The DirectX 11 effects actually look rather impressive, though I'm not sure they amount to anything that really warranted the game being delayed on the PC. I guess that's what comes of forming a strategic alliance with Microsoft to gain early access to the DirectX 11 tech.

"The opportunity to enter into a strategic relationship with Microsoft to fuse key DirectX 11 technologies with Codemasters' EGO™ Engine and set the new standard in race gaming on home computers was irresistible," said Bryan Marshall, chief technical officer, Codemasters. "By taking advantage of the DirectX 11 feature set included in Windows 7, including hardware tessellation, multi-threading and Shader Model 5.0, we will deliver the most immersive and realistic off-road racing experience yet and set the technical benchmark in the genre."

Really, they're the kind of effects you only notice if you are watching someone else race. Pretty, but ultimately unnecessary.

This DiRT 2 vid features the hottest cars on the hottest tracks, with real-life and in-game footage mixed together in an inspirational music video format that rally fans just can't resist. Can you tell the difference between the real footage and the game footage? Of course you can. You are a sharp bunch.

DiRT 2 races onto store shelves on September 8th, 10th, and 11th in North America, Europe, and the UK respectively.

With plenty more to unlock in the rally racing game, I look forward to other fun ways to abuse your avatar.

The developers had to make some big changes to the second Dirt, for both gameplay's sake and due to real-life tragedy. They appear to be ready to manage both with surprising grace.

Dirt 2 is the successor to the 2007 Codemasters rally racing game released outside of the U.S. as Colin McRae's Dirt, just months before the star racer was killed in a helicopter accident in September of that year. This sequel acknowledges McRae in a manner unexpected of a medium that typically does not address real-world death. From a gameplay side, the game has significant gameplay additions.

I attempted to race over the muddy tracks of a course set near England's Battersea power station in the game's new lap-based rally-cross mode, but having little experience with the series, I won't presume to comment on the handling. Was I sloshing around the track bumping into walls because of the game? I blame myself.

I can recount the features I witnessed or was told about.

The game offers 350 cars and 100 racing events set in the series' traditional point to point rally races but also in the new lap-based rally-cross. Multiplayer supports up to eight cars. And the crowd size around races has been upped from 40,000 spectators to 100,000.

What was striking is how the developers are incorporating the themes of racing success and of McRae's passing. While I wasn't shown it, I was told that the player will have an RV that gradually becomes more adorned with the ornaments of success. That means stickers are applied, fans show up, and, in the words of the Codemaster rep showing me the game, "you pick up women."

Racers in the game include Ken Block, Tanner Faust, Dave Mirra, and Travis Pastrana. The game begins with Block giving the player his old Subaru. But where things sound like they get interesting is in the incorporation of McRae's legend. Other writers talk about McRae during races, and winning races advances the player toward a Colin McRae Memorial Cup. The game isn't attempting to hide its inspiration, but rather to celebrate his memory and achievements.

Ultimately it's the handling of a racing game that matters most. And, unfortunately, it's the aspect of the game I'm least equipped to report about given my brief time with the game. The project appears to be going in a good direction and a brave one.

Dirt 2 is set for a September 8 release for the PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Wii DS and PSP.

Bobbi Starr, named 2009's "superslut" by the X-Rated Critics Organization, said she sort of just fell into the booth babe roll this week through a friend of a friend.

Codemasters had no idea when they hired Starr to model at their booth for upcoming racer for Dirt 2 as a "dirty girl" that she was a star in her own right.

But that hasn't kept people familiar with Starr's work as a pro-sex feminist pornographic actress from recognizing her.

"I've run into quite a few people here who recognized me," she said.

Yesterday Starr twittered that she would be at the show as a "dirty girl" even posting before and after photos showing what she looked like after having her face dappled with grease and dirt for the booth.

Starr says she wasn't really aware what E3 was when she took the job, but has been enjoying the experience.

"I used to play a lot of video games in high school," said Starr, 26. "I used to play Diablo, World of Warcraft, the old-school World of Warcraft."

Starr said she stopped playing World of Warcraft when she graduated from San Jose State University with a music degree.

But, other porn gamers, like Whorecraft's Mia Rose and Belladonna, have been asking her about getting back into World of Warcraft.

"I wanted to get back into it when the latest one came out, but I didn't," she said.

Starr says she does want to pick up a Nintendo Wii so she can check out the aerobic games on the console. She'd also love to check out the Xbox 360's new motion controls she said.

Most showing at the annual E3 video game conference this year have models on parade at their booth, showing off the studio's goods and hoping to drum up a bit more interest. But only Codemasters has a porn star hanging out.

SUPER NSFW Bobbi Starr

The big drag, though, was the shortage of Nerf guns. Codemasters had ordered them special for the event and apparently, only 2/3 of their shipment showed up at the venue. I was lucky enough to get one, but I feel bad for those that had to go home with only the T-shirt and the day planner.

(Not pictured: Jumpgate medal – I suspect my cat has wandered off with it.)

Check out all the Codemaster's coverage here:

Assets
Overlord II, Dark Legends and Minion Screens and Trailers

DiRT 2 Displays High Level Of Polish

FUEL Looking Awfully Confined

Previews:
What's New in Overlord II

Overlord Wii Lacks Wee

Overlord Does the DS

Jumpgate: Eve on Fast Forward

Damnation: Forget Playing the Game, I Just Like Saying It

DiRT 2 shows up the original DiRT in several different ways, featuring more cars, more real-world locations, and enhanced graphics courtesy of an enhanced version of the EGO game engine, as seen in Codemaster's GRID. Aside from the usual upgrades we expect from a sequel, DiRT 2 will also feature a robust online community to serve as a social hub for fans of off-road racing, complete with leader boards, news feeds, and "scribbles" that keep you posted on your friends' achievements in-game.

I'm really amazed by the visuals Codemasters achieves with the EGO engine. Mud has never looked so sexy.

A direct sequel to CM: DiRT, the game will focus on "the extremes of off-road motorsport". Producer Gavin Raeburn explained the thinking behin the game and the decision to continue using the Colin McRae name.

"The decision was made jointly between Codemasters and the McRae family. His ventures into events such as the X-Games, Dakar Rally and the Race of Champions have inspired us to look at events covering the extremes of off-road motorsport. This is where we're taking the series with DiRT 2 and Colin will play a part in that. DiRT 2 will be a great tribute, and we'll be revealing more about this over the coming months."

Colin McRae: DiRT 2 Interview [Yahoo]