codemasters posts

Last month we reported that UK based Codemasters was looking for more money to support its operations. Today it looks like the publisher is looking to save more money. According to an IGN story that cites an anonymous source, Codemasters has already laid off its US marketing staff and will soon close their entire US subsidiary.

The reason? Poor sales of its games in 2009 including acclaimed games like Dirt 2 and Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising. As we have mentioned before Codemasters currently only has one game, the much delayed MMO Jumpgate Evolution, on their release schedule. Codemasters' US PR reps would not comment on the rumors.

Update: VG247.com got an email from Codemasters saying that their US offices will not close but also admitting to laying off six of the office's team members.

It's a game that hasn't even been mentioned by Codemasters for a couple of years now but today the UK publisher has finally admitted that it has canceled its open world crime game Hei$t. The game, from US based developer inXile Entertainment, was first announced in 2007 and aside from some press previews later that year the game has been persona non grada ever since.

Computer and Video Games finally got Codemasters to admit today, "After a much extended development period, Heist has been terminated as a project and removed from our release schedule." The article claims Codemasters is "lining up announcements for some truly huge games in the next few months." At the moment their only upcoming game for the PC is the MMO Jumpgate Evolution.

This patch for Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising updates the game to v1.02. In addition to addresses a number of bugs and game issues, it installs the Overwatch DLC expansion for free. Continue reading after the jump for the complete patch notes. The playable demo can be downloaded here.

"The 'Overwatch' DLC extends the Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising experience in solo, co-operative and adversarial play. In new multiplayer mode Blindside the PLA must complete objectives in the shortest time possible while the USMC defends in tense, tactical engagements. An additional new mode, Supremacy, tasks opposing forces to occupy strategically vital positions featuring force multipliers like gun emplacements and air strikes."

Download Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising Overwatch DLC Patch (244 MB)
Download Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising English Demo (1.39 GB)
Check out all Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising downloads

UK-based publisher Codemasters has not been immune to the current economic situation and today reports are that the company is close to securing some more money after 2009 left it short of cash, according to a new report at the UK based Time Online web site.

The story claims that in addition to new funds from existing investors Balderton Capital and Goldman Sachs Codemasters will gain money from an unnamed new investor source. However the publisher's current release schedule is lacking in upcoming games. After releasing several titles in 2009, including Damnation, Fuel, Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising and Dirt 2 the company currently has just one upcoming game that's officially announced; the long-delayed MMO Jumpgate Evolution.

Although there's no official release date, we're sure that the Operation Flashpoing: Dragon Rising 'Overwatch' DLC expansion will be hitting the PC version sometime soon. Until then, this trailer provides a good look at what the extra content has to offer. The playable demo can be downloaded here.

"The 'Overwatch' DLC extends the unique Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising experience in solo, co-operative and adversarial play. In new multiplayer mode Blindside the PLA must complete objectives in the shortest time possible while the USMC defends in tense, tactical engagements. An additional new mode, Supremacy, tasks opposing forces to occupy strategically vital positions featuring force multipliers like gun emplacements and air strikes.

These new multiplayer modes are complimented by two exhilarating new FTEs. In Friendly Skies, PLA anti-aircraft artillery prevents US airborne reinforcements inserting into the combat zone. Players must remove that threat and then defend the position from a PLA counter attack. In Hostile Takeover, intel reveals enemy movement in the village of Armudan, a perfect base for launching attacks deep into enemy territory. Gamers must flush out the PLA, establish a perimeter and hold their ground against a new enemy assault."

Download HD Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising 'Overwatch' Trailer (81 MB)
Download Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising English Demo (1.39 GB)
Check out all Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising downloads

DiRT 2 lives up to its namesake by offering an intense off-road rally car racing experience for fans looking for a slight change of pace from paved circuit racing games. Although some tracks include some paved roads, players spend the majority of their time on dry, dusty roads, sliding sideways almost as often as driving straight. The loose driving surface can be a lot for new players to get used to, but it won't be long until players find themselves competing against the best for cash and prestige.

Download the DiRT 2 Demo
Check out all DiRT 2 downloads

US retailers were supposed to get their copies of the PC version of Dirt 2 on December 1 but apparently something happened to stop that. The PC version of Codemasters' driving game didn't make it to stores as planned. Codemasters has now admitted that something happened but they aren't giving any specifics.

According to a post on the game's official message boards, the game's community manager now says the game will ship on December 8. He states, "This is not due to a technical issue in any way shape or form. The actual reason is far to boring to go into to be honest." So we guess we will never know what happened. The game's digital download date has also been changed to December 8.

[Via Blue's News]

Download DiRT 2 Demo (1.31 GB)
Download DiRT 2 Benchmarking Guide (869 KB)
Check out all DiRT 2 downloads

This is the playable demo for DiRT 2, the off-road racing game that lets you live the life of a professional rally car driver. The full game releases on December 8th for the PC. Continue reading after the jump for system requirements.

The demo supports DirectX 11 features for players that have the appropriate hardware. Codemasters and AMD also put together a Benchmarking Guide document that runs down the differences between the DX9 and DX11 versions of the game.

Download DiRT 2 Demo (1.31 GB)
Download DiRT 2 Benchmarking Guide (869 KB)
Check out all DiRT 2 downloads

AMD is leading the way with offering DirectX11-based graphics chips under the ATI Radeon brand. Next week the first game in the US with DirectX11 support out of the box, DiRT 2, is due to be released. However it seems that AMD couldn't get CrossFireX support into its latest monthly Catalyst driver updates for the game.

That's why AMD has made the decision to release a ATI driver hotfix update that enables CrossFireX support for DiRT 2. In theory, that should allow the game to have the support of more than one graphics card which should also increase the game's performance on CrossFireX-based PC rig. Meanwhile DiRT 2 for the PC makes its debut on December 1.

This week the GameTap online PC game subscription-download service has added the third person action game Damnation to its list of titles people can play for free with their monthly subscription rate. The game, released last spring, began life as an Unreal Tournament 2004 total conversion before it was made into a commercial game by the developer Blue Omega Entertainment.

In related news, the 2007 WWII action-strategy game Battlestations Midway is still free to play on GameTap until this Tuesday, November 24. Also two more games have been given 64-bit support; the casual game Jewel Craft and the historical RTS game Praetorians. Finally, next week's update on GameTap will come on Tuesday due to the Thanksgiving holiday.