Codemasters welcomes the team from Evolution Studios

April 11th, 2016 by codemasters

We have very exciting news today. We’re delighted to announce that on the 25th April, Codemasters will be expanding its portfolio of studios to include the highly-respected and very talented team from Evolution Studios.

Why are we so excited? Well, that should be pretty obvious! Over the last 30 years, Codemasters and Evolution Studios have created some of the most successful racing franchises in the industry, including GRID®, DiRT®, DRIVECLUB and MotorStorm. This expansion will not only see us gain a wealth of racing expertise and skill, but it’ll take Codemasters to the next level as the world’s largest racing-focused games company. With phenomenal racing DNA on both sides, we hope that gamers out there are excited to see what we do next – as are all of us here at Codies.

We’re also delighted that Mick Hocking – formerly of Evolution Studios – will be taking the position of VP Product Development at Codemasters; a role which will see him responsible for all of the company’s studios – including the addition of the now multi-platform Evolution team in Cheshire.

Codies CEO Frank Sagnier has said of the union, “The success of F1™ 2015 and DiRT Rally over the last 12 months has re-positioned the company for growth. The addition of the Evolution team to our studio group will allow us to scale our business and strengthen our leadership as the world’s premier racing game developer. I’m thrilled to have Mick Hocking join Codemasters as VP of Product Development. His experience in building AAA IP and leading great teams made him a natural choice to head the development of all of our products. I am equally thrilled to welcome his talented team to the Codemasters family and I look forward to the great games and brand new IP we will develop together.”

Mick Hocking added, “I’m delighted to be joining Codemasters at such an exciting time in the company’s growth. We have a shared passion for racing, a desire to innovate and a determination to create the best racing games and build the biggest racing community in the market. I’m very much looking forward to working with so many of the world’s greatest racing developers, on new IP as well as exciting franchises including DiRT, GRID, Micro Machines™ and the FORMULA ONE™ games.”

On a personal note, we can’t wait to welcome the Evolution team to Codemasters. Being huge fans and admirers of the DRIVECLUB and MotorStorm games – as well as their enthusiastic and extremely passionate communities – it’s genuinely exciting to be joining forces with such an awesome team. We’re celebrating our 30th birthday this year, and we can’t think of a better way to see it in than to be bringing on board such a monumentally talented group of people. We can’t wait to start working together, and to see what this combination of incredible talents has in store!

DiRT Rally launches on PS4 and Xbox One to critical acclaim

April 5th, 2016 by codemasters

Today’s the day our DiRT family gets bigger – so hello and welcome to the console players joining us on the DiRT Rally journey! Strap yourselves in, because it’s going to be a thrilling ride. And PC players, welcome to DiRT Rally v1.1 – the new content is unbelievably good fun, so we hope you love and enjoy it as the critics have.

It’s been a brilliantly hectic day at Codies HQ today, especially with our #DiRTRally launch event. Our Rally Around the Capital’s gone down a storm on social media – we’ve been trending on Twitter for a good few hours now – but better still, you all seem to be loving and enjoying the game on PS4 and Xbox One. If you’d like to catch up with what’s gone down today, just take a look at the DiRT blog for more info.

To those of you who’ve been with us since the start – thank you so much for sticking with us on this wild, twisty, ride that is DiRT Rally. Your honest feedback, enthusiasm and passion for our game has been utterly immeasurably wonderful, and and we can’t thank you enough. You’ve helped make the game what it is today – and for that, we’re truly grateful. And now today’s arrived, we can’t wait to share the finished product with the rest of the world.

For those of you who are joining us today, or who are thinking about joining us – here’s what you’ll be letting yourself in for…

DiRT Rally leaves Early Access and announces console release

December 7th, 2015 by codemasters

We’re delighted to announce that DiRT Rally drifted out of Early Access today, and onto Desktops with version 1.0! Everything we’ve been working towards has led up to this point, and we’ve very excited to be launching the full game. Not only this, but we were extremely pleased to reveal that we will be launching DiRT Rally on to PS4 and Xbox One next April.

Yes – as of today, DiRT Rally officially left Early Access and launched fully on Steam. It’s been a hell of a ride, and we’re so glad that such a passionate and skilled community have been able to join us along the road to launch. Between the community who have been playing Early Access, the game’s players have clocked up an impressive total of 98 million kilometres so far.

