Codemasters announced this week that it would be bringing a new racing game to Xbox 360 in the form of DiRT Showdown — a significantly retooled spin on the UK studio's longstanding series.

Labeled as an "action-sport racing" title, Codemasters outlined several modes and gameplay features that'll play a large role in Showdown including the ability to execute trick runs in a free-roaming "Events" mode called Hoonigan, while opening up different types of competitions with the introduction of a demolition derby-themed mode that encourages you to smash the crap out of other cars to win.

In addition, Showdown will also feature party modes and split-screen (Codemasters asserts that Showdown is all about "social gaming," according to its game announcement press release) that'll sport competitive game-types like "Capture the Flag" and checkpoint challenges. You'll also be able to issue "Showdown Challenges" to friends (online or offline), as well as record and upload clips to YouTube from the game's "Crashback!" replay mode where the game replays your best, most destructive crashes.

DiRT Showdown is slated to hit store shelves in 2012.

SOURCE: GET DRIVEN TO DESTRUCTION AS CODEMASTERS ANNOUNCES DiRT® SHOWDOWN™ FOR 2012 [Codemasters]