EA Sports announcesnF1 Career Challenge !

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 2:25 pm

http://www.ea.com/easports/articles/upc ... titles.jsp
 
 PS2/PC in April, XBox/GC in May
 
 
 February 18, 2003 - In an announcement made today by Redwood City, California-based publishing giant Electronic Arts, the newest version of the award winning F1 series is now officially said to be underway. Dropping the usual yearly tag at the end of the F1 moniker, this newest and latest edition will be known as F1 Career Challenge, and harden its focus on the multi-season progression of an F1 driver.
 
 "Consumer feedback told us that real innovation was needed in the Formula One space," said Executive Producer Matt Webster. "In our desire to deliver the strongest Formula One experience to date, we have stepped up to the mark and are now developing the first ever multi year licensed Formula One game where you can build your racing career across four seasons."
 
 Licensed by Formula One Administration Limited, F1 Career Challenge will allow the player to assume the role of an up and coming rookie on his quest to become the best there is. Completing difficult license tests, winning races, and building a general reputation with your peers is how players will advance over the game´s four-year setup. To add the usual bells and whistles we´ve come to expect from EA Sports, F1CC will also feature customizable helmet designs, improved artificial intelligence, motion captured mechanics, and personalized feedback from the team boss and chief MC. Not to mention all the cars, drivers, racetracks, drivers, and team changes made during the 1999-2002 race season -- which will be in the game as well.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 6:24 pm

Rodster:
 
 Thanks for the news.
 
 Like any EA Sports game outside of football, I´m very, very skeptical of this title. The entire career concept sounds very cool, but it won´t mean s*** to me if the horrid driving and racing models of EA´s past F1 console games remain in F1 Career Challenge.
 
 I´m also very skeptical of a game that was announced just two months before its scheduled release. How long has EA been developing this game? If it has been in development for a while, then why release only three screens and no movies just two months before its release? Very fishy.
 
 I´m keeping a jaded eye on this title. I honestly believe that EA thought the driving and racing models in its prior F1 console games were fine and is adding the career concept to the game just to keep up with the new career mode rage in racing games such as Pro Race Driver and Apex.
 
 We´ll see.
 
 Take care,
 PK [ This message was edited by: pk500 on 19-02-2003 14:27 ]

J_Cauthen · Post by **J_Cauthen** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 8:29 pm

PK,
 
 You make an excellent point. Just like golf, EA Sports tends to underestimate the simulation desires of its potential audience. If they can make a decent F1 game for the PC (as I believe F1 2002 is), then surely they can bring that same model to the consoles.
 
 I´m curious about this title, but I´ll keep a wait and see attitude about it. It was a shock to see it announced though... thanks to Rodster for posting the news here!

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 9:34 pm

You´re Welcome!
 
 It appears by reading the press release that EA might not be throwing in the towel as we have been hearing. This was supposed to be their last title in the series. Let´s hope EA pulls one out of the hat and improves on F1 2002.
 
 I realize that the console and PC games are geared towards different audiences but the "A.I." has been the weak part of their F1 games. They behave like Nascar drivers would.
 
 OTOH, Nascar Thunder 2003 has exceptional AI, so if EA improves on and provides a solid AI then this can be a fantasic game.
 
 I only play the console versions so I´m really looking forward to F1CC on the Xbox. <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_biggrin.gif">

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Feb 20, 2003 12:14 am

>>>OTOH, Nascar Thunder 2003 has exceptional AI, so if EA improves on and provides a solid AI then this can be a fantasic game.<<<
 
 Rodster:
 
 With all due respect, are you referring to the console version of NASCAR Thunder 2003? The AI sucks in that game, as do the drafting and driving models.
 
 Rent NASCAR Heat 2002 for the Xbox, and you´ll never return to NASCAR Thunder 2003 again unless you MUST have all the tracks, all the drivers and a ton of unlockable goodies.
 
 NASCAR Heat 2002 for the Xbox -- which is more realistic than the PS2 version, for some reason -- is as good as it gets for NASCAR sims on a console.
 
 Take care,
 PK

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Thu Feb 20, 2003 12:46 am

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD>Quote:<HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><BLOCKQUOTE>
 On 2003-02-19 20:14, pk500 wrote:
 >>>OTOH, Nascar Thunder 2003 has exceptional AI, so if EA improves on and provides a solid AI then this can be a fantasic game.<<<
 
 Rodster:
 
 With all due respect, are you referring to the console version of NASCAR Thunder 2003? The AI sucks in that game, as do the drafting and driving models.
 
 Rent NASCAR Heat 2002 for the Xbox, and you´ll never return to NASCAR Thunder 2003 again unless you MUST have all the tracks, all the drivers and a ton of unlockable goodies.
 
 NASCAR Heat 2002 for the Xbox -- which is more realistic than the PS2 version, for some reason -- is as good as it gets for NASCAR sims on a console.
 
 Take care,
 PK
 </BLOCKQUOTE></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>
 
 I was referring to the PC version. But I do have both and I really haven´t seen any glaring problems with the AI on the console version. I really like both games.
 
 As far as Nascar Heat 2002 for the Xbox i´ve heard good things about it as well. The problem right now PK is I have 3 Nascar games (Thunder 2003 PC/Xbox) and Papy´s Nascar Racing 2003. I´m in Nascar overload
 <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_eek.gif">
 
 I just downloaded the new mod for NT2003 (PC) The Sears Craftsman Truck Series. It´s Awesome <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_biggrin.gif">

RandyM · Post by **RandyM** » Sat Mar 08, 2003 1:26 pm

If you have a PS2 and a FF wheel, get Grand Prix Challenge. At $30, it´s a STEAL, and graphically and in many handling aspects, it destroys EA´s console F1 titles.
 
 I´m thoroughly enjoying this one, though I was disappointed with the dual shock ´feel´ with the regular controller.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sun Mar 09, 2003 2:21 pm

Damn, I wish the new GPC was on the Xbox. The EA F1 games suck.
 
 Oh, well. Both soccer and F1 -- two of my sporting loves -- are poorly represented on the Xbox, just like the DC. Still, they´re my two favorite consoles ever.
 
 The Frau is talking about getting a new PC at some time for herself and the kids, as I do all my work on a company-owned laptop. So maybe we´ll get a nice machine, and I can join the world of PC racing madness. <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_smile.gif">
 
 Take care,
 PK

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sun Mar 09, 2003 9:15 pm

Actually PK if you don´t have Konami´s MLS Extratime 2002 for the XBOX, outpost.com is selling it for $10 bucks. I bought it at Fry´s last week.
 
 If you had a PS2 Winning Eleven 6 will be out this week. Looking forward to that as well.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Mar 10, 2003 12:04 am

Rodster:
 
 Thanks for the tip. I just sold MLS Extra Time this week on eBay.
 
 The game just got flat to me, as it plays just like ISS Pro Evolution, which I had on the PSX two years ago. Plus the lack of a worldwide license really hurts the game.
 
 Soccer games are pretty much like NFL and F1 games to me -- they better have the official license.
 
 But that doesn´t mean I´m going to run out and buy FIFA 2003, either. What a pile of s***. I guess I´ll do without footie for now.
 
 I don´t own a PS2. But it looks like PS2 owners will have fun with WE6.
 
 Take care,
 PK