Codemasters signs new multi-year Formula One deal

Codemasters has announced its signed a new, multi-year deal that sees it extend its current existing contract as the exclusive rights holder to the Formula One games.

The publisher signed the deal in 2008 after taking the rights away from Sony, and released its first game under the deal for Wii and PSP in 2009.

The first HD title for PS3, 360 and PC came in 2010, followed by a sim-ship 2011 release alongside new Vita and 3DS versions.

"Codemasters has created some of the best and most successful Formula One games to date," said Formula One Management boss Bernie Ecclestone.

"We and the teams work closely with them and look forward to creating more award winning games together in the future."

Codemasters CEO Rod Cousens added: "We got off to a strong start with Formula One but we harbour ambitions to do much more. Formula One is front of mind at Codemasters and we give it the focus and attention it deserves. We have established close links across the sport and they know that, in Codemasters, they have a great partner.

"We remain ambitious with our plans and want to take the series forward. We want to take it to new geographies, make it available on new platforms to new audiences.

"Our teams are hard at it, creating world class Formula One games across multiple genres for players irrespective of location or gaming platform and now, for many years to come."

Codemasters is set to launch F1 Online, a browser-based online title, this spring. It also said its planning to launch a brand-new experience aimed at "a family audience" this holiday season, with Cousens adding it'd "address a younger audience". No word on F1 2012 itself, though.

The announcement comes ahead of the start of the brand new season in Australia this weekend.

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