News

Grid 2 Multiplayer unpacked, features ‘old school’ split-screen in every mode

Codemaster’s Ben Walke today unpacked on the official PlayStation Blog what will be Grid 2’s multiplayer mode, blending new and old features to foster an experience every gamer will appreciate.

A solid multiplayer is the centerpiece to any competitive game, especially racing titles. The past several years have seen the emergence of online modes as crucial to commercial success, driving developers of top-tier racing titles, such as Codemasters and its Grid 2 racer, to create a reliable, vibrant multiplayer mode for its communities.

Before delving into the specifics of what makes Grid 2’s multiplayer mode unique, Walke reminded gamers of an included feature that has become increasingly valuable and less common in multiplayer modes: two-player split-screen in every game mode.

"It’s old school, and we love it," said Walke.

The first of the several features revealed throughout the blog post was the XP structure. As expected, racers will earn points that can be put towards cars, upgrades, and customization. The amount of XP a player gets per race will likely be determined by the challenges completed and how well the racer placed.

The next aspect discussed was Grid 2’s matchmaking, which seeks to go beyond simple reliability (which should never be taken for granted) and place players with like-minded racers. Walke dubbed this Clean vs. Dirty, noting that the matchmaking system will attempt to pair racers who prefer a traditional race, as well as those who prefer a more destructive, damaging one. There will also be a variety of different game modes for gamers to enjoy, including Endurance, Drift, Touge, Checkpoint, Face Off, Time Attack, Overtake, Power Lap, and the traditional Race.

Walke also highlighted the community element of Grid 2’s multiplayer, which will channel the competitive nature of racers by providing a place for racers to see others’ stats, leaderboard standings, awards, and so on. There will also be what is called RaceNet Rivals, a way of creating competition among players through three filters: A randomly selected Weekly Rival, a Social Rival selected from your Friends list and list of players you recently raced, and a Custom Rival, allowing players to determine the parameters of their rival.

Grid 2, releasing May 28 in North America and May 31 in Europe, makes matters even more convenient with the return of YouTube functionality, meaning those out-of-control moments that you cannot help but relive with your friends will be easier than ever.

What do you think about this first look into Grid 2’s multiplayer? Many multiplayer modes generate substantial hype and turn out to be sub-par. Head over to our community forums to discuss whether Grid 2 deserves all the attention.