Forza Motorsport

 

All-new Forza Motorsport touted as 'most technologically advanced' racing game ever

Microsoft has announced Forza Motorsport, an all-new return to the track racing game designed for the next generation. Here's everything we know so far.

While Bethesda games like Redfall and Starfield received most of the hype during the Xbox Bethesda Showcase on Monday, Microsoft also had local tricks up its sleeve for the Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X.

Slated to arrive next spring, it is the first new game in the Forza Motorsport series since the 7th installment in 2017. Microsoft says all of its tracks are built from the ground up or rebuilt, while advanced damage to cars and real-time ray tracing keeps the bar moving.

Microsoft calls it "a generational leap in immersion" and "the most technologically advanced racing game ever." We're already looking forward to the element of what 2023 should hold for Xbox gamers.

Forza Motorsport release date and availability

Microsoft is only committed to the Spring 2023 release window, which suggests it should be around this time next year. It will be an Xbox Game Pass title that will be available to customers on Xbox Series S/X, PC and in the cloud on day one.

Forza Motorsport Tracks & Cars

Microsoft says a lot of fan-favorite tracks and new locations will debut. The Maple Valley track (below), which has been part of the sport since its 2005 original, is back along with Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps and Laguna Seca Raceway.

In a blog post, Microsoft said: "We also revealed the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit, a South African track marking the debut of Forza Motorsport, and the brand new Hakone Circuit in Japan, a Grand Prix circuit high-speed Designed to demonstrate the original technologically advanced, state-of-the-art immersion of the new Forza Motorsport.

A separate Forza blog post also featured some of the cars featured in the trailer, and we'd welcome any of them to our garage any day of the week. They are from 1956 to 2021. Here is the list:

• 36 Acura #3 Gradient Racing NSX GT2018
• 6 Acura #05 ARX-2020 dpi
• 1958 Aston Martin DBR1
• 2017 Aston Martin Aston Martin Racing V12 Vantage GT3 #7
• Audi #44 R8 LMS GT3 2018
• Audi RS e-tron GT 2021
• 2017 BMW #24 BMW Team RLL M6 GTLM
• BMW #1 BMW M Motorsport M8 GTE 2018
• Brabham BT62 2019
• 31 Cadillac #2021 Whelan Racing DPI-VR
• 1966 Chaparral #66 Chaparral Cars 2E
• 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Super Sport Coupe
• 3 Chevrolet #8 Corvette Racing C2020.R
• 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Coupe
• 1969 Dodge Charger R/T
• 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Monster
• 1967 Eagle-Weslake T1G
• 1967 Ferrari #24 Ferrari Spa 330 P4
• 1966 Ford #2 GT40 Mk II Le Mans
• 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302
• 2018 Formula Drift #64 Nissan 370Z
• Formula Drift #151 Toyota GR Supra 2020
• 2019 Ginetta #6 Team LNT Ginetta G60-LT-P1
• 300 Honda RA1967
• 2020 Koenigsegg Jesco
• Lamborghini #63 Squadra Course Huracan Super Trofeo Evo 2018
• 2020 Lamborghini Huracan EVO
• 1991 Mazda #55 Mazda 787B
• 1966 McLaren M2B
• 2019 McLaren Senna GTR
• Mercedes-AMG GT3 2018
• 1970 Mercury Cougar Eliminator
• 2016 NIO EP9
• 370 Nissan 2019Z Nismo
• 2020 Nissan GT-R NISMO (R35)
• Porsche #911 Porsche GT Team 911 RSR 2017
• Porsche 911 GT3 2021

Features of Forza Motorsport

Microsoft says the Forza Motorsport release will get real-time ray tracing visuals for the first time. Microsoft says this will reveal details of automotive materials such as anodized aluminum, carbon fiber and gold heat wrap. "Ray tracing shines particularly bright on the engine bay with its complex self-reflection," Microsoft says.

Microsoft is also launching a "fully dynamic time-of-day system" that will change not only how the game looks, but the way you play it. While there are obvious differences in the track surface in rainy conditions, the time of day will also mean a change in track temperature, which in turn will affect the grip and wear of your tyres. On this front, Microsoft is introducing features like tire and fuel management.

forza motorsport car damage

Here's the kind of detail Microsoft says will repeat the damage to the car down to individual scratches.

"There are all-new simulation details in the direction of damage, the way paint peels off exposed and raised edges, wheel friction and dirt build-up," explains the blog post announcing the new game.

Microsoft says more news about Forza Motorsport will come soon. We hope it lives up to its counterpart Forza Horizon 5, one of the best games available in the current generation.