Dirt Rally

Dirt Rally is a racing game focused on rallying and rallycross. Players compete in timed stage events on tarmac and off-road terrain in varying weather conditions. On release, the game featured 17 cars, 36 stages from three real world locations - Monte Carlo, Powys and Argolis - and asynchronous multiplayer.{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-04-27-dirt-rally-could-well-be-codemasters-first-real-sim|title=Dirt Rally could well be Codemasters' first real sim|work=Eurogamer|publisher=Gamer Network|first=Martin|last=Robinson|date=27 April 2015|access-date=30 April 2015}} Stages range from 4 to 16 km. Subsequent updates added three more locations in the form of Baumholder, Jämsä and Värmland, as well as rallycross and player versus player multiplayer modes.{{cite web |url=http://www.videogamer.com/pc/dirt_rally/news/codemasters_announces_dirt_rally_a_hardcore_rally_sim_available_now_on_steam_early_access.html|title=Codemasters announces DiRT Rally, a hardcore rally sim available now on Steam Early Access|work=VideoGamer.com|first=David|last=Scammell|date=27 April 2015|access-date=30 April 2015}} Codemasters announced a partnership with the FIA World Rallycross Championship in July 2015,{{cite web|url=http://www.videogamer.com/pc/dirt_rally/news/dirt_rally_partners_with_fia_world_rallycross_championship_for_world_rx_update.html|title=DiRT Rally partners with FIA World Rallycross Championship for World RX update|work=VideoGamer.com|first=David|last=Scammell|date=2 July 2015|access-date=5 July 2015}} leading to the inclusion of the Lydden Hill Race Circuit (England), Lånkebanen (Norway), and Höljesbanan (Sweden) to the game.

Dirt Rally features a large number of vehicles in a wide variety of classes, and 16 manufacturers. It contains cars from the 1960s, 70s, 80s, Group B, Group A, Group R, 2000s and 2010s modern rally, rallycross and Pikes Peak, with cars having up to 10 liveries, as well as the lineup of the 2015 season.

In terms of image quality, a full 1080p resolution is delivered on both PS4 and Xbox One, with post-process anti-aliasing, along with matching art and effects work, whereas the PC version includes Steam Workshop that consists of preset setups made from each vehicles by users that helps benefit races from different terrains from different tracks (though the game holds up to 100 mods as subscribing to more than 100 mods will not function).

Dirt Rally was developed by Codemasters using the in-house Ego engine. Development began with a small team of individuals following the release of their 2012 video game Dirt: Showdown. The team has emphasised a desire to create a simulation with Dirt Rally.{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-04-27-the-next-dirt-is-pc-only-early-access-and-out-today|title=The next Dirt is PC only, Early Access and out today|work=Eurogamer|publisher=Gamer Network|first=Martin|last=Robinson|date=27 April 2015|access-date=30 April 2015}} They started by prototyping a handling model and creating tracks based on map data. The game employs a different physics model from previous titles, rebuilt from zero.

To recreate authentic car sounds, the developers recorded nearly fifty real world rally cars by placing up to ten microphones in each car's engine bay, at the intake, above the exhaust, and inside the cabin. The audio mix depends on the player's camera location, and also the surrounding environment due to modelling of reverb on each stage.{{Cite web |last=Moldrich |first=Curtis |date=July 27, 2016 |title=DiRT Rally interview: Making the best rally-sim |url=https://www.redbull.com/us-en/dirt-rally-interview-making-the-best-rally-sim |website=Red Bull}} The sound design team also captured details such as gravel kick-up, waste-gate chatter, and the whine of straight-cut transmissions. They primarily recorded on-track rather than on a dyno in order to capture off-throttle deceleration.{{Cite web |date=24 August 2016 |title=Recording Cars for Codemasters DiRT Rally with DPA |url=https://www.soundnetwork.co.uk/product-news/recording-cars-codemasters-dirt-rally-dpa/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116060422/https://www.soundnetwork.co.uk/product-news/recording-cars-codemasters-dirt-rally-dpa/ |archive-date=2016-11-16 |website=Sound Network}}{{Cite web |title=Codemasters Recording Cars (and Tanks) for Games |url=https://www.soundnetwork.co.uk/galleries/dpa-microphones/codemasters-recording-cars-games/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221121025103/https://www.soundnetwork.co.uk/galleries/dpa-microphones/codemasters-recording-cars-games/ |archive-date=2022-11-21 |website=Sound Network}}

