DIRT 5
DeveloperCodemasters Cheshire
PublisherCodemasters
DirectorRobert Karp
Producer
  • Stuart Boyd
  • Gaz Wainwright
DesignerMichael Moreton
ProgrammerDavid Springate
ArtistAmrish Wadekar
Writer
  • Luca Uccellatori
  • Olly Johnson
SeriesDirt
Platforms
ReleasedPS4, Windows, Xbox OneWW: 6 November 2020Xbox Series X/SWW: 10 November 2020PlayStation 5NA/AU: 12 November 2020; WW: 19 November 2020StadiaWW: 29 March 2021Amazon LunaUS: 15 July 2021
GenreRacing
ModesSingle-player, multiplayer

Dirt 5 is a racing video game developed and published by Codemasters. The game was released for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One on 6 November 2020, for Xbox Series X/S on 10 November, and for PlayStation 5 on 12 November (for North America, Oceania, Japan, and South Korea) and 19 November (for most other regions), for Stadia on 29 March 2021, and for Luna on 15 July 2021. It was the last video game released by Codemasters as a publisher before being acquired by Electronic Arts (EA) on 18 February 2021.

Gameplay

Dirt 5, like its predecessors, is a racing game focused on off-road racing. Disciplines within the game include rallycross, ice racing, Stadium Super Trucks and off-road buggies. Players can compete in events in a wide range of locations, namely Arizona, Brazil, China, Greece, Italy, Morocco, Nepal, New York City, Norway and South Africa.[1] The game includes a dynamic weather system and seasons, which affect the racing; for example, the player can only compete in ice racing events in New York during winter months. A four-player splitscreen system is also introduced into the game.[2]

Dirt 5 also features a narrative-focused career mode that pits the player character against a rival driver called Bruno Durand (voiced by Nolan North) in a series of championships. The player also has a mentor called Alex “AJ” Janiček (voiced by Troy Baker) who provides them with advice throughout their career.[1] The game was also not to feature a cinematic replay. Instead, the game would follow in a series of podcasts by Donut Media that follows the storyline.

Development and release

Dirt 5 was announced during the 2020 Xbox Games Showcase presentation.[3] In addition to releasing on the PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One platforms, it was available for the ninth generation of video game consoles PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.[4] Xbox versions of the game support Microsoft's "Smart Delivery" program, which allows the player to purchase the Xbox One copy of the game and receive the Xbox Series X/S version.[5] PlayStation 4 owners can also update to the PlayStation 5 version at no additional cost.[6] The game was developed by Codemasters Cheshire, formerly known as Codemasters Evo, developers of Onrush. It is also powered by the evolved game engine of Onrush.[7] Many of its staff worked on Driveclub and MotorStorm.[8][9][10][11][12]

Reception

It was nominated for the category of Best Sports/Racing game at The Game Awards 2020,[13] as well as "Racing Game of the Year" at the 24th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards.[14]

Praising the 120 Hz refresh rate, PlayStation Official Magazine – UK listed it as the 5th best game on the PS5.[15]

References

  1. ^ Groves, Chris (7 May 2020). "Revealing DIRT 5 – First Next-Gen Codemasters Game, Launching from October 2020". Codemasters. Archived 15 May 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  2. ^ Holt, Kris (7 May 2020). "'Dirt 5' will arrive in October". Engadget. Archived 2 November 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  3. ^ Barbosa, Alessandro & Watts, Steve (7 May 2020). "Dirt 5 Announced For Xbox Series X/S, PS5, And More". GameSpot. Archived 21 June 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  4. ^ Phillips, Tom (7 May 2020). "Dirt 5 announced, coming to Xbox Series X". Eurogamer. Archived 8 May 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  5. ^ Wood, Austin (7 May 2020). "Every Xbox Series X game at the May 7 Inside Xbox event". GamesRadar+. Archived 27 November 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  6. ^ Tailby, Stephen (8 July 2020). "New DIRT 5 Trailer Leaks Free PS5 Upgrade Option, Returning Modes". Push Square. Archived 12 July 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  7. ^ Morgan, Thomas (12 October 2020). "Dirt 5 on Xbox Series X - what's the difference between 60fps and 120fps racing?". Eurogamer. Archived 1 November 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  8. ^ L., Stefan (7 May 2020). "Dirt 5's developer is Codemasters Cheshire, the reborn studio behind OnRush, DriveClub and MotorStorm". The Sixth Axis. Archived 13 May 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  9. ^ Phillips, Tom (11 August 2020). "Dirt 5 current-gen release delayed slightly". Eurogamer. Archived 21 August 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  10. ^ Phillips, Tom (7 September 2020). "Dirt 5 delayed until November to launch around next-gen consoles". Eurogamer. Archived 2 November 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  11. ^ Stocksdale, Joel (7 May 2020). "'Dirt 5' announced, promising even more variety than before". Autoblog. Archived 9 May 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  12. ^ "New on Luna+: DIRT 5", 15 July 2021, retrieved 2022-12-18
  13. ^ Tassi, Paul (December 11, 2020). "Here's The Game Awards 2020 Winners List With A Near-Total 'Last Of Us' Sweep". Forbes. Archived 11 December 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
  14. ^ "2021 Awards Category Details Racing Game of the Year". interactive.org. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  15. ^ Official UK PlayStation Magazine, PS5 Hall of Fame. February 2021, page 98