Software:Dirt 3

From HandWiki
Short description: 2011 video game
DiRT 3
Cover art featuring Ken Block's Ford Fiesta GYM3
Developer(s)Codemasters Southam[1]
Publisher(s)
Director(s)Nathan Fisher
Producer(s)Darren Campion
SeriesDirt
EngineEgo
Platform(s)
ReleaseMicrosoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
OS X
  • WW: 29 January 2015
Genre(s)Racing
Mode(s)

Dirt 3 (stylised as DiRT 3) is a simcade racing video game developed and published by Codemasters and distributed by THQ[3] for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It was released on 24 May 2011 and is the first game in the series without carrying the Colin McRae name. A sequel, Dirt 4, was released in June 2017.

The game features many rally drivers such as Ken Block, Tanner Foust, Liam Doran, Kris Meeke, Sébastien Ogier, Sébastien Loeb, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, and a multitude of others. The game features a variety of off-road events located in many different places all around the world, such as Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America, all of which bring the player an assortment of challenging real-world environments.

In September 2011, there were reports that a network security problem on the website of an AMD promo had resulted in the loss of 3 million Dirt 3 keys to the public for use via the Steam platform that have then been posted in various places around the internet.[4][5] The game's online servers will be shut down on March 16, 2026.[6]

Gameplay

Gameplay in DiRT 3 showcasing the cockpit view

The main mode, "Dirt Tour", sees players earn reputation points in various events to gain the interest of sponsors who provide them with new vehicles. Flashbacks return from Software:Colin McRae: Dirt 2, which can be used up to five times in any difficulty, but cost reputation points to use. New features include a "Hardcore mode" which limits players to the cockpit view (known as "head cam") with no driver assists, the appearance of rain and snow, and the ability to upload replay clips directly to YouTube.[7] The game sees the return of many racing disciplines from Colin McRae: Dirt 2, but also introduces new modes and disciplines as well.

  • Rallying takes place on technically challenging, non-circuit, point-to-point routes. They usually involve staggered starts, and each driver races against the clock for the fastest time over numerous stages. Also during Rally events, a co-driver is present reading pacenotes to guide the driver and warn them of possible dangers, such as crashes ahead of them.[8]
  • Rallycross racing takes place on closed, looped, circuit race tracks. These tracks can be a mix of gravel and tarmac, and involves many drivers pitted against each other over the same circuit on a series of laps. The driver who crosses the finish line first wins.[8]
  • Trailblazers are the equivalent of hillclimbing races. They take place on non-circuit, point-to-point courses, which can be a mix of gravel and tarmac. Similar to rally events, they involve staggered starts and each driver races to set the fastest time on the stages, but a co-driver is not present.[8]
  • Landrush events are similar to Rallycross events, but they switch vehicles to vigorous stadium trucks and buggies. They also take place on looped, circuit race tracks, but unlike Rallycross, these tracks are usually almost always on gravel. These tracks are also bumpier and have more obstacles than Rallycross. Drivers are pitted against each other, and the driver who crosses the finish line first wins.[8]
  • Gymkhana, new to the series, is a skill-based game mode where the player has to pull off tricks to gain as many points as possible. These challenging tricks include doughnuts, drifting through gates, jumps, controlled spinning in a zone, and smashing through foam blocks. Drivers who gain the most points from performing these tricks wins the event.[8]
  • Head-to-head events are similar to the Crossover events from Colin McRae: Dirt. Two drivers are pitted against each other to drive two lanes over a crossover track, which are typically a mix of gravel and tarmac. The driver who comes first is declared winner while the driver who comes second will be eliminated.

Special party modes

In addition to the normal off-road based modes, there are also various special online modes.

  • "Invasion" involves drivers smashing wooden targets for points.
  • "Outbreak" involves the "infected" drivers spreading the zombie infection as fast as possible.
  • "Transporter" involves drivers playing in a capture-the-flag mode.

