DiRT going arcade for Showdown in 2012

Codemasters has announced DiRT Showdown with accompanying phrases like "action-packed extension" and "dive-in-and-drive," all which effectively just mean they are marketing this to everybody who did not buy DiRT 3, but who rather enjoy the more arcade side of racing.

Showdown is most definitely not DiRT 4, but rather a spin-off from the main series who’s main function is putting the speed back in speedometer with the addition of boosting, tricking and all-out destruction.

"DiRT Showdown is not the sequel to the authentic rally-centric DiRT 3, but a brand new experience from the DiRT team," said Julian Widdows, VP of development. "We're building on Codemasters Racing Studio's world-class strengths in track design, graphics, AI, damage and online to create a new theatre of racing with the emphasis on accessibility and fun from race one."

Everything in Showdown will be divided into three "action-sport racing" categories:

Full-contact Racing Events - Use nitrous to blast past rivals and negotiate courses filled with ramps, multiple routes and obstacles.
Demolition Derby Events - Smash and crash your way to victory in bone-jarring style.
Hoonigan Events - Send fans wild in huge stunt parks where accessible new controls offer every player the chance to become a freestyle driving hero.”

"DiRT Showdown charges into the arcade racing space with a uniquely Codemasters feel,” said Mike Chapman, senior games designer. "Whether players are using nitrous to boost, smashing into their opponents or pulling off stunts, DiRT Showdown’s fresh handling system and super-charged damage engine embed excitement into every event."

Event locations range from San Francisco to Tokyo, in sun, snow and rain, through the day or under floodlights at night, all playable in both local and online multiplayer in what Codemasters are describing as their "most connected games ever" with split-screen, eight-player online, on and off-line quickfire party games and YouTube integration all coming as standard.

DiRT Showdown will be out May 2012. Check out the first trailer below for an early taste.