race-driver-grid posts (Subscribe to this feed)

GRID getting new cars, events later this year

by Jason Dobson { Sep 19th 2008 at 5:15PM }

Codemasters has dropped word that new racing machines will be pulling up to GRID's starting line later this year. The game will be getting a new DLC pack, dubbed "8-Ball," this Fall, which will add two new multiplayer events and eight new cars, including the McLaren F1 GTR, Honda S2000 and 1971 Pontiac Firebird Trans AM. Additionally, while 8-Ball's new cars and events will be released for both the Xbox 360 and PS3, the former will gain the added benefit of four new Achievements and 100 new Gamerpoints to earn. PS3 owners will have to fill their time dusting off vacant Trophy cases.

Another release, adding a V8 Supercars category and the Australian Bathurst circuit, is expected in the coming months. At this time, the Codies are tight-lipped regarding both price and an exact release date for any DLC, saying only that the first batch will drop this Fall for consoles, while PC players can expect information relevant to them to arrive "shortly."

Race Driver: GRID patches tire, races on

by Dustin Burg { Jun 12th 2008 at 11:45AM }

Codemasters just released (or will be releasing soon) a new Race Driver: GRID patch whose goal is to make your GRID gaming more GRID-like and less "this game sucks"-like. The patch or as we like to call it, a "title update", will fix an entire laundry list of bugs, including numerous network updates, a few gameplay tweaks, achievement fixes and our personal favorite, a "fix for occasional excessive smoke coming from other players in network mode". Because, as you're well aware, that excessive smoke really took away from the racing experience. View the complete list of Xbox 360 GRID ~~patch~~ title update fixes after the break.

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360 GRID plagued by freezing issues

by Richard Mitchell { Jun 3rd 2008 at 5:00PM }

Our compatriots over at Big Download stumbled on some unsettling performance issues while preparing a GRID comparison piece that pits the PC version against its console counterparts. It seems that the game suffers from pausing and freezing during races and replays. Pauses are reported to be up to one second in length, which would be unacceptable in most games, but is especially so in a racing game. The issue is currently setting the Codemasters forums on fire. Solutions being offered include removing and reattaching the hard drive, playing with a memory unit and no hard drive, and clearing the cache, although it appears that no solution is effective in all cases.

Codemasters is working on a solution that will be included in a forthcoming patch, which is should be available "within the next few weeks or sooner."

Race Driver: GRID demo races to a million downloads

by Jason Dobson { May 26th 2008 at 9:30PM }

With the latest in Codemasters' Race Driver series, GRID, expected to roll up to the starting line next week, the company has announced that the demo for the upcoming, not to mention decidedly un-boring racer has been downloaded over a million times over Xbox Live, PSN, and the PC.

The demo, which was released a couple weeks back, offers a look at what players can expect when Race Driver: Grid races to European retail shelves on May 30. Following this, North American players will be able to slip behind the wheel on June 3, while a more touchable version for the Nintendo DS is expected around the same time as well.

[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]

Race Driver: GRID's multiplayer explained

by Jason Dobson { May 15th 2008 at 4:00AM }

When we're not shopping for cars online or squabbling with forum goers over botched video coverage, most of our time spent with Codemasters' cryptically named racing game GRID will likely be spent online. It's something the devs obviously understand, as the company has revealed what multiplayer shenanigans we can look forward to when Race Driver: GRID ships for the Xbox 360, PS3, and PC on June 3.

According to Codemasters, the game will have us eating the dust of up to 11 other racers at once on some 32 different online racing events spread across 80 circuits and 15 different global locations. The devs also note that care has been taken in "maximizing" the time spent actually racing, while keeping the minutes spent in lobbies idling in neutral at a minimum. Of course, our driving skills, or rather lack thereof, have us more interested in what the Codies call "full car damage," which will be able to be turned on or off. The laundry list of features also includes the ability to download ghost cars of top drivers to race against as well as a spectator mode, you know, for those of us who learn by watching instead of doing.

Gallery: Race Driver: GRID (PS3)

Joystiq talks to GameTrailers about GRID fiasco

by Richard Mitchell { May 12th 2008 at 6:30PM }

What fiasco, you ask? If you surfed GameTrailers over the weekend, it's possible you came across a (now pulled) video comparison of the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of Race Driver GRID. There were multiple segments edited together, some of them labeled as PS3 footage while others were labeled as 360 footage. The problem and, hence, fiasco surfaced when sharp-eyed viewers realized that all of the footage appearing in the video was from the Playstation 3 version. Adding fuel to the fire, many denizens of the net concluded that the video painted a better picture of the "Xbox 360" footage (though no specific declarations were actually made in the video).

Many shouted conspiracy, while more levelheaded viewers assumed it was simply a mistake. To find out exactly what happened, Joystiq went directly to the source, GameTrailers. The verdict, according to GT Editor in Chief Shane Satterfield: "It was a mistake in our post-production process." Head over to Joystiq for the full interview, which includes an explanation of why GameTrailers is so teh bias.

Joystiq interview: GameTrailers EIC sets record straight on GRID controversy

by Ross Miller { May 12th 2008 at 5:55PM }

There's been a lot of controversy surrounding GameTrailer's comparison video of Race Driver: GRID, which pitted the PlayStation 3 version up against ... um ... the PlayStation 3 version. Is the site horrifically biased? On Microsoft's payroll? We spoke with GameTrailers Editor In Chief, Shane Satterfield, to clear up the matter.

How did this mistake happen?

It was a mistake in our post-production process. After we captured the footage from both versions, some of the footage of the PlayStation 3 version of the game was incorrectly placed in the bin for the Xbox 360 footage. Our video editor on this particular project is not a games person and completely overlooked the fact that he had the wrong footage in the wrong place. We normally have multiple checks from games editorial on every segment that is published, but there was some confusion on who did/did not look at it before it was sent out for compression. Thus, the mistake.

