Developer Codemasters has formally unveiled F1 2013 ahead of the game’s official release for current-gen consoles later this year.
Announced for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC gamers, the autumn F1 2013 release date will see the officially licensed racing sim overlook Nintendo’s ailing Wii U console, as well as the next-gen likes of the Xbox One and PS4.
Set to be available in two guises, the standard F1 2013 release will line up next to a premium F1 2013: Classic Edition title, both of which will see vintage F1 cars enter the fray alongside the current breed of high-octane steeds.
With both renditions of the game set to feature the full range of drivers, tracks and cars from the current 2013 F1 season, all gamers will also be able to make use of a new F1 Classics mode. Hosted by the iconic Murray Walker, the F1 Classics section will see five Formula 1 cars from the days of yore reacquainted with their infamous drivers.
Adding a pair of classic tracks into the fray, in the form of Brands Hatch and The Circuito De Jerez, the F1 Classics mode will see the likes of Nigel Mansell, Gerhard Berger and Mario Andretti added to the game that also features Sebastian Vettel, Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso.
The F1 2013: Classics Edition will add two further content bundles focusing on racing from the ‘90s, with Imola and Estoril circuits tackled by David Coulthard, Alain Prost, Eddie Irvine and Jacques Villeneuve. The Classic Edition content will also be available as DLC content shortly after launch.
"It feels like a really different proposition when you’re sitting at the back of the grid in a Classic race,” F1 2013 Creative Director Stephen Hood said. “The drivers that you’re passing aren’t just drivers one, two, three, four, you know? You’ve got Gerhard Berger in front of you. Mario Andretti is in a Lotus coming alongside. It’s awesome to see stuff like that."
As well as bringing a more historic sense of the F1 scene to the much loved gaming franchise, F1 2013 will allow for mid-session saves, enabling gamers to break down full two hour races into more manageable chunks.
"A problem we had in the past was that people were saying, 'I like the fact that you guys have been really authentic with Formula 1 and in your game I have to manage my tyres and look after my fuel.' They like the concept of it. But that really only comes into play if you’re playing a slightly longer race, and they haven’t got time for it,” Hood said.
"So what have we done in the past? We incorporated new modes like Champion’s mode in the past to offer bite-sized gameplay, but that doesn’t really fit for Formula 1 in my mind. Not on its own. What we really wanted to do was just enable people to save the game whenever. So you’re on lap 13, you've got to go out for dinner or the phone rings, now you can complete it at a later date. Save and resume whenever you want. I think more people will be able to enjoy what Formula 1 entails and the strategy involved."
Read More: Best Games 2013
Via: IGN
