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Gamescom 2011: Formula One 2011 Impressions

Following a BAFTA award for last year's F1 debut, Codemasters is back with its second game based on the sport.

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It's fair to say that the first Formula One game from Codemasters was a resounding success, flying high in the charts in Europe and scoring itself plenty of awards. A follow-up was inevitable, but thankfully, the development studio doesn't look to be resting on its laurels. The game engine is substantially improved, there are a host of new multiplayer features, and Codies is even working hard on improving the handling--something that was already highly praised by fans and critics. We got to meet the people behind the game at this year's Gamescom to find out more.

One of the aims this year has been to match the moments from the sport that people see on TV. New cutscenes show what's happening behind the scenes before and after each race. You'll also see a new press feedback system, and responses given to the press will affect your public persona. Praise the team and you'll get better support, or slag off the competition and see them striking back at you. In terms of gameplay, the developers want you to have that feeling of hunting a driver down lap after lap, so they've adjusted the AI so it plays like a human would.

New lighting technology should help add to the atmosphere of each race, particularly the day-to-night transition in Abu Dhabi. Another key improvement is in multiplayer, with a new co-op championship for you to play with a friend, as well as two-player split-screen for those who want to play locally. A huge request from Formula One fans was for the inclusion of a safety car, so that has also been added following the signing of all the necessary paperwork. And in another small but important addition, each team's steering wheel is accurately modelled, so you'll really notice the difference if you play from the in-car view.

There are plenty of other new additions to the game that have come from the ever-changing sport itself, including the addition of the Nurburgring and Indian grand prix as locations. A new trailer will be landing on Monday, August 22, before the game is released on September 20 in the US and September 23 in Europe.

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