This guide is being typed up/saved in parts. Please come back later for the full guide!
In late 2021, myself and some others wrote what, at the time, was the complete beginners guide to iGP. The forum mods pinned it, some new players read it and learned some things, and they avoided the common pitfalls of the rookie tier.
In late 2021, myself and some others wrote what, at the time, was the complete beginners guide to iGP. The forum mods pinned it, some new players read it and learned some things, and they avoided the common pitfalls of the rookie tier.
However, a recent update brought some major changes: a new UI and all the ensuing bugs, for sure, but a more significant change for the new player was the abolishment of the 'Rookie' tier of leagues and implementation of Sprint races, a new universal tutorial area where they would race exclusively until they reach level 10.
With that in mind, I've decided to rewrite this guide as a port of first call for newbies who haven't a clue what to do- just to give you a nudge in the right direction. This will not be a replacement for the old guide, though I'm using the same forum thread, but rather more focused on teaching the basics and getting you to the real fun- league races.
I'm Rhys, a long time player of iGP; I've raced in many of the most competitive leagues in the game, won races across community-run 'esports' style events (such as the World Cup) and I hope you find this guide slightly helpful. If you've got any questions, add it into the thread and someone who knows what they're doing will fly in and solve all your issues. I hope to see you ahead of me in elite one day!
Chapter 1 - Why play iGP (and not another game)?
Let's be honest- you probably didn't go hunting for iGP to play it in particular. You probably picked a top result off your app store and thought you would try it. With that in mind, here's why iGP is better than the alternatives: The LEAGUES SYSTEM.
Maybe you've done a few races already, and think that iGP feels a little bit of a grind? That's because it is. Your first 10 levels, achieved outside leagues, are all about gaining experience to prepare you for the real fun. In a league, you get so many new things: a league wall, for all your banter and arguments, Live in-race chat, to gloat over or trash talk or congratulate your leaguemates... and a freshly updated car design system that turns the whole season into one giant, multidimensional arms race.
Your sprint race playground is just that- a consequences free place for you to learn iGP's basics and arrive at your league of choice a competent performer, ready to (once you level up a bit more) take the fight to those in elite for league titles.
Chapter 2 - How to win at iGP
I really debated putting this last and making you read about how to run an account sustainably first, but the most important part of any game is having fun, and isn't it more fun to fight for wins than 15th? Without giving away any secrets, here is a quick rundown on best practices that should have you towards the sharp end of any sprint race grid.
1 - Getting a good setup is important. In sprint races, the effect of a good setup is much stronger than building your car purely for extra design points (DP). Generally, if you set your car towards setup rather than design you'll be able to compete.
While I'm not going to tell you the completely optimal way (the image's mech/aero slider is randomly set), a car looking something like this won't be the reason you're off the pace. Experiment with settings for Setup/Design and Mech/Aero and find what works for you!
2 - Tyre management is crucial. You can control tyre temperature using 'push levels' - Higher push makes your driver faster and more likely to overtake, but increases tyre temperature. Overheating tyres increases wear and slows you down, undoing any positives from the extra push, so it's important you keep the tyres close to the optimal window shown on the tyre gauge. If the tyres are very worn (under 50%) they may begin to lose temperature by themselves, requiring more push to correct. It's around this time you should be looking to pit for new tyres, before you lose all ability to keep temperature.
3 - 'Boost' is iGP manager's defining in-race tool. It's your 'overtake' button, to push for extra performance. A common misconception is that it works by increasing engine power. Rather, it's a fantasy device, providing an immediate speed increase, and is therefore also effective in corners. It should be used tactically, not wasted, but mastery of boost usage is an advanced technique that will come with experience.
Chapter 3 - How (not) to bankrupt a racing team
Money makes the world go round, and the same is true for iGP. you may have noticed that you've been handed a nice little pot of £50 million in your chosen currency (iGP doesn't deal with conversions, pick the symbol you prefer in settings), and have no idea where to spend it. The good news for you is that early in the game, almost all places to spend are positive. The most important, however, are:
#1 HQ Upgrades
#2 Staff contracts
Mention need for high bonus sponsor- 'tommy hilfinger'
Chapter 4 - Talking Tokens
Chapter 5 - Drivers (or "pick a stat, any stat")
Chapter 6 - Staff
Chapter 7 - Preparing for PRO
