Colin McRae: DiRT 2 Announced

UK development house Codemasters has officially announced that it is developing a sequel to current-gen rally game, DiRT. The multi-platform title won accolades from critics for its fluid and realistic physics, wide variety of gorgeous tracks, and incredible real-time damage system. If a car got too beaten up during a race in the original DiRT, it would suffer a performance hit based on which part of the car was damaged. For example, lose a radiator, and you risk overheating under the blazing Serengeti sun. Door panels would fly off, glass would shatter, and dark smoke would billow from cars as they screamed along the track at 100 mph, adding to both the realism and fun of the game.

DiRT 2 takes rally racing to a whole new set of incredible locations, while retaining the Colin McRae name that is a mark of quality for many longtime fans of the series. Colin was tragically killed in a helicopter crash shortly before the game's release in 2006, but his surviving family members have agreed to allow Codemasters to use his name on this follow-up title.

While the first game suffered from a few nasty bugs and framerate problems -- particularly on the Xbox 360 -- hopefully the sequel will give the title the polish it deserves. DiRT 2 is absolutely a title that car racing fans, and rally driving fans in particular, are going to want to keep an eye on. Check back here soon for a full preview.

[Source: Press Release]