Multiplayer in GRID 2 is big. Bigger than anything we’ve done before. More depth, more choice, more progression… but before we get to the BIG details, we’ll just chuck in a little reminder that you can play in two-player split-screen across our game modes. It’s old school, and we love it.

GRID 2 utilizes a multiplayer system that is completely separate to the single player portion of the game. We want to bring the best of online gaming to the racing genre and a dedicated, distinct game is the only way we could achieve what we wanted.

As you progress you’ll be able to earn XP and cash, which will allow you to purchase cars and upgrades, and you’ll constantly have new challenges and rivals. You’ll also be able to showcase your individuality by customising and modifying your cars. With over six billion possible combinations to choose from, you’ll certainly stand out on the grid.

The Clean vs. The Dirty

Naturally these two types of racers don’t get on very well, it’s the Cats vs. Dogs of the racing world and as such our matchmaking system aims to separate the two. What this means is that players who prefer a clean race are more likely to find sessions with one another while those who enjoy trading paint will be grouped together.

The Beating Heart of GRID 2

At the heart of our multiplayer system is RaceNet, our Community hub that tracks your Codemasters Racing career. It’s here where you’ll find all the Community stats and leaderboards — you’ll even be able to earn awards. But it goes way beyond tracking your progress: loads of new features launch with RaceNet and GRID 2 as it becomes fully integrated into the game.

RaceNet Rivals is a new way for you to challenge players. You’ll have three different types to conquer:

• Weekly – Picked at random for you to compete against
• Social – Picked from your friends or players you’ve raced against previously.
• Custom – Pick someone based on your own parameters, re-ignite passed rivalries, make new ones.

Think big… Global Challenge is a brand new asynchronous game mode where your rivalries will spark into life and become as heated as ever. Compete against rivals and earn XP, Cash and RaceNet followers, even if they aren’t online – hit them where it hurts. You’ll be able to track your Global Challenge progress both in game and online via the RaceNet website. RaceNet is, of course, free, and you can get your account ready if you don’t already have one by visiting www.racenet.com.

The Game Modes

No multiplayer system is complete without a range of game modes. GRID 2 will have you covered, regardless of which discipline of racing you enjoy. Take part in Endurance, Drift, Touge, Checkpoint, face off, Time Attack, Overtake, Power Lap and of course… Race (including LiveRoutes on our city tracks).

Record Those Special Memories

You know the deal, you overtake a friend on the last corner, watch a rival spin out (and do a barrel roll) with just one lap to go or the whole grid comes together in one almighty first corner pile up. It’s moments like these that you just want to share and with the return of our YouTube functionality, you’ll be able to upload your favourite clips directly from within the game straight to YouTube and RaceNet.

We’re just weeks away from GRID 2’s May 28th release — we can’t wait to see you on the track.

Codemasters are well known for creating racing games with lots of depth, and in many ways our brief for F1 Race Stars (out on PS3 November 20th today) was no different. When designing the game’s structure we intended to provide ongoing variety as crucially as the instant appeal you’d expect from a “karting” game.

Firstly, along with the typical race event, we have introduced a host of other modes of racing. There are eight in total, each requiring unique skills and strategy — some will feel instantly familiar to gamers, and some will feel entirely fresh and unique.

For example, we’ve introduced Refuel mode – based on the principles of fuel strategy in F1, where fuel re-stocks are placed around the track, but carrying less fuel means more speed. Or Trophy Chase mode, a smash and grab event where players collect trophies, found both on the track and stolen from other drivers. Gamers should feel instantly at home with other modes such as Sector Snatch mode, where players can own sectors of each track by setting the fastest split time though it, or racing in a classic Elimination mode.

Modifiers can be applied onto any of these eight race modes to really mix things up. For instance, Flip Flop handicaps whoever is currently leading the pack by reversing their controls, Project Orion gives drivers unlimited boost from boost pads until they let go of the accelerator, and then there’s the classic Mirror Mode which flips the track left-to-right.

And even on top of that, events are wholly configurable. You can set the cars’ damage mechanics, which power-ups are included in the event’s roster, and even whether you wish to play in teams.

From these simple tools, events can be generated to suit all moods and scenarios. For example, sliding around a wet Brazil trying to smash and grab trophies with the Monsoon modifier applied is great party gaming. Or choosing Fragile cars that take damage from all collisions, with No Power-Ups on Monaco presents the ultimate pure driving skill challenge. Various combinations are available in the game’s Career mode, but it only gives a taste of what’s on offer. Putting all of these options in the players’ hands, they can experiment and tailor the gaming experience to suit them – and maybe even show us designers up for creativity.

Hello, PlayStation fans. We at Codemasters are happy to announce that the F1 2012 demo will be available later today on PSN!

The demo contains a taste of two awesome new F1 2012 features. First, we have the Young Driver Test, a real life event that can determine your F1 career. We also have Season Challenge mode’s first race at Monza — let us know your fastest lap on that one. If you race like Perez did last weekend we’ll be impressed!

