Electronic Arts is bringing VR support to the PC version of F1 22, the upcoming Formula One racing game developed by Codemasters. Although the game isn’t due out until July, the studios have tossed out a few codes to YouTubers to show off just how the game will look in VR.
Update (May 10th, 2022): YouTuber Alex Gillon takes us around the Miami circuit in VR, revealing some of the game’s detailed environments whilst racing on Quest 2 connected to a PC, replete with racing wheel.
In the video, seen below, Gillon says he can’t speak too much about the VR support since EA says the build is considered a work in progress, although impressions so far seem very favorable. During one of his full speed laps, Gillon spins out and says this:
“I really enjoyed that, oddly. In VR, to have the spin really felt real. And I was looking around, thinking ‘Oh no, we’re going to hit the wall’. You really do get a sense of danger.”
Gillon drives a few full laps at various speeds, which gives us a good opportunity to see the scale of the world and the detail within. The cockpit also seems to be on point, as you can even see certification seals by the driver’s legs—a subtle but important plus for immersion.
The original article follows below:
Original Article (April 22nd, 2022): F1 22 is slated to launch on July 1st across P4, P5, Xbox, and PC via the EA App, Origin, Steam, and Epic Store.
In F1 22, you get a chance to race new cars of the Formula 1 2022 season, and can play as 20 drivers across 10 teams.
Developers Codemasters say VR users will get “the ultimate immersive F1 experience with virtual reality compatibility on PC that lets you feel the drama of the race from right inside the cockpit.”
“Create a team and take them to the front of the grid with new depth in the acclaimed My Team career mode, race head-to-head in split-screen or multiplayer, or change the pace by taking supercars from some of the sport’s biggest names to the track,” the game’s Steam page says.
Although this is first F1 title to support VR, Codemasters is known for several VR-compatible games throughout the years, including Project Cars (2015), the Dirt Rally series, and pioneering VR racer Toybox Turbos (2014). The UK-based Electronic Arts subsidiary was also behind F1 2020 and F1 2021.
If you’re looking to jump in before July 1st, there’s also a pre-ordering incentive applied to the F1 22 Champions Edition, which gets you in three days earlier (June 28th).