So, what’s in version 1.1? Well, today’s launch brings with it the Winter Wonderland update – which delivers a new rally set in the snow and ice of the Varmland region of Sweden to the game. These snow-filled stages are known for their snow banks, and we’ve been hard at work on new soft edge technology that simulates the density of snow. As a result, you can now lean on the snow banks when pushing for those stage records.

The update also brings two new cars to the game, the Hyundai Rally and the Volkswagen Polo Rally. These cars are the most recent additions to the pinnacle of the sport and they are the perfect way to round off our Early Access programme. The Winter Wonderland update also sees the introduction of Steam Workshop support that allows players to share Car Setup & Force Feedback settings.

Chillingo Partners with Codemasters to Publish Micro Machines

October 30th, 2015 by codemasters

Multiplayer Combat Racer Blasts Its Way to Mobile & Tablet This Year

Leading mobile games publisher, Chillingo, a subsidiary of Electronic Arts Inc., today announced its continued partnership with renowned developer and publisher, Codemasters to bring legendary top-down racing game, Micro Machines to mobile devices worldwide later this year. Based on the iconic toy vehicles from Hasbro, Micro Machines games have been thrilling fans for nearly 25 years

“The Micro Machines brand immediately evokes excitement and nostalgia with so many people around the world,” explains Ed Rumley, General Manager, Chillingo. “The original Micro Machines game from the 90’s pioneered the multiplayer, competitive experience and we can’t wait to resurrect those same thrills on today’s mobile devices.”

“Working with Chillingo has been extremely beneficial in developing this much loved game,” states Chris Gray, Executive Producer, Codemasters. “Our teams are collaborating closely to ensure Micro Machines returns as the definitive multiplayer combat racing game, with more games modes and ways of playing to gain new fans around the world.”

Micro Machines will be available later this year on the App Store. Visit Facebook to learn more about the game.

About Chillingo

Chillingo, a subsidiary of Electronic Arts, is a leading mobile games publisher with numerous award-winning hits around the world including Angry Birds, Cut the Rope, Iron Force, Perfect Kick, Catapult King, Pixel People and countless others. The company publishes games for iOS and Android platforms. For more information about the company and its games, please visit www.chillingo.com.

About Codemasters

Codemasters, the award winning video game developer and publisher, has a 25-year heritage. With titles distributed globally, Codemasters is a leading developer and publisher of driving and racing entertainment games including DiRT, GRID and the official BAFTA award-winning FORMULA 1 series of videogames. In March 2010, Reliance Big Entertainment Ltd. (RBEL), a part of India’s Reliance ADA group, acquired a 60 per cent shareholding in the company, alongside existing investor, Balderton Capital, the leading European venture capital firm. For more information on Codemasters’ product portfolio, please visit www.codemasters.com . Join in the conversation with @codemasters on Twitter or Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/codemasters.

About Hasbro

Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS) is a global company committed to Creating the World’s Best Play Experiences, by leveraging its beloved brands, including LITTLEST PET SHOP, MAGIC: THE GATHERING, MONOPOLY, MY LITTLE PONY, NERF and TRANSFORMERS, and premier partner brands. From toys and games, television programming, motion pictures, digital gaming and a comprehensive lifestyle licensing program, Hasbro fulfills the fundamental need for play and connection for children and families around the world. The Company’s Hasbro Studios creates entertainment brand-driven storytelling across mediums, including television, film and more. Through the company’s commitment to corporate social responsibility, including philanthropy, Hasbro is helping to build a safe and sustainable world and to positively impact the lives of millions of children and families every year. Learn more at www.hasbro.com and follow us on Twitter (@Hasbro & @HasbroNews).

MICRO MACHINES and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro and are used with permission. ©2015 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved.

© 2015 The Codemasters Software Company Limited (“Codemasters”). All rights reserved

Race like a champion, as F1 2015 accelerates into stores today!

July 10th, 2015 by codemasters

Codemasters® today announced the launch of F1 2015, the official video-game of the 2015 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP™, racing into stores today! Arriving earlier in the season than previous Codemasters FORMULA ONE™ releases, the launch of F1 2015 marks the award-winning series’ debut on PlayStation® 4 and Xbox One. The game is also available for Windows PC.

