Videogame writer EA Sports activities has introduced that it’ll not launch an official Method 1 recreation in 2026, as a substitute opting to replace the present F1 25 title with a paid-for content material replace.
It isn’t the primary time EA subsidiary Codemasters has scaled again on an F1 recreation earlier than pushing forward with its follow-up. In 2015, the primary title to be launched on eighth-generation consoles, got here out sooner than previous titles, and with a diminished variety of options – equivalent to profession mode, which returned in 2016 – however a title was launched nonetheless.
Subsequent yr will mark the primary time since Codemasters (which was purchased by the American firm in 2021) hasn’t produced a full annual recreation since 2009, when it launched F1 2009 on Nintendo Wii and Sony’s PSP.
F1 25, which was launched on Might 30 this yr for Xbox Collection X/S, PlayStation 5 and PC, will get a downloadable replace that includes the entire 2026 groups and vehicles subsequent yr, earlier than a brand new recreation arrives in 2027 which EA says will probably be “a deeply genuine and modern illustration of the motion and thrill of Method 1, re-imagined right into a extra expansive expertise with new methods to play for followers all over the world.”
The corporate additionally says that the transfer is a part of a “multi-year strategic funding within the EA Sports activities F1 franchise, with help from each Method One Administration and the F1 groups.”
“F1 25 has been an unbelievable success, fueled by the fervour of followers and the power of the game,” mentioned Lee Mather, senior inventive director at Codemasters. “With Method 1’s momentum on and off the observe, now could be the right time for us to look forward and construct for the longer term. We’re absolutely dedicated to the EA Sports activities F1 franchise. Our multi-year plan extends this yr’s pleasure with the 2026 growth and re-imagines the F1 expertise for 2027.”
F1 in the actual world will endure enormous change subsequent yr with new engine and aerodynamic rules, in addition to the addition of Cadillac to the sphere and Sauber morphing into Audi, the 2026 growth – whereas usher in these main adjustments – will probably be priced decrease than a full recreation, though F1 25 will nonetheless be required to play it.
It’s a related transfer to what the writer has employed with Method 2 since F1 2019, with the earlier yr’s subject represented within the recreation at launch and the present subject added afterward, albeit as a free replace.
Whereas EA has come beneath hearth over time for its tendency to pad out its video games with micro-transactions and paid-for options, the transfer will seemingly be a welcome one for players who usually criticize sports activities recreation publishers for releasing full new titles on a yearly foundation that supply little in the best way of change in comparison with the earlier iteration.
Particulars, together with a launch date and pricing for the F1 25 2026 replace, will probably be revealed later.
