Since I’m in the business of creating pad specific setups for these F1 games, I thought I might as well try setting up a league specifically for pad users as well. It’s been a frustration of mine that pad players cannot really compete against skilled wheel users on this game online (I noticed it on F1 23 as well).
Experienced no assists wheel users can just destroy pad users on pace, with better control of the throttle and steering and the ability to do this “flicking” thing where they use sharp steering inputs for better cornering and lap times. Most controller players can’t compete. Yes, there’s some freaks on controller like that KARL-24 guy, but he’s probably using setups and calibration settings most pad users wouldn’t be able to handle consistently.
Most leagues nowadays seem to do registration and tier levels based on TT times, but I don’t think that really works well anymore so I want to try separating players by input device (pad vs wheel) and see if that produces fairer racing.
I’ve quit several leagues already on F1 25 because there’s too many wheel users in them just destroying pad users, so it’s not a level playing field. I’ve never been someone who wins regular but I am often in the top 6 with some podiums when evenly matched. I should at least be able to fight for points. I’m at 95-100 AI skill level on F1 25 and yet in some leagues filled with wheel players I’ve set the very best lap I can manage in quali on a pad and been dead last, 1.3+ seconds slower than the next slowest car. Needless to say, I quit soon after. It’s not fun when it’s not a level playing field (leave a comment if you’re a pad player who’s experienced similar things on F1 25).
So I’ve decided to see if there’s enough pad users who’ve noticed the same thing and would prefer to race in a league ONLY against fellow pad players so it’s a more even match.
Here’s what I’m thinking:
- Standard short quali/50% race format (will probably start off with a 10-12 race calendar)
- Day will depend on registered interest, but Sunday/Monday/Tuesday at 7pm or 8pm UK time.
- PAD PLAYERS ONLY for a level playing field. Fast and experienced wheel users have too much advantage over pad players so please don’t apply. Someone who is just starting out on a wheel learning it might be accepted on a discretionary basis, but I want most or all players to be on pad so it’s fair on pace.
- Anyone from mainlaind Europe or UK welcome (any further away and the connection will be too laggy).
- Usual assists settings, where the really easy ones like braking/steering assist are off, but you can use ABS, TC, Auto gears (Pit assist will be off).
- There won’t be any submission of TT lap times or any other complicated registration, as I’m not interested in that. I’m only really interested in your input device – are you playing a controller?
Nothing is set in stone yet, I’m just gonna see how much interest there is to do a pad only league and I’ll announce something if there is. Fill in your details in the form below to register interest as if I get the required numbers, I’ll set something up.