DiRT Rally Codemasters Announce DiRT Rally PSVR

Paul Jeffrey · Jan 12, 2017

Codemasters have been pretty quiet recently regarding their DiRT Rally game aside from the occasional hits of "big things to come". Well one of those big things is here with the announcement that PlayStation 4 gamers will soon be able to drive DiRT Rally in glorious VR. Welcome PS VR for DiRT Rally.

Virtual Reality seems to be on an ever increasing rise within the gaming world, and sim racing is no exception it seems. With the likes of rFactor 2, RaceRoom Racing Experience and Automobilista planning future support and Assetto Corsa, Project CARS and DiRT Rally on PC featuring impressive implementation already, its a great time to be a VR owner and sim racing enthusiast.

Below you can see some in game footage of VR in action across a number of cars and stages in game:

Since the release of PlayStation VR many fans have been bombarding Codemasters to know if DiRT Rally was going to be available on the platform, and today the British studio have confirmed that DR will indeed be supportive of this new technology in the near future. As can be seen in the above video and attached screenshots, VR implementation is already far advanced and should, according to Codemasters, be available "in the coming weeks".

Due to be released as DLC to the current game, and rumoured to retail for £9.99, the PS VR update is not the only new addition scheduled to be added to the sim. With the new VR update comes the ability to allow two players to participate at the same time, with one player driving the car and the second person acting in the role of co-driver. The role of co-driver will require "using the social screen to understand when to send calls to the driver using the DUALSHOCK 4 buttons and touchpad. Making those calls at the right time will be the difference between the driver hearing the correct information at the right time, so it’s crucial that this is executed properly". This is a very novel idea by Codemasters and it will be interesting to see how this new feature plays out in reality.

The new PSVR DLC hasn't received an official release date yet, however if the announcement post is to believed one should expect a release within the first quarter of 2017.

DiRT Rally is available for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC right now. DLC content can be purchased for the game at an additional cost.

Do you like it DiRTy? If yes then we have just the thing for you! RaceDepartment are exceptionally proud to announce our RDRC league! Head over to the RaceDepartment Rally Championship forum to keep up to speed on this exciting new venture. If leagues aren't your thing then that's fine, the RD DiRT Rally sub forum is a great place to pick up mods, catch the latest news and chat about the game with our community. Give it a go, just keep it DiRTy!

Are you happy to see DR finally move to VR on PlayStation 4? Let us know in the comments section below!

Omer Said · Jan 12, 2017

VR is something great for racing games. It would be a truly immersive experience especially with such a realistic game.

Tiago Gouveia · Jan 12, 2017

DLC with more tracks and cars, noo??

Ole Marius Myrvold · Jan 12, 2017

Tiago Gouveia said:
DLC with more tracks and cars, noo??

Nope, new game is what they are working on

Paul Jeffrey · Jan 12, 2017

Omer Said said:
It would be a truly immersive experience especially with such a realistic game

It's great on PC BUT they didn't model the back on the cars, so when you turn round and look behind in the cockpit you get a wall then... nothing! Its like driving a box with just two wheels on the front

Typical Codemasters oversight sadly.

Still, its great!

Tiago Gouveia · Jan 12, 2017

Ole Marius Myrvold said:
Nope, new game is what they are working on

Ohh very niceee

Colin Knowles · Jan 12, 2017

God damn... kept that below the radar

Not a huge fan of rally but with the lack of racing titles on vr this just became an instant purchase

Dirt Rally will be followed by GT Sport then F1 2017

hopefully we will add Assetto & Pcash 2 by the end of 2017 too. Hold on to your seats ladies & gentleman, things about to get real interesting

Ole Marius Myrvold · Jan 12, 2017

Colin Knowles said:
Not a huge fan of rally but with the lack of racing titles on vr this just became an instant purchase

And you'll even be able to participate in RDRC with a console!

Colin Knowles · Jan 12, 2017

Ole Marius Myrvold said:
And you'll even be able to participate in RDRC with a console!

Hmm, what is this, RDRC?

Ole Marius Myrvold · Jan 12, 2017

Colin Knowles said:
Hmm, what is this, RDRC?

The Rally Championship here at RD

Open for PC, PS4 and xBox One, at the moment, just over 240 entries. Season starting in 10 days!

http://www.racedepartment.com/threads/rd-rally-championship-season-8-announcement-info.129108/

theravenousbeast · Jan 13, 2017

Paul Jeffrey said:
It's great on PC BUT they didn't model the back on the cars, so when you turn round and look behind in the cockpit you get a wall then... nothing! Its like driving a box with just two wheels on the front Typical Codemasters oversight sadly.

Still, its great!

I'd say that has more to do with performance. Plus who's got time to look behind in a rally car?

Leynad777 · Jan 13, 2017

theravenousbeast said:
I'd say that has more to do with performance. Plus who's got time to look behind in a rally car?

You just want to look straight, no need for VR

AadHofman · Jan 13, 2017

Head tracking works nice when you go sideways into a corner, I'd imagine VR would work a tad better.

Colin Knowles · Jan 13, 2017

Head tracking on PSVR is almost perfect

PaulH · Jan 13, 2017

Just a general question, excuse my ignorance but how come a PS4 can run VR pretty good by the looks of it but you have to have a high end graphics card for PC VR(1080?).
Or is there a massive difference in quality between PC & PS4?

Colin Knowles · Jan 13, 2017

PaulH said:
Just a general question, excuse my ignorance but how come a PS4 can run VR pretty good by the looks of it but you have to have a high end graphics card for PC VR(1080?).
Or is there a massive difference in quality between PC & PS4?

Optimisation & Sony's technical expertise is the reason I would guess

Rallycameraman · Jan 14, 2017

I got to play this when I was up at Codies back in November testing 'something else'

It was absolutely incredible, and completely changed how DiRT felt. It's the closest I've ever felt to driving a car but not. It's great fun going sideways into a corner and looking out the side windows

Ole Andreasen · Jan 14, 2017

Colin Knowles said:
God damn... kept that below the radar

Not a huge fan of rally but with the lack of racing titles on vr this just became an instant purchase

Dirt Rally will be followed by GT Sport then F1 2017 hopefully we will add Assetto & Pcash 2 by the end of 2017 too. Hold on to your seats ladies & gentleman, things about to get real interesting

Looks like a VR set is becoming a must buy in 2017... So many titles, so little money.