EA has confirmed sweeping changes to the official Formula 1 videogame, with updates to this season’s game acting as part of a wider reset to the franchise for F1 2027.
EA has owned the rights to the F1 videogame since buying the developer Codemasters in February 2021, the series first debuting on PC and game consoles in 2010.
Since the deal, the F1 game has expanded its features to include driver moves and challenges through F1 World. However, it has not been plain sailing for the series.
F1 2025 suffered from numerous issues, including AI issues on track as well as other bugs to cutscenes, with the engine of the game becoming stale from a lack of innovation.
But the series will be reset, with the controversial decision made to skip an entry next season, with a paid expansion adding in 2026, content before an all new entry the following year.
“F1 25 has been an incredible success, fueled by the passion of fans and the energy of the sport”, said Lee Mather, Senior Creative Director at Codemasters.
“With Formula 1’s momentum on and off the track, now is the perfect time for us to look ahead and build for the future.
We’re fully committed to the EA SPORTS F1 franchise. Our multi-year plan extends this year’s excitement with the 2026 expansion and reimagines the F1 experience for 2027 to deliver even more for players at every level around the world”.
A ‘refreshed experience’ coming in 2027
In a statement, EA explained the rationale behind the decision, highlighting the scope of the changes to F1 2025 and indicating the dated game experience will be “refreshed”.
“Today, EA SPORTS™ confirms future plans for F1® 25, with the game set to represent both the 2025 and 2026 FIA Formula One World Championships. This news drops alongside an announcement for the future of EA SPORTS F1® as 2027 will see the series return and mark the start of a new and more expansive F1® experience.
“Following on from F1® 25’s commercial and critical success – with praise from players, media, content creators, and F1® drivers alike – the team is building on the experience through a paid expansion*. The premium content update will bring players closer to the sport’s major changes for 2026 that includes new cars, sporting regulations, teams, and drivers.
“The decision to offer a premium content update for F1® 25 is part of a strategic reset for the F1® Franchise. In 2027, a new game will be released that looks, feels, and plays differently, delivering more gameplay choices.
“Working in partnership with F1® and all eleven teams, the 2027 F1® game will deliver a refreshed experience that expands on what longtime players have loved from the franchise, whilst simultaneously celebrating the excitement of Formula 1® in new ways, immersing new and existing players in the modern era of the sport.
“With the 2025 calendar approaching a thrilling climax, now is the perfect time to pick up F1® 25, available across PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Right now, players can get involved in Season 4, featuring a new Survival Challenge mode with time-limited unlockables that includes special liveries and helmets that are featured in the real-world season.
READ MORE – Zak Brown claims F1 Netflix series ‘changed’ Christian Horner
Discussion about this post