In our extensive play-testing of Dirt 2, both internally and external focus tests, we found that these types of cars on these types of tracks, 12 players just gets a little crowded, and made crashing a bit too prevalent. That takes away crucially a lot of the fun of multiplayer competition.

We've found in our extensive testing that eight is the magic number and eight players is the sweet spot.Our PR guys are always on at us to have bigger numbers than the last game but in this instance smaller is better.

At the end of the game, when the player has competed in world tours, when he has won the X Games of America, we think the fitting finale to the game is what we're calling the McRae Memorial Challenge.

This is a special one-off three stage rally in which the player will compete against Colin's own family, Jimmy and Alister McRae, and a host of as yet unannounced motor sports superstars. We'll be revealing a list of their names closer to our release date

• Video: eating and feeding dust in DiRT 2
• Codemasters announces Colin McRae: DiRT 2 street dates
• DiRT 2 pays tribute to Colin McRae

Via VideoGamer