Complete Edition

A "Complete Edition" of the game was released by Codemasters in 2012.[9][10] Consisting of the game and its associated DLC packaged together, the Complete Edition adds several tracks and vehicles. It was released in March 9 in Europe and 20 March in North America. The Complete Edition for Mac OS X by Feral Interactive was released on 29 January 2015.[11][12][13][14] The Complete Edition was removed from the Steam marketplace in early 2017 presumably due to expiring licenses for the cars.[15]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic(PC) 86/100[16]
(PS3) 87/100[17]
(X360) 87/100[18]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Destructoid9/10[21]
Eurogamer9/10[22]
Game Informer8.75/10[26]
GameSpotStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStar[20]
GamesRadar+StarStarStarStarHalf star[24]
GameTrailers9.2/10[27]
Giant BombStarStarStarStarStar[25]
IGN8.5/10[19]
OXM (UK)8.5/10
PC Gamer (UK)88/100[28]
Push SquareStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStar[29]
The GuardianStarStarStarStar[23]

IGN gave the game a score of 8.5 and an Editor's Choice award, praising the gameplay and online functionality while criticising some of the design choices.[30] GameTrailers gave the game a score of 9.2, praising the gameplay and presentation, although criticising the limits of the YouTube functionality.[31] GamesRadar gave the game a score of 9/10, praising its impeccable gameplay though noting slightly lower structure presentation compared to the previous game.[32] Official Xbox Magazine gave the game a score of 8.5/10, hailing its impressive car design and smooth handling, while criticising the lack of dynamism in the surfaces and poor social features.[33] Destructoid heavily lauded the game's graphics, detail, vehicle types, music, sound, tracks, and online multiplayer, while expressing minor annoyances with the long load times and announcers.[21] Eurogamer wrote positively about the game's dynamic weather, Gymkhana mode, settings, and handling, writing, "DiRT 3 isn't a sim...it strikes a satisfying middle-ground...offering a tactile and engaging model that sits well across all of the game's many disciplines."[22] Game Informer saw the addition of the Gymkhana mode as a major step forward for the franchise but thought that the focus on rally racing made the game's career mode a tedious one.[34] PC Gamer wrote extremely positively, calling the game "dazzingly varied" and "relentlessly entertaining", while praising the rally handling and vehicle selection.[28] Push Square awarded the game nine stars out of ten, concluding, "Everything from the game's core physics engine to the user-interface has been overhauled, resulting in a supremely polished experience that's going to be difficult to beat."[35] GameSpot similarly praised new event types, accessible difficulty options, presentation, handling, vehicle variety, and both local and online multiplayer, while also noting the limited Youtube functionality.[36]

Following reports that the PC version of the game was unplayable due to the game's reliance on the now defunct Games for Windows – Live software, a spokesperson for Codemasters issued a statement on the Steam community in January 2014 stating that Codemasters were in the process of removing Games for Windows – Live from the game, and would announce completion of the task at a later date.[37] On 1 April 2015, the work had been completed and GFWL had been removed from the game.

The game was one of the November 2015 Games with Gold free games, the first of the promotion to be playable on Xbox One through backwards compatibility.[38]

