Codies: "Phoney" F1 2010 AI claims false

By Wesley Yin-Poole Published 1 October, 2010

Issues led to "assumptions" by gamers.

F1 2010 fans have made "innacurate assumptions" about the game's AI, Codemasters has insisted.

A spiralling 23 page thread on Codemasters forum is bulging with complaints about F1 2010's race AI, which some gamers have labelled "phoney".

Codies confirmed this week that a patch is in the works – that'll fix corrupt game saves.

Now, Codies has promised a patch for the AI.

"As you are aware work is on-going towards a patch for the game, and we will release details on this as we move through the patch creation process," reads a post by community representative Caldera.

"Your constructive feedback has been invaluable in helping us both identify and work to resolve issues with the game, and we appreciate your detailed posts.

"Some of the identified issues have led (understandably) to people making assumptions about the game that are not accurate, so we felt that in order to reassure you and explain better the process which we are going through at the moment, we'd address a few common queries, in particular relating to AI.

"The AI system implemented in F1 2010 is very complex, and is certainly not scripted in any way. Every AI driver is trained with a series of race behaviours such as overtaking, defending a position and slipstreaming etc. On top of these behaviours we have a unique set of characteristics. These characteristics are defined per driver so you'll notice some subtle differences. Some drivers are better at race starts or are better at overtaking (they look for narrower gaps), or are better in the rain, or are more aggressive, or are better around certain race tracks.

"We also have a system which can make certain drivers have a particularly good or bad race depending on a number of factors. All of this driver variance is of course combined with the cars themselves also having varying levels of performance."

F1 2010 is Britain's most popular game at the moment, and secured an impressive 8/10 in Eurogamer's review.

Picture of Wesley.

About Wesley Yin-Poole

Wesley is Eurogamer's news editor. He likes news, interviews, and more news. He also likes Street Fighter more than anyone can get him to shut up about it.

Read more articles from Wesley by visiting the Wesley Yin-Poole archive page.

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Comments (35) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • LPXO #1 2 years ago

    Have been playing this with the 360 racing wheel. Easy 9/10 for me, very addictive.

  • bigtechno #2 2 years ago

    what about cars that don't pit, me and my friend have experianced this on dry races when tyre change is mandatory

  • kestral #3 2 years ago

    they're all aware of the issues, please don't make this another bug thread, just report them on the official forums so that they can get fixed if they haven't yet.

  • Beano #4 2 years ago

    What about the odd pauses and stuttering framerate in the 360 version?

    And the incorrect penalties to the player when the AI drivers screws up?

  • doggod #5 2 years ago

    Funny how games from the last 10 years have been able to fast forward cars and get accurate lap times.
    I dont think that statement is the whole truth of the matter.
    Even if it is true the lap times are still being faked as the AI cheats,no fuel ,not pitting all the time etc
    Also notice that the dont mention putting in proper split times like every other racing game.
    That would go towards proving or disproving the issue.

    And still no apology for selling a beta version of the game.

  • doggod #6 2 years ago

    F1 2010 - Development Diary 6 (Bugs and Glitches)
    [link url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6GhQ6980Fc
    ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6GhQ6980Fc
    [/link]

    just a tiny selection

  • PearOfAnguish #7 2 years ago

    When was the last time codemasters turned out a game that wasn't either broken at release or complete dogshit? They have to be the worst big publisher/dev around. Amazing how other companies making decent games go under while they somehow manage to continue churning out shite. Who is buying this stuff?

  • OldK1ngCole #8 2 years ago

    "Beano - And the incorrect penalties to the player when the AI drivers screws up?"

    This.

    Also my biggest problem with the game relates to pits and not the bug where the AI doesn't pit. I'm currently racing at Catalunya, finished Qualifying in Pole Position. So on to the race. Pit in after 4 or 5 laps with a 5 to 8 second lead, but once my pit guys have changed my tyres they won't release me straight away, instead waiting for all the traffic which is 5 seconds minimum behind me to pass my pit box. The result is a 20+ second pit stop (worst yet was 28 seconds) and me having no chance what so ever of regaining my 1st place.

  • BigDaddy82 #9 2 years ago

    "When was the last time codemasters turned out a game that wasn't either broken at release or complete dogshit? They have to be the worst big publisher/dev around. Amazing how other companies making decent games go under while they somehow manage to continue churning out shite. Who is buying this stuff? "

    Dirt 2

    In fact F1 is a good game too, and the fact that it's top of the charts seems to suggest a LOT of people are buying it

  • zombielvis #10 2 years ago

    It's a shame these bugs are present in the final game - when it all works it's probably the best F1 game I've ever played.

    The only bug that really annoys me is the AI not always pitting, I've abandoned the career mode for now because of it. Get that sorted and it's GOTY for me.

