DIRT: Colin McRae Off-Road 360 info

Wilk5280 · Post by **Wilk5280** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 3:03 pm

From Official XBOX Magazine:

- DIRT will offer multiplayer races for up to 100 players - simultaneously! Lobbies will hold up to 100 gamers at a time, each competing to get the best time on a set stage or track. All 100 will move from the lobby to the stage for the race, and, though you won't see your opponents on the track, you'll have a lot of names to beat if you want to finish on top at the end of the stage.

- It wouldn't be a Colin game without special-stage rallies. DIRT will ship with three official USA CORR tracks and three European Rally Cross circuits, plus 46 officially licensed cars in 12 catagories.

- DIRT marks Colin's XBOX 360 debut, and the graphics are already looking the part. Even if rally racing isn't your thing, Codemasters has sweetened the DIRT: Colin McRae Off-Road experience with some encouraging new race modes, physics upgrades and visuals.

- Dead-on physics and damage effects are at the heart of the new Neon game engine. "This means damage will range from a few paintmark scratches to literally being able to wrap a car around a tree or other solid object," says Raeburn.

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Reading this got me fired up for some CMR and was wondering if anyone has played CMR 04 for xbox on their 360. This is the only BC game of the franchise and I was wondering how it translated.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 3:07 pm

This game scares me a bit. It sounds like Codemasters is moving this franchise away from its roots to be more of a Rallisport Challenge-type game.

The beauty of Colin always was how damn good of a sim it was. The game was HARD.

Hopefully DIRT will be a lot like CMR 2.0 on the PlayStation, which was a great rally sim with a fun, arcadish rallycross mode. Otherwise, I fear the direction the franchise is moving.

Take care,
PK

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 7:01 pm

I haven't really dug around too much to find out about this game, and was surprised to see its release date on EB listed as 1/1/07. I'm hopeful that the basics will remain solid, indeed improved, and these new modes are more like extras, particularly the rally-cross stuff. More special stages, rally-cross, the hill climbs, things like that seem to be extra modes, while at the heart of the game there still should be the traditional rallies. Personally, I'd love to see the rally career mode or one-off rally mode tweaked and expanded, to be made a little more realistic, but the core of any good CMR experience is the individual stages and the handling/damage model, and I am expecting improvements all around as the series comes to 360.

I am encouraged by the main online offering mentioned above, namely the alone-on-track but with 100

possible competitors running at the same time. This indicates to me that the main play mode of the game will continue to be yourself agains the clock, not rally-cross bumping and passing. MP was functional in the last game, but needed some polish and fewer restrictions. It looks like they are spending more attention to the online modes this time, and I hope what they've come up with works well.

I'm looking forward to finding out whether they've made strides forward or fallen back into CMR03/ Pro Race Driver (ToCA1) territory.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 7:35 pm

The one thing CMR has needed since its inception: longer stages!

There never has been a stage in any of the four CMR games that has required more than four minutes to finish. That's not even close to realistic.

I don't expect the Codies to throw a 30-km stage into the game, although that would be cool as hell, but it would be nice to see stages that take between five and 10 minutes to finish. It would make the game that much more challenging and realistic, and require even more of that "in the zone" concentration that's so unique to the McRae franchise.

Take care,
PK

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 8:51 pm

I agree. That is one thing that has been glaring. But also, and I don't really follow rally much, aren't real rallies usually longer than the 6 or 8 stages in CMR games, and don't you often run a few, though not all, of the stages of each rally twice over the course of a weekend? I can certainly appreciate trying to streamline the whole thing from what it is in real life, but every rally consisting of 8 stages, all between 2.5 and 4 minutes long is an unfortunate hallmark of the CMR series.

Another hallmark is the great balance between sim and palyable-with-a-controller. It may never be the most unforgiving, purely realistic sim, but the sim level is just right to create a great degree of depth in the gameplay. I would like to see a much more conplex, if not more brutal, damage model. CMR has always been good in this area, but it can clearly stand to be much better, even so. Even at the hardest setting in CMR05, I rarely had to go into the final stages of a rally with any damage, since unless I hit a tree, the damage to the car was fixable within the time frame of the service stations.

Point is, I'd love to see longer stages and a more complex damage model, but in my heart I know I will be happy if they avoid pulling a CMR03, and give me at least what CMR05 was with updated, 720p 360 graphics and upgraded 360 physics. I don't need them to bit off the whole pie in one go, as I think you are wary they are doing; I just want the solid basics rebuilt for the 360 as the first step in the next-gen for the Codies' driving sims.

Kruza · Post by **Kruza** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 10:13 am

pk500 wrote:This game scares me a bit. It sounds like Codemasters is moving this franchise away from its roots to be more of a Rallisport Challenge-type game.

