The anticipation is building to a fever pitch as EA Sports F1 25 gears up for its big release on May 30. Fans of the series, both newcomers and seasoned racers, can look forward to a host of new features, improvements, and tweaks that aim to make everyone feel at home on the virtual track. I recently caught up with the team at EA Codemasters to chat about what to expect in this new installment of the racing game franchise.
"We’re never short of feedback," shared EA Codemasters’ Creative Director, Gavin Cooper. "We really value the input from our community, which greatly informs our updates this year."
The developers have tapped into a rich pool of feedback, drawing insights not just from official forums but also from Esports drivers and content creators who had early access to F1 25 during its development phase. The aim has been to refine every aspect—car handling, a TV-like presentation, and realistic driver voiceovers. "Experiencing the real drivers’ voices adds authenticity to the game," Gavin explained. "We’ve almost doubled the voice lines compared to F1 24, offering more context and interactions for players."
For fans frustrated by the uniform engine sounds in the My Team mode, there’s good news. "You’ll hear different engine sounds based on your engine supplier choice," Gavin noted. "It’s something our fans have been asking for."
Crafting Your Own Racing Dynasty
The popular My Team mode gets a significant overhaul, ensuring players are in for an adrenaline rush. This time around, players will take on the manager role of a two-driver team, as opposed to being the owner-driver. "The dynamic of managing two drivers presents more intriguing decisions for players," Gavin commented. "It challenges players on who to prioritize in contract negotiations and upgrades."
Players will juggle the complexities of managing driver personalities alongside running various team facilities. The expanded R&D and sponsor systems further interact with perks, upgrades, and team dynamics, offering players expanded control over their journey to becoming a legendary team owner.
Revving Up the Story Mode with Braking Point
Braking Point, F1’s expansive story mode, isn’t slowing down either. "We want to enhance players’ narrative impact," says Gavin. The two Konnersport drivers now play into key scenarios, leading to ripple effects that influence race objectives and the story’s outcome. Building these narratives was a massive task.
"We track the main narrative supported by subplots and storylines delivered through secondary channels like phone calls and social media," Gavin elaborated. "Each thread feels unique to the driver, ensuring a coherent story everyone can enjoy. It’s been challenging, but extremely rewarding."
Once you wrap up Braking Point, you can carry your Konnersport team over into Career Mode, unprecedented in the series. This crossover offers more ways than ever for players to explore their racing ambitions.
Fine-Tuned Details and New Experiences
Beyond core modes, the team hasn’t overlooked the finer details. Players can enjoy better customization, a revamped decal editor, and LIDAR-scanned tracks like Bahrain, Miami, and Imola, which boast new levels of detail down to accurate vegetation.
Additionally, players can race in reverse track layouts at iconic circuits like Silverstone and Austria in several game modes. "It throws people for a loop," Gavin chuckled. "You know these tracks, but racing them backwards presents an entirely fresh challenge."
Year after year, F1 25 dominates the charts. It’s practically as daunting as organizing a real racing campaign, requiring two distinct development teams working in parallel. "A central team focuses on annual elements like handling and AI," Gavin explained. "This approach lets us introduce big features each year. Although it’s complex, with overlapping development, it’s all about effective communication and teamwork."
Much like a top-tier racing team, this well-oiled process comes together when it counts. You’ll get to dive into the action when EA Sports F1 25 hits PS5 on May 30.
