Codemasters announces a new generation of official Formula One video games

AS FORMULA ONETM ENTERS ITS MOST EXCITING SEASON EVER, CODEMASTERS® ANNOUNCES A NEW GENERATION OF OFFICIAL FORMULA ONE VIDEO GAMES
Official F1 2009 and F1 2010 video games revealed and formats confirmed. Trailer video now live at www.formula1-game.com
Friday 24th April/… A new generation of FORMULA ONE video games featuring Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel and all the official drivers, teams and circuits from the 2009 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP™ was announced today by Codemasters®, the developer and publisher of award-winning racing video games, under its exclusive worldwide agreement with Formula One Administration Limited.

The first title in the series, F1 2009™, will debut on Wii™ and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system this autumn. F1 2009 will deliver an authentic and accessible recreation of the current FORMULA ONE season, including, for the first time in a FORMULA ONE title, the stunning Singapore night race. A trailer video is now live at www.formula1-game.com, Codemasters’ new online destination for the game.

Extending the FORMULA ONE experience to further gaming formats, it was also announced that F1 2010™ is in development at Codemasters Studios and coming mid 2010 for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft® and Games For Windows®. F1 2010 is being created using Codemasters’ EGO™ Engine technology, which most recently powered the BAFTA award-winning Race Driver: GRID™.

Talking about the partnership with Codemasters, Bernie Ecclestone, CEO Formula One Management Limited, commented: “Codemasters has a great heritage when it comes to racing games and their reputation is second to none. We’re working very closely together on the upcoming FORMULA ONE titles and are very impressed with what we have seen.”

Rod Cousens, CEO, Codemasters, said: “FORMULA ONE is the pinnacle of motorsport. For many, it embraces a lifestyle and its audience is far reaching and growing. We are producing a series of games that will deliver the passion, glamour and exhilaration that fans deserve and we know how to do that. F1 2009 is the start of something very special for Codemasters and will set the standard for the high definition versions that will follow in mid 2010.”

“Our studios are working extremely closely with Formula One Management Limited and the teams to produce the most authentic and thrilling experience possible. We are delighted with the level of support and access afforded to us so far, enabling us to get as close to the sport as possible. It is this level of support, understanding and working in partnership that enables to deliver superb FORMULA ONE games for whichever platform players choose to race.”

In addition to bringing FORMULA ONE to Wii for the first time, F1 2009 marks Lewis Hamilton’s debut in a videogame and will enable players to take to the wheel of his MCLAREN MP4-24 FORMULA ONE car and battle to retain his FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP crown. The new 2009 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP promises to be one of the most exciting and closely fought, thanks to new regulations on aerodynamics, slick tyres and the introduction of the KERS boost system, which is designed to aid overtaking. The rule changes, including KERS, will be reflected in F1 2009 to deliver a truly enthralling racing experience.

Both the Wii and PSP editions of F1 2009 have been exclusively designed to deliver the ultimate racing package for each individual format and its audience. Setting new standards for immersion and authenticity on Wii, F1 2009 will offer a variety of race modes, including a full FORMULA ONE season and individual arcade-style challenges. Customisable driver aids will be offered to individual players, so both novice and expert drivers will be able to keep their car on track. In the game’s multiplayer mode, driver aids will enable friends and families of different abilities to play together in wheel-to-wheel split screen co-operative and competitive multiplayer races.

The PSP edition of F1 2009 will have players racing against each other wirelessly in addition to engaging and challenging single player modes exclusively tuned for portable play, including competing in full championships.

As FORMULA ONE enters its most exciting season yet, F1 2009 will take Wii and PSP players as close as possible to racing in the world’s most spectacular motorsport when it launches this autumn; F1 2010 will follow for PLAYSTATION®3, Xbox 360 and Games For Windows in 2010. For the trailer video, race over to www.formula1-game.com.

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MEDIA INFORMATION:

Adrian Lawton Communications Manager
[email protected]
Codemasters (UK 01926 814 132)

Richard Eddy, Director, Communication
[email protected]
Codemasters (UK 01926 814 132)

PRESS RESOURCE WEB SITE
Download game artwork, screens and essential Codemasters’ press materials direct to your desktop from: http://www.codemasters.com/mediabank

ABOUT CODEMASTERS
Codemasters is a leading developer and publisher of best-selling interactive entertainment products for a global audience across multiple gaming platforms and channels. Established in 1986, the company’s dominant brands include the BAFTA award winning Race Driver GRID, Colin McRae DiRT, Overlord, Operation Flashpoint; the company also retains the exclusive worldwide FORMULA 1 video game rights. Codemasters is headquartered in Warwickshire UK, with North American operations based in Universal City, Calif. The company also maintains operations in Japan, Germany, France, Spain, Benelux and Malaysia. Codemasters receives over two million visitors to its web site every month, discover why at www.codemasters.com

ASK ABOUT GAMES
Codemasters supports askaboutgames.com www.askaboutgames.com – a UK initiative designed to help parents understand the age ratings system for computer and video games so that they can make more informed choices when choosing games for their children.

Codemasters is a registered trademark owned by The Codemasters Software Company. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. “PlayStation”, “PLAYSTATION” and “PS” Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Xbox, Xbox 360, and Xbox LIVE are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. Trademarks are property of their respective owners. Wii is a trademark of Nintendo.

FORMULA ONE, FORMULA 1, F1, FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, GRAND PRIX and translations thereof are trade marks of Formula One Licensing BV, a Formula One Group Company. Licensed by Formula One Administration Limited, a Formula One Group Company. All rights reserved.