SCEE announces Formula One 04

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has today announced that it will release Formula One 04 for the PlayStation 2 in June. The game, which is currently in development at SCEE's Liverpool Studio, will feature all of the official teams, drivers, and circuits of the 2004 season--including the brand-new tracks in Bahrain and Shanghai.

"Our ongoing relationship with Formula One Administration Limited enables us to provide Formula One enthusiasts with an authentic re-creation of their favorite sport on the PlayStation 2," said David Reeves, president of SCEE. "Formula One 04 delivers the realism that fans have come to expect in an easy-to-play yet challenging-to-master experience that appeals to gamers and Formula One aficionados alike."

Players will have the option to play as themselves or as one of the 20 real-life drivers in the game, and with four difficulty settings, Formula One 04 should provide a lasting challenge for players of all abilities. The game's career mode will allow players to progress through a number of championship seasons, starting out with one of the teams at the back of the grid and attempting to attract the interest of more-successful teams.

Formula One 04 will be the first in the series to feature online functionality, although the only online features confirmed at this time are time trials against ghost cars to set fastest times for a leaderboard. We'll bring you more information on Formula One 04 as soon as it becomes available.