rFactor 2 to Feature Official Formula E Licence?

[Paul Jeffrey]

It appears as if Studio 397 have secured an official licence to recreate the electric Formula E series in rFactor 2.

Thanks to some impressive detective work from @William Marsh of Sim Racing Paddock, official posts on both the Formula E jobs website and LinkedIn have been spotted that suggest the electric racing series will be getting the sim racing treatment, with Studio 397 and rFactor 2 cited as the simulation software with which the virtual series will call home in the near future.

Love it or loath it, Formula E seems to be a series very much in vogue these past few weeks, and with an increase in eSport and sim racing awareness amongst racing series throughout the globe, it is perhaps not unsurprising to see one of the big developers snap up an official licence for the championship sooner rather than later.

Potentially thanks to the close ties between rFactor 2 and Formula E already formed with the recent Vegas $1m eSport event last year, it appears as if Studio 397 have stolen a march on their sim racing rivals and wrapped up the deal to replicate the series officially in a racing simulation.

Reviewing the advent posted below, it does look like the new deal could mean more than simply locking down a single car from the series (as has been done in other games), with indications strongly suggesting the licence includes a deal to bring all cars, liveries and tracks to the game alongside a very high likelihood of some kind of sanctioned eSport event using the rFactor 2.

Could this mean a more prolonged online competition similar to the Vegas event, and can this move from Formula E and Studio 397 mark a first step towards a greater emphasis on structured online play in rFactor 2 in the future?

It has been well documented throughout many different threads and posts the conflicting opinions of race fans on Formula E and electric racing, however one thing exceptionally positive to come from this deal is yet further confirmation that Studio 397 are making a concerted effort to focus content going forward, rather than the sometimes disjointed approach of single car releases that have often made up the release schedule in years past.

Studio 397 were unwilling to offer an official comment on the Formula E job postings when approached by RaceDepartment earlier today.

For those curious, you can read the full job description below, and apply for the post yourself by visiting the Formula E jobs site HERE.

Role: Gaming Product Manager
Location: London
Status: Full Time Employee
Band: 2
Reporting to: Senior Digital Marketing Manager

Your role
Console/Mobile
-Work with developer needs (liveries, data) for IP integrations of cars/tracks
-Push gaming partners to feature FE integrations through competition/exposure within the game
-Sync marketing, PR and comms across FE and gaming partners

Sim Racing
-Develop rFactor 2 with Studio 397
--Ensure delivery of Studio 397 timeline to release of title
--Liaise with internal departments to make sure all liveries, tracks and data is passed on to Studio 397
--Work with Studio 397 to manage the launch and community on Steam
-Issue a RFP for broadcast/esports competition for providers
--Confirm dates for the proposed 4 Season 4 online races
--Work with esports TO/broadcaster for talent, rules and stewarding
-Team integration
--Build plan for teams to take game software
--Help teams develop software integration strategy, with local activations

At track
-Manage event space consisting of
--Moving simulators from DHL drop off point to stage
--Networking of machines
--Installing monitors
--Packing empty lids for DHL to remove
--Running server to record times and control cameras for eRace
--Coordinate the fan(s) who are participating in the eRace to attend
--Manage and train volunteer staff for simulator use
--Manage queue system and be responsible for customers in the gaming area
--Coordinate drivers participating in eRace with communications team
--Coordinate branding with specific driver names on the back on simulators
--Manage and run eRace with broadcast partner
--Pack down equipment, box monitors, install lids on simulators and place back to DHL pickup point.

Desired skills and experience
The successful candidate must have experience in delivering gaming events to a high standard. Additionally, candidates should be able to demonstrate:
-Knowledge and a passion for video games and eSports
-A relatable degree
-Experience of managing multiple projects from strategic conception to execution and analysis
-Experience of delivering events on time and to budget
-Evidence of developing comprehensive marketing and promotional plans to deliver gaming or eSports events
-The ability to collaborate effectively across business functions to understand and prioritise varying product requirements
-A recognised Project Management qualification (Prince 2, PMI) would be beneficial


rFactor 2 is a racing simulation exclusive to PC. You can purchase the game directly from Steam with immediate effect.

Check out the rFactor 2 sub forum here at RaceDepartment for all the latest news and discussion with regards to the simulation. You can take part in lively debates with fellow rFactor 2 fans and take part in some great Club and League racing events..! Head over to the forum now and share the love this simulation so very much deserves...

Pleased to hear of official Formula E content coming to rFactor 2? Any particular series you would like to see added to the sim in future? Let us know in the comments section below!

