Geoff Crammond
Encyclopedia
Geoff Crammond is a computer game designer and programmer
who specialises in motor racing game
s. A former defense industry systems engineer, he claims to have had little interest in motor racing before programming his first racing game (Formula 3) back in 1984, but he holds a physics
degree, which may explain the realism of some of his programming. As a consequence of that project he became a big fan of Formula One motor racing. At the end of the 80's, this interest, plus the ever improving capabilities of home computers, inspired him to specialise in programming Formula One racing simulations.
simulator marketed for the BBC Micro
by Acornsoft
. Although it had monochrome Mode 5 graphics and few of the features of modern simulators for more powerful computers, Aviator was of unparalleled quality at the time of its release (c. 1983), with a realistic flight model that included g-forces that could tear the wings off in a dive. Applying forward pressure on the analog stick restored the wings, however. The landscape was crudely rendered, and was basically a plane. Some scenic features were drawn as vector graphics
, including low hills, rectangular fields, a lake, a suspension bridge over a river, and a small town which comprised a cluster of three buildings. Bonus points could be earned for flying under the bridge or along the main street of the town at a lower altitude than the buildings. Double points were earned for performing these stunts upside down. The game also had a shoot-'em-up mode in which alien vessels were seeded in the fields, feeding on the crops and growing until they could become airborne, at which point they headed for the town. The player could destroy the aliens on the ground as they fed, or (for reduced points) tackle them in the air (the aliens were agile but could not return fire). If an alien reached the town, the game was lost.
Although better known for his Formula One
simulation games on the PC
and Amiga
platforms, his first motor racing simulator was REVS
, a Formula Three
simulator that debuted on the BBC Micro platform in 1984. The BBC version of Revs featured just one track, the Silverstone
circuit, but the realistic implementation of motor racing physics and artificial intelligence of the computer controlled components gave the game enormous depth and replayability.
A Commodore 64
version of the game, entitled Revs Plus, was released in 1986, which added the Brands Hatch
track to the game. An enhanced edition of the BBC version was later released called 'REVS 4 Tracks' which included Brands Hatch, Donington Park
, Oulton Park
and Snetterton
race tracks. Later the Commodore 64
version added the Nürburgring
to this list to continue the "4 Tracks" theme as Brands Hatch had already been included with the initial REVS Plus release. The Nürburgring was chosen as its new layout had recently been completed and computer based design data was available. This gives an idea of just how accurate REVS was as a simulation rather than 'just' a game.
The Sentinel
was published by Firebird on the BBC Micro in 1986. It was a 3D puzzle game, featuring ten thousand levels, in which the player had to maneuver his way through a landscape of cliffs, trees and boulders to topple the ominous Sentinel. The game was a critical and commercial success. Conversions for the ZX Spectrum
, C64
, Amiga
, Amstrad CPC
, Atari ST
and PC soon followed. A sequel, Sentinel Returns
, was published by Psygnosis in 1998 on the PC and PlayStation
platforms.
Crammond's attention returned to motor racing simulators. Stunt Car Racer
was a slightly offbeat driving simulation, rewarding the player for performing outrageous stunts on a number of elevated, roller-coaster-like courses. Although less serious in tone than his previous simulators, the game nevertheless used an impressive physics engine to offer a realistic driving experience. The game enjoyed cult status among many Amiga and Atari ST gamers. Ever since the early 1990s, Crammond's primary focus has been on developing the award-winning Formula One Grand Prix series of games. The first game in the series, F1GP
(aka World Circuit in the USA), was released by MicroProse
on the Amiga in 1992 and is essentially the spiritual successor to Revs. Around this time Amiga Power
magazine began referring to him as Sir Geoff, a running gag which has caught on with many others. The game was an instant success, earning a conversion to the Atari ST and PC platforms, but the inevitable sequel, Grand Prix 2
, remained in development for three years before eventually being released on the PC in 1996.
Grand Prix 3
was released on the PC in 2000 but received only a lukewarm welcome from fans and critics alike. Crammond's series now had considerable competition from other developers, particularly Psygnosis/Sony
, who were licensed by the FIA
to produce the official Formula One gaming titles. Grand Prix 4
was released on the PC in 2002 and is generally regarded as the most accurate game in the series. After Grand Prix 4 there were rumours that Crammond's next game would be Stunt Car Racer Pro, an updated version of his classic game. The rumors were later confirmed with an announcement that he was co-operating with Lost Toys studios. Lost Toys studios were closed in late 2003. At the beginning of 2005, the game was rumoured to be cancelled.
Crammond's most recent game release is still GP4 (2002), which is still supported by fans with annual mods, in spite of MicroProse's closure in 2001.
