It was always inevitable that F1 2015 is going to release at some point this year, but now Codemasters have given us the first batch of information, including a release date of June 12th (significantly earlier than usual) on the Xbox One, PS4 and PC. That’s right, for the first time the series will be moving away from the Xbox 360 and PS3.
The new game will “act as a significant step forward in the game’s visuals and physics-based handling model.” That’s good to hear, because it would be hard to argue a case for the most recent F1 games even existing, mostly due to their very minor incremental changes year after year. It’s likely that F1 2010 – as hugely impressive as it was – was a few years ahead of its time. There’s a feeling that perhaps Codemasters overachieved with their first entry in the series and so could only do so much in the following years, but here’s hoping that the transition to the new consoles will give the franchise the breath of fresh air that it so desperately craves. The developers have released more information detailing F1 2015’s new features:
“The new model delivers enhancements and additions in over 20 areas including engine and transmission, aero dynamics, fuel tank, force feedback, suspension and most notably a brand new tyre physics model – creating a truly breathtaking and realistic representation of how these cars handle on the track.
The buzz and excitement that surrounds each GRAND PRIX™ is incredible, and we wanted to transfer that to F1 2015 with an all-new broadcast style presentation that’ll deliver that unmistakable race-day weekend atmosphere of a GRAND PRIX™, complete with podium and grid sequences.
Using the voice recognition technology available for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 consoles you’ll be able to interact with your race engineer like never before. Through in-game voice commands with Kinect for Xbox One and the PlayStation®Camera or compatible headsets for PlayStation 4 you can ask for race info, updates on the weather, tyre status, request tyres and even front wing changes… And that is just a few of the many options available.”
That last point is an interesting addition. We’ve seen a similar feature in the FIFA games of late, whereby players can verbally make substitutions or change tactics on the fly if they have a Kinect or PlayStation Camera equipped with their consoles. This feature should increase the immersion in F1 2015 as you’ll actually talk to your pit crew as opposed to press buttons in their direction. But there’s more…
“We know a lot of our fans wanted to play F1 TM 2014 on Xbox One and PlayStation 4, so as well as being the official videogame of the 2015 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP we’re also including the cars, drivers and tracks from the 2014 season as bonus content. All built from the ground up with our updated handling and new game features.”
How about that for fan service? And finally, here’s a few more details…
“The handling is a vast improvement from our previous games. In particular our new tyre model is a superb step forward towards realism, letting you explore where the limit is and allowing you to instantly feel much more connected with the car. You can now experience the changes in grip caused by temperature changes, wear, car set-up, debris and weather conditions.
Our improved vehicle dynamics much more accurately convey the difference in performance and the feel between mechanical and aerodynamic grip. The new Force Feedback system adds to the feeling of connection with the car and track surface. The more natural and realistic nature of the game physics also serves to ensure that the racing experience is more accessible, enjoyable and rewarding for players of all skill levels.”
So for the first time in years it seems that we are going to be getting an F1 game worth its asking price. We can’t wait to see not just how F1 2015 looks on the new consoles, but also how it plays. Regardless, the overall package is already looking convincing due to the inclusion of the 2014 season as well as the 2015 season.
