F1 2018 (video game)

{{Infobox video game

| title = F1 2018

| image = F1 2018 cover art.png

| caption = Cover art featuring Aston Martin Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport's Lewis Hamilton and Scuderia Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel

| developer = Codemasters Birmingham

| publisher = Codemasters
Deep Silver (retail)

| series = F1

| engine = EGO Engine 4.0{{cn|date=November 2023}}

| platforms = Microsoft Windows
PlayStation 4
Xbox One

| released = 24 August 2018

| genre = Racing

| director =

| composer = Miktek
James Kneen
Brian Tyler

| modes = Single-player, multiplayer

}}

F1 2018 is the official video game of the 2018 Formula One World Championship developed and published by Codemasters. The game includes all twenty-one circuits from the calendar, and all twenty drivers and ten teams competing in the season. It was released on 24 August for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianmazique/2018/08/22/f1-2018-release-date-and-10-things-you-should-know-before-buying-this-years-game/#23eb541662b9|title='F1 2018' Release Date And 10 Things You Should Know Before Buying This Year's Game|last=Mazique|first=Brian|date=22 August 2018|work=Forbes|access-date=27 September 2018}}

Features

F1 2018 features substantial revisions to its "Career Mode" compared to previous systems. F1 2017 introduced a detailed progression system that allowed the player to focus on developing the engine, chassis and aerodynamics of their car. This was simplified in F1 2018 as Codemasters' research demonstrated that players were losing interest in the game before completing the car's development cycle.{{cite web|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/137512/f1-2018-game-to-have-career-rules-shake-ups|title=F1 2018 game to have career rule changes shake up competitive order|last=Lillo|first=Sergio|date=19 July 2018|work=Autosport}}

Players develop their cars by spending "development points", which are earned by meeting research and development targets during free practice sessions. Codemasters have introduced a wider range of free practice programs to the game in a bid to extend the game's longevity. At the halfway point of each championship, the player has the option of ending their development cycle and banking all future development points for the next championship. This function has a renewed importance in F1 2018 as teams are subject to rule changes at the end of each championship which can potentially compromise the car's performance.

As with previous titles, F1 2018 includes "Classic Cars", these being Formula One cars from previous seasons. The game includes much older cars dating back to the 1970s, such as the 1972 Lotus 72D, which took Emerson Fittipaldi to his first world championship, the McLaren M23 and the Ferrari 312T, which were driven by James Hunt and Niki Lauda during the {{F1|1976}} championship;{{cite web|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/137387/cars-from-1970s-and-80s-added-to-f1-game|title=Classic cars from 1970s and '80s added to F1 game for 2018|first=Tom|last=Errington|date=13 July 2018|work=Autosport|access-date=15 July 2018}} the special edition includes the Brawn BGP 001, the car which Jenson Button and Brawn GP won the {{F1|2009}} World Drivers' and World Constructors' Championships;{{cite web|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/136846/f1-2018-game-to-include-2009-brawn-car|title=F1 2018 game to include 2009 Brawn GP BGP 001 car|first=Glenn|last=Freeman|date=18 June 2018|work=Autosport}} and the Williams FW25, the car with which Juan Pablo Montoya finished third in the 2003 championship. All of the Classic Cars that were featured in F1 2017 are included in F1 2018.

As the game is based on the 2018 championship, the Circuit Paul Ricard made its debut in the series. The Hockenheimring, which was last featured in F1 2016, made its return to the game. Also due to 2018 regulations, the halo makes its debut in the F1 games. F1's official theme song, composed by Brian Tyler, also makes its debut in the F1 games in certain parts, such as the game's intro cinematic (2nd gameplay trailer), as well as the pre-race and post-race scenes.

The game also features an online multiplayer mode. There are different leagues that require the player to get an obligatory number of trophies to reach. The player can win or lose trophies depending on their performances on these online races. Actions such as cutting corners or colliding with other cars have a negative effect on the player's "Safety Rating". This rates players based on their overall cleanliness in a similar way to the Super License system for real Formula 1 drivers.

Development

Following widespread criticism of a qualifying format used in the opening rounds of the 2016 championship,{{cite news|url=https://racing.ap.org/article/f1-qualifying-format-slammed-hamilton-wins-australia-pole|title=F1 qualifying format slammed as Hamilton wins Australia pole|last=Lines|first=Chris|date=19 March 2016|work=Associated Press|agency=Associated Press|publisher=AP Sports|location=Melbourne|access-date=13 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319184518/http://racing.ap.org/article/f1-qualifying-format-slammed-hamilton-wins-australia-pole|archive-date=19 March 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/mar/19/f1-qualifying-universally-condemned-as-lewis-hamilton-grabs-pole|title=F1 qualifying universally condemned as Lewis Hamilton grabs Melbourne pole|last=Weaver|first=Paul|date=19 March 2016|newspaper=The Guardian|location=Melbourne|access-date=13 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319084528/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/mar/19/f1-qualifying-universally-condemned-as-lewis-hamilton-grabs-pole|archive-date=19 March 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/10210796/new-qualifying-format-slammed-as-unacceptable-and-embarrassing|title=New qualifying format slammed as 'unacceptable' and 'embarrassing'|last=Morlidge|first=Matthew|date=19 March 2016|work=Sky Sports|access-date=19 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319081208/http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/10210796/new-qualifying-format-slammed-as-unacceptable-and-embarrassing|archive-date=19 March 2016|url-status=live}} the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) and commercial rights holder Liberty Media announced plans to trial regulation changes through the Formula One eSports Series,{{cite web|url=https://www.speedcafe.com/2018/01/13/f1-use-esports-trial-regulation-changes/|title=F1 to use esports to trial regulation changes|date=13 January 2018|work=Speedcafe|access-date=13 January 2018}} which debuted in 2017 with the release of the F1 2017 video game.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}