F1 2015 delivers a truly immersive experience thanks to an all-new ‘broadcast presentation’ style that recreates the unique race day atmosphere of a GRAND PRIX™, complete with introductory grid sequences, new motion-captured pit stops by a real world pit crew, and the iconic podium celebrations. Using voice recognition technology available for Xbox One and PlayStation 4 consoles, players can become immersed in the cockpit, engaging with their race engineer through in-game voice commands with Kinect for Xbox One and the PlayStation®Camera or compatible headsets and microphones for PlayStation 4. Players compete as their favourite FORMULA ONE star in the all-new Championship Season and push themselves to the limit in the challenging Pro Season mode. The game also features fully playable 2014 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP™ bonus content.

To celebrate the game’s launch, Codemasters have released a new F1 2015 launch trailer that showcases how F1 2015 takes players closer to the real-world experience of racing in the world’s most glamorous, exciting and prestigious motorsport, thanks to a brand new version of Codemasters’ proprietary EGO game engine. You can watch it here:

In addition to spectacular visual fidelity, F1 2015 offers a significant step forward in the physics-based handling model of the game, which is designed to be inclusive for both seasoned players and those new to the series. The handling model offers enhancements and additions in over 20 areas, including engine and transmission, aerodynamics, fuel tank, force feedback, suspension and most notably, a brand new tyre physics model, to recreate the breathtaking handling characteristics of the world’s fastest and most responsive racing cars.

Follow Codemasters F1 games blog and social channels on Twitter and Facebook for future updates!

F1™ 2015 ‘Features’ gameplay trailer unleashed

July 3rd, 2015 by codemasters

Codemasters® today released the ‘Features’ gameplay trailer for F1 2015, the official videogame of the 2015 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP™. The game will be released on July 10^th 2015 and is being distributed by BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Europe in EMEA territories. This will mark the award-winning series’ debut on PlayStation® 4 computer entertainment system and Xbox One. The game will also be available for Windows PC.

As shown in all its glory in the new trailer, the all-new Championship Season is the central game mode in F1 2015, which promises to deliver the most immersive F1 experience yet, thanks to an all-new ‘broadcast presentation’ style that recreates the unique race day atmosphere of a GRAND PRIX™. Brand new session intro sequences reflect the spectacle of the sport, along with the build up and excitement of each race, as well as the championship season narrative as it unfolds for the player.

“Our new Championship Season and Pro Season modes deliver a much more engaging and fluid FORMULA ONE™ championship experience than ever before”, commented Lee Mather, Principal Games Designer, Codemasters.

“The race weekend is more than just the in-car and on track experience. Observing your driver working with his team during practice and qualifying and listening to the new commentary that sets the scene for the race and season standings is now present for the gamer. Then seeing the busy grid before a race, with all the flavour and character of it, into the race itself, the new television style cameras and replays, and finally the iconic podium celebrations all add to that race experience. The immersion is further enhanced with the voice recognition technology available for Xbox One and PlayStation 4 consoles, allowing players to engage with their race engineer through in-game voice commands with Kinect for Xbox One and the PlayStation®Camera or compatible headsets and microphones for PlayStation 4.”

“For those gamers who want the ultimate challenge, then the new Pro Season mode, which ramps up all the settings to the most realistic possible, is really for them”, added Mather. “Full 100% race distances, full practice and qualifying sessions, the most competitive A.I. settings, no flashbacks with which to correct mistakes, all locked into cockpit view with minimal HUD assistance…Pro Season will truly separate the weekend drivers from the experts!”

With the 2015 FORMULA 1 BRITISH GRAND PRIX this coming weekend at the iconic Silverstone circuit, this year’s FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP is already proving to be one of the most exciting seasons in many years, with further anticipation around the return of Mexico for the first time in two decades. In addition to a fully playable 2015 season, gamers will be able to play the full 2014 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP season as bonus content. Additional content updates will deliver the full season liveries, enhanced performance data and the Manor Marussia F1 team, who did not attend the pre-season tests.

Gamers can see the ‘Features’ trailer now playing at here. Follow Codemasters F1 games blog and social channels on Twitter and Facebook for future updates. F1 2015 will be published by Codemasters and distributed by BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment in Europe, North and South America, the Middle East, Russia, Australia and New Zealand.

F1 2015 to debut on PLAYSTATION 4, XBOX ONE and PC this June

March 26th, 2015 by codemasters

Codemasters® today announced that F1 2015, the official video game of the 2015 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP™, will release in June 2015 and will be distributed by BANDAI NAMCO Games America Inc. in the Americas. Arriving much earlier in the FORMULA ONE™ season than before, this will mark the award-winning series’ debut on PlayStation® 4 computer entertainment system and Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft. The title will also be available for Windows PC through STEAM.

