View source for F-1 World Grand Prix III (lost build of cancelled Nintendo 64 Formula One racing game; 2000-2001)

{{InfoboxLost
|title=<center>F-1 World Grand Prix III</center>
|image=F1worldgrandprix3.jpg
|imagecaption=Cover art of F-1 World Grand Prix III.
|status=<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
}}
'''''F-1 World Grand Prix III''''' is an unreleased Nintendo 64 Formula One racing game developed by ''Paradigm Entertainment'' and was set to be published by ''Video System'' as part of the ''F-1 World Grand Prix'' series prior to cancellation.

==Background==
Before December 2020, very little information was known about the game, and its existence was questioned. The only indication that a third sequel of the ''F-1 World Grand Prix'' series was being developed came from audio developer J.D. Smith on his now defunct website Gamesoundsmith. On his website, he claims that he was contracted to work on sound design for the game, and that it was a Nintendo 64 exclusive that was "fully developed" but ultimately was never released.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150402192158/http://www.gamesoundsmith.com/game_pages/f1wgp3.html Gamesoundsmith page that is currently the only indication that ''F-1 World Grand Prix III'' may have existed.] Retrieved 19 Dec '20</ref> Smith had previously been credited as working for the alleged game's prequel, ''F-1 World Grand Prix II'',<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150408123514/http://www.gamesoundsmith.com/game_pages/f1wgp2.html Gamesoundsmith page crediting Smith as having worked on ''F-1 World Grand Prix II'''s audio development.] Retrieved 19 Dec '20</ref> which was a simulation of the 1998 Formula One Season and released in 1998.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20050204012113/http://pe-i.com/f1wgp2.html Archived ''Paradigm Entertainment'' page listing ''F-1 World Grand Prix II''.] Retrieved 19 Dec '20</ref> 

Smith also provided supposed cover art and screenshots of the game. However, these ultimately could not confirm the game's existence, because the cover art is actually just the cover of ''F-1 World Grand Prix'' but with slightly altered colouring and the addition of a III logo. Additionally, the provided screenshots originated from the listing of the original game by ''Paradigm Entertainment''.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20050205194959/http://pe-i.com/f1wgp.html Archived ''Paradigm Entertainment'' page listing ''F-1 World Grand Prix'', which confirms Smith's screenshots actually originated from this game, rather than ''F-1 World Grand Prix III''.] Retrieved 19 Dec '20</ref>

==Confirmation of existence==
On 21st December, 2020, Lost Media Wiki user Red Thunder contacted a developer of Paradigm Entertainment to learn more about the game.<ref>[https://docs.google.com/document/d/13tf1T42tJiqQzKkiClWP_tkQijJb5buzsg-0eksrmuU/edit Red Thunder's conversation with the Paradigm Entertainment developer] Retrieved 22 Dec '20</ref> The developer confirmed that the game did indeed exist, and was intended as a Nintendo 64 exclusive. There would be little change from ''F-1 World Grand Prix II'', aside from a few new tracks, challenges and season data, most likely reflecting the 2000 Formula One Season.

''F-1 World Grand Prix III'' was intended for release in late 2000 or early 2001. Ultimately however, Paradigm Entertainment decided to cancel the game, because of the dwindling Nintendo 64 market that meant poor sales for the company's latest games, Duck Dodgers and Indy Racing 2000, as well as the desire to focus on next-generation titles for the GameCube, PlayStation 2 and Xbox. Prior to cancellation, the game was about 90% complete, but was yet to receive quality assurance testing.

==Availability==
At least one test cartridge of ''F-1 World Grand Prix III'' is known to exist, where it currently belongs to the interviewed developer's boss. Ultimately, while the developer intends to discuss this with their boss in January 2021, they do warn that it is unlikely their boss will release the game to the public. According to the developer, one other copy of the game may exist, although they cannot confirm this as of December 2020.

==See Also==
*[[1953 British Grand Prix (partially found footage of Formula One race; 1953)]]
*[[2005 San Marino Grand Prix (partially found ITV advert break during final laps of Formula One race; 2005)]]
*[[Donkey Does F1 (partially found photos of Shrek character inflatable at Formula One races; 2004)]]
*[[F1 2010 (lost pre-alpha build of Formula One game; 2010)]]
*[[F1 Racing Championship 2 (lost build of cancelled PC/PlayStation 2 Formula One game; 2001)]]
*[[Fernando Alonso's 2015 testing accident (lost footage of Formula One test session crash; 2015)]]
*[[Grand Prix 3 (lost build of cancelled Dreamcast port of PC Formula One racing game; 2001)]]
*[[Grand Prix 4 (lost build of cancelled Xbox port of PC Formula One racing game sequel; 2002)]]
*[[McLaren MP4-18 (lost footage of unraced Formula One car; 2003)]]
*[[Racing Arrows (partially found Formula One TV series; 2001)]]
*[[Robert Kubica's 2010 Japanese Grand Prix Q3 lap (lost audio of Formula One qualifying lap; 2010)]]
*[[Williams FW15C (partially found footage and lap time information of unraced CVT Formula One car; 1993)]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Lost video games]]
[[Category:Completely lost media]]