Ever since I became interested in racing, I remember longing for a racing management simulation outside of Formula 1. Even before that, when playing football video games, the action on the pitch could not hold a candle to the intricate scheming and planning that goes on behind the scenes. So as someone deeply interested in management simulation as well as racing, let me ask one question:
To be fair, F1 Manager knows their target audience: Formula 1 fans. It’s okay for them to feature just Formula 1 content. Motorsport Manager tried its best in featuring different racing series on their, still kind of small, number of circuits.
But is that really all a motorsport fan can be content with? Personally, I am not.
The basis for this is already existing in some sim racing games. The example I’d like to go with is rFactor 2. You can run your AI-only races and plug the results into a spreadsheet. There even are people out there doing that. This is the basis from the racing side of things. Mix and mash that together with Football Manager and you have the most intricate management simulator you could have in racing.
Yes, this idea sounds off-world-ish, not everyone has a whole game development studio to do with as they please. So, here’s the wild idea to make this possible on a smaller budget:
Mods.
The base software to be released would include a few racing series, a cast of randomly generated drivers and probably a few off-brand circuits and marques. But everything would be moddable. Let people create their own favourite racetracks and cars. And if they want to, they can even recreate complete real racing series, where the developer would not have to pay a single cent for licensing fees. Thank you, mods.
So now that you have a free game idea, what’s next?
This is the first time, a well-established AAA developer tackles racing management. In case you didn’t know, the developer of F1 Manager is none less than Frontier Developments, internationally renowned for their RollerCoaster Tycoon series, and more recently Planet Coaster, Planet Zoo, and Jurassic World Evolution.
Commercial success would hopefully infuse life into this niche that has been neglected for way too long.
Also, technically there was a lie in the beginning. There are already more than those 2 games out there. However, those other possibilities I know of are either solely text-based meaning a small cult following is definitely possible, but mass appeal is very difficult. Or they are mobile games.
What are your hopes and expectations for racing management games? Would you be interested in seeing more manager-type games out there?
Let us know in the comments about your opinions!
Why can we not get the Racing Management Game we deserve?
Yes, there are 2 options out there. Technically, right now there’s 1 option out there. It’s called Motorsport Manager. The other possibility is the upcoming release of F1 Manager. However, both of those simulations are not as in-depth as they could be.To be fair, F1 Manager knows their target audience: Formula 1 fans. It’s okay for them to feature just Formula 1 content. Motorsport Manager tried its best in featuring different racing series on their, still kind of small, number of circuits.
But is that really all a motorsport fan can be content with? Personally, I am not.
The Racing Management Vision
Imagine being able to run your own team in any racing series there is. If you want to run touring cars, go ahead. Longing for some GT action? Have your fill! Or perhaps you dream of going to the top of open-wheel racing. If you have the cash, do it. But why not have the possibility for all those series in one simulation?The basis for this is already existing in some sim racing games. The example I’d like to go with is rFactor 2. You can run your AI-only races and plug the results into a spreadsheet. There even are people out there doing that. This is the basis from the racing side of things. Mix and mash that together with Football Manager and you have the most intricate management simulator you could have in racing.
Yes, this idea sounds off-world-ish, not everyone has a whole game development studio to do with as they please. So, here’s the wild idea to make this possible on a smaller budget:
Mods.
The base software to be released would include a few racing series, a cast of randomly generated drivers and probably a few off-brand circuits and marques. But everything would be moddable. Let people create their own favourite racetracks and cars. And if they want to, they can even recreate complete real racing series, where the developer would not have to pay a single cent for licensing fees. Thank you, mods.
So now that you have a free game idea, what’s next?
Will Racing Management Games become more common?
The future of this niche depends crucially on the upcoming release of F1 Manager. If that game sells well, more developers will be interested to make money off similar products.This is the first time, a well-established AAA developer tackles racing management. In case you didn’t know, the developer of F1 Manager is none less than Frontier Developments, internationally renowned for their RollerCoaster Tycoon series, and more recently Planet Coaster, Planet Zoo, and Jurassic World Evolution.
Commercial success would hopefully infuse life into this niche that has been neglected for way too long.
Also, technically there was a lie in the beginning. There are already more than those 2 games out there. However, those other possibilities I know of are either solely text-based meaning a small cult following is definitely possible, but mass appeal is very difficult. Or they are mobile games.
A Positive Future Lies Ahead
Finally, this obvious niche is getting more love. And we can only hope this is the start of a trend. The world of digital motorsports has definitely been able to gain a wider audience in the last few years.What are your hopes and expectations for racing management games? Would you be interested in seeing more manager-type games out there?
Let us know in the comments about your opinions!
