Codemasters gets Formula One video game rights (multi-platform f1 games once again!)

Nikhilb2008 · 10th May 2008, 12:11

Codemasters, developer and publisher of award-winning racing video games, has secured the exclusive video game rights to FORMULA 1™ it was announced on Friday. In a worldwide licensing agreement with Formula One Administration Limited, Codemasters will develop a new generation of the multi-million selling Formula One game franchise across multiple platforms.

Codemasters Studios, creators of genre-leading racing titles Colin McRae: DiRT™ and Race Driver: GRID™, will lead the design and development of official FIA Formula One World Championship games for home console, handheld and PC gaming formats.

“Formula One is ambitious in expanding its reach with more circuits planned beyond recent additions in the Middle East and China. It is also ambitious in expanding its reach via technology. The digital communities that computer and video gaming creates will play a key role in further growing the Formula One audience and connecting them globally,” said Rod Cousens, chief executive officer, Codemasters.

“As a world-leading creator of driving games, this alliance with Formula One is the jewel in Codemasters’ racing crown and creates an undisputed segment champion. Formula One has gone with the best, the segment leader. It has gone to the home of the EGO Engine for quality; it has gone to the company that can host Formula One Online, to the company that is streaking away from the pack.”

“Codemasters’ success and recent innovations in the racing game space makes the company more than appropriately tuned for the challenge,” said Chris Deering, chairman, Codemasters. “The combination of Formula One’s new momentum of expansion and Codemasters’ contemporary technology and past experience is the breaking of a new dawn for the sport, on the track and on the HD game screen.”

The worldwide deal provides Codemasters with rights to feature all Grand Prix circuits, Formula One teams, cars, and driver likenesses.

The FIA Formula One World Championship games will be developed using the evolution of the award-winning EGO™ Game Technology Engine, Codemasters’ highly versatile cross-platform middleware technology. Its advanced graphics and physics technology brings an unmatched cinematic quality and realism to interactive entertainment.

The EGO Engine is currently being deployed in the creation of Race Driver: GRID™, the latest in Codemasters Studio’s international circuit-based racing series. Set to be a landmark release when it launches on May 30, Race Driver: GRID was recently hailed as ‘The driving game of the summer’ by BBC Top Gear magazine.

Codemasters expects the first game based on the FIA Formula One World Championship to launch in 2009.

Source: f1.com

VJ_MAVRICK · 10th May 2008, 12:25

Yea Nikhil !
Codemasters with their top of the line racing titles like GRID and DIRT will bring a new lease of challenges and enthusiasm. I haven't played them personally but heard a lot about them through pals and cousins of mine who are big times gamers.

abhinav.gupta88 · 10th May 2008, 20:15

I will be eagerly waiting for the game.

chetan · 10th May 2008, 20:24

they were also in line for the wrc series ,but for some strange reason that game has been discontinued.

im_srini · 12th May 2008, 10:20

Codemasters has won the rights for F1 games

After a five-year drought F1 games will once again be available on multiple platforms

Due to the FOA's myopic & insane decision to suckle at Sony's teat 6 years ago, F1 games were exclusively on the PlayStation platform for 5 whole years ! For avid gamers that meant no PC or XBox F1 games. The last "reasonable" PC examples were EA's F1-2002 & Ubisoft's RS3.

The F1 license should've never been exclusive to begin with (in my book at least). Anyway, there was talk last year that Sony might not be too keen to renew their exclusive F1 license & there was even talk that EA was the leading contender. Now it's official - the license has gone to CodeMasters ! Being a big fan of CMR 1, 2, 3, 4, & Dirt, I think the F1 license is in very capable hands - Whopeee !

Although it could take some time for the games to arrive, I think it's better than not having that option at all...

speedzak · 12th May 2008, 10:54

This is real good news! How bad it was to see that only Playstations were getting the latest cars, tracks and gadgetry while all others were stuck in F1 2002.
I still play that gud 'ol one myself and online and it's so much fun.

The PS3 version of the F1 07 was amazing and preparing for a whole race weekend is something to die for. I spent about 5days in this Grandprix nirvana and was amazed to see how much attention to detail was there in the game. It was very much real if not real by itself.

Now that Codemasters have won the rights, let's hope they do a very good job on this too. I'm a big EA fan but always liked Codemasters' games too. I also hope they keep the game fun, simple and not too technically correct by taking all fun factor out of it. Afterall, that's what games are for. Right?

Cyrus43 · 13th May 2008, 11:21

Going a little off topic, How is Colin McRae : Dirt??

And coming back to the topic..I will be buying this one for sure.If it comes out for the PC that is!!

chetan · 13th May 2008, 19:39

Dirts graphics are out of this world but handling , physics etc are arcade type , definitely playable ....the f1 will come to PC also

madan80 · 13th May 2008, 21:06

CMR3 was out of this world in trems of physics and car handling. the best part is the car gets battered and you keep loosing control.
im sure they will have a winner in this as well.

sajands · 13th May 2008, 22:54

Hey,

Lets see how well Codemasters will develop the F1 2009 compared to the EA Sports 2008 F1 game. F1 2008 is based on the F1 2007 platform with cars and tracks updated till barcelona track. Renulat and Red bull cars have the Shark fin engine cover. Has anyone played the F1 2008???

