Turn 10 Manager Dives into the Fascinating World of Forza Motorsport

Since its inception in 2005, the Forza franchise has captivated gamers with its love for cars and dedication to building a community. As one of the co-founders of Turn 10 Studios, I’ve had the privilege of being part of the journey from the very first Forza Motorsport game, and it’s been an incredible 20 years. Throughout this time, our passion for cars, pushing the boundaries of gaming technology, and fostering a racing community has remained unwavering.

With less than two weeks left until the global release of the brand-new Forza Motorsport on October 10, we wanted to take a moment to share our vision for the game, shed light on how the Forza Horizon titles have influenced our racing sim, and outline our approach for both new players and our dedicated community.

Firstly, you may be wondering why we didn’t name this game “Forza Motorsport 8.” It’s a valid question. From the outset, we designed the latest installment of Forza Motorsport to be a dynamic racing platform, constantly evolving with new content that enhances the automotive entertainment experience through skill and competition. We recently provided a glimpse into what players can expect from our evolving racing platform on forza.net. This shift in approach is why we felt a number in the title was unnecessary; we wanted to create a platform.

In 2012, Playground Games, our esteemed studio partners, introduced Forza Horizon, infusing their unique twist into open-world racing while leveraging our ForzaTech engine. Their contributions have undoubtedly elevated the Forza franchise. Much has transpired since our last Motorsport title, Forza Motorsport 7. Playground Games delivered two exceptional games in Forza Horizon 4 and Forza Horizon 5. We transitioned into a new console generation with XBOX Series X|S, expanded our platforms to include PC, Steam, and Cloud Gaming, and Xbox Game Pass has become synonymous with unbeatable value in the gaming industry.

We often receive inquiries about the separateion between the two titles within the broader franchise. While Forza Horizon embodies freedom and exploration, Forza Motorsport centers around competition and refining your skills. However, both games share a commitment to accessibility, authenticity, and immersion in their own unique ways. As Motorsport’s roots lie in racing simulation, we wanted players to be fully immersed from the moment they start Forza Motorsport. You’ll have the opportunity to experience the meticulously reconstructed Maple Valley track in the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray, followed by the exhilarating Hakone circuit in Japan in the 2023 Cadillac V-Series.R. To witness this firsthand, check out the nearly 18 minutes of initial gameplay footage of Forza Motorsport below.

Forza Motorsport has always championed accessibility in gaming. Innovations like the driving line have opened up the world of racing to millions of players. Forza Horizon 5 also prioritized accessibility and inclusive design right from the early stages of development. Their inclusion of American Sign Language (ASL) and British Sign Language (BSL) in the in-game cinematics is just one example of their commitment to accessibility. At Xbox, we firmly believe that gaming is for everyone, and we’re proud that Forza Motorsport continues this tradition. Thanks to the remarkable work of our team and invaluable feedback from our accessibility consultants, we’ve created our most accessible Motorsport experience yet.

Now, let’s delve deeper into what Forza Motorsport truly represents at its core. We’ve utilized the time since our last release to innovate, redevelop, and refocus on the essence of the game. We’ve completely reimagined the entire racing experience, emphasizing pushing your limits, improving your skills, building up your car, and competing on the track. Our goal was to create a live, connected, immersive, accessible, and ever-evolving competitive racing platform that grows alongside our community.

Through significant advancements in physics and AI, surpassing all previous Motorsport titles combined, we’ve crafted a more competitive, realistic, and rewarding racing experience. If you’re familiar with Forza, you’ll notice the difference immediately. At launch, we’ll offer 20 tracks from around the world with multiple layouts, including five new-to-Motorsport tracks, and over 500 cars. And this is just the beginning. Every car, track, feature, and innovation aligns with our overarching vision. Our hope is that you’ll discover the ten or so cars that truly resonate with you, and that these cars will evolve alongside you as you build them and refine your skills. Our game will grow as your skills grow, allowing you to find your place within this competitive and creative community.

In essence, we aspire for you to fall in love with cars through skill and competition. We’re eagerly anticipating your presence at the starting line. Welcome to Forza Motorsport.

Dan Greenawalt

General Manager, Forza Motorsport at Turn 10 Studios