Interactive: Compare Monaco graphics in F1 2019 and F1 2018

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The home of the Monaco Grand Prix has always been one of the most challenging circuits for game designers to replicate.

In early games the streets of the Principality were considerably wider and flatter than in real life, often due to the limitations of processing power. And the vibrant scenery, so much more dense than at venues such as Silverstone, placed severe demands on old gaming systems.

Today gamers can enjoy the Monte-Carlo circuit in richer detail than ever before. Codemasters are especially keen to show off how the track looks in their latest game and have supplied these comparison shots to illustrate how they’ve added new elements to create a more convincing replica of the 3.3-kilometre track.

The latest edition of the official Formula 1 game will arrive later next month. RaceFans has already had a play of a pre-release version, and will bring you our first review as soon as final code is available.

Compare F1 2019 and F1 2018

Sainte Devote: Onboard

Casino

Nouvelle Chicane

Sainte Devote

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    Author information

    Keith Collantine
    Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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    12 comments on “Interactive: Compare Monaco graphics in F1 2019 and F1 2018”

    1. Although it’s pretty obvious that the level of detail is even greater, it would be great If we could have real photos of the exact spots in order to compare them to reality!

    2. ColdFly (@)
      27th May 2019, 8:45

      Great restoration/paint job for that apartment building in St Devote ;)

      1. Yeah also the 1st thing I noticed @coldfly :)

    3. Honestly, as an avid game player bordering on addiction, I look at these comparisons and am wondering what the big deal is.

      1. @shimks – it’s ironic, isn’t it? As the gameplay improves and you get immersed, you don’t really see graphics quality all that much, even Lion King quality of graphics will do if the game is solid. It’s the bad games that need “shiny” to attract people.

        1. @phylyp I find the same with a good movie. It is almost always irrelevant whether you are watching a 4K movie or an old scratchy VHS if the narrative is strong. Of course, there is an increase in enjoyment, but nothing like the way it’s hyped.

    4. Nice – improvements in the lighting department, with HDR thrown in, and good textures for the backgrounds. I particularly like the McLaren at Casino – the glint of the sun on the nose makes it that much nicer.

      1. F1oSaurus (@)
        27th May 2019, 20:26

        @phylyp F1 2018 also has HDR?

        1. @f1osaurus – but wouldn’t you say the effect looks better and more natural in the 2019 version? Look at the streetlight in the first one (St. Devote on board), the McLaren nose, the road surface in the third one (chicane). They’ve ramped up the HDR effect, and made it look closer to the real world. The 2018 version looks flatter/duller.

          1. F1oSaurus (@)
            28th May 2019, 19:02

            @phylyp I’m not sure how HDR imagery translates when you display it on a non-HDR monitor.

            Actually in the first screenshot, the HDR is stronger on the 2018 version.

            The other light effects you mention are not HDR related. The highlight on the nose and tyres and the light from the lamp post are not HDR.

            Anyway, I’m sticking with 2018 :)

            1. @f1osaurus – thank you :)

    5. Keith – it’s probably worth calling out whether these are screenshots from the PC version, “pro” console, or regular console versions. Seeing as they come from the developer themselves, I’d wager it’s the PC version.

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