Codemasters to launch free-to-play, online F1 game

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2011/8/12417.html

http://www.f1onlinethegame.com/

Codemasters, developers of the multimillion selling, BAFTA winning F1 2010™ video game, have announced that F1 Online: The Game, a free-to-play browser game, is in production at Codemasters Studios and set to launch in the first quarter of 2012.

F1 Online: The Game will give players the chance to be the driver and the team boss in a game that combines intuitive top-down racing gameplay with a rewarding management game, as players create and manage their own team. Gamers can see the first F1 Online: The Game screenshots and register their interest to receive updates about the game by logging into www.F1OnlineTheGame.com.

“Formula One is a proven major games brand that resonates with players on a global level and is recognised as one the biggest sports licenses in videogames,” said David Solari, VP, Codemasters Online. “As the worldwide gaming market evolves, 2012 is the perfect time to extend this series to the free-to-play market.

“Building on the commercial and critical success of our high-definition Formula One games, this is an exciting opportunity to bring our passion for the sport and our expertise in racing to a new audience. With a bespoke design for accessible browser play, F1 Online: The Game is a perfect complimentary experience to the HD series and will appeal to a broad spectrum of Formula One’s millions of fans worldwide.”

Developed under Codemasters’ exclusive worldwide agreement with Formula One World Championship Limited, F1 Online: The Game will feature all the official drivers, teams and circuits from the 2011 FIA Formula One World Championship. F1 Online: The Game will deliver a persistent world of Formula One to players through their internet browser, perfect for anytime racing.

Fans will be able to race with their favourite team in online multiplayer races across a range of game modes, from entering the full 2011 FIA Formula One World Championship to individual Grand Prix, complete with practice and qualifying sessions and a range of challenges and time trials. Gamers will be able to track and share their progress via a range of leaderboard and social network features.

Players will have the opportunity to create their very own team and become immersed in a world of Formula One on a grand scale; choosing their team name, designing a livery and leading the development of a personal franchise. As racer and team boss, they will manage the commercial, research, production and race crew functions required for success on track.

F1 Online: The Game is being developed in house at Codemasters using the Unity game engine to deliver stunning performance in a web browser. Iconic tracks including Monaco, Silverstone and Spa will be authentically brought to life by using track data and assets taken from the forthcoming F1 2011™ game (click here to pre-order) for high-definition consoles and PC Games for Windows.