The beauty of Colin always was how damn good of a sim it was. The game was HARD.

Hopefully DIRT will be a lot like CMR 2.0 on the PlayStation, which was a great rally sim with a fun, arcadish rallycross mode. Otherwise, I fear the direction the franchise is moving.

Take care,
PK

Yeah, that's what I was thinking at first about DIRT seeming to be more like a RalliSport Challenge game. But I also think the extra options that DIRT is presenting is showing that Codemasters want this game to now compete directly with this RSC series in terms of sales. I don't mind that much as long as the core stuff and featres that's been in past CMR games is still there.

And like you've said before, the CMR really could use some longer rally stages that goes over the 7km or so that's been in this series up to now. Something like the occasional 10-12km and a 18km-20km stage at each location would be nice. RSC 2 had those really long 25-30km rally stages that took 10-12 minutes to finish, and I loved it. That's one of the only features from the RSC series I wish Codemasters would include in DIRT.

Kruza

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 10:18 am

Zeppo wrote:I agree. That is one thing that has been glaring. But also, and I don't really follow rally much, aren't real rallies usually longer than the 6 or 8 stages in CMR games, and don't you often run a few, though not all, of the stages of each rally twice over the course of a weekend?

Yes, and yes. WRC events typically feature around six to eight stages each on Friday and Saturday, and three or four stages on Sunday. Many stages are run in reverse, too, as the concept of a central service area and compact stage routes has gripped the WRC, unfortunately at the expense of a classic rally like the Safari.

Zeppo wrote:Another hallmark is the great balance between sim and palyable-with-a-controller. It may never be the most unforgiving, purely realistic sim, but the sim level is just right to create a great degree of depth in the gameplay. I would like to see a much more conplex, if not more brutal, damage model. CMR has always been good in this area, but it can clearly stand to be much better, even so. Even at the hardest setting in CMR05, I rarely had to go into the final stages of a rally with any damage, since unless I hit a tree, the damage to the car was fixable within the time frame of the service stations.

Agreed. I played CMR religiously since the very first installment on the PSX, and I never suffered terminal damage during a stage. I hurt a car so badly that there was no time to fix it properly during service, but I never left a car midway through a stage due to damage. That's not a compliment to my driving skills; it's a criticism of the damage model!

Take care,
PK

AcemanPR · Post by **AcemanPR** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 10:25 am

I don't think Codemasters will dumb it down to Rallisport Challenge, even though RSC was still a fun game to play. I think Codemasters realized that in order for the series to be continue to be successful, they had to add to the game. I love the fact they are adding hill climbs. I love the hill climbs in the RSC series. From the OXM article, it sounds like damage is going to be a major factor in this year's game.

I agree that the Colin McRae games need to have longer stages as well. That makes the damage that much more critical and the online competition that much more fierce. But Codemasters needs to not cross that fine line of making a rally game too frustrating for casual gamers too. But that is why I really liked the Expert difficulty in CMR05.

One last thing I want to see the Colin McRae games implement is dynamic weather. Make each stage with random weather. Reading the OXM article, it does sound like that is a possibility.

My guess is Codemasters will release this in Feb, March, or April. Definitely one of my most anticipated titles for 2007.

Kruza · Post by **Kruza** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 11:16 am

I agree about Hill Climbs. They are awesome.

And I hope Codemasters will include the Expert difficulty level in DIRT, even if they're already including the seemingly more complex damage model for the game.

Kruza

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 2:40 pm

Agree with all of you cats on hill climbs. And Ace is right: If the Codies can add all of this fun window-dressing while improving upon the fine core of CMR, DIRT will be killer. It might be the title that steers me toward buying a 360, no pun intended.

Take care,
PK

fightingcamel · Post by **fightingcamel** » Fri Feb 23, 2007 9:53 am

Some new info about DIRT. Sounds good!

http://forum.rscnet.org/showthread.php? ... ost3379701

Wilk5280 · Post by **Wilk5280** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 7:52 pm

http://xbox360media.ign.com/xbox360/ima ... 810672.jpg

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 8:03 pm

Have you guys seen video of this thing yet?

Holy cow, it's gorgeous! Very much looking forward to this one...

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 8:12 pm

Full preview from IGN UK;
http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/776/776484p1.html

Sounds very promising. Also sounds like game is sticking to its root--a demanding yet not uber realistic racing game. This game plus a FF racing wheel might truly be 360 racing bliss

Codemaster's upcoming instalment in the long-running and exceedingly popular Colin McRae series isn't just the best-looking rally game we've seen, it's one of the best-looking next generation titles, period. This week we've been lucky enough to go hands-on with Colin McRae: DIRT and were immediately blown away by the impressive visuals, superb handling and high-speed rally racing. Clearly Codemasters has had its best development team locked up in a garage for several years with only programming tools for company, if the impressive results we've seen so far are anything to go by.

