Colin McRae: DiRT 2 will feature a roster of contemporary off-road events, taking players to the most diverse and challenging real-world environments. This World Tour will have players competing in aggressive multi-car and intense solo races at extraordinary new locations, from canyon racing and jungle trails to city stadium-based events.

The game will be headlined by Colin McRae, honoring the life of the rally legend. Colin McRae, who consulted on the series for over ten years, tragically died in a helicopter accident in September 2007. The decision to continue the famous series bearing his name was made jointly between the McRae family and Codemasters.

To be powered by the third generation of the EGO Engine’s award-winning racing game technology, Colin McRae: DiRT 2 will benefit from tuned-up car-handling physics system and new damage engine effects. It will also showcase a spectacular new level of visual fidelity, with cars and tracks twice as detailed as those seen in Race Driver: GRID.

Codemasters has signed an agreement with ESPN’s X Games that will see three all-new stages created and integrated exclusively in Colin McRae: DiRT 2.

The three new stages – X Games America, X Games Europe and X Games Asia – will carry official X Games branding and infuse added realism by bringing the series’ unique action sports atmosphere to the game. Players will be able to compete in the X Games events by reaching landmark achievements within the game’s World Tour.

“With Colin McRae: DiRT 2 Codemasters has captured the essence of contemporary action sports racing, making the game a great platform to integrate the X Games brand and the look and feel of its global events,” said Rick Alessandri, ESPN Senior Vice President and Managing Director, X Games Franchise. “We’re excited that millions of players will have the opportunity to engage in the X Games environment both in the game and online.”

“We’ve been inspired by the flair, style and big event atmosphere of ESPN’s X Games series, which has switched on a new generation of action sports fans to rally and off-road racing.” said Gavin Raeburn, Senior Executive Producer, Codemasters. “It’s been incredible to work with them to shape a series of exclusive X Games integrations for Colin McRae: DiRT 2. Gamers will experience three major competitions that will make them feel like they’re really arrived on the world’s premiere racing stage, competing in front of thousands of fans in dramatic and spectacular stadium events.”

The X Games events will be headlined by off-road racing’s most famous and respected athletes including the multi medal-winning Subaru Rally Team USA driver Ken Block, Dave Mirra, Tanner Faust and Travis Pastrana. X Games 14 Rally Car Racing gold medallist, Pastrana competed with the late Colin McRae at X Games 12 (2006) before going on to feature in and lend his voice to the original Colin McRae: DiRT game, published in 2007.

Each X Games event will consist of two knockout rounds (quarters and semis) rounded off with a dramatic final held at spectacular locations including London (X Games Europe), Tokyo (X Games Asia) and Los Angeles (X Games America). The X Games America competition is identified from the very start of the game as the pinnacle event in Colin McRae: DiRT 2’s racing world and the ultimate test for any off-road racer.

Colin McRae: DiRT 2’s garage will house a best-in-class collection of officially licensed rally cars and off-road vehicles, specifically selected to deliver aggressive and fast paced racing. Covering seven vehicle classes, players will be given the keys to powerful vehicles right from the off. In Colin McRae: DiRT 2 the opening drive is the Group N Subaru; essentially making the ultimate car from the original game the starting point in the sequel and the rides just get even more impressive.

In addition to the World Tour, Colin McRae: DiRT 2 will come complete with full online functionality that will be core to the overall experience, with head-to-head competitive online play and new social features to engage the racing community.

Bringing the series to Wii for the first time, Colin McRae: DiRT 2 takes gamers on an off-road tour of the globe, through nine exotic and vibrant locations. Whether it’s powersliding on the edge of control through the ice of the Finland or soaking up the atmosphere of a huge US arena, Colin McRae: DiRT 2 on Wii offers accessible gameplay for all types of racers, including full career and arcade modes and an array of bite-sized challenges.

With 40 races, three racing disciplines and a full roster of fully-licensed vehicles to choose from, plus intense head-to-head split-screen racing for up to four players, Colin McRae: DiRT 2 brings the hallmark thrills of the legendary series to a new audience.

Colin McRae: DiRT 2, known in North America as DiRT 2, is in development for the PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, NDS and PSP, due for release on Sept. 8 2009 in North America, Sept. 10 in Europe, and Sept. 11 in the UK, while the PC edition is scheduled for Dec. 2009.