It's a proper acknowledgement at least It's not just a vocal minority like it was in FM7 (referring purely to the homologation system) so they definitely did the right thing addressing these aspects.
As for their solution? I really think they shoulda take the best aspects from not just its own past successes, but also its rivals.
They could introduce back the world tour mode FM4 had for its career, this slick presentation in between races really added to the continent hopping excitement of a real racing series, even the little things such as the way the menus transitioned into loading screens with all the information about the track you were heading to. I really think they nailed that aspect and is subconsciously why a lot of people are so fond of FM4. What happens before the race is so important in amping you up for the race, which then makes said race feel more impactful and important. The game also had you start in city cars if you remember, and guess what. They were not boring to drive! Seriously start up FM4 and even those cars are fun because the presentation and just whole package is so cohesive, by the time you select your first car and hit the track, you're so excited to race the fact you're only doing 50mph doesn't even matter, you're just happy to be playing the game. This is pure magic and great game design.
They could also take aspects of the Cafe system in GT7, now while I don't like how it replaced the classic GT mode structure overall, it really is good at introducing the different car models and categories to new players, while also tickling enthusiasts who are happy to see their favourite models get the spotlight and treatment they deserve. Their current intro videos to different event series are pretty vague and don't seem as fleshed out as they could be.
They could also introduce broader events. Just look at an event list for Forza 2. You had N/A, Turbo, specific cylinder counts, RWD etc. This would allow you to carry over using a car for more than one series and actually fulfill the goal of building up a car from scratch and bonding with it. Because currently just as you start to bond with your car as you've improved it over 5 or so races...You're forced into another one to do it all over again. It's weird that their focus was bonding and building a relationship with a car and yet it doesn't do as good a job at that as Forza games of old, which didn't specifically strive for that, at least explicitly.
You are absolutely right.
As much as FM7's career was just a jumbled bag of events, it had a lot more depth and variety than what is currently in FM. Having new tabs in career mode (as not part of builders cup) would be nice. A rivalry mode with championships like Mustang vs Camaro Vs Challenger, Ford GT vs V8 Ferraris, Hypercar Trinity of various eras, M vs AMG vs RS etc. would be great. A tab for just Racecar divisions would be nice. A tab for challenges like overtake 'x' cars, 1v1, autocross etc. would break the monotony. A tab for endurance racing. And ultimately a prestige/replay career championships feature, where you can replay championships with customizatioble race length and randomized tracks would add more to replayability. You can even stuff your FOMO cars as prizes for these events. It will give T10 their 'hours played' and remove the FOMO>
Making the championships temporary is the extremely dumb.
For the upgrade system, Having more ways to earn CarXP would be great too. I think there is a compromise somewhere that is satisfactory for the players without having to completely get rid of the system. A car taking 30-45 mins to be level 50, meaning unlocking most upgrades in 15 mins (1 or 2 races at most), would be a good balance. OFC that's my preference, others might feel differently. That way, a single championship would be enough to take a car to max level, which should have been the goal from the start. further, add bonuses for the drivel level+ manufacturer affinity. AND OBVIOUSLY PLEASE MAKE THE XP CARRY OVER TO A DUPLICATE CAR.
Forzavista getting features like turning on the car or headlights removed (which can be done in the photomode) is dumb too. The fact that you cant access the upgrade menu or forza vista/photomode in the pitlane is also baffling. The photomode and the livery editor are far behind the competition and even behind fh5. The 2020 trailer with Apollo IEs running fictional liveries with IMSA numbers and windshield banners had me hoping for a lot more to do with some sort of a racing personality for yourself. This was also when FH starting pushing immense amounts of driver gear and other customization.
Smaller touches like personal racing number and driver suit would a whole lot of 'flair' that the game is missing. The only part of the game that has this 'personality' is the intro video, intros for each championship and the thumbnails for these championship.
Another disappointment is the garage. it is horrendously lit and is not aesthetically pleasing. If only we had the one from the beta, which was apparently fully walkable (and an actual garage for that matter) or even an option to switch to the homespaces of the older games.
The AI issues seem obvious. Sort out the rammer situation and maybe ghost backmarkers. Also add the ghosting for cars high speed differences, like FH5 does.
The car sounds need to be livelier and less muddy. Some cars sound great while others are wrong or even sound depressed.
OFC as mentioned before, hoppers (unranked) need to come back. This along with drag and drift lobbies. This is the least they can do, if they cannot implement custom public lobbies.
Creative hub needs to be brought into FM.
Sort out the graphics, and bring it as close as possible to the 2022 trailer. Add a sharpness slider for TAA/DLAA/DLSS/FSR. Get rid of the sickly looking color grading.
I think i have ranted about these things for 15 mins every time i hop onto this game with my friends. I still enjoy it. But it can be so much more.
All of this has been said already by a lot of people, but i hope T10 is reading these. Especially the responses to their announcements atleast.
Here's to hoping 2024 goes well for them.