For the first time since July 2020, the all-new, franchise reboot, Forza Motorsport has been shown once more, and it has a tentative release date of Spring 2023.
Following pre-event predictions, during the Xbox + Bethesda Games Showcase 2022, 12th June, a brand new ‘4K in-game’ trailer revealed action outside of simply workshop and Laguna Seca’s Corkscrew corner.
In it, you can see lots of close-quarter battles. Two main takeaways are a new dynamic time of day system and the sheer variety of cars.
There’s the GTE-spec Chevrolet Corvette C8, IMSA Cadillac and Acura prototypes, classic Chaparell 2E racing car and a Nissan GT-R Nismo. There were official Formula Drift cars too, analogous to Forza Horizon 5. We’ll revisit this soon with a full breakdown.
Vehicle damage improvements
Vehicle damage was also on display, and while no wheels were falling off, or panels shredded, it looks as if the Corvette’s panels could be visibly scratched and dented.
A crash involving an Audi R8 was also shown during the presentation showing similar damage.
Dynamic time of day affects track grip
Maple Valley Raceway, a venue present in all seven Forza Motorsport games so far, is also included. It’s been re-made with “photogrammetry and 3D material scans” according to the developer Turn 10 Studios Creative Director Chris Esaki.
A lot of the focus of the reveal was the visual fidelity on display at this classic Forza venue. This is where we were shown the time of day changing, sped up, to show the cloud cover and shadows evolving. This is said to be available on every track.
The time changes are also said to “change ambient temperatures, which affects tyre surface temps.” Grip is also meant to be affected by temperature changes and track rubbering-in – the effect of tyres wearing onto the surface.
Tyre wear and fuel management
Something severely lacking in the Forza Motosport series to date – which was grossly at odds with the game’s more serious focus compared to the Horizon games – has been tyre wear, fuel management and different tyre compounds, all found in every major racing simulator.
This will now be rectified with the new Forza Motosport. Thank goodness!
Real-time ray tracing on track
While Forza Horizon 5 features ray tracing in FORZAVISTA alone, Forza Motosport is aiming to utilise the lighting technology on the track too. Which specification of devices can handle it and the exact circumstances it is used are yet to be revealed.
In-pitlane car inspection ray tracing and one scene of a Ferrari reflecting on a Nissan did showcase it in action. When paused, however, the detail of the reflection at this stage did seem to be remarkably low.
For now, most of the footage revealed in the presentation and trailer seems to be a mix of in-engine footage and minimal gameplay. With a year until launch, we hope to see more on-track footage and we’ll keep you updated when that is showcased.
Forza Motorsport release date
The new Forza Motorsport game will be released in Spring 2023.
Is the new Forza Motorsport on Game Pass?
Yes, when the new Forza Motorsport launches, it will be on console and PC Game Pass from day one.