Gallery: Race Driver: GRID (PS3)

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Demo for GRID races on to Xbox Live

by Justin McElroy { May 8th 2008 at 11:30AM }

You know why you're reading this instead of playing Grand Turismo 5 Prologue or Burnout or any of the multitude of other racing franchises available? Because they're boring. It's a true, scientific fact straight from Codemasters who said they're going to "make racing exciting again" with its latest entry in the Race Driver series, GRID. Now, you can put that to the test with the 750 MB demo that's just been dropped onto Xbox Live. (We're not sure, but with this being a Thursday we'd bet you'll see this on PSN later today as well.)

Graphically, Codemasters certainly seems to be on the way to its lofty goal. But the rubber doesn't truly meet the road, as it were, until you get your hands on the controller. As usual, we'd love for you to give the demo a spin and share your thoughts, that is if you can control your shaking hands long enough to type them out. You know. Because of all the excitement.

GRID demo speeds onto the XBLM

by Dustin Burg { May 8th 2008 at 9:45AM }

Codemasters just released a new demo to the Xbox Live Marketplace for their upcoming street racer Race Driver GRID and yes, this demo surprised us too.

The 795MB GRID demo allows gamers to race around in and experience three different regions including Europe Touring Cars at Jarama Circuit, U.S Muscle cars at San Francisco and Japanese Drift Racing at Yokohama Docks. We're also told that GRID demo players in Europe will have a chance to win a BMW 3-Series, if they can log the fastest lap time in the Jarama Euro Touring cars championship. So, no more complaining that European Live gamers don't get any exclusive offers. Mmkay? Download the GRID demo, see if it's your cup of racing tea and try and win team X3F a new BMW. Dibs on riding shotgun.

Buy Race Driver: GRID, dress like a square

by JC Fletcher { Apr 28th 2008 at 9:45AM }

If you're serious about racing (but not so serious that you refuse to play racing games on the DS), you're probably keeping a keen eye on GRID (or Race Driver: GRID, or whatever the kids are calling it these days). Handheld racing enthusiasts will be pleased to learn that Gamestop orders will also include a fairly nice-looking t-shirt featuring the game's logo!

Graph paper enthusiasts may also find the shirt worthwhile, we suppose, as could city planning enthusiasts. Basically, anyone with a love of grids, since the word "GRID" is really the only identifiable element on the shirt. If you want to tell people it's a video game thing, that's fine, or you can say you just really appreciate power line networks.

European dates for Etrian Odyssey, LOL, Pokemon Explorers

by Chris Greenhough { Apr 24th 2008 at 5:00PM }

News of a European release date for Super Smash Bros. Brawl has dominated coverage of Nintendo's latest European release schedule, but there are a number of tasty morsels on the list for DS owners.

For a start, the continent will finally be getting Atlus roguelike Etrian Odyssey, and it's about time -- lest we forget, the title made its U.S. debut last May! Notably, there are also dates (of varying specificity) for Race Driver: GRID (May), the new Pokémon Mystery Dungeon games (July 4th), New International Track & Field (Q2 2008), and Cooking Guide: Can't Decide What to Eat? (June), the European version of Cooking Navi. "ArchimDS" appears on the list as well, though we presume this refers to LOL, or Bakushow as it'll be known in Euroland.

Add all of those to this morning's Final Fantasy IV announcement, and Europe has quite the line-up of games to look forward to. Check past the break for the full list!

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Race Driver: GRID to include integration with eBay Motors

by Jason Dobson { Apr 23rd 2008 at 10:00AM }

Codemasters and in-game ad firm Engage have announced that the upcoming Race Driver: GRID will feature integration with the eBay Motors marketplace, allowing players to buy and sell in-game vehicles in a "realistic setting." GRID's love affair with eBay doesn't stop there, with the online auction house also sponsoring a race series in the game called "The eBay Motor Muscle Series," allowing players to the race the eBay Motors Mustang GTR concept car in downtown San Francisco, Long Beach, Washington D.C. and Detroit.

Codemasters describes the inclusion of the eBay Motors marketplace as an "essential element" and "a revolving plot point" in GRID which players will use to "continually upgrade or swap out vehicles," though whether or not sniping auctions out from under other drivers will be included remains to be seen.

Race Driver: GRID trailer revs up, impresses

by Chris Greenhough { Apr 4th 2008 at 6:00PM }

Can the DS do "serious" racing games? As things stand, there are three such titles due this year on the handheld: Evolution GT, Trackmania DS, and Race Driver: GRID. Developer Codemasters showed off the latter earlier today, and you can color us impressed. Watch the trailer above and you'll see ~~pure, white stallions emerging from magnificently rendered waves~~ that this is already looking remarkably fluid -- and that's with eight cars on track at once and an array of weather effects.

It's an early lead for GRID then, though there's every chance that Trackmania's vaunted track creation mode could see it pull back in front.

Gallery: Race Driver: GRID

[Via press release]

Codemasters announces Race Driver: GRID for DS

by Christopher Grant { Feb 12th 2008 at 4:49PM }

Despite our affinity for playing the DS while in the car, we're not sure the DS is the platform we want to race cars in, if you catch our drift. Nevertheless, Codemasters is bringing the Race Driver: GRID franchise to Nintendo's ubiquitous handheld. Most notable is the game's track editor, first spotted in last year's Race Driver: Create and Race DS game. Online multiplayer functionality enables up to four-player races, online leaderboards, and track-sharing ability including the ability to upload and download new tracks from a central server. The DS version is scheduled to release simultaneously with the already announced PC, Xbox 360, and PS3 releases sometime mid-2008.