Since then, Crammond has kept a low profile, but continues to engage in various programming projects.
Game programmer
A game programmer is a software engineer, programmer, or computer scientist who primarily develops codebase for video games or related software, such as game development tools. Game programming has many specialized disciplines all of which fall under the umbrella term of "game programmer"...
who specialises in motor racing game
Racing game
A racing video game is a genre of video games, either in the first-person or third-person perspective, in which the player partakes in a racing competition with any type of land, air, or sea vehicles. They may be based on anything from real-world racing leagues to entirely fantastical settings...
s. A former defense industry systems engineer, he claims to have had little interest in motor racing before programming his first racing game (Formula 3) back in 1984, but he holds a physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
degree, which may explain the realism of some of his programming. As a consequence of that project he became a big fan of Formula One motor racing. At the end of the 80's, this interest, plus the ever improving capabilities of home computers, inspired him to specialise in programming Formula One racing simulations.
Games
One of his early releases was Aviator, a SpitfireSupermarine Spitfire
The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force and many other Allied countries throughout the Second World War. The Spitfire continued to be used as a front line fighter and in secondary roles into the 1950s...
simulator marketed for the BBC Micro
BBC Micro
The BBC Microcomputer System, or BBC Micro, was a series of microcomputers and associated peripherals designed and built by Acorn Computers for the BBC Computer Literacy Project, operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation...
by Acornsoft
Acornsoft
Acornsoft was the software arm of Acorn Computers Ltd, and a major publisher of software for the BBC Micro and Acorn Electron. As well as games, they also produced a large number of educational titles, extra computer languages and business and utility packages - these included ROM-based word...
. Although it had monochrome Mode 5 graphics and few of the features of modern simulators for more powerful computers, Aviator was of unparalleled quality at the time of its release (c. 1983), with a realistic flight model that included g-forces that could tear the wings off in a dive. Applying forward pressure on the analog stick restored the wings, however. The landscape was crudely rendered, and was basically a plane. Some scenic features were drawn as vector graphics
Vector graphics
Vector graphics is the use of geometrical primitives such as points, lines, curves, and shapes or polygon, which are all based on mathematical expressions, to represent images in computer graphics...
, including low hills, rectangular fields, a lake, a suspension bridge over a river, and a small town which comprised a cluster of three buildings. Bonus points could be earned for flying under the bridge or along the main street of the town at a lower altitude than the buildings. Double points were earned for performing these stunts upside down. The game also had a shoot-'em-up mode in which alien vessels were seeded in the fields, feeding on the crops and growing until they could become airborne, at which point they headed for the town. The player could destroy the aliens on the ground as they fed, or (for reduced points) tackle them in the air (the aliens were agile but could not return fire). If an alien reached the town, the game was lost.
Although better known for his Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
simulation games on the PC
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
and Amiga
Amiga
The Amiga is a family of personal computers that was sold by Commodore in the 1980s and 1990s. The first model was launched in 1985 as a high-end home computer and became popular for its graphical, audio and multi-tasking abilities...
platforms, his first motor racing simulator was REVS
REVS (computer game)
Revs is a 1984 Formula Three simulation written initially for the BBC Micro by Geoff Crammond and published by Acornsoft that is notable for its realistic simulation of the sport and as a precursor to its author's later work on Formula One Grand Prix and its sequels.-Gameplay:Unlike most...
, a Formula Three
Formula Three
Formula Three, also called Formula 3 or F3, is a class of open-wheel formula racing. The various championships held in Europe, Australia, South America and Asia form an important step for many prospective Formula One drivers...
simulator that debuted on the BBC Micro platform in 1984. The BBC version of Revs featured just one track, the Silverstone
Silverstone Circuit
Silverstone Circuit is an English motor racing circuit next to the Northamptonshire villages of Silverstone and Whittlebury. The circuit straddles the Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire border, with the current main circuit entry on the Buckinghamshire side...
circuit, but the realistic implementation of motor racing physics and artificial intelligence of the computer controlled components gave the game enormous depth and replayability.
A Commodore 64
Commodore 64
The Commodore 64 is an 8-bit home computer introduced by Commodore International in January 1982.Volume production started in the spring of 1982, with machines being released on to the market in August at a price of US$595...
version of the game, entitled Revs Plus, was released in 1986, which added the Brands Hatch
Brands Hatch
Brands Hatch is a motor racing circuit near West Kingsdown in Kent, England. First used as a dirt track motorcycle circuit on farmland, it hosted 12 runnings of the British Grand Prix between 1964 and 1986 and currently holds many British and international racing events...
track to the game. An enhanced edition of the BBC version was later released called 'REVS 4 Tracks' which included Brands Hatch, Donington Park
Donington Park
Donington Park is a motorsport circuit near Castle Donington in Leicestershire, England.Originally part of the Donington Hall estate, it was created as a racing circuit during the pre-war period when the German Silver Arrows were battling for the European Championship...
