Codemasters announces release date, pre-order bonuses for GRID 2

Codemasters has announced that its upcoming racing game GRID 2 will be released on May 30. The company has also announced that the game is available through pre-order packs from various retailers, which has content like vehicles, race courses and online events. The four pre-order packs are the McLaren Racing pack, the Head Start pack, the Indycar pack, and the GTR Racing pack.

The McLaren Racing pack includes the McLaren MP4-12C GT3 Special Edition car, two new routes around the Brand Hatch GP circuit, and a special online event. The Head Start pack has the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 GT car, discounts in the car upgrade stores, and a unique RaceNet bonus. The Indycar pack has the Dallara IndyCar and the IndyCar Pace car, 2 new routes around Indianapolis Motor Speedway Circuit, and exclusive online content. The GTR pack includes the Nissan GT-R Spec road car, the Yas Marina daytime circuit, and exclusive online event.

Getting to the racing grid on May 30

Back in November, Codemasters had announced that it is enlisting the help of Xbox 360 Achievements and PS3 Trophies websites to create the achievement and trophy list for GRID 2.  The websites will be working hand-in-hand with the designers at Codemasters’ racing studio to create an achievement and trophy list that will, hopefully, complement the game and play to its strengths.

“If anyone knows the achievement and trophy crowd, it’s us,” said the editor-in-chief of Xbox360Achievements.org and PS3Trophies.org, Dan Webb, “For years we’ve been criticising lacklustre Achievement & Trophy lists, and now, we finally get the chance to put our money where our mouth is. Codemasters have put their faith in us to work with them on creating  the ultimate list, and we’re looking forward to repaying that trust to design Achievements and Trophies with unique objectives that will put a smile on players’ faces with each and every unlock.”

“Xbox 360 Achievements and PS3 Trophies are the recognised ‘go to’ sites for anyone interested in getting the most from their game’s Achievements and Trophies,” said Clive Moody, Executive Producer, Codemasters Racing Studio. “Their extensive knowledge coupled with our studio talent will make for a uniquely crafted list with insight from the experts, offering gamers real challenge and reasons to chase every possible reward. It’s a new approach, but we think it will be a lot of fun and a great way to give player’s an insight into this increasingly important element of game design.”

Codemasters has generally been pretty quiet about the development of Grid 2. Back in October, the company released a trailer that showcased the LiveRoutes system for the game. It will be an optional feature in the game used to change the routes on race courses on a lap-by-lap basis. During the demo of the game at this year's Eurogamer Expo, the system was shown off on the Chicago race circuit. Over two laps, one of the sections had changed in the second lap – a straight road was replaced by a left-right switchback.