Formula One 99

This article is about the video game for PlayStation and PC. For the real life 1999 Formula One season, see 1999 Formula One season.

Formula One 99
PAL cover art
Developer(s)	Studio 33
Publisher(s)	Psygnosis Take-Two Interactive
Platform(s)	PlayStation, PC
Release date(s)	PlayStation: JP October 21, 1999 NA December 15, 1999 PAL October 20, 1999 Windows (PC): NA 1999 EU 1999
Genre(s)	Racing
Mode(s)	Single Player, Multiplayer
Rating(s)	ESRB: E ELSPA: 3+ OFLC: G USK: 0
Media/distribution	CD-ROM

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.

After Formula 1 98, Psygnosis brought in a new development team. Studio 33 had previously developed Newmann Haas racing using the original F1 Game engine from Bizarre Creations. Formula One 99 showed that Studio 33 was already experienced in creating a sim-based racing game.^{[citation needed]}

Other innovations included the pit lane speed limiter and a clutch. This game was a considerable and welcome improvement upon Formula 1 98.^{[citation needed]} 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. They are Murray Walker and Martin Brundle.

During the making of this game, Psygnosis was taken over by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe and became SCE Studio Liverpool.

Teams and drivers

• McLaren-Mercedes-Benz
  • 1. Mika Häkkinen
  • 2. David Coulthard
• Ferrari
  • 3. Michael Schumacher
  • 3. Mika Salo
  • 4. Eddie Irvine
• Williams-Supertec
  • 5. Alessandro Zanardi
  • 6. Ralf Schumacher
• Jordan-Mugen Honda
  • 7. Damon Hill
  • 8. Heinz-Harald Frentzen
• Benetton-Playlife
  • 9. Giancarlo Fisichella
  • 10. Alexander Wurz
• Sauber-Petronas
  • 11. Jean Alesi
  • 12. Pedro Diniz
  • 12.Mika Salo
• Arrows
  • 14. Pedro de la Rosa
  • 15. Toranosuke Takagi
• Stewart-Ford
  • 16. Rubens Barrichello
  • 17. Johnny Herbert
• Prost-Peugeot
  • 18. Olivier Panis
  • 19. Jarno Trulli
• Minardi-Ford
  • 20. Luca Badoer
  • 20. Stephane Sarrazin
  • 21. Marc Gene
• BAR-Supertec
  • 22. Jacques Villeneuve
  • 23. Ricardo Zonta
  • 23. Mika Salo

Circuits

The game features 16 official Formula One circuits based on the 1999 Formula One season are:

No.	Country	Circuit	Length (m)	Turns
1	Australia	Melbourne	5303	16
2	Brazil	Interlagos	4309	15
3	San Marino	Imola	4959	17
4	Monaco	Monte Carlo	3370	25
5	Spain	Catalunya	4727	13
6	Canada	Montreal	4361	13
7	France	Magny-Cours	4250	19
8	Great Britain	Silverstone	5141	17
9	Austria	A1-Ring	4326	10
10	Germany	Hockenheim	6825	16
11	Hungary	Hungaroring	3975	13
12	Belgium	Spa-Francorchamps	6963	24
13	Italy	Monza	5770	14
14	Europe	Nürburgring	4556	13
15	Malaysia	Sepang	5543	15
16	Japan	Suzuka	5821	20

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.
• Jordan's Benson & Hedges is replaced by "Buzzing Hornets" (as in real life).
• Benetton's Mild Seven is replaced by "Benetton".
• McLaren's West is replaced by "Mika" and "David" (as in real life).

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.

External links

• Formula One 99 at MobyGames