Formula One 2001 (video game)
Formula One | |
---|---|
Developer(s) | Studio 33 (PS) Sony Studio Liverpool (PS2) |
Publisher(s) | Sony Computer Entertainment |
Platform(s) | PlayStation, PlayStation 2 |
Release | April 20, 2001
|
Genre(s) | Racing |
Mode(s) | Multiplayer |
Formula One 2001 is a racing game in the Formula One series of computer and video games. It was released for the PlayStation and PlayStation 2. It was the first game to support the Logitech racing wheel (a.k.a. GT Force) (PS2 only).
Formula One 2001 was the last simulation Formula One game to appear on the PSone (as the PlayStation had become known by that point, to differentiate it from the PlayStation 2). It was also the last game in the series released in North America before the 2005 release of F1 Grand Prix for the PlayStation Portable.
Gameplay
The game's "arcade" mode followed a similar line to that of Formula One 2000, although incentives were now offered in the form of upgrades to the player's car.[citation needed]
A new mode—"Challenge" mode—was introduced. In Challenge mode, players were given a lap around Spa-Francorchamps in Jenson Button's Benetton B201. Players who achieved a fast lap time were given a verification code, and were given the opportunity to post their winning times on the Internet to compare their times to other people's. However that is if you have an account on the website.
In some editions, a DVD was given for free. The DVD offers a commentated review of the 2000 season, race by race, with the option to toggle between viewing the main stream, an on-board car camera, view the pitline or see on-screen data such as lap times and positions. These features were used in the former pay-per-view F1 Digital+'s interactive coverage.
Development
The PlayStation version was once again developed by Studio 33, while the PlayStation 2 version was developed by Sony Studio Liverpool. Formula One 2001 was created with the help of Benetton, Jaguar, Jordan and Arrows. Many of the employees from former franchise owner Psygnosis aided in the development.[1] At the peak of development, the game was worked upon by 25 people with a majority of them being programmers and artists.[2]
The game's engine was based upon an Research and Development project that began two years before the release of the game. This was to develop the physics, collision and A.I. for the game. Lead Programmer Jason Crown said: "We didn't have a particular target when we started it. But it turned to be a pretty good basis to start F1".[2] Sony had an extensive reference library for the tracks including aerial photographs, close-ups of the tracks and over 200 hours of race footage from F1 Digital+.[1] The PlayStation 2 graphical capabilities allowed the team to include more detail such as trackside details which were previously omitted and unique cockpit camera angles.[2]
Studio Liverpool also managed to speak with Formula One Administration who gave the team audio samples for all the cars. However, some of the audio samples provided were believed to be unsuitable. To rectify this, the developers spoke to Jordan and Prost and Sound Engineer Michael de Belle visited the garages to record the engine noises from the cars. The PlayStation 1 central processing unit was used for sound processing.[2]
Promotion
At the 2001 United States Grand Prix, Sony held a variety of sport promotions with Jenson Button and a multi-million advertising campaign. The advertising efforts in the United States included a national Television campaign via network, cable and syndication sports programming.[3] Promotions in print spreads and online adveritising were also used.[4]
A Formula One 2001 American Challenge was held on 29 September 2001 in Castleton, Indiana. The event saw a time trial competition using the game and was played by Jenson Button against consumer Chris Ohanian. Ohanian made it into the final round by scoring one of the top 2 times but in the final, he was defeated by Button who set a lap time of 1:15.6 compared to Ohanian's 1:16.0.[5]
Teams and drivers
- Ferrari
- McLaren-Mercedes
- 3. Mika Häkkinen
- 4. David Coulthard
- Williams-BMW
- Benetton-Renault
- BAR-Honda
- 9. Olivier Panis
- 10. Jacques Villeneuve
- Jordan-Honda
- 11. Heinz-Harald Frentzen
- 11. Jean Alesi*
- 12. Jarno Trulli
- Arrows-Asiatech
- 14. Jos Verstappen
- 15. Enrique Bernoldi
- Sauber-Petronas
- 16. Nick Heidfeld
- 17. Kimi Räikkönen
- Jaguar-Cosworth
- 18. Eddie Irvine
- 19. Luciano Burti
- 19. Pedro de la Rosa*
- Minardi-European*
- 20. Tarso Marques
- 21. Fernando Alonso
- Prost-Acer
- 22. Jean Alesi
- 22. Heinz-Harald Frentzen*
- 23. Gastón Mazzacane
- 23. Luciano Burti*
- 23. Tomáš Enge*
- Depending on which country you come from.
- On the game in Great Britain, at Minardi, the No. 20 seat is taken by Fernando Alonso and the No. 21 seat, Tarso Marques, whereas in the 2001 season, the No. 20 seat is taken by Tarso Marques and the No. 21 seat, Fernando Alonso.
- Ferrari's Marlboro logos are replaced by the normal colour of the car.
- Mika Häkkinen's West McLaren Mercedes displays the Mika logo (as in real life).
- David Coulthard's West McLaren Mercedes displays the David logo (as in real life).
- Benetton Renault's Mild Seven logos are replaced by the Benetton logo (as in real life).
- BAR Honda's Lucky Strike logos are replaced by the Look Alike, Look Left, Look Right and Barcode logo (as in real life).
- Jordan Honda's Benson & Hedges logos are replaced by the Bitten Heroes logo (as in real life).
Circuits
The game features 17 official Formula One circuits based on the 2001 Formula One season are:
No. | Country | Circuit | Length (m) | Turns |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Australia | Melbourne | 5303 | 16 |
2 | Malaysia | Sepang | 5543 | 15 |
3 | Brazil | Interlagos | 4309 | 15 |
4 | San Marino | Imola | 4959 | 17 |
5 | Spain | Catalunya | 4727 | 13 |
6 | Austria | A1-Ring | 4326 | 10 |
7 | Monaco | Monte Carlo | 3370 | 25 |
8 | Canada | Montreal | 4361 | 13 |
9 | Europe | Nürburgring | 4556 | 13 |
10 | France | Magny-Cours | 4250 | 19 |
11 | Great Britain | Silverstone | 5141 | 17 |
12 | Germany | Hockenheim | 6825 | 16 |
13 | Hungary | Hungaroring | 3975 | 13 |
14 | Belgium | Spa-Francorchamps | 6963 | 24 |
15 | Italy | Monza | 5793 | 11 |
16 | USA | Indianapolis | 4192 | 13 |
17 | Japan | Suzuka | 5821 | 20 |
See also
References
- ^ a b Gibbon, David (29 May 2001). "Let's play ... Formula One 2001". BBC Sport (BBC). Retrieved 13 November 2012.
- ^ a b c d Presenter: Walker, Murray: The Making of Formula One 2001
- ^ "Formula One 2001 for PS2 Accelerates Marketing Programs". GameZone. 26 September 2001. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
- ^ IGN Staff (26 September 2001). "Marketing Programs For Formula One 2001 Commence". IGN. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
- ^ IGN Staff (2 October 2001). "The Formula One 2001 American Challenge". IGN. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
External links
- 2001 video games
- PlayStation games
- PlayStation 2 games
- Formula One video games
- Video games set in Australia
- Video games set in Austria
- Video games set in Belgium
- Video games set in Brazil
- Video games set in Canada
- Video games set in France
- Video games set in Germany
- Video games set in Hungary
- Video games set in Italy
- Video games set in Japan
- Video games set in Monaco
- Video games set in Malaysia
- Video games set in Spain
- Video games set in the United Kingdom