Formula 1 97

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Formula One 97

Developer(s)	Bizarre Creations
Publisher(s)	Psygnosis
Release date(s)	PlayStation: September 30, 1997 January 15, 1998 September 26, 1997 Windows (PC): 1998
Genre(s)	Racing
Mode(s)	Single Player
Rating(s)	ESRB Kids To Adults
Platform(s)	PlayStation, Windows
Media	CD-ROM

Formula One is a series of computer and video games created by Psygnosis. It takes its name from the popular car racing of the same name. Since 2001 and until 2007 the Formula One series has been made by Studio Liverpool (an internal Sony Computer Entertaiment Europe game studio) with the FOA Official License.

The game was the first in the series to have a specific driver on the front cover, Michael Schumacher appearing on the front of the '97 cover.

[edit] Formula 1 97

Formula 1 97 (known as Formula 1 Championship Edition in the United States) was more of an evolution of the original Formula One than a brand new game. However, it had several new features, including a cockpit camera view (complete with dirt and flies hitting the visor, with the player having to remove the driver's tear-off strips) and the introduction of a co-commentator (in the British version, this was Martin Brundle). Setting up the car became more intricate.

Formula 1 97 contained an "arcade" mode which felt like a completely separate game. Handling was totally different, with the emphasis placed on powersliding. In the simulation mode, it also saw the introduction of more realistic elements such as flags and car failures.

It is seen as having achieved the best possible balance between realism and fun. Some still say that it is the best Formula One game. However, this was the last Formula One game to be made by the Bizarre Creations team, who moved on to create the highly successful Metropolis Street Racer and Project Gotham Racing.

Not only this, but the game was also hit by legal wranglings, with the FIA (Formula One's governing body) objecting to the use of the FIA logo on the game's packaging. The game was withdrawn from the shops six weeks after its release. It was re-released without the offending logo, but the FIA were still unhappy. However, the FIA lost this court case, and the game continued to be sold without the logo. Another problem faced was the use of the name and image of then Williams F1 driver Jacques Villeneuve, after he had copyrighted both. The game listed him as "Williams Numberone", and had simply a silhouette as the driver's image.

This game was released for the PlayStation and Windows.