An early version of Dirt Rally was showcased to journalists in late 2013, but the game wasn't officially announced until April 2015. It was released for Windows in early access on digital distribution service Steam. Game director Paul Coleman said that it was important to publicly release an unfinished build of the game so that the development team could get feedback from players. He expressed an interest in releasing Dirt Rally on consoles in the future but said that it was not possible, with it being an early access game at the time, then lent his voice as the game's English-speaking co-driver. Codemasters intended to introduce new cars, locations, and modes in monthly content updates, and make gameplay tweaks throughout the early access process. The full version of the game was released on 7 December same year. The game was released on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on 5 April 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.videogamer.com/ps4/dirt_rally/news/dirt_rally_drifts_on_to_ps4_and_xbox_one_in_april_2016.html|title=DiRT Rally drifts on to PS4 & Xbox One in April 2016|first=David|last=Scammell|work=VideoGamer.com|date=7 December 2015|access-date=7 December 2015}}

{{Video game reviews

| MC = PC: 86/100{{cite web | url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/dirt-rally/critic-reviews/?platform=pc | title=DiRT Rally for PC Reviews | work=Metacritic | publisher=CBS Interactive | access-date=12 December 2015}}
PS4: 85/100{{cite web | url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/dirt-rally/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 | title=DiRT Rally for PlayStation 4 Reviews | work=Metacritic | publisher=CBS Interactive | access-date=19 November 2016}}
XONE: 86/100{{cite web | url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/dirt-rally/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one | title=DiRT Rally for Xbox One Reviews | work=Metacritic | publisher=CBS Interactive | access-date=19 November 2016}}

| Edge = PC: 8/10Edge Magazine review, Future plc, Feb 2016, page 114

| EuroG = PS4: 90{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.it/articles/2015-12-09-dirt-rally-recensione|title=Dirt Rally - recensione|language=it|trans-title=Dirt Rally - review|work=Eurogamer.it|publisher=Eurogamer|first=Matteo|last=Lorenzetti|date=9 December 2015|access-date=19 November 2016}}

| GI = PC: 8.5/10{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/dirt_rally/b/pc/archive/2015/12/17/game-informer-dirt-rally-review.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151219230048/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/dirt_rally/b/pc/archive/2015/12/17/game-informer-dirt-rally-review.aspx|url-status=live|archive-date=19 December 2015|title=Dirt Rally review: Taking The Hard Road To The Top|first=Matthew|last=Kato|magazine=Game Informer|date=17 December 2015|access-date=3 March 2016}}

| GMaster = PC: 88%GamesMaster review, Future plc, Feb 2016, page 78

| GSpot = PS4: 8/10{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/dirt-rally-review/1900-6416333/|title=Dirt Rally review|first=Richard|last=Wakeling|work=GameSpot|date=20 January 2016|access-date=3 June 2016}}

| GRadar = XONE: {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/dirt-rally-review/|title=Dirt Rally review|first=Keith|last=Andrew|work=GamesRadar|date=29 March 2016|access-date=3 June 2016}}

| GStar = PC: 90%{{cite web | url=http://www.gamestar.de/spiele/dirt-rally/test/dirt_rally,47603,3240783.html|title=DIRT RALLY TEST (PC) - DER BESTE STRESS ALLER ZEITEN|language=de|trans-title=DIRT RALLY TEST (PC) - THE BEST STRESS FOR EVERY MOMENT|work=GameStar|publisher=GameStar|first=Johannes|last=Rohe|date=11 December 2015|access-date=22 November 2016}}

| GTM = PC: 8/10{{cite web|url=https://www.gamestm.co.uk/reviews/dirt-rally-review/|title=Dirt Rally review|work=GamesTM|date=20 January 2016|access-date=3 June 2016}}

| IGN = PC: 8.9/10{{cite web|url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2015/12/22/dirt-rally-review|title=Dirt Rally review|first=Luke|last=Reilly|work=IGN|date=21 December 2015|access-date=3 March 2016}}

| OPMAU = PS4: 90%Dirt Rally review, Citrus Media, Jun 2016, page 73

| OPMUK = PS4: 9/10Dirt Rally review, issue 122, Future Publishing, April 2016

| OXMUK = XONE: 9/10Dirt Rally review, Future Publishing, April 2016

| PCGUK = PC: 80{{cite web|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/dirt-rally-review/|title=Dirt Rally review|work=PC Gamer|date=18 December 2015|access-date=5 March 2016}}

