Formula 1 will be getting an officially licensed management video game starting with the 2022 season, it has been announced on Tuesday.
Developed by Frontier Developments, the company behind critically-acclaimed management games Planet Coaster and Planet Zoo, F1 will be getting a similar treatment with Frontier’s first foray into the use of a major licensed IP.
The game, set for a first release in 2022 across all major platforms, will be followed by yearly editions thereafter until at least 2025.
Frontier CEO David Braben said he was “delighted” with the deal, and looks forwards to seeing the worlds of F1 and management games come together.
“F1 is one of the most popular global sporting franchises in the world, and we believe the combination of the F1 brand together with our extensive experience in management games will deliver fantastic game experiences to a wide and varied audience around the world,” he said.
Additionally, Frank Arthofer, Director of Digital and Licensing at Formula 1, hailed the announcement as a major step forward for the sport.
“Games are an important part of the F1 media ecosystem,” he said. “This new manager franchise will allow fans to experience the challenging management aspects of the sport through immersive simulation games, and make that experience as accessible as possible for a broad audience.
“We have huge respect for Frontier and their achievements in the management simulation category, and are thrilled to be working with them for the 2022 season and beyond.”
With the announcement, F1 now has two video game properties, with Frontier’s project presenting a completely different side of the sport to that featured in the longstanding F1 series of racing games by Codemasters.