  • DAN.E.B #11 2 years ago

    This wouldnt have been sent out in this state years ago now its just send it out patch it later.
    The wonderful world of online gaming.

  • Beano #12 2 years ago

    "In fact F1 is a good game too, and the fact that it's top of the charts seems to suggest a LOT of people are buying it "

    So is that a guarantee of quality?

    So basicly anything that sells well is good quality.. I guess McDonalds sell nutritious and tasty food then.

  • UsernamePending #13 2 years ago

    "In fact F1 is a good game too, and the fact that it's top of the charts seems to suggest a LOT of people are buying it"

    Lots of people buying it doesn't necessarily make it a good game. The F1 licence is a cash-cow with an instant queue of motor-sport fans waiting to play F1 games. I bought the game, knowing full-well that it would be half finished. That's because I love F1 and have experience of CodeMasters' games (like OpFlash).
    Edited by UsernamePending at 01/10/10 @ 14:21

  • Silvergun-Blue #14 2 years ago

    @0ldK1ngcole

    It was Catalunya that was giving me headaches too. I'm an avid F1 watcher so I'm well aware of the rule that means you can't release a car into oncoming traffic, but you could have driven a fucking bus out into some of the gaps between the cars!

    I do quite enjoy the game and for the most it's a great effort, but some of the "niggles" make me rage... And I never, ever get angry at computer games.

  • BigDaddy82 #15 2 years ago

    Never said the sales had any reflection on its quality, so let's not jump the gun. That said, i personally am really enjoying it, and haven't seen any of these game breaking bugs so far (almost done with season 1). So for me, it's hardly a half finished game, in fact it's my favourite racer so far this year

    Also 'Codies' is a widespread term. OpFlash, Dirt and F1 have effectively 3 seperate divisions of one company working on them, so you can't tar the whole company with the same brush. Admittedly OpFlash wasn't great, but i've enjoyed the Dirt and Grid games
    Edited by BigDaddy82 at 01/10/10 @ 14:28

  • photoboy #16 2 years ago

    Typical Codemasters, bodge it and ship it, then fix it later.

  • BigDaddy82 #17 2 years ago

    Yet they allowed their game to be delayed for 6 years

  • UsernamePending #18 2 years ago

    @BigDaddy82

    I'm not saying it's a bad game and I'm having a lot of fun with it too. I've just finished my first season, coming 1st with 2 races to go in an HST! I took a $9.5 mill offer from Ferrari for season 2.

    But the timing problems and other bugs are a big issue for me and really do limit the game. My main gripe is that going for a qualifying lap in sector 1 starts you with cold brakes and someone nearly always comes out of the pits and spoils the first corner for you. In F1, this would incur grid penalties.

    The great thing about this news story is that there is hope of patches coming out.


  • Turrican #19 2 years ago

    It amused me that the chief designer for the game came into the Comments section here for the F1 2010 review and said "Phew" when it got an 8/10. I think that says it all.

    I have the game, I have the wheel, but I'm not going to get into it until the patch hits. Yes there are workarounds but its clearly been rushed out the door and should have been delayed by a month or two.

    I think the disappointment amongst the community comes from the fact that the game has the potential to be so great if they can squash all the bugs. Its frustrating.

  • arcam #20 2 years ago

    If they'd waited a couple of months the F1 season would be over.

  • Somenetdude #21 2 years ago

    Just coincidence that there's an F1 ad covering the front page/boarders and gets 8/10 despite being full of bugs? Dead rising 2 gets 8/10, again front page boarders have ad's covering it. So just 2 coincidences? Ok I've now reloaded the page and see a WRC ad, can't see a review yet but will be interesting to see what it scores.
    Edited by Somenetdude at 01/10/10 @ 16:00

  • crooky369 #22 2 years ago

    Games fun but it's full of terrible bugs and annoyances like my engineer telling me to "copy my teammate's setup" when it's not even possible in the game!

    Also since when was the Monaco tunnel banked?
    Edited by crooky369 at 01/10/10 @ 17:07

  • reverandglass #23 2 years ago

    I've just replayed Silverstone 4 times and had exactly the same weather conditions change and Lewis Hamilton drive impossibly fast despite qualifying 4th. I've been really enjoying F1 2010 so far but after this I won't believe anyone who says the races aren't scripted.

  • TheLittlestHobo #24 2 years ago

    Anyone know if Codemasters are (or were) in any financial trouble? The last two releases seem to have had rather strict development cycles much to their detriment. As I don't believe their QA team are inadequete, it seems to me like a classic case of QA time being axed to soak up development overrun. Having such strict cycles makes me wonder if they've been struggling with cashflow.

  • dorkacle #25 2 years ago

    crooky369: "Games fun but it's full of terrible bugs and annoyances like my engineer telling me to "copy my teammate's setup" when it's not even possible in the game!"

