DiRT 2 races to retail

Codemasters DiRT 2 makes its way onto stores shelves across North America for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, Nintendo DS and PSP - with a Games For Windows LIVE edition with support for DirectX 11 to follow soon.

The sequel to the popular 2007 racing game delivers a new driving experience with benchmark tech, new race types, a big event atmosphere, new locations, a new batch of off-roading heroes and a line-up of super-charged speed machines. Full online functionality with head-to-head competitive online play and social features are also in the mix. Of course we have all the DiRT on DiRT 2, thanks to Tom Chick’s DiRT 2 review. Thanks Tom.

DiRT 2 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 is rated T for Teen and is available for $59.99. The Wii, and PSP system versions are rated E 10+, The DS is rated E for everyone; the Wii version is available for $39.99 and the Nintendo DS and PSP system versions are available for $29.99.

Shipping Out: Sept. 7 – 11, 2009

Those of you longing to rock out as one of the Fab 4 will get your chance this week with the release of The Beatles Rock Band - this week’s headline game release on multiple platforms including the Wii, PS3 and Xbox 360 along with two unique guitar peripheral packages.

Other highlights include Mini Ninjas, Disgaea 2: Dark Hero Days, DiRT 2, Darkest of Days, LittleBigPlanet GOTY, and Wallace & Gromit Episode 2 on Xbox Live Arcade. The full list of this week’s releases can be found below:

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The DiRT 2 demo challenge

Codemasters is challenging DiRT 2 demo users to beat one of its developers for a chance to win some DiRT related prizes. If you think you have what it takes to beat the DiRT 2 developers at their own game then you can attempt to race against the clock in lower than level designer Glenn McDonald’s best time of 2:51:93 in the DiRT 2 demo, which you can find on PlayStation Network and Xbox LIVE Arcade.

Check out the DiRT 2 Facebook page at www.facebook.com/dirt2game to see a new video featuring a hot run on the Morocco Trailblazer track in the demo. Gamers can join the Demo Laptime Competition contest via the Facebook page for a chance to win exclusive DiRT 2 prizes. The last call for entries is September 8th, so get to it.

DiRT 2 races to retail on September 8, 2009 for PS3, Xbox 360 and later - PC.

DiRT 2 multiplayer demo released on Xbox Live

Codemasters has released the DiRT 2 multiplayer demo on Xbox LIVE Marketplace, with the PS3 demo to follow next week on August 27. There’s also a contest going on at the DiRT 2 Facebook page revolving around a brand new video featuring a hot run on the Morocco Trailblazer track in the demo, set by DiRT 2 level designer Glenn McDonald. Gamers can attempt to beat his time of 2:51:93 in the demo and enter a contest via the Facebook page for a chance to win exclusive DiRT 2 prizes.

DiRT 2 launches September 8 in the US for the Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, Nintendo DS and PSP. A Games For Windows LIVE edition will follow shortly thereafter.

Codemasters reveals DiRT 2 sountrack

Codemasters announced the soundtrack for its upcoming racing game sequel DiRT 2. The soundtrack, chosen to reflect the game’s marriage of festival spirit and off-road racing, will feature some of the biggest names in contemporary music. The 45 strong, officially licensed track list includes Queens of the Stone Age’s Little Sister, Friendly Fires’ In The Hospital, White Lies’ To Lose My Life, Ladyhawke’s My Delerium, You Me At Six’s Save It For The Bedroom and The Qemists’ Lost Weekend.

For a full track listing visit www.facebook.com/dirt2game.

DiRT 2 pre-order details

With DiRT 2 releasing on September 8th, Codemasters is kicking off an in-store promotion with GameStop, Journeys and DC Shoes. Now through September 14th, players that pre-order DiRT 2 at GameStop will receive a DVD with behind-the-scenes game footage and video of progressive rally pro Ken Block performing now-classic stunts.

As part of the pre-order program, gamers will also get a coupon for $10 off DC merchandise at Journeys stores. Consumers that preorder the game online at Gamestop.com will get a free DC DiRT 2 T-shirt in addition to the DVD and coupon. The GameStop-exclusive t-shirt was created by DC in very limited quantities and will be available while supplies last.

In addition to the pre-order program, consumers that purchase DC merchandise at Journeys will receive the DVD and a coupon for $10 off of DiRT 2 at GameStop once the game ships on September 8th.

Developed by the cats at Codemasters Studios, DiRT 2 will be published for the Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, Nintendo DS, PSP and Games For Windows - though the GFW verasion will ship at a later date than the rest.

DiRT 2 sponsors Subaru Rally Team USA

Codemasters is jumping from the virtual racing scene to the real world thing as DiRT 2 gets behind the wheel as an associate sponsor of the Subaru Rally Team USA for the 2009 season. DiRT 2 will sponsor seven races for Ken Block, Travis Pastrana and Dave Mirra from July through October, including the Los Angeles X Games July 30 – August 2.

As an official sponsor, DiRT 2 will be supporting 2006-2008 Rally Champion Travis Pastrana, 2005 Rookie of the Year and DC Shoes founder Ken Block, as well as 2008 Rookie of the Year and freestyle BMX legend Dave Mirra.

Developed by Codemasters Studios, DiRT 2 is being developed for the Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, Nintendo DS and PSP. A Games For Windows LIVE edition will follow with support for DirectX 11.