, Oulton Park
Oulton Park
Oulton Park Circuit is a motor racing track in the small village of Little Budworth, Cheshire, England. It is about from Winsford, from Chester city centre, from Northwich and from Warrington with a nearby rail connection along the Mid-Cheshire Line. It occupies much of the area which was...
and Snetterton
Snetterton Motor Racing Circuit
Snetterton Motor Racing Circuit is a motor racing circuit in Norfolk, England. Owned by MotorSport Vision, it is situated on the A11 road some 20 km north-east of the town of Thetford and 30 km south-west of the city of Norwich...
race tracks. Later the Commodore 64
Commodore 64
The Commodore 64 is an 8-bit home computer introduced by Commodore International in January 1982.Volume production started in the spring of 1982, with machines being released on to the market in August at a price of US$595...
version added the Nürburgring
Nürburgring
The Nürburgring is a motorsport complex around the village of Nürburg, Germany. It features a modern Grand Prix race track built in 1984, and a much longer old North loop track which was built in the 1920s around the village and medieval castle of Nürburg in the Eifel mountains. It is located about...
to this list to continue the "4 Tracks" theme as Brands Hatch had already been included with the initial REVS Plus release. The Nürburgring was chosen as its new layout had recently been completed and computer based design data was available. This gives an idea of just how accurate REVS was as a simulation rather than 'just' a game.
The Sentinel
The Sentinel (computer game)
The Sentinel is a computer game created by Geoff Crammond, published by Firebird in 1986 for the BBC Micro and converted to the C64 , Amstrad CPC , ZX Spectrum , Atari ST, Amiga and PC . It was released in the US as The Sentry...
was published by Firebird on the BBC Micro in 1986. It was a 3D puzzle game, featuring ten thousand levels, in which the player had to maneuver his way through a landscape of cliffs, trees and boulders to topple the ominous Sentinel. The game was a critical and commercial success. Conversions for the ZX Spectrum
ZX Spectrum
The ZX Spectrum is an 8-bit personal home computer released in the United Kingdom in 1982 by Sinclair Research Ltd...
, C64
Commodore 64
The Commodore 64 is an 8-bit home computer introduced by Commodore International in January 1982.Volume production started in the spring of 1982, with machines being released on to the market in August at a price of US$595...
, Amiga
Amiga
The Amiga is a family of personal computers that was sold by Commodore in the 1980s and 1990s. The first model was launched in 1985 as a high-end home computer and became popular for its graphical, audio and multi-tasking abilities...
, Amstrad CPC
Amstrad CPC
The Amstrad CPC is a series of 8-bit home computers produced by Amstrad between 1984 and 1990. It was designed to compete in the mid-1980s home computer market dominated by the Commodore 64 and the Sinclair ZX Spectrum, where it successfully established itself primarily in the United Kingdom,...
, Atari ST
Atari ST
The Atari ST is a home/personal computer that was released by Atari Corporation in 1985 and commercially available from that summer into the early 1990s. The "ST" officially stands for "Sixteen/Thirty-two", which referred to the Motorola 68000's 16-bit external bus and 32-bit internals...
and PC soon followed. A sequel, Sentinel Returns
Sentinel Returns
Sentinel Returns is a video game developed by Hookstone, produced by No-Name Games and published by Sony in 1998, for PC and PlayStation...
, was published by Psygnosis in 1998 on the PC and PlayStation
PlayStation
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console first released by Sony Computer Entertainment in Japan on December 3, .The PlayStation was the first of the PlayStation series of consoles and handheld game devices. The PlayStation 2 was the console's successor in 2000...
platforms.
Stunt Car Racer
Stunt Car Racer is a racing video game developed by Geoff Crammond and was published by MicroStyle in 1989...
was a slightly offbeat driving simulation, rewarding the player for performing outrageous stunts on a number of elevated, roller-coaster-like courses. Although less serious in tone than his previous simulators, the game nevertheless used an impressive physics engine to offer a realistic driving experience. The game enjoyed cult status among many Amiga and Atari ST gamers. Ever since the early 1990s, Crammond's primary focus has been on developing the award-winning Formula One Grand Prix series of games. The first game in the series, F1GP
Formula One Grand Prix (Geoff Crammond)
Formula One Grand Prix is a racing simulator released in 1992 by MicroProse for the Atari ST, Amiga and PC created by game designer Geoff Crammond...