| Play = PS4: 90%Dirt Rally review, issue 269, Imagine Publishing, April 2016, page 76

| VG = PS4: 8/10{{cite web|url=http://www.videogamer.com/reviews/dirt_rally_review.html|title=DiRT Rally Review|first=Tom|last=Orry|work=VideoGamer.com|date=5 April 2016|access-date=3 June 2016}}

| rev1 = PSU.com

| rev1Score = PS4: 90%{{cite web|url=http://www.psu.com/review/29916/DiRT-Rally-PS4-Review|title=DiRT Rally PS4 Review|first=Aaron|last=Varshney |date=3 May 2016|access-date=4 June 2016|work=PlayStation Universe}}

}}

Dirt Rally received "generally favorable reviews", according to review aggregator Metacritic.

GameStar gave the game 90% and said "Dirt Rally is the best rally simulation at the moment and one of the best racing games of all time. Beginners will find it to be quite difficult". GamesTM celebrated the change of direction, saying "this is the best thing the 'Dirt' name has ever been associated with and rallying enthusiasts are sure to be relieved that the obsession with the kind of American slang that was only partially hip in the 90s has been overcome and removed". Play magazine said that "it doesn't patronise with gimmicky mechanics, nor is it a dry, joyless simulation". GameSpot praised the physics model, graphics, and the range of cars, but said that the "Hill Climb and Rallycross modes feel half-baked". Italian version of Eurogamer agreed too: "All we can hope for is new content - more cars and tracks".

GamesRadar highlighted the game's unforgiving nature: "Tires burst, radiators overheat, and you can frequently find yourself hobbling over the finish line with a slack time simply because you’ve lost control of your car once in an otherwise clean and competitive race". GamesMaster, Edge and IGN agreed. VideoGamer.com praised the game's "incredible speed", PlayStation Universe stated that it was better than Richard Burns Rally. Official PlayStation Magazine said it was "the most exhilarating driving game Codemasters has created in years, and undoubtedly the best rally game on PS4", with OXM adding "without question the best rally sim ever made". On the contrary, PC Gamer wrote: "Unfortunately, though, in physics and handling detail, it falls a little flat. The lack of any sort of precarious feel when flying over ice and mud is an absolute shame, and the amount of forced assistance is a disappointment. Anyone waiting for a new Richard Burns will need to carry on waiting".

Evo praised the audio, saying "at times, Dirt Rally excels. The sound design in particular is excellent, as is the wide variety of cars on offer. The audio in Dirt Rally really does deserve special mention. Not only is it some of the best we’ve heard in a racing game, it serves real purpose, with the co-driver almost perfectly matching his pace notes up with a stage". Of the graphics, they added: "While it definitely can’t come close to the production values of the likes of a Gran Turismo title, there is a lot of visual flourishes that impress with Dirt Rally".{{cite web|url=http://www.evo.co.uk/reviews/15985/dirt-rally-review-the-best-rally-game-ever|title=Dirt Rally review – the best rally game ever?|first=Hunter|last=Skipworth|work=Evo|date=13 April 2016|access-date=3 June 2016}} The Australian Official PlayStation Magazine said the game worked well with a steering wheel. Top Gear compared the game favorably to its rivals, stating "Sébastien Loeb Rally Evo’s handling remains nowhere near as satisfying or convincing as Dirt Rally’s superlative scrambling".{{cite web|url=http://www.topgear.com/car-news/gaming/gaming-tg-reviews-sebastien-loeb-rally-evo|title=Gaming: TG reviews Sebastien Loeb Rally Evo|first=Mike|last=Channell|work=TopGear.com|date=29 January 2016|access-date=22 November 2016}} Stuff magazine stated that this was "a game that leaves WRC 5 eating gravel".{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.tv/game-reviews/dirt-rally/review|title=Dirt Rally review|first=Simon|last=Strang|work=Stuff.tv|date=29 March 2016|access-date=22 November 2016}}