F1^™ 2015 to debut on Playstation 4, Xbox One, and PC this June

Features a cutting edge handling system powered by an all-new game engine, new championship season and pro season modes, complete with a new ‘broadcast presentation’ style.

SAN JOSE, Calif., (March 26, 2015) – Codemasters® today announced that F1 2015, the official video game of the 2015 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP™, will release in June 2015 and will be distributed by BANDAI NAMCO Games America Inc. in the Americas. Arriving much earlier in the FORMULA ONE™ season than before, this will mark the award-winning series’ debut on PlayStation® 4 computer entertainment system and Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft. The title will also be available for Windows PC through STEAM.

F1 2015 is set to take gamers closer to the real-world experience of racing in the world’s most glamorous, exciting and prestigious motorsport thanks to a brand new version of Codemasters’ proprietary EGO game engine. In addition to spectacular visual fidelity, F1 2015 offers a significant step forward in the physics-based handling model of the game, which is designed to be inclusive for both seasoned players and those new to the series. The handling model offers enhancements and additions in over 20 areas, including engine and transmission, aerodynamics, fuel tank, force feedback, suspension and most notably a brand new tire physics model, to recreate the breathtaking handling characteristics of the world’s fastest and most responsive racing cars.

F1 2015 will deliver a truly immersive experience thanks to an all-new ‘broadcast presentation’ style that recreates the unique race day atmosphere of a GRAND PRIX™, complete with podium and grid sequences. Using voice recognition technology available for Xbox One and PlayStation 4 consoles, players can become immersed in the cockpit, engaging with their race engineer through in-game voice commands with Kinect for Xbox One and the PlayStation®Camera or compatible headsets and microphones for PlayStation 4. Players will compete as their favorite FORMULA ONE star in the all-new Championship Season and push themselves to the limit in the challenging Pro Season mode.

Look forward to one of the most hotly anticipated seasons of recent times, including the return of the Mexico Grand Prix for the first time in over 20 years, in the 2015 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, as well as a fully playable 2014 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP™ season, available to players as bonus game content.

“F1 2015 marks an exciting new chapter for Codemasters and FORMULA ONE; it’s a shift in direction for the game series, on new formats and our brand new game engine, with the game set to be released earlier in the season, launching this June,” commented Paul Jeal, Game Director, Codemasters.

“The handling is a vast improvement from our previous games. In particular our new tire model is a superb step forward towards realism, letting you explore where the limit is and allowing you to instantly feel much more connected with the car. You can now experience the changes in grip caused by temperature changes, wear, car set-up, debris and weather conditions. Our improved vehicle dynamics much more accurately convey the difference in performance and the feel between mechanical and aerodynamic grip. The new Force Feedback system adds to the feeling of connection with the car and track surface. The more natural and realistic nature of the game physics also serves to ensure that the racing experience is more accessible, enjoyable and rewarding for players of all skill levels.”

“With the second race of the 2015 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP this weekend in Malaysia, the team is busy modelling the new 2015 cars and drivers in readiness for the game’s summer launch. You can see a tease of our first signed off 2015 content in our debut screenshots, as well as an early glimpse of the Mexican circuit. In addition to the 2015 season, we are also delighted to be able to offer the 2014 season as a bonus selectable season*. Even this far out from our games release they truly show the power of our new game engine. ”

Follow Codemasters F1 games blog, official web site and social channels on Twitter and Facebook for future updates. F1 2015 will be published by Codemasters and distributed by BANDAI NAMCO Games in Europe, North and South America, the Middle East, Russia, Australia and New Zealand.

See the sights and hear the sounds of the new FORMULA ONE™ cars

August 13th, 2014 by codemasters

FERNANDO ALONSO TAKES ON BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT AT NIGHT IN NEW VIDEO NOW PLAYING www.youtube.com/formula1game

Today Codemasters® released the first hot lap video for F1 2014. The hot lap is the first chance for fans to hear how this year’s radically different turbocharged cars are brought to life in the game, including the distinctive deeper growl produced by this year’s new power units.

