F1 2000 Preview

With all of the features and little extras EA is cramming into F1 2000, the game seems like it could be the definitive F1 racing simulation for the PlayStation.

The game is fully licensed and features all of the trimmings you might expect, plus a few more you wouldn't. As the norm, the game has all of the tracks featured in the actual real-life F1 2000 racing season schedule, complete with all of the real-life racers and cars. Not so normal are the little extras such as real F1 flag rules, unexpected mechanical failures, and even car damage. The damage incurred from hitting the wall and other racers not only affects the car's outer shell, which becomes more apparent with every collision, but it also affects the vehicle's performance and the overall control of the car.

EA is saying game control will consist of a system that lets first-time racers easily enjoy the game right from the start, though EA is quick to add that the system is deep enough for any F1 fan who wants to tinker with the car mechanics and tune the vehicle for optimal performance on each track and in all weather conditions.

Visually F1 2000 looks like it's coming together quite well. The cars and tracks have been meticulously re-created and modeled right down to the individual sponsor stickers on each car. The game has a lot of extra elements around the track that previous F1 games didn't have, such as JumboTron screens that show the race as it happens and helicopters whizzing overhead, presumably filled with television crews trying to get a good overhead-camera view of the race.

In the audio department, Visual Sciences has gone to great lengths to provide the most realistic-sounding F1 game to date. The game will include commentary, analysis, pit-crew radio communications, and real-time information, to explain what is happing during the race and season. The actual sounds of the race are as authentic as in the real F1 2000 since Visual Sciences went to an actual track and recorded the real-life roar of the V10 engine that powers today's F1 racers. The development team working on the game even recorded the sounds of the car from various points in and around the vehicle so that the cars will sound authentic from every camera angle.

While F1 2000 certainly sounds like it will be an amazing F1 racing simulation, we'll have to wait and see how the game comes together. It still has a bit to go in its development cycle, and as we all know, the last few months of tweaking and polishing for a game are very crucial. Keep checking back for updates and more info. We'll be sure to keep you informed about the game's progress.