 

[Jayblue]

The cars sound terrible but I actually think the series will work very well in a sim racing environment. The battery management and driving techniques required to get the most from the cars are relatively unique and the timing of the car change mid race will add an extra dimension to online races. I also like the street circuits used in the series, they are short but hard to master.

It could be a big step forward to RF2. At the moment the sim feels like its a collection of content none of which is particularly cohesive - we have a random selection of cars and tracks and in single player mode at least I find doing races with the AI entertaining but lacking an end objective. I would greatly enjoy being able to run a complete championship season in the game.

 

[Dave R]

Day 1 purchase for me for sure

 

[Deleted member 130869]

.

 

[tonio duran]

Mod Edit: English only, please.

 

[samprince053]

i understand why people dont like this, but its more content and you're all complaining, tbh i think you should support the developers for continually updating the game long after release

 

[Emerson Meyer]

Can't wait for those "amazing" tracks

 

[kimbo]

I love RF2,i hate formula E

 

[darkelf1]

 

[John-Eric Saxén]

Electric cars are the death of racing sports. We should boycott this stuff in every possible way.
This news made me so sad that now I'm watching videos of noisy cars in loop.

Like it or not, this is the way civil cars and thus racing is heading. If and when electric cars will start to take over in civil traffic it's only a matter of time when racing follows, due to big car manufacturers having such a big say in the sport. And sim racing will ultimately follow real racing...

Btw, I watched the Formula E $1 million rF2 event at Las Vegas last January, I don't remember any of the world's top sim racers complain they were driving simulated electric cars. At the end of the day you could probably replace the sound samples manually with something different if you desperately wanted to. Problem solved.

 

[Will Mazeo]

Like it or not, this is the way civil cars and thus racing is heading. If and when electric cars will start to take over in civil traffic it's only a matter of time when racing follows, due to big car manufacturers having such a big say in the sport. And sim racing will ultimately follow real racing...

Btw, I watched the Formula E $1 million rF2 event at Las Vegas last January, I don't remember any of the world's top sim racers complain they were driving simulated electric cars. At the end of the day you could probably replace the sound samples manually with something different if you desperately wanted to. Problem solved.

There was 1 milion in prizes, you think they'd complain? They'd drive Mario Kart in rF2 if they were told to

 

[Alex72]

Its not the most awesome thing in the world (my fav is old school big engine after all), but this is a part of the future and rF2 might get the official cars and tracks which is pretty damn cool. They hire new people after all to do it so im sure the normal crew is continuing developing other cars and tracks.

 

[Wedge]

I thought ISI was working on an official Formula E game - like codies work on F1. but it's awesome anyway, maybe even better than a standalone game.

 

[Pywackett-Barchetta]

I certainly don't mind the sound of an electric car, and I very much look forward to the possibility of simulated Formula E in an official capacity, because that Vegas event had some serious problems. Formula E's still got a long way to go to be a worthy racing series in my book, but hey, if we can at least have fun with it in a sim, then something good's come of it.

 

[thatmotorfreak]

More stuff to play with the better for sure. I don't really care about engine sounds much, it's more like icing on the cake to me as someone who loved the V10 screams.

 

[Juicy Juice]

Reasons to be excited for Formula E:

 

[apex11]

Well race one from Montreal yesterday had it all, fantastic stuff!
I don't watch horse racing or Tour De France and moan about how there is no engine noise. Racing is racing. Hence how i chose to race on sims which isn't actually real cars.
Loads of racing cars right now sound terrible compared to yesteryear, just so happens that Formula E is the extreme but the racing was so good yesterday I don't really care that much.
Just pathetic manchilds whose hero is Clarkson are reacting all hurt so they can seem like big tough men who like big noisy cars.....

lol.

 

[Leonardo Chaves]

It gets even worst when you remember that the Renault E-Dams has a CVT transmission.

 

[gianlucaP]

'

 

[Jockey]

A couple of the tracks would be helpful to add to the game's roster but with other smaller open-wheelers. I know one person who will love the news, and will purchase if it's paid content - I gifted him the game anyway. But if current engine sounds already suck, how adequately will the horrible electric motor be reproduced? They can't keep mixing the Corvette engine everywhere, as much as I'd prefer these cockroaches to sound like that. At least they will be forced to develop the electric engines and their systems, so it will be beneficial to LMP mods. And push to pass will finally come too.

They said laserscanned tracks are on the way.

 

[Andy_J]

Just pathetic manchilds whose hero is Clarkson are reacting all hurt so they can seem like big tough men who like big noisy cars.....

Well you probably just insulted 99% of the petrol head members here. Well done Mr Nice.