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Another year, another F1 game.We chatted to Codemasters’ creative
director, Lee Mather, about how the series has evolved with F1 2017.
Words Alesha Kolbe
F1 2017 is Codemasters’
official accompaniment to
the Formula 1 racing season.
Passionate as they are, fans of
the F1 game series look forward
to each entry’s new instalment
to the campaign mode. This year,
according to creative director Lee
Mather, Codemasters are bringing
fans more of what they loved from
2016.
“We are building on those
foundations to create an even
deeper, more rounded experience.
You can now select a female avatar
for your driver, which is something
we have been looking to do for a
long time. We have also added a
number of new paddock locations
to add to the variety of what
you will see and interact with in-
between sessions on the track.”
The research and development
(R&D) system is back with a wider
range, with Mather comparing it to
an RPG skill tree.
“That is then complemented
by the new practice programs
that help you earn the resource
points you will need to develop
the car. Developing the car isn’t
the only consideration for the
player in F1 2017. Upgrades aren’t
always successful, so looking
to spend your
resource points on
elements which
don’t directly
impact the
performance of
the car could be
a wise strategy.
The player may
chose to focus their
development on speeding up
component delivery or quality
control, reducing the risk of failed
research and development on new
components.
"To further complement the new
R&D system, the player can also
look to improve pit stop efficiency,
reducing part cost, opening up
simultaneous part development, or
speeding up the delivery of parts.
With all of these choices available
to the player, it opens up
a whole new element
in F1 2017.”
F1 2017 is aiming
to be a more realistic
game, and one that
stays close to the
way the real drivers
have to manage and
coordinate their cars.
“There is also a greater
emphasis on the management of
your gearbox and engine," says
Mather. "Having to change either
of those during a race weekend
will incur penalties, so it is
important that you try to limit
any unnecessary wear.”
He also emphasis that
everything you do impacts
your perception by other
teams. “[This] will give you
a clearer indication of where
contracts are likely to be coming
from.”
Of course, the devs also have
to keep pace with changes that
are happening in the world of F1.
In 2017, tyre width on the cars was
increased, which impacts how the
cars handle.
“This has meant that we
have had to completely rework
the physics system and refine
With all of these
choices available to
the player, it opens
up a whole new
element in F1 2017
between the
aerodynamics and
tyre grip.”
Finally, F1 2017 will
reintroduce classic cars,
and Mather can’t wait to
see the fans’ reaction.
“Classic cars are a firm fan
favourite and were a huge hit
when we first introduced them
back in 2013. It made sense to
bring them back to the series but
only once we were happy with
the core game experience. They
look, sound and feel absolutely
awesome. People are going to love
driving them.”
“We work closely with
a number of the team
to replicate their cars
in-game as closely as
possible to the real thing.
We are also very fortunate
to have access to drivers
from time to time. For
example, we just spent
some time with Max
Verstappen at the Red
Bull HQ to film a piece
and got to talk to him
about the game.There are
numerous examples like
this and we cherish their
feedback.”
062 AUGUST 2017
visit GAMES FEATURE
Working
with the
crew
• F1 2017
is out
Aug 25
Changing
formulathe
Lee Mather
st154_062_GAMES-F1 2017.indd 1 21/7/17 2:23 pm