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14 Jun 2023

As easy as F1 23: Interview with Codemasters’ Lee Mather

The 2023 Formula One season is in full swing, and it’s time for us to hit the tracks ourselves with the arrival of F1 23 this month. We caught up with Codemasters senior creative director Lee Mather for a chat about this year’s model.

This year's F1 has been one for tweaking after the major changes of last year. What have you implemented to improve this year's outing play-wise?

We’ve been able to take early telemetry data from our cars and compare it to that of a real F1 car at the same circuit. This provided us with a very clear picture of where we could improve in our model. By incorporating actual F1 team feedback, alongside input from the community and esports teams, we’ve built a handling model which will give the player maximum control over the car, one that inspires confidence on the throttle, allows for a direct and accurate turn in from the front end, and gives players the level of feel they need to be the last to brake.

The inclusion of red flags is a big one for fans…

Red flags is very much a love letter to the community. They offer up a race changing impact as well as mirroring the level of detail and reality fans expect of the official Formula 1 game.

Can you please tell us more about your new Precision Drive controller technology?

The goal for Precision Drive was to give a player using a controller the same degree of control, accuracy, and confidence in racing the car as a player on a wheel would experience. With the limited travel of a trigger or thumbstick we wanted to deliver a system which would give a controller player a stronger and more confidence inspiring connection to the car.

We've 23 races this year with Qatar back, and the all-new Las Vegas circuit. Considering the “bigness” of Vegas, how much fun was it creating this new track?

I’ll come clean, I’m a bit of a Vegas fan so I’ve been massively excited by its inclusion this season. I’ve loved watching the team build such a wonderful virtual recreation of one of the most exciting and striking cities in the world. The sheer scale and density of the buildings in Las Vegas has been a fun challenge for the team along with the vibrance and energy of the strip lit up for the Saturday night race.

The narrative-driven Braking Point returns for a second season. How have you improved upon the original formula?

From a gameplay standpoint we’ve expanded on-track goals to now cover primary and secondary objectives. Secondary objectives also impact and are impacted by the way in which you answer questions away from the track. Performance and Reputation will both impact the secondary narrative of the story with the responses the player makes to the press or the decisions they make while responding as the team boss all impact the story. The cinematics have also taken a major step forward, with higher quality character models and improved body and facial animation.

Can you please tell us more about F1 World?

F1 World is an entirely new area in the F1 game where the player can engage in a wide variety of daily, weekly, and seasonal content and activities. Players will be able to take part in offline events and series, compete online or race in their favourite areas such as Time Trial, Grand Prix, or Multiplayer, all the while progressing the tech level of their F1 World car. It’s also the home of the new Multiplayer Ranked Divisions feature, while the Compendium is a virtual sticker book where players will be able to place collectable stickers which they earn through racing within F1 World.

Do you have any hot insider tips for players of F1 23?

I do have a couple of tips to offer up. Firstly, jumping into F1 World provides a great opportunity for players to get to grips with the new handling model and Precision Drive controller technology. F1 World will give both returning and new players the opportunity to find their feet, try things out and start earning rewards and progressing their F1 World experience while doing so.

Secondly, the handling model has progressed significantly this year, so take some time to get to grips with it on some tracks you already know, while in F1 World. I’d also recommend practicing some of the tracks you’re less familiar with, especially the two new circuits, Lusail and Las Vegas.

^Discounts apply to previous ticketed/advertised price prior to the discount offer. As we negotiate, products will likely have been sold below ticketed/advertised price prior to the discount offer. Prices may differ at airport stores.

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