Codemasters presents F1 2010

[Zlax45]

Don't Codemaster games usually have a major dropoff in price quickly?

[Rodster]

Typically Codemaster racing games drop by 50% within 6 months.

[DChaps]

The console retail versions of Dirt, Grid, and Dirt2 stayed close to full price well after 6 months from release. There may have been some one off sales, but there was no global price reduction. Dirt 2 just now went to $29.99 retail one year after release. Now Fuel may be a different story.

[DChaps]

I will try to post my first impressions later on tonight on the PC version, including some performance benchmarks using FRAPs. Now this is how a game released on Steam should work. Paid a cheaper price than in the store and it's on my PC ready to go on release day. Darin and Shaun from Inside Sim Racing have started posting videos and early impressions of the PS3 version over on www.racesimcentral.com

For our full review on Inside Sim Racing, we will be trying each version of the game (PC, 360 and PS3) with every wheel combo we have in the studio, to find the best combo for each platform. We will also provide the best settings for each wheel.

For now, here’s some of my notes from todays test session..

Fanatec – Feels like FFB is inverted – All controls work and map – CHECK WITH MORE WHEEL WEIGHT

DFP Feels solid – good wheel for PS3

G27 feels best

Graphics – Mirrors low FPS and reflections as well

Physics – Beter than expected – cold tires are easy to spin – debris changes handling – Adjustments noticeable

Living The Life – Asks if you want to start with 3, 5 or 7 year career . The longer you go for, the less options you have for teams. 7 years only gets you a few teams, 5 give you more options including the STR Ferrari and then 3 years gives you teams like the Williams.

Tracks – Environment live – Objects move

[GB_Simo]

Looking forward to some impressions, Don. I haven't been as excited for a game since F1 '97, and keep having to remind myself I'm 25 years old and should know better by now.

If the word on the Codies forum is to be believed, nobody has the console versions in stock yet in spite of today being release day. I seem to recall ToCA Race Driver 3 having a similar problem but only in North America, and since my pre-order is already on the way 3 days before the UK release, it looks like the same again. Any PS3 or 360 owners got their copies yet?

[vader29]

I believe tomorrow is supposed to be the release day.

Launch trailer was put out today:

[Rodster]

Damn it Don post your impressions ASAP

Man I just found Kmart will carry the game this Friday so I have 3 days of F1 misery.

[JRod]

Gamestop said their systems show that it's now shipping Weds and it will be in stores on Thursday.

[GB_Simo]

Apparently when Codies say released on the 21st, they mean on wagons ready to be delivered to stores, not actually released to buy. This is a typical method of distribution and does mean you won't all get the game at the same time, something to do with F1 being niche and the USA being awfully big. Presumably this is how all of your games are shipped, and is something I'm ignorant of because I live on a small rock in the North Sea and if a game is released on a particular day here, that's the day I'll be playing it. In other words: carry on. Nothing to see here.

[toonarmy]

My Gamestops are all saying it will be for sale on Wednesday. I know that some people who ordered from Walmart online got it today (go figure). Can't wait to go pick it up tomorrow, as this game sounds like it is better than expected.

[webdanzer]

360 version has an 85 over 14 critics at metacritic. Most of what I read sounds great!

Here's edge:

http://www.next-gen.biz/features/formul ... page=0%2C0

Looks like I'm going to grab this one. Thankfully it's back on 360. Hate those shoulder buttons for racers on the ps3.

[fsquid]

I keep seeing reviewers calling the game "too complicated". I hope a novice like me can pick up and play.

[macsomjrr]

I'll be trying desperately to pick this one up today. Reviews are great so far. Very exciting!

[Zlax45]

K-Mart is selling this for 44.99 just an FYI

http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/search_10151 ... Slickdeals

[toonarmy]

I have called every store imaginable and nobody has it in yet. Gamestop went from telling me it would be in today to telling me I can get it on Friday. From reading other forums it sounds like most places will not have it in until Thurs or Fri, and the few stores that did get it in only got a single copy. I hope getting this game does not end up being like the search for the Holy Grail.

[GB_Simo]

It's a similar tale of woe on the Codies forums, toon. No better in Canada either, apparently. Hope it turns up for you lot soon, especially since it's been a while since we had any DSP racing going on.

