While racing fans can already enjoy Colin McRae DiRT 2 on 360, PS3, Wii, DS, and even PSP, PC gamers will have to wait until December for the privilege. The reason: the 'Games for Windows Live' version will be one of the first games to make full use of Microsoft's experimental new operating system 'Windows 7.'

Codemasters chief technical officer Bryan Marshall explains: “The opportunity to enter into a strategic relationship with Microsoft to fuse key DirectX 11 technologies with Codemasters’ EGO™ Engine and set the new standard in race gaming on home computers was irresistible. By taking advantage of the DirectX 11 feature set included in Windows 7, including hardware tessellation, multi-threading and Shader Model 5.0, we will deliver the most immersive and realistic off-road racing experience yet and set the technical benchmark in the genre.”

The key upgrades promised include enhanced depth of field, ambient occlusion, and shadows, plus improved crowd animations -- it seems they've finally found a way to make them look less like showroom dummies, and more like human beings...