The game reached number 1 in the UK PS4 physical sales chart,{{cite web|url=http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fsoftware%2Fuk%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=110042&arch=t&lyr=2016&year=2016&week=14|title=Top 20 Sony PlayStation 4, Week Ending 9 April 2016|work=Chart-Track|date=9 April 2016|access-date=3 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201032757/http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fsoftware%2Fuk%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=110042&arch=t&lyr=2016&year=2016&week=14|archive-date=1 December 2017|url-status=dead}} and number 19 in the European download chart.{{cite web|url=http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2016/05/11/april-2016-playstation-store-charts-dark-souls-3-ratchet-clank-1-ps4/|title=April 2016 PlayStation Store Charts: Dark Souls 3, Ratchet & Clank #1 on PS4|first=Jason|last=Dunning|work=PlayStation LifeStyle|date=11 May 2016|access-date=3 June 2016}} It reached number 2 in the UK multiformat physical sales chart in its week of release, only behind Quantum Break.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/top-10-uk-sales-chart-quantum-break-debuts-at-no1/1100-6438701/|title=Top 10 UK Sales Chart: Quantum Break Debuts at No.1|first=Tamoor|last=Hussain|work=GameSpot|date=11 April 2016|access-date=14 May 2016}}

The month after the release, The Official PlayStation Magazine listed Dirt Rally as the 16th best PS4 game of all time.Hall of Fame listing, PlayStation Official Magazine, Future Publishing, May 2016 The Telegraph listed it in their top games of 2016.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gaming/what-to-play/the-best-video-games-of-20162/dirt-rally/|title=The best video games of 2016 (so far) - 17 of 36|work=Telegraph.co.uk|date=28 October 2016|access-date=22 November 2016}} TechRadar included the game on their list of the "10 best racing games on PC".{{cite web|url=http://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/10-best-racing-games-on-pc-to-strap-yourself-into-1320437|title=11 best racing games on PC to strap yourself into - page 8 of 12|first=Ben|last=Stinson|work=Techradar.com|date=30 September 2016|access-date=22 November 2016}} Octane magazine put it at #1 on their list of the best sim racing games.{{cite web|url=http://www.classicandperformancecar.com/ferrari/5184/the-best-sim-racing-games|title=The best sim racing games|first=Alex|last=Ingram|work=classicandperformancecar.com|date=29 March 2016|access-date=22 November 2016}} At the BAFTAs, the game was nominated for the award for best sports game of 2016.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvEQRIpq7b8|title=Rocket League wins Sport (BAFTA Games Awards 2016)|work=BAFTA official YouTube Channel|date=8 April 2016|access-date=22 November 2016}} Game Informer gave it their award for best racing game of the year.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2016/01/06/game-informer-best-of-2015-awards.aspx?PageIndex=4&PostPageIndex=2&usg=AFQjCNH-sM_tYmSsuYv2W2Eqjj2kS1hapg&bvm=bv.133387755,d.ZGg|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220111457/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2016/01/06/game-informer-best-of-2015-awards.aspx?PageIndex=4&PostPageIndex=2&usg=AFQjCNH-sM_tYmSsuYv2W2Eqjj2kS1hapg&bvm=bv.133387755,d.ZGg|url-status=live|archive-date=20 December 2016|title=Game Informer Best Of 2015 Awards|first=Jeff|last=Marchiafava|magazine=Game Informer|date=6 January 2016|access-date=22 November 2016}} Gameplanet listed it as one of their best games of the year.{{cite web|url=http://www.gameplanet.co.nz/features/g5679f460d3362/GP-Critics-Top-Games-of-2015/|title=GP Critics' Top Games of 2015|work=Gameplanet|date=23 December 2015|access-date=22 November 2016}} Alphr put Dirt Rally in their top 5 PS4 racing games.{{cite web|url=http://www.alphr.com/games/1003356/best-racing-games-on-the-ps4-2016-5-racing-sims-playstation-4-gamers-need-to-buy|title=Best racing games on the PS4 2016: 5 racing 'sims' PlayStation 4 gamers NEED to buy|first=Curtis|last=Moldrich|work=Alphr|date=10 October 2016|access-date=22 November 2016|archive-date=20 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161120011111/http://www.alphr.com/games/1003356/best-racing-games-on-the-ps4-2016-5-racing-sims-playstation-4-gamers-need-to-buy|url-status=dead}} PCGamesN said it was in the top 3 most realistic PC racing games.{{cite web|url=http://www.pcgamesn.com/10-best-racing-games-pc|title=Racing games for PC: 10 of the best for 2016|work=PCGamesN|date=5 October 2016|access-date=22 November 2016}}

{{reflist|30em}}

• {{Official website|https://www.dirtgame.com}}

{{Colin McRae Rally and Dirt series}}

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