Summary
Formula 1 is growing in popularity, and the increase in viewers has been complemented byF1games that are a wonderful recreation of the thrill of the sport. They are simulators in the best way, but can also be enjoyed by casual audiences. However,F1 Manageris a different offering entirely, as it puts players in the role of a team principal and gives them all the responsibilities that come with it.
F1having two distinct games is something thatMaddenwould do well to take cues from, as the NFL has as much potential for on-field excitement and behind-the-scenes drama. It would be a perfect respite for people who can’t compete withMaddenveterans but are eager to take the reins of a franchise and carry on their interest in the NFL into the virtual space.
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F1 Manager Shows the Other Side of Formula 1
The annual Codemasters offerings are the top of their field in the racing simulation genre. The tracks are pinpoint accurate, the cars can be adjusted to be in keeping with the real sport, and the potential for competition has spawned a whole esports division dedicated to it.TheF1gamesare the closest thing that most fans will get to experience driving down the inside at Spa-Francorchamps or weaving through the tight streets of Monaco, but there’s another side to the sport that is, in some ways, far more compelling.
The cars wouldn’t take to the track without a dedicated team of mechanics, engineers, and backroom staff to get them working at their best.F1 Manageris an expansion on the My Team modefeatured in recent games, giving players the chance to assume the role of team principle rather than driver, where tension comes from making key decisions at the right time instead of making sure an overtake is pulled off to perfection. It’s a wonderful way to show that excitement comes from different places in Formula 1, andMadden’s subject material makes it a perfect series to do something similar.
The NFL is Primed for a Management Simulator
In the NFL, the offseason can be as interesting as the games that take place every week. The draft, free agency, and training camp are each essential building blocks for the season that would follow. Because of this the stakes are high, and the importance of getting things right can’t be understated.
Maddenis a sports game first and foremost with the football mechanics at the center of it all, which means that the potential for competition is high, and players can be engrossed in the game as the carrot on the stick is to win the game at the end of the fourth quarter. It’s a philosophy that has worked for the EA franchise for decades, and thoughMaddenhas woven management elements into Franchise Mode and Ultimate Team, the sport could provoke so much more in the gaming space.
Adopting a philosophy that Formula 1 did withF1 Managerwould give fans of the NFL who would rather assume the role of the general manager than the player/coach a game to suit their preferences. It would help to capture both sides of the sport and show that there is tension and excitement in seeing a team win games knowing that it was so meticulously crafted ahead of time. Codemasters’F1games (as well asFIFA’s career mode) offer a half-step into something more manager-centric, but going all the way would be a new experience entirely, and give more creative freedom to players who want to oversee their favorite NFL franchise in as much detail as possible.
F1 Manager 2023is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
