14 DAY TRIAL // Codemasters is announcing that it has launched an online tattoo parlor in order to promote the impending release of its newest rally game, DiRT 2. The Flash game can be accessed by anyone and allows players to create their own tattoo, selecting the models, coloring and the tool with which to apply it. Presumably, Codemasters will also work in a sort of contest, allowing the most creative of gamers to get their hands on a copy of the title.
The overall look and feel of the tattoo website is set to mirror that the new DiRT is set to offer. The developers are trying to tie in rally racing, which is usually seen as a very technical and solitary sport, to urban culture, in order to attract a wider audience. Of course, there's already an outcry from some veterans related to the extreme-sport attitude, which seems to be creeping into the series with each new release.
DiRT 2 is set to include a very interesting number of tracks. Players will be able to drift around the Los Angeles Stadium in the “Stadium King Shootout” event, while also traveling to Utah, Malaysia and to the disaffected Batersea power station next to London. The variety of the tracks is set to please both those who are interested in urban areas and those who are into straight-up rally racing. The various multiplayer modes will allow people to race head-to-head, while also introducing a variety of social networking tools to the game.
DiRT 2 is set to arrive today for the Xbox 360 gaming console from Microsoft, the PlayStation 3 from Sony, the Nintendo Wii and DS and the PlayStation Portable. The handheld versions will have some of the features disabled and DiRT 2 is also set to get a PC version with full support for DirectX 11 and for Games for Windows Live.