about are the bevy of balance issues players of the military shooter have vocalized on the game's official forum. According to Lenton, the upcoming patch is set to make the game "flow a bit better." The patch comes at a good time, hoping to catch players before they "flow" directly into that other military shooter launching in November.

Ten-hut, soldier -- Codemasters' Sion Lenton reveals in an interview with Telegraph that the company is currently working on DLC for Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising and the first round will be available in "a matter of weeks." Lenton also says the company has "ambitious plans" for the game's DLC, though he only mentions the requisite weapon and map add-ons most shooters receive post-release.

The rest of the interview isn't a bad read; Lenton discusses how the idea to bring back the Operation Flashpoint series came about, why Codies went for consoles, the balancing act between keeping it a hardcore, realistic experience without making it too frustrating for gamers and planned Title Updates to keep the game balanced. We're glad he mentioned that last item, because we've heard some folks in the game's forums aren't all too happy with the experience right now.

[Via CVG]

The Xbox 360's Games on Demand service is getting quite the booster shot this month, as Microsoft has announced six new titles coming to the service in October. The festivities kicked off earlier this week with the release of Rainbow Six Vegas 2 and Call of Duty 3. Here's what the rest of this month has in store:

October 13

• Grand Theft Auto IV

October 20

• Midnight Club: Los Angeles
• Army of Two
• Sonic Unleashed

October 27

• Dead Space
• DiRT

There's no word on price for any of these titles right now, so we've checked with Microsoft and will be sure to update you when we hear back.

Gavin Raeburn, the guy who may be most responsible for beloved Codies-brand racers like DiRT 2 and GRID, has resigned from the company, VG247 reports. After a stint lasting more than 20 years, the former executive producer has "moved on to pastures new," said Gavin Cheshire, VP of Codemasters Development.

Cheshire added, "it's positive for any individual to move when they feel they're at the top." "[Raeburn] leaves having built an incredibly talented team that's led by key players who will drive our racing portfolio forward." There's no word on where Raeburn is headed, but there's a good chance it's Disney World.

Guys, if you haven't been keeping up with Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising, then brace your butt for the first glimpse at its massive multiplayer action. The latest trailer comes from the game's official site, and impresses us not only through the sheer scale of the maps shown, but also -- oh man, did you see that helicopter blow up everything?

Sorry, what were we talking about?

[Via Big Download]

Guitar Hero 5, which is like the tenth (give or take a couple) installment in the series, has resonated with UK consumers and hit a high note atop the Chart Track all-formats chart. The Dark Knight of Arkham Asylum -- who was perched above the charts for two weeks -- slipped off the top to the number three spot, with Colin McRae: Dirt 2 taking the silver.

The Beatles: Rock Band premiered at the number four spot, which some are sure to find disappointing. Both Guitar Hero and Rock Band have previously debuted at the fourth and sixth spot, respectively, with previous iterations. Music games may be on a sales decline, but they apparently still know how to make an entrance.

Source -- Guitar Hero 5 hits the right notes (Chart Track)
Source -- All formats chart (Chart Track)