Unfortunately our car slammed into the barriers a little more often than we would like. That's because - compared to most modern racers - McRae pulls no punches when it comes to difficulty. Part of the game's charm is pushing your driving skills to the limit by braking at the last moment and hopefully skidding round the corner ready to fly straight towards the next one. Those worried that Codemasters may have tweaked the difficulty to sit more comfortably alongside the likes of Need for Speed fret not - DIRT is still a tough but enjoyable challenge demanding you find the perfect racing line to succeed, just like previous McRae ventures.

That said, cars can take quite a lot of damage to peripheral elements, like the bodywork. At one point we even managed to stay road-bound on three wheels briefly before tumbling off the track and smacking into a tree. However, damage affects the performance of your car, so it's inadvisable to keep whacking into things at 100mph. Still, it's great fun watching race replays, trying to pinpoint when you lost your wing mirror or your gearbox started crumbling after one too many collisions.

Sport73 · Post by **Sport73** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 8:48 pm

After looking at the Gametrailers preview of this one, I can only say WOW. If ANY of those graphics are in-game, then this makes PS3's Motocross look downright Fugly.

Could this be the game that get's PK to jump to the 360?

Wilk5280 · Post by **Wilk5280** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 9:08 pm

No, PK is on his old pc racing games exclusively kick right now

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 9:37 pm

Sport73 wrote:After looking at the Gametrailers preview of this one, I can only say WOW. If ANY of those graphics are in-game, then this makes PS3's Motocross look downright Fugly.

Holy crap, WOW! I can't believe that's in-game. It must be rendered, it's just too good!

Sport73 wrote:Could this be the game that get's PK to jump to the 360?

PK is lost to us. At least until he can get a 360 for $150 or so.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 10:14 pm

Zeppo wrote:PK is lost to us. At least until he can get a 360 for $150 or so.

Doubt I'd even get one for that price. Rally Trophy with the WRC mod is satisfying my sim rally jones very nicely, and I'm all over Richard Burns Rally after I get a new rig in May.

Enjoy Colin, fellas! Glad you're stoked about it. The series always has been quality, except for CMR 3.

Take care,
PK

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 1:25 pm

pk500 wrote:
Zeppo wrote:PK is lost to us. At least until he can get a 360 for $150 or so.
Doubt I'd even get one for that price. Rally Trophy with the WRC mod is satisfying my sim rally jones very nicely, and I'm all over Richard Burns Rally after I get a new rig in May.

Enjoy Colin, fellas! Glad you're stoked about it. The series always has been quality, except for CMR 3.

Take care,
PK

PK is one great Toca 360 from getting a 360.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 1:34 pm

JRod wrote:PK is one great Toca 360 from getting a 360.

Very, very doubtful. I'll have rFactor for that when I get a new rig.

There's only one game right now that could possibly sway me to the 360: A new EA Rugby game.

Take care,
PK

Nozzleman_216 · Post by **Nozzleman_216** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 3:33 pm

the OFFICIAL, In game footage trailer is now on marketplace available in stunning 720p

I was really looking forward to Forza, Dirt has completely left Forza as an after thought and neither are out yet LOL! I actually kinda forgot about Dirt until like last week when all this new info started creeping up.

Here is a link if you are not on LIVE (suckers)

http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/13130/Col ... -Gameplay/

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 4:35 pm

Holy sh*t. Between that and Forza...we are gonna be in good hands.

Nozzleman_216 · Post by **Nozzleman_216** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 6:32 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:Holy sh*t. Between that and Forza...we are gonna be in good hands.

I know right, I really haven't forgotten about Forza, it is going to be so great. These two are going to be tough to juggle LOL! I hope we have a nice group of DSP'ers for both of these. The first Forza didn't last real long and I kind of missed out on BOTH Toca's. I didnt have an Xbox when the first was popular and I had my 360 only for Toca 2. So heres to hoping we have lots of late night fun with these two!! I am so looking forward to it. Heck even my father is excited for these LOL! He has been playing GRAW2 extremely late on Live lately. Its so funny. He has always given me s*** for my gaming when growing up. Now he is begging me to play later

FifaInspected · Post by **FifaInspected** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 1:24 am

Does anyone know if we will be able to host private, smaller sessions.. say 10-16 people? The ability to have 100 people race in an event is kind of cool, unless you only want a handful of people on your friends list.

Zlax45 · Post by **Zlax45** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 1:34 am

Forza or Dirt...I wonder which I will get.