The 2014 FORMULA 1 GULF AIR BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX was run as a night race for the first time this year, and the hot lap video shows Fernando Alonso’s Ferrari taking on the 15 corner, 10 year-old Bahrain International Circuit dramatically lit up by hundreds of floodlights and against a striking backdrop of fireworks. The video is now playing at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlJrUWKWI_U

Featuring all of the circuits from the 2014 calendar, Bahrain’s debut as a night race, featuring its full day / night transition, is just one of the circuit changes for this year’s game, alongside the return of the Hockenheimring and the debut of two new circuits – Russia’s Sochi Autodrom and Austria’s Spielberg circuit.

F1 2014 will arrive on October 17^th for the Xbox 360 games and entertainment system from Microsoft, Windows PC and the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system. Codemasters will then introduce a new FORMULA 1™ title in 2015 for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Windows PC and the Xbox One all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft. With more to be announced through production for both titles, follow Codemasters F1 games blog and social channels on Twitter and Facebook for updates

F1 2014 and Beyond

July 31st, 2014 by codemasters

Today’s the day we can finally talk F1!

First things first, we’re working on two new Formula 1 titles – one on old gen, the other on new gen.

Coming October 17^th is F1 2014 on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC. Drawing upon all our experience in developing Formula 1 titles down the years, F1 2014 recreates this year’s incredible season featuring all the seismic changes to the sport, including new turbocharged cars, new circuits plus all the driver moves.

The game also includes refined handling on a pad and a new driver evaluation system that tunes game settings to your skill level to increase accessibility – we want all of our players to race competitively, more quickly. Of course, all the veterans of the series will be able to experience the true challenge of racing this year’s stunning generation of cars, featuring more explosive power delivery but less downforce, by customising your options and turning off all the assists.

Scenario mode has been expanded, we’ve refined career mode options and there’s more info to come, but for now we’ll let Stephen Hood, our creative director on F1, introduce you to some of the headline changes in the sport and the game..

“There’s been a dramatic shift in the sport; the largest shake up in the rules and regulations for a very long time and the new power units provide a very different kind of challenge, for both driver and team. By delivering all of these changes, F1 2014 will make for an exciting and refreshingly different experience. Additionally, with the new driver evaluation system analysing each player’s skill level and suggesting appropriate game settings, plus re-graded difficulty levels including a brand new Very Easy setting, we aim to deliver a thoroughly rewarding F1 experience for players of all abilities, from the novice to the seasoned pro.”

Now onto new-gen. 2015 will see us release our first title on new-generation platforms. The game will launch earlier in the Formula One season and then go onto receive live digital updates. These updates will deliver 2015 content into the game as the season unfolds, ensuring you’ll be competing against the same drivers and teams you watch week in and week out!

We’re incredibly excited about new-gen F1 and we know you are too. We’re not yet ready to reveal everything about it yet, but we’ll have a lot more info to share once F1 2014 launches this October.

Grid Autosport ‘Best of British’ add-on content available today

July 22nd, 2014 by codemasters

Today Codemasters® announced the ‘Best of British’ Car Pack for GRID Autosport is available from today for the Xbox 360 games and entertainment system from Microsoft, Windows PC and for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system priced at £2.39

The ‘Best of British’ car pack features three stunning vehicles, each engineered and produced in the UK. Gamers can see each of the cars in action in a new video now playing at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3K0PbkTLuA introduced by Lead Handling Designer Gehan Pathiraja, who comments of the creation process, “We spend hours of research and a lot of time behind the pad and the steering wheel to make them [the cars] as accurate as possible. There’s a lot of work that goes into it to make it feel like that car. Because we’ve taken a handcrafted approach, we really care for the gameplay and we want other people to experience that as well.”

The three cars available in the pack, with accompanying comments from Gehan, are as follows:

1995 McLaren F1 GTR

“We all know the McLaren F1 is an awesome road car – this is the GTR designed for Endurance Racing. It’s got a huge wing that will give you massive downforce in the corners, it’s all about being brave and attacking those corners at speeds you never thought possible.”

2011 Aston Martin Zagato V12

“The Zagato model has bodywork styled by Italian designers, but has a typical Aston Martin V12 engine, very powerful, very torquey. If you can manage the weight and the grip and fire it out the corners, you’ll benefit from all that power from the V12.”

2007 McLaren Mercedes SLR 722

“It’s got a huge supercharged V8 engine that sounds like an old World War Two Spitfire. There’s clearly a lot of power being put out from the V8, and you can really feel that in the car in our game.”

Fans can keep up with all the latest updates straight from the studio by speeding over towww.gridgame.com and www.facebook.com/gridgame or by following the team atwww.twitter.com/gridgame.