One small note: the game’s toughest A.I. difficulty does not feature in the demo. The Legend A.I. option can be accessed in the Career and Quick Race modes, both available in the main game. Let us know how difficult you find Season Challenge on hard.

Of course, the demo is just a taste of what’s to come – F1 2012 offers a host of improvements over F1 2011, including fully localized weather, lap tutorials, season challenge, and the mighty Champions Mode. This mode sees you battling it out against the six world champions – Kimi Räikkönen, Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button, Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher. Each challenge faces you off against one of the champions in a mid-race situation, (finishing a wet race with dry tyres anyone?). Beat them all and become the ultimate F1 driver!

With the inaugural 2012 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix taking place in November, and F1 2012 launching September 18th, there’ll be plenty of time to familiarize yourself with this new circuit. So download the demo on PSN, and let us know what you think in the comments below. If you fancy winning some F1 2012 goodies, post your Monza lap times (with proof) and we’ll send out a prize for the quickest time!

To stay up to date with all the latest news, visit the website, follow us on Twitter, or find us on Facebook.

DiRT Showdown is due out on PS3 in May 2012, and is brought to you by the same team that brought you the other titles in the award-winning DiRT series. The game combines pick-up-and-play controls with electrifying events, frenzied crowds, and stunning graphics to deliver high-octane, dive in and drive thrills straight from the first event. The game’s going to feature three main disciplines built around the pillars of speed, style and destruction. To help illustrate what I’m talking about, here’s a broad breakdown of the three disciplines in question.

No holds barred racing events: Trade paint and use nitrous to blast past rivals in DiRT Showdown’s racing modes. Courses are littered with obstacles, pinch points, multiple-routes and ramps to deliver adrenaline-fuelled racing across spectacular courses, where players are encouraged to do whatever it takes to get over the finish line in first place.

Bone-crunching Demolition Derby Events: (My personal favorite!) Crash, smash, and bash your way through a range of demolition derby events, pushing our stunning damage engine to its spectacular limits.

Edge of Control Hoonigan Events: A new accessible trick mechanic lets you go wild in free-roaming, freestyle stunt parks. Gymkhana has been taken to the next level in our Joyride compounds flooded with obstacles and challenges. Hoon your car around trick runs, competitive stunt events and exploration challenges.

When designing DiRT Showdown the team researched in great detail what players look for most in racing games. What the team discovered is the things that a lot of racers look for is the rush of going at high speed, pulling off slick and stylish moves, and the thrill of the crash and the resultant destruction on your car. To give gamers what they want in DiRT Showdown, we’re offering Race modes, Hoonigan modes and Demolition Derby modes. However these modes don’t run in isolation from one another, we want you to feel as though you’re part of an action sports extravaganza, putting on the best show in town. We’ve taken to calling it a ‘Theatre of Racing’, with YOU as the star driver and main attraction.

Well I hope that’s informed you a little regarding what DiRT Showdown is all about, and I’ll be back at some point in the near future to let you know more about the game. However if anyone has any questions then please just let me know in the comments. Where possible I’ll try to reply, but obviously at this stage in the games development I won’t be able to answer everything about the game!

Finally, if you like what you saw and want to follow the development of the game more closely and get access to exclusive DiRT Showdown related competitions and giveaways, then you can either ‘like’ us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.

Here at Codemasters we’re working hard on Operation Flashpoint Red River. In Red River players embark on a full expeditionary campaign set in the remote and beautiful country of Tajikistan, bordered by China and Afghanistan. A fictional conflict with contemporary geopolitical themes unfolding over three distinct acts, presenting unique challenges which can be experienced in both single player and co-operatively by up to four players online. Dispensing with corny heroics, corridor gun-play and unrealistic set pieces, players deploy real life tactics in a range of new scenarios and against new enemies.

Whether you enjoy sitting down and playing through a compelling storyline, or brutally pushing through the enemy insurgents in a bit of co-op, it’s always satisfying seeing that little popup that lets you know you’ve just unlocked a Trophy. Trophies are your badge of honour, given for performing your best, proof of just how good you are at any given game. So who better to give them a clever name than you, the players! We’d like to get the PlayStation community to put their thinking caps on and name one of our Trophies. The winner not only gets the bragging rights behind the name, but also wins an exclusive t-shirt and a copy of Operation Flashpoint Red River at launch.

Taking part is simple! First think of a cool name for the following Trophy:

“Destroy an enemy vehicle with the FIM-92 Anti Aircraft Weapon”

Then, just head over to the Red River Facebook page and leave a comment with your suggestions before the 17th November. Sion Lenton, Creative Director on Red River, will be sifting through your comments for the most imaginative names, so start thinking! We can’t wait to see what you come up with!

Make sure you don’t miss out on the latest Operation Flashpoint Red River news by following us on Twitter and Facebook.