EA Sports F1 24 watched: Finally a new career!

You can finally start your career with the current F1 drivers and legends. Codemasters is giving “EA Sports F1 24” a massive boost – but isn’t adding a new engine. You can find out what to expect from the licensed racing game in the detailed preview report.

It's one of those things with the annual updates: No matter whether it's “EA Sports FC” or “WWE 2K” – we always ask ourselves how much really changes with the new parts. Are the developers really giving us a worthwhile update or just a tired extension with detailed adjustments?

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This is exactly the question we asked ourselves when we announced “EA Sports F1 24” also. In recent years, developer Codemasters has taken small steps with its license series and expanded the previous successful formula.

However, one major point of criticism remained: the career mode. Too little happened here. However, that is set to change in the new part, which will be released on May 31, 2024 for PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One and Xbox Series S/X. This time, at least in the career mode, they've gone a step further and are also tightening the technology once again.

Me, the pros and the legends

In recent years, our careers have always followed the same pattern: At the beginning of the game, we created our own pilot and decided whether we wanted to start in Formula 2 or directly in Formula 1. Of course, this tried and tested principle had its appeal, but it also became increasingly worn out over the years. Especially because we weren't allowed to start with one of the well-known professionals or even one of the legends. That changes with “EA Sports F1 24”. Would you like to start with Max Verstappen or even as Nigel Mansell or Michael Schumacher? No problem!

However, this of course also changes the objective: If you control a newcomer, the goals are different than with an established name. For this purpose, Codemasters introduces so-called “Accolades” – achievements. You unlock these rewards by completing certain tasks. The developers explained that this could be Niko Hülkenberg's victory in his first Grand Prix or, in the case of Lewis Hamilton, his eighth world title. That means: Depending on the standing of your pilot, the “Accolades” also vary.

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More F1 circus in the career

There is also more human interaction within the career. This should not only be shown with the additional film sequences, but also through the competition between the teams and the reputation of your pilot. Once again, rivalries arise – both between your driver and professionals from other teams, and between you and your own teammate.

Rivalries occur in three stages: short, medium and long. The higher the intensity, the greater the impact on the races and the more difficult the tasks that need to be completed. In secret meetings, however, you negotiate with your team or other racing teams and can thus consolidate or damage your position within the F1 circus. If you are too busy, it will cost you your good reputation.

As in previous years, in “EA Sports F1 24” you also have the opportunity to tackle your career in online multiplayer mode. However, there is once again no offline version with several participants in front of one screen. The multiplayer is supplemented by the asynchronous “Challenge Career”. These are seasonal episodes with tasks that you can complete against friends and the online community. Codemasters specifies goals, drivers and tasks and delivers them regularly.

Route changes and detailed drivers

As already mentioned at the beginning, “EA Sports F1 24” also relies on the ego engine used in its predecessors. However, there is still no technical standstill: Codemasters continues to work on the most complex and authentic implementation of the Formula 1 circus. For this purpose, routes are adapted to the current circumstances. During the presentation, pictures of Spa-Francorchamps were shown. The pictures clearly showed how changes were made to the run-out zones and markings.

Work has also clearly been done on the representation of the pilot models. Here the developers at Codemasters rely on the modern scanning methods of other EA Sports games. This makes the models appear much more natural and detailed than before.

Legends like Nigel Mansell, Mark Webber and Michael Schumacher are also better presented. No wonder, after all, they also play an important role in their careers and will be the center of attention thanks to additional players. Original recordings from Formula 1 pit radio are also integrated into the races. This is intended to guarantee even more authenticity.

What's annoying for PSVR2 owners, however, is that there will be no support for Sony's VR headset. Only PC gamers can enjoy this special racing experience.

Adapted driving experience

Codemasters is making a whole series of improvements on the track that are intended to change the driving experience compared to its predecessor. The aim is, on the one hand, to achieve the greatest possible authenticity, but on the other hand, “F1 24” will be equally playable with both a controller and a steering wheel.

For “F1 24”, Codemasters is making massive adjustments to the driving behavior. For example, a completely new aerodynamic system is used for this purpose and the behavior of the tires and suspension is adjusted. Other innovations concern the simulation of suspension, suspension and tire wear. For example, the tire temperature and its influence on driving characteristics are implemented in even more detail. How these factors affect playability remains to be seen. So far we have only been able to examine “F1 24” in a detailed developer presentation.

If we had to criticize something based on the information published so far about “EA Sports F1 24”, it would be the technical standstill based on the ego engine. Codemasters and EA Sports are playing it safe here and are not daring to make any changes after “WRC” had problems with the Unreal Engine 5.

And so there is more of a technology evolution than a revolution. At the same time, however, the adjustments announced so far promise a long overdue overhaul of the career as well as a whole host of detailed improvements that will significantly influence playability.

We are therefore very curious about the first test rounds with “EA Sports F1 24” and how different the licensed car will really play this year.


Further news about EA Sports F1 24.



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