With the next-generation console battle looming, teams at both Microsoft and Sony are working hard on developing their biggest franchises. For driving fans this means Gran Turismo and Forza Motorsport going head to head on their respective new machines. While details of both are thin on the ground, Forza developers Turn 10 Studios have shared a new video hinting at some of the features that will be in the upcoming eighth game in the series, formerly referred to as Forza Motorsport 8.
As well as the expected 4k native resolution, 60fps refresh rate, and ray tracing, the game's creative director Chris Esaki revealed that the new Forza Motorsport will include "new game concepts, all intended to connect players to the Forza universe, and each other, like never before." Specifically, Chris mentions "creating friendships" and "building communities that can last a lifetime," which suggests the game will include a heavy focus on online play, potentially expanding the opportunities for in-game teams.
As may be expected from an announcement of an early-in-development game, little specific information on Forza Motorsport was given away in the trailer or follow-up message, with the footage shown being in-engine but not in-game. Though Turn 10 has stated it is "taking the lessons and evolutions of the entire history of Motorsport," implying it is going to carefully consider the features of each previous game in the series.
Many fans have been vocal about the features that they do and do not want to see in Forza Motorsport. In particular, the hated loot-box system of Forza Motorsport 7, which ended up being removed due to fan protest. Some players are also worried about the first Xbox Series X title in the series being rushed, referencing how the Xbox One launch title Forza Motorsport 5 had less than half the cars, and far fewer tracks, than fan favorite Forza Motorsport 4 on Xbox 360. However, the lack of release date and clear signals that the game is early in development, suggests those fears may be unfounded.
With a vocal fan community, and strong competition in the form of Polyphony Digital's Gran Turismo series, it's certainly not easy for Turn 10 to keep everyone happy. If though, it can provide a strong line-up of cars and tracks, gameplay features that listen to the feedback from recent games, and a loot box free experience, it stands a good chance of putting smiles on fans' faces.
Players can expect more information to appear gradually from Turn 10, as the game gets nearer to its eventual release date. In the meantime, early Xbox Series X owners will be able to pass the time with an optimized version of the excellent Forza Horizon 4, which has also been announced for launch.
Forza Motorsport will release on Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC. No release date has been announced.