Regards,
Sajan

sujaylahiri · 24th May 2008, 05:58

The best Formula 1 game for PC so far is Geoff Crammond's Grand Prix 4, which was launched way back in 2002. However, there are quite a few high resolution mods available with updated drivers, helmets, tracks and teams.
Last time I checked, they had the 2007 season ready.

So let's hope that Codemasters' Formula 1 game is a worthy successor to it.

SilentEngine · 28th May 2008, 02:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by sajands

Hey,

Lets see how well Codemasters will develop the F1 2009 compared to the EA Sports 2008 F1 game. F1 2008 is based on the F1 2007 platform with cars and tracks updated till barcelona track. Renulat and Red bull cars have the Shark fin engine cover. Has anyone played the F1 2008???

Regards,
Sajan

There was no F1 game from EA in recent years if I am not wrong. Last official F1 game is F1CE for Sony PS3 which had 2006 season

im_srini · 20th March 2010, 17:25

Finally, after 2 whole years...

YouTube - F1 2O1O - FIRST Debut Developer Doc (German Subtitles) \| HD

Now to get this

liquidmetal99 · 22nd March 2010, 12:08

I hope its more of a simulation than arcade...cos that would spoil the whole fun.. or least if it has a right mix of both then it would be nice..

im_srini · 9th August 2010, 15:34

F1 2010 is to be launched on 24th September, this year, in Europe

The game supposedly has a very high level of attention to F1 detail, which can only be good for gamers, especially those who are also F1 fans.

Some of the in-game stuff like AI driver behavior, R&D, & weather is really delicious (atleast on paper) ! Really looking forward to this part:

"It's about having those different driver personalities in the AI, so if you see in your mirrors that Lewis Hamilton is behind you, you know he might try something that you might not expect, whereas other drivers [might] just wait for their little opportunity when you make a mistake" [SOURCE]

The game will not support PS3's Move or the 360's Kinect controllers, & demos or DLC are not part of the plan. Graphics are supposedly "not as good as" Forza or GT5, but the screenshots appear good enough (to me) - who looks at detail when zipping by at 200 mph anyway !?

P.S. - Was pleasantly surprised to read that Reliance-Big-Entertainment now owns 50% of CodeMasters !

10th May 2008, 12:11	#1
Nikhilb2008 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 5,198 Thanked: 10,150 Times	Codemasters gets Formula One video game rights (multi-platform f1 games once again!) Codemasters, developer and publisher of award-winning racing video games, has secured the exclusive video game rights to FORMULA 1™ it was announced on Friday. In a worldwide licensing agreement with Formula One Administration Limited, Codemasters will develop a new generation of the multi-million selling Formula One game franchise across multiple platforms. Codemasters Studios, creators of genre-leading racing titles Colin McRae: DiRT™ and Race Driver: GRID™, will lead the design and development of official FIA Formula One World Championship games for home console, handheld and PC gaming formats. “Formula One is ambitious in expanding its reach with more circuits planned beyond recent additions in the Middle East and China. It is also ambitious in expanding its reach via technology. The digital communities that computer and video gaming creates will play a key role in further growing the Formula One audience and connecting them globally,” said Rod Cousens, chief executive officer, Codemasters. “As a world-leading creator of driving games, this alliance with Formula One is the jewel in Codemasters’ racing crown and creates an undisputed segment champion. Formula One has gone with the best, the segment leader. It has gone to the home of the EGO Engine for quality; it has gone to the company that can host Formula One Online, to the company that is streaking away from the pack.” “Codemasters’ success and recent innovations in the racing game space makes the company more than appropriately tuned for the challenge,” said Chris Deering, chairman, Codemasters. “The combination of Formula One’s new momentum of expansion and Codemasters’ contemporary technology and past experience is the breaking of a new dawn for the sport, on the track and on the HD game screen.” The worldwide deal provides Codemasters with rights to feature all Grand Prix circuits, Formula One teams, cars, and driver likenesses. The FIA Formula One World Championship games will be developed using the evolution of the award-winning EGO™ Game Technology Engine, Codemasters’ highly versatile cross-platform middleware technology. Its advanced graphics and physics technology brings an unmatched cinematic quality and realism to interactive entertainment. The EGO Engine is currently being deployed in the creation of Race Driver: GRID™, the latest in Codemasters Studio’s international circuit-based racing series. Set to be a landmark release when it launches on May 30, Race Driver: GRID was recently hailed as ‘The driving game of the summer’ by BBC Top Gear magazine. Codemasters expects the first game based on the FIA Formula One World Championship to launch in 2009. Source: f1.com
	() Thanks

10th May 2008, 12:25	#2
VJ_MAVRICK Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 1,239 Thanked: 34 Times View My Garage	Yea Nikhil ! Codemasters with their top of the line racing titles like GRID and DIRT will bring a new lease of challenges and enthusiasm. I haven't played them personally but heard a lot about them through pals and cousins of mine who are big times gamers.
	() Thanks

