Formula One 99
| Formula One 99 | |
|---|---|
 PAL cover art | |
| Developer(s) | Studio 33 |
| Publisher(s) |
Psygnosis Take-Two Interactive |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation, PC |
| Release date(s) |
PlayStation:
Windows (PC): |
| Genre(s) | Racing |
| Mode(s) | Single Player, Multiplayer |
Formula One 99 is a 1999 video game developed by Studio 33 and published by Psygnosis.
The drivers on the front cover, from left to right are: Jean Alesi, Michael Schumacher and Mika Häkkinen.
Other innovations included the pit lane speed limiter and a clutch. This game was a considerable and welcome improvement upon Formula 1 98. It may have lacked an "arcade" mode or that extra polish, but Studio 33 clearly concentrated on the most important aspects of the simulation mode, leaving the addition of an arcade mode for Formula One 2000. The AI was suspect, and often cheated the player when pulling out a substantial gap, the AI would then do impossible lap times to catch up and pass. This was also inherent in the Newmann Haas Game which Studio 33 also developed. Another AI tactic was to simply pass through solid walls when trying to overtake the player. This was especially noticeable in Monaco.
Like usual, this game features in game commentary provided by Murray Walker and Martin Brundle. It was also the first F1 game to feature Jacques Villeneuve after he had prevented the use of his image and name for the 1997 and 1998 editions.
During the making of this game, Psygnosis was taken over by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe and became SCE Studio Liverpool. The game features all the drivers and tracks from the 1999 season, including the replacement drivers that were featured in the real F1 season, Mika Salo (for both BAR and Ferrari) and Stéphane Sarrazin.
Alcohol and tobacco related sponsors
All alcohol and tobacco sponsors are censored:
- Ferrari's Marlboro is completely censored.
- Williams's Winfield is replaced by "Williams F1" and black bars.
- Williams's Veltins is replaced with black bars.
- Jordan's Benson & Hedges is replaced by "Buzzing Hornets" (as in real life).
- Benetton's Mild Seven is replaced by "Benetton" (as in real life).
- McLaren's West is replaced by "Mika" and "David" (as in real life).
- Prost's Gauloises is replaced by white bars.
- BAR's Lucky Strike and 555 is replaced by "Run Free".
Inclusion of safety car
This game was the first Formula One PC game to this point to have a fully working safety car. The safety car was not seen again in a simulation of the sport until Codemasters released F1 2011 for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC - a gap of roughly 12 years.
Reception
| Reception | ||||||
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There was good critical response to the game. The Official PlayStation Magazine said that the game "put the series back on track after last year's debacle", with top gameplay and true sense of speed.
References
- ↑ Official PlayStation Magazine, Future Publishing issue 52, (December 1999)