GRiD 2 and PGR5 tipped for E3 2012 reveal

Eagle-eyed readers of the MCV magazine will be pleasantly surprised to learn that this year’s E3 could be the center of two big racing game reveals, as a sequel to Bizarre Creations Project Gotham Racing and Codemaster’s Race Driver GRiD series are reportedly on the cards.

Discussing the future of PGR, the magazine reads: “The game’s original developer Bizarre Creations is sadly no longer with us. But Microsoft’s hit street racer is on course to make a comeback regardless.”

Regarding GRiD 2, “DiRT is not the only one of Codemaster’s racing franchises in the works,” it reads. “It’s not certain the sequel to the BAFTA-winning game will reach the chequered flag this year, but expect it to be shown.”

With rumours of the Xbox 720 also being revealed at this year’s E3 circulating, it seems highly likely that Project Gotham Racing 5 will be a launch title. There is still an unsolved mystery here, however – just who is developing the title?

Bizarre were sadly forced to close their doors after the underrated Blur commercially bombed, but a PGR game without Bizarre behind the wheel just seems wrong if we’re honest. PGR was renowned for its accessible yet sophisticated handling, well-crafted city tracks and revolutionary weather system for its time – we wholeheartedly miss it already. Sniff.

Rumour also has it that Turn 10 i.e. the developers of Forza Motorsport 4, which we like very much, are developing the next iteration, but we await further confirmation. So long as it doesn’t turn into a serious-faced simulator, we’re eager to see how this one will turn out, particularly if it turns out to be the first driving game to show off on next generation hardware.

As for GRiD 2, we already knew it was in development but it’s encouraging to see it will seemingly get the green light at long last during E3. Given that Codemasters are intent with focusing on DiRT with the confirmation of both DiRT: Showdown and DiRT 4 in development along with a possible sequel to F1 2011, a release past 2012 seems to be a safe bet.

Shame, really – it feels like we’ve played in the DiRT a tad too long now considering GRiD was released nearly four years ago. Remember when Colin McRae and the Race Driver series were practically released every other year? Those were the days.

Words by Martin Bigg (Twitter: @drivinggamespro)

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