No online for Dirt 3 on PS3

PS3 owners who rushed out to buy Codemasters’ new racer Dirt 3 yesterday have found that they are unable to access the online modes because of the ongoing PSN outage.

Users need to redeem the in-box VIP Pass to unlock the title’s online features such as competitive multiplayer and YouTube video uploading. This is impossible while the PlayStation Store remains offline.

Second hand buyers will need to pay either 800 Microsoft Points on XBL or 6.29 on PSN to access the content.

"It is a really unfortunate situation but we are positive that everything is being done to rectify the service as soon as possible," Codemasters’ communications manager Andy Gray told VideoGamer.

Following its recent release, Warner Interactive disabled the need for PS3 owners to download a pass to access the online content in fighter Mortal Kombat as a result of the PlayStation Store outage.

Sony said yesterday that it still hopes to have the PlayStation Store back online by the end of May.