Reception

{{Video game reviews

| MC = PC: 83/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/f1-2018/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=F1 2018 for PC Reviews |work=Metacritic |access-date=19 October 2018}}
PS4: 84/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/f1-2018/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |title=F1 2018 for PlayStation 4 Reviews |work=Metacritic |access-date=30 March 2020}}
XONE: 84/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/f1-2018/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one |title=F1 2018 for Xbox One Reviews |work=Metacritic |access-date=19 October 2018}}

| GI = 8.75/10

| GMaster = 87%

| GSpot = 9/10

| IGN = 8.5/10

| JXV = 17/20

}}

F1 2018 was the bestselling game in the United Kingdom during its first week on sale.{{cite web |last=Tailby |first=Stephen |date=August 28, 2018|url=http://www.pushsquare.com/news/2018/08/uk_sales_charts_shenmue_and_f1_2018_bring_the_bandicoot_crashing_down |title=UK Sales Charts: Shenmue and F1 2018 Bring the Bandicoot Crashing Down |publisher=Push Square |access-date=June 18, 2019}} In Japan, the PlayStation 4 version sold 5,517 copies during its first week of release.{{cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=September 26, 2018 |url=https://gematsu.com/2018/09/media-create-sales-9-17-18-9-23-18 |title=Media Create Sales: 9/17/18 – 9/23/18 |publisher=Gematsu |access-date=June 18, 2019}} It was also the bestselling physical retail game across Europe, the Middle East and Africa throughout the week beginning on August 26, 2018, and the second-best selling digital game throughout the same week.{{cite web |last=Dring |first=Christopher |date=September 5, 2018 |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2018-09-05-f1-2018-dominate-emea-charts |title=F1 2018 dominates EMEA charts |publisher=GamesIndustry.biz |access-date=June 18, 2019}} The game has received positive reviews from critics alike.

=Accolades=

class="wikitable sortable"
Year	Award	Category	Result	Ref
style="text-align:center;" rowspan="5" \| 2018 \| Game Critics Awards \| rowspan="2" \| Best Racing Game \| {{Nom}} \| style="text-align:center;" \| {{cite web\|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/resident-evil-2-wins-top-honor-in-e3-game-critics-/1100-6460135/\|title=Resident Evil 2 Wins Top Honor In E3 Game Critics Awards\|last=Watts\|first=Steve\|date=5 July 2018\|work=GameSpot\|access-date=13 January 2019}}
rowspan="3" \| Gamescom Awards \| {{Nom}} \| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;" \| {{cite web\|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/gamescom-award-2018-nominees-include-marvels-spider-man-super-smash-bros-ultimate/\|title=Gamescom 2018 award winners include Marvel's Spider-Man, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate\|last=Keane\|first=Sean\|date=22 August 2018\|work=CNET\|access-date=13 January 2019}}
Best Simulation Game \| {{Nom}}
Best Sports Game \| {{Nom}}
Titanium Awards \| Best Sports/Driving Game \| {{Nom}} \| style="text-align:center;" \| {{cite web\|url=https://en.funandseriousgamefestival.com/awards/\|title=Titanium Awards 2018\|date=10 December 2018\|work=Fun & Serious Game Festival\|access-date=7 November 2019\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707230958/https://en.funandseriousgamefestival.com/awards/\|archive-date=7 July 2019\|url-status=live}}
style="text-align:center;" rowspan="4" \| 2019 \| D.I.C.E. Awards \| Racing Game of the Year \| {{Nom}} \| style="text-align:center;" \| {{cite web\|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-spider-man-lead-dice-awards-heres-all-t/1100-6464345/\|title=God Of War, Spider-Man Lead DICE Awards; Here's All The Nominees\|last=Makuch\|first=Eddie\|date=10 January 2019\|work=GameSpot\|access-date=13 January 2019}}
National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers Awards \| Game, Franchise Racing \| {{Nom}} \| style="text-align:center;" \| {{cite web\|url=http://navgtr.org/archives/3566/\|title=Nominee List for 2018\|date=11 February 2019\|work=National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers\|access-date=14 February 2019\|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190213220549/http://navgtr.org/archives/3566/\|archive-date=13 February 2019\|url-status=dead}}
Italian Video Game Awards \| People's Choice \| {{Nom}} \| style="text-align:center;" \| {{cite web\|url=https://italianvideogameawards.com/awards\|title=Italian Video Game Awards Nominees and Winners\|date=11 April 2019\|work=Italian Video Game Awards\|access-date=24 May 2019\|archive-date=21 March 2018\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321193010/https://italianvideogameawards.com/awards\|url-status=dead}}
Develop:Star Awards \| Best Use of Game Engine \| {{Nom}} \| style="text-align:center;" \| {{cite web\|url=https://www.mcvuk.com/shortlist-for-developstar-awards-2019-revealed/\|title=Shortlist for Develop:Star Awards 2019 revealed\|last=Blake\|first=Vikki\|date=16 May 2019\|work=MCV\|access-date=20 June 2019}}

class="wikitable sortable"

Year

Award