Developers of soccer, tennis, or basketball simulation games are safe. Balls or balloons are unlikely to change shape from season to season. A luxury that has eluded Codemasters teams for two years. Because last year, new regulations called into question the shape of Formula 1 cars, completely redefining the aerodynamics of the vehicles.
“Refining Physics”
As the simulation game series tries to replicate the most realistic experience possible each year, the developers started from scratch to F1 23. “We built our physical model respecting the Formula 1 rules, be it in terms of dimensions or weight of the cars,” recalls Lee Mather.
But only after the real competition began, the developers were able to compare their brainchild with reality. On the part of the players, many explained that they had become disoriented, but above all that they did not feel the car, that they no longer controlled as well as before.
that’s why with F1 23, released on June 16, Codemasters had to respond to some frustration generated by the previous episode. “It was mostly a matter of refining the physics to make it even more effective,” concedes the game’s creative director.
Two versions presented to Mercedes drivers
And what better way to ensure this than to receive direct feedback from the pilots? A preview version of the game. F1 23 This is how he offered himself to the Mercedes team. If its works drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Georges Russell, attempted the title, Codemasters was able to benefit from the returns of Anthony Davidson. This development controller works behind the scenes, but specializes in the manufacturer’s simulation program.
“We gave them two driving prototypes, asked them to test drive them and tell us what they thought,” explains Lee Mather, who had been careful not to detail the differences between the two models.
With the unanimous “very good feedback” from the pilots, the studio knew it was heading in the right direction. Special work has been done on the traction of the vehicle. An extremely difficult point to reproduce in racing simulations in the opinion of those interested, the person in charge of the game told us.
However, adjustments should continue to be made throughout the year to improve the player experience in F1 23. When the teams achieve better -or worse- performances on the track, their statistics will be adapted in the game. The main objective of the title is to reflect as accurately as possible what is happening in reality.
Source: BFM TV
