The crumbling city--inspired by California's Bay Area and mostly abandoned after an earthquake--will suffer additional permanent damage throughout the races, with future races reflecting that destruction. "This isn't post-apocalyptic," director Matt Southern explained. "It's apocalyptic. You are there when it happens. It's survival racing."

Among the sequel's bullet points are "massive vehicle customization," vehicle perks and "a game mode creator," plus a sixteen-person online multiplayer that can be experienced with up to four players per console thanks to split-screen multiplayer along with "cut-scenes that finally reveal what it's like to be a part of the MotorStorm subculture, to changes to handling and boosting, to the five completely new vehicle classes."

Not mentioned was a release date or window--we' should learn more next week at E3.