Following an offseason where, for the first time in Formula 1 history, there were no driver changes, the official F1 game has arguably had more work to do than ever. Gamers eagerly awaited the upgrades Codemasters made to their flagship racing game. EA, Codemasters’ owner, has announced the earliest launch date yet, with the game set to hit shelves on 31st May.
It was announced early on that F1 24 would use the same engine as its predecessor, but there was still hope that the developers would make significant changes to enhance the racing experience.
However, numerous gamers have expressed disappointment, feeling that the game represents a step backward for the series due to its limited changes, resulting in a stagnant feel.
Additionally, the game has been plagued with minor issues from the start, although these appear to be getting resolved as of this writing.
I believe the series needs to go much further than what we are currently seeing. In this feature, I have compiled a list of changes that could enhance the gaming experience and prevent the game from becoming a monotonous recycle of previous editions. I’ve drawn on examples from other games, both in the motorsport and EA communities, as well as suggestions that could add a unique touch to the game.
Additional Series – EA FC 24
The first and likely most achievable addition I would like to see is the inclusion of the Formula 3 Championship. This would continue the experience from the earliest point of a single-seater career to the heights of Formula 1. Formula 3 has gained popularity in recent years as drivers make their first step towards the F1 grid.
Racing in a field of 30 cars would be fantastic and would also enhance the My Team and Career Mode features, adding greater depth to the game.
I would like to see the ability to start from the bottom in Formula 3, earn your stripes, and work your way up through the ranks by securing deals with teams along the way. In My Team, drivers could be selected from F3 teams as well as the current crop of Formula 2 drivers.
Similar to EA FC 24, it would be great to see other championships and their standings each season and scout drivers to see how they are performing before signing them for your F1 team.
Junior driver programs could also be implemented, similar to the youth academies seen in EA FC 24. An in-game media centre, similar to those in various current games, would be a fantastic addition, providing updates on other series as well as the one you are competing in, including driver changes and race results.
Extra Personnel – F1 Manager 23
My second suggestion might overlap with F1 Manager 23, but I would love to see the option of adding real-world personnel to your team in My Team mode. This could include hiring real-world designers, engineers, and commercial directors to lead your departments and manage their growth.
The more success you achieve as a driver and team, the more attractive your team becomes for hiring top talent.
Employing better staff would boost the motivation of each division, leading to improved performance and results.
Incorporating aspects of F1 Manager could include maintaining your departments, with a scale indicating the importance of this to your game. As the saying goes, “if you stand still, you go backwards,” and I feel that in some game modes, it is almost too easy to progress up the motorsport ladder.
An Updated Career Mode – NASCAR Heat 4
Although somewhat dated compared to current racing games, NASCAR Heat 4 offers a compelling single-player career mode that I’d like to see F1 24 take inspiration from. In NASCAR Heat 4, you start at the bottom on dirt ovals, earning money before advancing to higher levels via “hot shoe” opportunities.
While NASCAR Heat 4 uses earned dollars to create your own team, it might be more beneficial for F1 24 to use this progression for building reputation, allowing players to gain experience through tests and future race opportunities. Media conferences and hot lap events could also be added to influence marketability and impact whether you secure a drive.
This would provide an interesting alternative to My Team and give Career Mode a much-needed boost, offering a fresh approach to a feature that has remained unchanged for some time.
In line with My Team, it would be great to see drivers progress with you from the bottom to F1.
Online Ranking – iRacing
Another area for improvement is online ranking. Many games with a significant online presence now rank their lobbies to ensure skill matching with opponents in each race.
This would enhance the online racing experience, reducing the likelihood of finding yourself in chaotic races every time you enter a new lobby.
It would also make the game more competitive and appealing to a broader audience, as I know from experience that I tend to switch off when I'm taken out by a driver not braking properly into the Bus Stop Chicane!
Livery Editor – Forza Horizon 5
Finally, I’d love to see a livery editor function similar to that in the Forza Horizon series, where creators can design unique liveries and upload them for others to use on their cars.
It would be amazing to see the liveries created and added to the F1 and F2 cars within the game. For example, seeing a classic livery on a modern F1 car would be exciting—who wouldn’t want to see what the Jordan 191 livery would look like on a 2024 F1 car?
This feature would not only extend the game’s longevity but also attract new audiences and foster communities centered around creative design. From a marketing perspective, it would benefit the F1 game as creators and players share their work with a wider audience.
That concludes this feature. If you have any ideas for aspects from other games that you’d like to see added to F1 24, please join the discussion on our socials!
Images: www.radiotimes.com, www.sussexexpress.co.uk, www.f1manager.com
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