References

  1. ↑ "Codemasters: Taking aim". MCV/Develop. 23 July 2010. https://www.mcvuk.com/development-news/codemasters-taking-aim/. 
  2. ↑ Wesley Yin-Poole (16 December 2010). "DiRT 3 release date announced". Eurogamer. https://www.eurogamer.net/dirt-3-release-date-announced. 
  3. ↑ Ivan, Tom (12 March 2010). "Dirt 3 Confirmed". Edge Magazine. http://www.next-gen.biz/news/dirt-3-confirmed. 
  4. ↑ Phillips, Tom (6 September 2011). "3 million digital DiRT 3 copies robbed". Eurogamer. https://www.eurogamer.net/3-million-digital-dirt-3-copies-robbed. 
  5. ↑ "Rumour: 3 million DiRT 3 Steam keys leaked online". VG247. 6 September 2011. https://www.vg247.com/rumour-3-million-dirt-3-steam-keys-leaked-online. 
  6. ↑ Fischer, Tyler (2025-09-05). "EA Announces the Shutdown of Four Different Games" (in en-US). https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/ea-electronic-arts-game-2026-delisting/. 
  7. ↑ Joao Diniz Sanches (17 November 2010). "DiRT 3 Preview". Eurogamer. https://www.eurogamer.net/dirt-3-preview. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 "DiRT 3 Review". 5 June 2021. https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/dirt-3-review/. 
  9. ↑ "Dirt 3 Complete Edition expands the award-winning off-road racer with cars and routes". Codemasters. http://www.codemasters.com/uk/article/dirt_3_complete_edition_expands_the_award_winning_off_road_racer_with_cars_and_routes/. 
  10. ↑ "DiRT 3 – Complete Edition Trailer". YouTube. 8 March 2012. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96HGhKRcCh0. 
  11. ↑ "Get your slide on: DiRT 3 Complete Edition carves a path to the Mac". Feral Interactive. 8 January 2015. http://www.feralinteractive.com/en/news/450/. 
  12. ↑ "GFWL Removal and More of Your Frequently Asked Questions Answered". 13 January 2015. http://steamcommunity.com/app/44320/discussions/0/558746745592088289/?tscn=1422554109#c622954302097655314. 
  13. ↑ "DiRT 3 Complete Edition Powers Onto The Mac Today". Gamers FTW. 29 January 2015. http://www.gamersftw.co.uk/dirt-3-complete-edition-powers-onto-mac-today/. 
  14. ↑ Dirt [@dirtgame] (1 April 2015). "DiRT 3 Complete Edition is now available on Steam & all DiRT 3 PC owners get a free upgrade!". https://twitter.com/dirtgame/status/583288680791437312. 
  15. ↑ "Grid, Dirt 3 and F1 2013 removed from Steam". pcgamer.com. 2 January 2017. http://www.pcgamer.com/grid-dirt-3-and-f1-2013-removed-from-steam/. 
  16. ↑ "DiRT 3 for PC Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/dirt-3/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. 
  17. ↑ "DiRT 3 for PlayStation 3 Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/dirt-3/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3. 
  18. ↑ "DiRT 3 for Xbox 360 Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/dirt-3/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360. 
  19. ↑ Eykemans, Peter (24 May 2011). "Dirt 3 Review". https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/05/24/dirt-3-review. 
  20. ↑ Barker, Sammy (31 May 2011). "DiRT 3 Review (PS3)". https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps3/dirt_3. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 North, Dale (25 May 2011). "Review: Dirt 3". https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-dirt-3/. 
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Robinson, Martin (19 September 2011). "Dirt 3". https://www.eurogamer.net/dirt-3-review. 
  23. ↑ Boxer, Steve (20 May 2011). "Dirt 3 – review". https://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2011/may/20/dirt-3-game-review. 
  24. ↑ Towell, Justin (20 May 2011). "DiRT 3: Super Review". https://www.gamesradar.com/dirt-3-review/. 
  25. ↑ Scanlon, Drew (24 May 2011). "DiRT 3 Review". https://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/dirt-3-review/1900-383/. 
  26. ↑ Kato, Matthew (20 May 2011). "Dirt 3 Review - Gymkhana Opens Up the Franchise". Game Informer. https://www.gameinformer.com/games/dirt_3/b/ps3/archive/2011/05/20/gymkhana-opens-up-the-franchise.aspx. Retrieved 13 February 2022. 
  27. ↑ "Dirt 3 Review". 23 May 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGVsrUJDIi8. 
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Stone, Tim (31 May 2011). "Dirt 3 review". https://www.pcgamer.com/dirt-3-review/. 
  29. ↑ Barker, Sammy (31 May 2011). "DiRT 3 (PS3) Review". https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps3/dirt_3. 
  30. ↑ Eykemans, Peter (24 May 2011). "Dirt 3 Review". http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/05/24/dirt-3-review. 
  31. ↑ "GameTrailers". http://www.gametrailers.com/video/review-dirt-3/714076. 
  32. ↑ "DiRT 3". GamesRadar+. 19 August 2013. http://www.gamesradar.com/xbox360/dirt-3/review/dirt-3-super-review/a-20110517164135413067/g-20100803111331782068. 
  33. ↑ "Dirt 3 review". Official Xbox Magazine. http://oxmonline.com/article/reviews/xbox-360/a-f/dirt-3. Retrieved 4 May 2017. 
  34. ↑ Kato, Matthew. "Dirt 3 Review - Gymkhana Opens Up the Franchise" (in en). Game Informer. https://www.gameinformer.com/games/dirt_3/b/ps3/archive/2011/05/20/gymkhana-opens-up-the-franchise.aspx. Retrieved 2022-02-13. 
  35. ↑ Square, Push (2011-05-31). "Review: DiRT 3 (PlayStation 3)" (in en-GB). https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps3/dirt_3. 
  36. ↑ "DiRT 3 Review" (in en-US). https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/dirt-3-review/1900-6315203/. 
  37. ↑ "GFWL Removal and More of Your Frequently Asked Questions Answered :: DiRT 3 General Discussions". http://steamcommunity.com/app/44320/discussions/0/558746745592088289/. 
  38. ↑ "Games with Gold Just Got Better with Backwards Compatibility". 29 October 2015. http://www.trustedreviews.com/news/xbox-one-games-with-gold-just-got-better-with-backwards-compatibility. 
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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