(aka World Circuit in the USA), was released by MicroProse
MicroProse
MicroProse was a video game publisher and developer, founded by Wild Bill Stealey and Sid Meier in 1982 as Microprose Software. In 1993, the company became a subsidiary of Spectrum HoloByte and has remained a subsidiary or brand name under several other corporations since...
on the Amiga in 1992 and is essentially the spiritual successor to Revs. Around this time Amiga Power
Amiga Power
Amiga Power was a monthly magazine about Amiga computer games. It was published in the United Kingdom by Future Publishing, and ran for 65 issues, from May 1991 to September 1996....
magazine began referring to him as Sir Geoff, a running gag which has caught on with many others. The game was an instant success, earning a conversion to the Atari ST and PC platforms, but the inevitable sequel, Grand Prix 2
Grand Prix 2 (game)
Grand Prix 2, sometimes known as "GP2" and sold in the American market as Grand Prix II, is a racing simulator released by MicroProse in 1996. It was made under an official FIA license that featured the Formula One 1994 season, with all of the circuits, teams, drivers and cars...
, remained in development for three years before eventually being released on the PC in 1996.
Grand Prix 3
Grand Prix 3
Grand Prix 3 is a computer racing simulator by MicroProse. Released in 2000 by Hasbro Interactive featuring the 1998 Formula One season...
was released on the PC in 2000 but received only a lukewarm welcome from fans and critics alike. Crammond's series now had considerable competition from other developers, particularly Psygnosis/Sony
Sony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
, who were licensed by the FIA
Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile
The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile is a non-profit association established as the Association Internationale des Automobile Clubs Reconnus on 20 June 1904 to represent the interests of motoring organisations and motor car users...
to produce the official Formula One gaming titles. Grand Prix 4
Grand Prix 4
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...
was released on the PC in 2002 and is generally regarded as the most accurate game in the series. After Grand Prix 4 there were rumours that Crammond's next game would be Stunt Car Racer Pro, an updated version of his classic game. The rumors were later confirmed with an announcement that he was co-operating with Lost Toys studios. Lost Toys studios were closed in late 2003. At the beginning of 2005, the game was rumoured to be cancelled.
Crammond's most recent game release is still GP4 (2002), which is still supported by fans with annual mods, in spite of MicroProse's closure in 2001.
Since then, Crammond has kept a low profile, but continues to engage in various programming projects.
Released
- 1981 - Super Invaders (BBC)
- 1983 - Aviator (BBC)
- 1984 - REVSREVS (computer game)Revs is a 1984 Formula Three simulation written initially for the BBC Micro by Geoff Crammond and published by Acornsoft that is notable for its realistic simulation of the sport and as a precursor to its author's later work on Formula One Grand Prix and its sequels.-Gameplay:Unlike most...
(BBC) - 1986 - Revs Plus (C64)
- 1986 - The SentinelThe Sentinel (computer game)The Sentinel is a computer game created by Geoff Crammond, published by Firebird in 1986 for the BBC Micro and converted to the C64 , Amstrad CPC , ZX Spectrum , Atari ST, Amiga and PC . It was released in the US as The Sentry...
(Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, BBC, C64, PC, ZX Spectrum) - 1989 - Stunt Car RacerStunt Car RacerStunt Car Racer is a racing video game developed by Geoff Crammond and was published by MicroStyle in 1989...
(Amiga, Atari ST, C64, PC, ZX Spectrum) - 1992 - Formula One Grand PrixFormula One Grand Prix (Geoff Crammond)Formula One Grand Prix is a racing simulator released in 1992 by MicroProse for the Atari ST, Amiga and PC created by game designer Geoff Crammond...
(Amiga, Atari ST, PC) - 1996 - Grand Prix 2Grand Prix 2 (game)Grand Prix 2, sometimes known as "GP2" and sold in the American market as Grand Prix II, is a racing simulator released by MicroProse in 1996. It was made under an official FIA license that featured the Formula One 1994 season, with all of the circuits, teams, drivers and cars...
(PC) - 1998 - Sentinel ReturnsSentinel ReturnsSentinel Returns is a video game developed by Hookstone, produced by No-Name Games and published by Sony in 1998, for PC and PlayStation...
(PC, PSX) - 2000 - Grand Prix 3Grand Prix 3Grand Prix 3 is a computer racing simulator by MicroProse. Released in 2000 by Hasbro Interactive featuring the 1998 Formula One season...
(PC) - 2001 - Grand Prix 3 2000 (PC)
- 2002 - Grand Prix 4Grand Prix 4Grand 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...
(PC)