I keep seeing reviewers calling the game "too complicated". I hope a novice like me can pick up and play.

You've got the standard selection of driver aids, the option to run a truncated race weekend if you don't particularly fancy going through every session and a race engineer who seems capable not only of explaining the rules as you go, but of stating the blindingly obvious every so often ("Go for the overtake!" being a pearl of wisdom that's cropped up a fair amount on YouTube), so I imagine you'll be fine, mate.

On top of that, this is one of those rare console racing games that understands the way car setup works in the real world these days - you'll start the weekend with a car that already has suitable settings for the track, and can tweak them a little if you desire, but you shouldn't have to go twiddling around in too much depth. That's thanks to the input of Anthony Davidson, who spent several years testing and racing in F1, now drives sportscars for Peugeot and made his big breakthrough after the Le Mans 24 Hours this June when he incurred the wrath of one Paul Kelly on his IMS blog.

[GB_Simo]

An interesting piece with the senior producer and lead designer, talking mainly about where they'd like to go with the licence in future seasons:

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2010- ... iew?page=1

[macsomjrr]

Thought this was cool:) Seen as this is what I'll spend most of my time doing I wanted to make sure it looked good:-P

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3OWljOroD4

[Jimmydeicide]

Simo, i notice a lag between player input and on screen input is it just a delay graphically or is it noticed while your driving?

If it is lag that was one of the things that ultimately put me off F1CE.

Cant get this thing anywhere yet.

[pk500]

That's thanks to the input of Anthony Davidson, who spent several years testing and racing in F1, now drives sportscars for Peugeot and made his big breakthrough after the Le Mans 24 Hours this June when he incurred the wrath of one Paul Kelly on his IMS blog.

Ant DID drive like a bratty socialite with the keys to daddy's hot rod this year at La Sarthe!

By the way, Simo, I have a new blog at the IMS site. It's almost daily instead of just a weekly screed. Today's edition:

http://blog.indianapolismotorspeedway.c ... o-sept-22/

[GB_Simo]

PK, I've been reading Splash And Go - being a Facebook friend of yours and getting the IMS updates in my News Feed, I get to know about your work in duplicate I'll be back online with you shortly - in Petrolhead Blog's absence (3 weeks ago, I was told it'd be offline for 2 weeks...) I've discovered that people have actually been reading the bloody thing, a revelation that means I might actually start trying again once it comes back online.

Simo, i notice a lag between player input and on screen input is it just a delay graphically or is it noticed while your driving?

If it is lag that was one of the things that ultimately put me off F1CE.

Cant get this thing anywhere yet.

The very instant my copy gets to me I'll let you know, mate. Next day delivery, my arse. Should have been with me today, will hopefully get here tomorrow. I've seen it in videos, chiefly the VVV Gamer ones that are up on YouTube, but it doesn't seem apparent in every video so it could be to do with deadzone settings or something like that.

[Jimmydeicide]

AHHH you sounded like you had it... Boffin.

[Rodster]

This game is the Porn Stars tits.

The first F1 game to compete with Gran Prix 4. I absolutely love the driving model. These cars behave in a believable way. The are very grippy until you push them to hard and you make one slight mistake or hit the kerb or apex just slightly off and kiss your position good by because cars will be passing you. The cockpit view is also very believable thanks to Anthony Davidson. Out of the cockpit view it looks like you are sitting reclined backwards in the seat and it's tough to see over the top of the car. I had to sacrfice a little realism for the T-Cam view.

Graphics while not a world beater don't look bad, a little on the grainy side but the trade off is really smooth framerates on mid spec machines like mine with max graphics settings.

The AI is hit and miss. This is where Grand Prix 4 still rules. While chasing a car they just move around too much for my taste.

I had a race at Bahrain with Massa and Smedley came over the radio. "Mate Alonso is faster than you, do you understand?"

My response:

[Rodster]

I was leading the race and one the last lap I started losing grip on the super softs. What once was a grippy F1 car needed to be driven with care because you'll lose control much easier and spin in a believable way. What I mean by that is the car isn't like driving on ice but rather you have grip but you can't push the car too hard or you'll lose control.

[macsomjrr]

Alert: Thread just become seriously NSFW.