10th May 2008, 20:15	#3
abhinav.gupta88 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Delhi , India Posts: 4,092 Thanked: 340 Times View My Garage	I will be eagerly waiting for the game.
	() Thanks

10th May 2008, 20:24	#4
chetan BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 488 Thanked: 11 Times	they were also in line for the wrc series ,but for some strange reason that game has been discontinued.
	() Thanks

12th May 2008, 10:20	#5
im_srini BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Portland Posts: 1,010 Thanked: 490 Times View My Garage	Yay ! F1 games are multi-platform again ! Codemasters has won the rights for F1 games After a five-year drought F1 games will once again be available on multiple platforms Due to the FOA's myopic & insane decision to suckle at Sony's teat 6 years ago, F1 games were exclusively on the PlayStation platform for 5 whole years ! For avid gamers that meant no PC or XBox F1 games. The last "reasonable" PC examples were EA's F1-2002 & Ubisoft's RS3. The F1 license should've never been exclusive to begin with (in my book at least). Anyway, there was talk last year that Sony might not be too keen to renew their exclusive F1 license & there was even talk that EA was the leading contender. Now it's official - the license has gone to CodeMasters ! Being a big fan of CMR 1, 2, 3, 4, & Dirt, I think the F1 license is in very capable hands - Whopeee ! Although it could take some time for the games to arrive, I think it's better than not having that option at all... Last edited by im_srini : 12th May 2008 at 10:22.
	() Thanks

12th May 2008, 10:54	#6
speedzak BANNED Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: India Posts: 4,347 Thanked: 27 Times	This is real good news! How bad it was to see that only Playstations were getting the latest cars, tracks and gadgetry while all others were stuck in F1 2002. I still play that gud 'ol one myself and online and it's so much fun. The PS3 version of the F1 07 was amazing and preparing for a whole race weekend is something to die for. I spent about 5days in this Grandprix nirvana and was amazed to see how much attention to detail was there in the game. It was very much real if not real by itself. Now that Codemasters have won the rights, let's hope they do a very good job on this too. I'm a big EA fan but always liked Codemasters' games too. I also hope they keep the game fun, simple and not too technically correct by taking all fun factor out of it. Afterall, that's what games are for. Right?
	() Thanks

13th May 2008, 11:21	#7
Cyrus43 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London Posts: 5,019 Thanked: 222 Times View My Garage	Going a little off topic, How is Colin McRae : Dirt?? And coming back to the topic..I will be buying this one for sure.If it comes out for the PC that is!!
	() Thanks

13th May 2008, 19:39	#8
chetan BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 488 Thanked: 11 Times	Dirts graphics are out of this world but handling , physics etc are arcade type , definitely playable ....the f1 will come to PC also
	() Thanks

13th May 2008, 21:06	#9
madan80 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 1,360 Thanked: 81 Times View My Garage	CMR3 was out of this world in trems of physics and car handling. the best part is the car gets battered and you keep loosing control. im sure they will have a winner in this as well.
	() Thanks

13th May 2008, 22:54	#10
sajands BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 952 Thanked: 409 Times View My Garage	Hey, Lets see how well Codemasters will develop the F1 2009 compared to the EA Sports 2008 F1 game. F1 2008 is based on the F1 2007 platform with cars and tracks updated till barcelona track. Renulat and Red bull cars have the Shark fin engine cover. Has anyone played the F1 2008??? Regards, Sajan
	() Thanks

24th May 2008, 05:58	#11
sujaylahiri BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North America Posts: 960 Thanked: 6 Times View My Garage	The best Formula 1 game for PC so far is Geoff Crammond's Grand Prix 4, which was launched way back in 2002. However, there are quite a few high resolution mods available with updated drivers, helmets, tracks and teams. Last time I checked, they had the 2007 season ready. So let's hope that Codemasters' Formula 1 game is a worthy successor to it.
	() Thanks

22nd March 2010, 12:08	#14
liquidmetal99 BHPian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: AP/KL Posts: 88 Thanked: 0 Times View My Garage	I hope its more of a simulation than arcade...cos that would spoil the whole fun.. or least if it has a right mix of both then it would be nice..
	() Thanks

9th August 2010, 15:34	#15
im_srini BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Portland Posts: 1,010 Thanked: 490 Times View My Garage	F1 2010 is to be launched on 24th September, this year, in Europe The game supposedly has a very high level of attention to F1 detail, which can only be good for gamers, especially those who are also F1 fans. Some of the in-game stuff like AI driver behavior, R&D, & weather is really delicious (atleast on paper) ! Really looking forward to this part: "It's about having those different driver personalities in the AI, so if you see in your mirrors that Lewis Hamilton is behind you, you know he might try something that you might not expect, whereas other drivers [might] just wait for their little opportunity when you make a mistake" [SOURCE] The game will not support PS3's Move or the 360's Kinect controllers, & demos or DLC are not part of the plan. Graphics are supposedly "not as good as" Forza or GT5, but the screenshots appear good enough (to me) - who looks at detail when zipping by at 200 mph anyway !? P.S. - Was pleasantly surprised to read that Reliance-Big-Entertainment now owns 50% of CodeMasters !
	() Thanks