Codemasters scores another one for its racing lineup - the Colin McRae: DiRT and Race Driver: Grid creators acquired the exclusive rights to develop Formula 1 racing games for console, handheld and PC. The deal will let Codies feature all Grand Prix circuits, teams, cars and driver likenesses in its titles, with the first of these to launch in 2009.

Calling the license "the jewel in Codemasters' racing crown," the developer-publisher said that snagging the license is a victory for its proprietary EGO game engine and a vote of confidence in its leadership in the racing game segment. As Formula 1 develops more international circuits, it's looking to expand its consumer reach, and seems to have chosen video games as an avenue.

Full release follows the jump.

Codemasters To Make Their Own MMOs

Up until now, venerable UK developer Codemasters has been merely dipping their feet into the MMO, licensing titles such as RF Online, Archlord, Dungeons & Dragons Online and Lord of the Rings Online. Now, as they are readying the release of their 5th licensed MMO, NetDevil's Jumpgate, Codemasters reveals plans to take on MMOspace with the development of their own games. VP of Codemasters Online Gaming David Solari explains that everything is going according to plan.

We always had a five year plan and it was always in the middle of that five year plan that we would start developing our own games. We are looking at that and we have to think very carefully about what title is right, what will work in the future.

MMO Week: Codemasters to bring MMO development in-house [GamesIndustry.biz]

Sega Racing Studio Lives On With Codemasters

The news that Codemasters has reached an agreement to take control of the recently closed Sega Racing Studio in Solihull England is much more exciting if you think of it in terms of an adventure romance film. Three years ago Codemasters employees, along with some from Rare, Criterion, and Rockstar, were lured away to Sega Racing Studio by the promises of new racing IP adventures and fabulous treasures. Three years later the studio steps into quicksand and Sega is too uncaring to help, leaving them sinking, hands raised above their heads as the quicksand slowy obscures their vision. Then, at the last moment, a hand reaches down and grabs the studio's wrist pulling them free of the mire...it's Codemasters! They never stopped loving their wayward employees. Cue Peter Cetera's "For The Glory Of Love" as they hug. Not a dry eye in the house.

"In seizing this opportunity, we have created additional resources to escalate our plans in the racing segment," said Rod Cousens, chief executive, Codemasters. "We hope to welcome more than 40 people to the company and we have enjoyed the full co-operation of our friends at Sega in making this happen.

Codemasters And MumboJumbo Get Euro Casual

David Solari, Vice President of Codemasters Online Gaming commented, "We are very excited to be partnering with one of the top developers and publishers of casual gaming content in the world. The LUXOR and 7 Wonders brands have seen enormous success at US retail, and we look forward to replicating that success across Europe."

Here's some in-game footage of Codemaster's upcoming racer GRID. Looks...well, as pretty as a game's going to look through a grainy, low-res embedded web clip. It's funny, I bet if Forza creators Turn 10 inherit the PGR series in Bizarre's absence, this is exactly what the two series' bastard lovechild would look like.
[via vg247]

Heist Coming This Summer

Codemasters have announced development of Damnation, a Steampunk-themed shooter set during an alternate-history version of the US Civil War. Currently in development at Blue Omega (who came second with the project in 2005's Unreal Mod tourney), the game will feature a "post-industrial conflict between humanity and an unstoppable arms dealer", and is described as a "shooter gone vertical" (screens show a lot of urban fighting between tall buildings). It's due on 360, PS3 and PC at the end of the year. And...that's about all we know, so until we know something more, check out the screens below.

Add one more game to the list of PlayStation 3 latecomers, Codemasters and Triumph Studios' Overlord. The demonic spin on Pikmin gameplay features heavy real-time strategy and role-playing elements and will finally come to PS3s this Summer. The latecomer version of Overlord will arrive with the downloadable goodies previously released on Xbox Live Marketplace as well, giving Sony fans the complete experience... and just a year late!

Overlord PS3 confirmed - exclusive screens [CVG]

Codemasters' Connect '08 event at the Omega Sektor in Birmingham England is coming March 14th and 15th, and they've lined up some truly amazing freebies for visitors to their MMO showcase. Probably the coolest item is for RF Online players. They've had Masamune Shirow of Ghost in the Shell fame create a suit of armor for every class in the game, and my god are they beautiful. The suit above is for a female Cora Warrior, and the rest are just as cool! Lord of the Rings Online players who attend will get a special in-game title for their character, while Archlord players will get some exclusive armor. All attendees will also get a Jumpgate Evolution pack complete with a beta key! I was invited to go myself, but seeing as I am moving on the 15th there's not a chance in hell...and I want some Shirow armor dammit! You go look at the pretty armor while I go cry.

Exclusive Armour set for every connect attendee! [RF Online Forums]