Grand Prix 4

Grand Prix 4
Developer(s) MicroProse
Publisher(s) Infogrames (under the MicroProse brand name)
Designer(s) Geoff Crammond
Series Grand Prix
Engine Enhanced Grand Prix engine
Platform(s) Microsoft Windows
Release
  • PAL: June 21, 2002
  • NA: September 10, 2002
Genre(s) Racing simulation
Mode(s) Single-player, Multiplayer

Grand Prix 4, commonly known as GP4 was released for the PC on June 21, 2002, is currently the last Formula One racing simulator released by the developer Geoff Crammond and the MicroProse label. Based on the 2001 Formula One season, GP4 essentially serves as a graphical and seasonal update of Grand Prix 3 which had been released in 2000. The game retained the series' legendary physics engine. However it entered the market at a far less hospitable time than its three predecessors, and the game faced stiff competition from an alternative Formula One simulation from studios such as ISI.

Modifications from version 3

After the criticism received by Grand Prix 3 for not advancing the series Grand Prix 4 featured a heavily revised graphics engine and updated physics including wet weather driving that even today is considered some of the best to ever feature in a motorsport simulation. Despite this, the game still showed Crammond's oft-commented dated approach to game design.

Although the game could be considered a relatively modest commercial success the chances of a further entry to the series could be considered slim to none because MicroProse's parent company Infogrames dissolved the developer shortly after the game's release. Also the Sony Computer Entertainment brands exclusive licensing deal for Formula One games rules out an update with official stats. An Xbox port of the title had been planned for release in late 2002 before being cancelled in October of that year.[1]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores
AggregatorScore
GameRankings(PC) 83.05%[2]
Metacritic(PC) 77[3]

Grand Prix 4 was met with generally positive reviews. It holds a Metacritic score of 77/100 and a GameRankings score of 83.05%.

Grand Prix 4 was awarded an interactive games BAFTA in the Sports category in 2002.[4]

References

  1. RetroGamer magazine, issue 69. "In the chair with Geoff Crammond", page 88
  2. "Grand Prix 4 GameRankings". GameRankings. Retrieved 2013-08-13.
  3. "Grand Prix 4 Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved 2013-08-13.
  4. http://awards.bafta.org/award/2002/interactive/games-sport


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