    I agree the engineers inputs over the radio are terrible as a whole, this one in particular annoyed me aswell!
    Bring Murray Walker back! ;)

    Has anyone else noticed online some people getting impossibly fast lap times in qualifying? Im ok at the game, no Shumacher in his hey day but some of these are ridiculous! Or is this already a known bug?

    Also a shame most people just pile into the first corner Destruction Derby style an leave straight after the carnage... Misses the point of a F1 racing game no?

  • Fella #26 2 years ago

    It's a fantastic game but the AI times are bullshit and they know it.

    Qualifying at Valencia in my Lotus I was putting in a good lap whilst catching Vettel at a ridiculous rate and even overtook him. I cross the line with a 1:46.248 and he gets pole with 1:42.766.

    Amazing how I was around 3 seconds behind him starting the lap, ended up around a second ahead but somehow he was faster. :/

  • TheBrow #27 2 years ago

    I'm finding this a lot of fun, but in light of some concerns I might put the career mode on hold until there is a patch to fix it. The gameplay is great though and, in my one foray online, I've found my opponents to be fair and fast - I've had lots of fun there so far. But I can't handle Monaco at all. How the real-life drivers manage that is beyond me...

  • dorkacle #28 2 years ago

    Personally I think I accepted the game as it was when I first played it, an it is a good game no doubt, potentially atleast.
    A couple of funny things had happend alright, like me chasing the lead car around the the track for the whole race in 2nd only for the final classification to say I was a lap down as was the rest of the grid??

    Anyway I overlooked these kind of things expecting the game to be correct and consistant (boy was i wrong ) as I'd normaly and rightfully so, expect from a game. But now, realising all these bugs ARE actually bugs, and the game is completely at fault, and lets be honest broken... its ruined my experience, I can't play the game now and wont be able to until its FIXED!

    There is a certain element of authenticity expected from an F1 game an this game respected that, or atleast pretended to.
    I can understand why this game would score at 8 out of 10 if it worked, but for me right now a 5 if even sounds about right..
    Edited by dorkacle at 01/10/10 @ 20:26

  • Quak #29 2 years ago

    Your constructive feedback has been invaluable in helping us both identify and work to resolve issues with the game, and we appreciate your detailed posts.

    Translates to "Thanks for doing the job our QA department should have been doing."

    F1 2010 is Britain's most popular game at the moment, and secured an impressive 8/10 in Eurogamer's review.

    Translates to "We spent so little time with the game while compiling our review that we somehow failed to spot ANY of these numerous issues."

  • Dr_Wookiee #30 2 years ago

    I too am getting pretty sick of a 16 lap race being ruin by my pit crew holding me for 20 seconds for no reason. When has that ever happened!

  • superdelphinus #31 2 years ago

    basically i think people are pretty stupid on the whole, from reading a lot of comments about this game.

  • SomaticSense #32 2 years ago

    ^^^ I'd tend to agree with that

    Considering the insane amount of complexity that has gone into the game with regards to including the rules of the sport as well as a whole amount of features that nobody was expecting and which hasn't been done in a console racer before, they should be applauded for it working as well as it does.

    The bugs are there without doubt, with the worst being the apparent lack of fuel consumption for the AI drivers (Codies dispute this, but there is incontrovertible proof on the official forums in the form of a lap-by-lap screenshots of laptimes of a full length race), and the AI occasionally not pitting. But the thing about "bullshit" or "fake" AI is so much bollocks.

    But it's NOT a broken game. 90% of the time it works perfectly fine, and when it does it's easily the best licenced depiction of a motorsport that the consoles have ever seen. When it all comes together there isn't another console racing sim that can come close to comparing with the feeling this game gives. It says it all when despite the career mode bugs, I'm still more than pleased with it and would readily give it my GotY award.

    A few bugs, doesn't make a great game shit.

    edit: Also, what would you guys prefer? That Codies didn't acknowledge it's problems and just left us all in the lurch, you know, like OpFlash: DR? At least they are trying ffs.
    Edited by SomaticSense at 03/10/10 @ 12:40

  • nasanu #33 2 years ago

    Considering the large amount of bugs in this game, very obvious bugs, you have to wonder if eurogamer were genuine in their review. Same with Fifa 10, manager mode was unplayable with crippling bugs yet eurogamer said nothing of it.

    You guys even play games anymore? Just award a score then play enough to write something?

  • Caimbeul #34 2 years ago

    "they're all aware of the issues, please don't make this another bug thread, just report them on the official forums so that they can get fixed if they haven't yet. " get this in high spec PC too.

  • Caimbeul #35 2 years ago

    GRID was f'ing awsome (apart from the blindingly stupid fact that you could not race any care on any track in multiplayer - Codemasters always seem to do this with the exception of the first TOCA game).

    F1 is good but not as good as GRID. Also have insanely long load times on PC (god knows what they are like on Console?) and ocassional BIG stutter or freeze on framerate.