Codemasters has confirmed that Colin McRae: DiRT 2 will feature eight-player online races. The number's a step down from their last racing game, but according to game design manager Ralph Fulton, it's not because of some technical limitation. Eight's just the right number. There's also a special Colin McRae memorial event that will be unlocked at the end of the game. Details after the jump.

When you're racing at top speed with dirt kicking up all over, chances are, you'll ram or get rammed by someone straight out of the course. If you're lucky, you're just gonna get so much dirt up your windshield that you won't see where you're going, then subsequently wind up outside the course anyway. DiRT 2 let's you see better into that scenario, although in this case, it's gonna be more likely that you'll be the one feeding the others with dust than you eating it.

September is the month to watch if you're a fan of high-octane racing. Codemasters has sent out word announcing the official release dates for the console and handheld versions of Colin McRae: DiRT 2.

The entire team of Damnation (PS3, Xbox 360, and PC) has been laid off, following "issues" with publisher Codemasters. To find out more about it, head to the full article.

This is a much, much better line-up for our On Shelves section this week. As in MUCH. One, the Transformers are finally rolling out (unfortch, Megan Fox won't be included in your game purchase). Two, Fight Night Round 4 is also stepping into the ring to knock you out with. Three, The Conduit is also set to make waves on your Wii, and so is the Resident Evil Archives. And of course, the ever-present DS games for the kids. Yes, it doesn't just stop at three. Go ahead, check out what else is there this week.

For years, Colin McRae was always on the microphone to promote his racing games, serving as both inspiration and spokesperson for Codemasters when it came to the Colin McRae games. It has been two years and a half since his unfortunate accident, but Codemasters still remembers the rally icon, and the latest game carrying his name, Colin McRae: DiRT 2 (Xbox 360, PC, Wii, DS and PSP), will have content paying tribute to the Scottish rally driver.

This E3 gameplay teaser from Codemasters for DirT2 is about to leave the competition in the dust. Wanna see how it is to live in the fast lane? This is the one for you - choose from a variety of contemporary racing disciplines such as rally, rallycross and raid, and see if you've got what it takes.

I like Overlord and I love freebies, so this Overlord pre-order promo from GameStop is definitely relevant to my interests. See, anyone who pre-orders a copy of Overlord II, Overlord Dark Legend and Overlord Minions from GameStop will receive one of four different minion figurines.

Here we've got the video debut teaser for Codemasters' DiRT 2, and it's looking duuurty sweet! Thanks to Guy Pearce's (Codemasters brand director) video interview, we're given a little more insight as to how this franchise installment will roll. The first one is a tough act to follow after all.

It looks like Free Radical - and, by extension, the TimeSplitters series which a lot of you readers seem to be fans of - may still have a future after all.