F1 2016 Preview – Game Looks To Mirror Real Life
Formula 1 is the sport of the elite, requiring the pinnacle of human reflexes, engineering, and financial clout to even come close to breaking the surface. Routinely breaking 200 mph and enduring 5+ G’s of force, F1 is also a supremely demanding and dangerous activity. Codemasters have been involved with Formula 1 in the video game space since 2009, but are also responsible for standouts like Colin McRae Rally and Grid. In short, they’re racing game royalty. I got an F1 2016 preview and picked the brain of designer Lee Mather at E3 2016. The verdict? F1 2016 is the video game equivalent of a Lewis Hamilton hot lap.
As you might expect of a yearly release, all of the 2016 Formula 1 rules, cars, and tracks have been implemented in the game. This includes aerodynamic and tuning changes, and the integration of new (Baku) and returning (Hockenheim) tracks. Codemasters are so dedicated to delivering an accurate simulation that there will be 2 updates over the course of the F1 season to implement changes to car specs. It also means that they’ve sweated the details in an obsessive manner. Curbs are now accurately modelled and affect cars more realistically, damage models are much more accurate, and the accuracy of penalties has been made more realistic. Codemasters’ simulation pedigree has never been in question – physics and feel have always been great in their games, and F1 2016 is no exception. That solid baseline allowed the team to focus their attention on making some big enhancements to the game outside of gameplay.
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“F1 2016 is the video game equivalent of a Lewis Hamilton hot lap.”
The big news is the return of career mode. Based on a 10 year career, the game is focused on delivering a believable experience for players. You’ll design your own helmet, choose a team to join, and take part in every facet of Formula 1. The mode includes accurately modeled paddock environments to wander around in, with the dedication to immersion including such things as accurate models of team principles (the bosses) like Christian Horner and Maurizio Arrivabene. Not enough realism for you? How about accurate pit boards and the inclusion of the safety car? Alright, I can see that you’re looking for something really impressive, and Codemasters have that something.
Formula 1, especially in this era, is a sport of tiers. Winning the race is often out of the question thanks to the dominance of the Mercedes team. More often than not, the interesting parts of races are the battles for 5th and 6th, or the struggle for a team to score points in a race. The team is including a rivalry feature in career mode that sets realistic goals for the player. The game isn’t going to say your rival is Nico Rosberg after your first race. No, perhaps it will challenge you to place ahead of Jolyon Palmer for the next couple races. The team is trying to channel the entire grid intrigue of Formula 1 into the game, and this feature is a huge step towards achieving that realism.
Tactical considerations are a big part of F1 2016 too. Stints in practice involve a deep level of data analysis, and your car telemetry helps the game generate a set of race strategies for you to pick from. Having trouble with grip? The game will likely suggest softer tires and more stops.
But how does the game feel? In my F1 2016 preview I drove about 20 laps of Circuit Gilles Villeneuve with a pretty awesome racing wheel, and the game felt great (as it has in the past). The simulation felt accurate and weighty, but the game still offers a whole bunch of assist modes to suit your tastes. I went full manual, and can confirm that there is a substantial challenge for those insane enough to turn all the assists off. I saw a PS4 controller, but am unsure what it was hooked up to – in any case the game looked sharp and was running buttery smooth at 60 fps.
All signs point to a successful year for video game Formula 1. I came away from my F1 2016 preview pretty satisfied, and the developers’ commitment to making the game leaps and bounds better is certainly reassuring. The additions Codemasters are making this year are set to provide a deeper and more realistic experience, and racing fans everywhere should be very excited about that. F1 2016 arrives August 19th for PS4, Xbox One, and Windows.
