Grand Prix 1

Geoff Crammond has been responsible for some of the finest driving simulators ever. Since the days of the Commodore 64 – REVS and Racing Construction Kit to one of the Amiga’s finest hours - Stunt Car Racer, and then on to Formula 1 Grand Prix 1 & 2, Geoff Crammond’s superior graphic engines, amazing attention to detail and superb use of physics have always ensured that his titles set new benchmarks for others to follow.  So much so, that Amiga magazines began to affectionately refer to him as Sir Geoffrey Crammond.

Formula 1 Grand Prix was known in the US as World Circuit, which lent some confusion to the series.

The primary reason for Grand Prix’s success was that nothing like it had ever appeared on a home computer before.  The sheer number of filled-polygon graphics was astounding for the time and its unabashed simulator feel with little to no arcade concession meant that an entirely new audience was drawn to the game.  A quick port to PC with a few added features (mainly graphical) and the benchmark was set.  This benchmark would not be equalled until the release of Grand Prix II, three years later.

Grand Prix 1 featured:

• 3D graphics from filled, unshaded polygons on PC and Amiga – the PC version has pavement and lawn textures.

• Rear vision mirrors – though they only showed the cars and not the rest of the background, they were invaluable in the thick of the action.

• Car damage – though you couldn’t destroy the cars, they did become visibly damaged.

• Wet weather – adding a traction factor. Though there was no rain effect, your vision was obscured by a mist when driving behind another vehicle.

  

• Car setup.  Obviously this pleased the petrol-heads out there, as they could try their hand at improving their car’s performance. Gear ratios, brake balance, wing down-force and tyres were all configurable.

• Driving aids – best line, gear displays, auto brakes, auto gears, self-righting spins and indestructibility.

• A revolutionary replay system that looked like TV!