Forza Motorsport 8: Everything we know so far

Forza Motorsport 8: Everything we know and so far

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Once upon a time, you could look a new Forza Motorsport like clockwork, every ii years. But Turn 10's sim racer has been on a hiatus of sorts since Forza Motorsport 7 released in 2017. At Microsoft's Xbox Serial X game showcase event on July 23, 2020, nosotros finally got a sneak peek at Forza Motorsport eight.

Or, so we idea. The next entry in the franchise loses the number — information technology'southward just Forza Motorsport at present. And in losing the number, nosotros're looking frontwards to a reboot and fresh start for the long-running series, which has been a victim of diminishing returns and only small, iterative improvements over the years, partially as a consequence of that every-other-yr cadence.

So far, we've only got a infinitesimal-long teaser trailer to go along for the new Forza Motorsport. Nevertheless, we've picked it autonomously and done the inquiry to compile everything we know most Microsoft's next sim racer.

Forza Motorsport viii trailer

You lot can cheque out the debut Forza Motorsport trailer right hither:

Forza Motorsport eight gameplay and features

Will this be your home garage of sorts in the next Forza Motorsport? — Will this be your abode garage of sorts in the adjacent Forza Motorsport? (Prototype credit: Microsoft)

Based on the glimpse nosotros got in the initial trailer, the new Forza Motorsport looks like it'll be the first game in the franchise to actually focus on, well, motorsport. In a video released shortly after the conclusion of Microsoft's July 23 event, Esaki calls the new Forza Motorsport "a re-imagining of the franchise."

The clip is flush with scenes of race cars half autonomously in garages, coiffure members and drivers scurrying nigh, walls of screens monitoring on track activeness and, interestingly, many fake sponsors and logos.

That last part might sound inconsequential, but it could be a giveaway as to what Turn 10 is looking to introduce in its side by side project. Racing fans will note that new for this year, F1 2020 added an feel called My Team, which functions partly like the season campaign of old, but besides features some fresh team direction mechanics to deepen the off-track activity.

Evocative of what we witnessed in the Forza trailer, F1 2020 consists of many false sponsors, which yous sign to earn your squad some cash — though, of course, you have to come across their objectives to get paid. There's also an all-encompassing branding suite in Codemasters' latest F1 title, and, sure enough, branding could play a part in Forza'south side by side act as well, given the green and black motif of the fictional order depicted in the trailer.

Apollo GT cars pour down Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca's iconic corkscrew. — Apollo GT cars pour down Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca'southward iconic corkscrew. (Image credit: Microsoft)

Information technology'due south a attain of course, and Plough 10 hasn't shed light on whatsoever of this, merely we're wondering if the Forza Motorsport reboot volition aggrandize upon team management to complement the on-track gameplay. Imagine being at the captain of your own racing squad where you have control of the operation from top to bottom. It would certainly explicate the seismic shift in focus that Esaki was teasing late last year.

Simply what almost the simulation itself? Well, Esaki too briefly touched upon enhancements to Turn 10'southward Forzatech physics engine all those months ago, rattling off a list of areas in which the evolution team has aimed to improve handling and auto behavior for the next game. There'll exist a redesigned tire model and tire pressure model, and heat and atmospheric pressure volition at present have an effect on both how your rubber meets the road besides equally engine power. The rails surface will now get "rubbered in" as cars repeatedly vanquish on the asphalt every lap, dynamically altering grip levels, corner by corner, over the form of a race. Pause modelling has besides been contradistinct too.

Considering all of that, the next Forza Motorsport sounds like a reboot in the most hostage sense, both on and off the track. The studio says we can expect farther details on what to wait from the new title equally 2020 rolls on.

Forza Motorsport 8 performance

The engine of a Mazda IMSA prototype looks fantastic in the teaser trailer. (Image credit: Microsoft)

Nosotros don't know a whole lot about how Forza Motorsport volition look in action yet. The trailer was created in-engine, according to Turn ten, and the game will run at native 4K resolution and 60 frames per second on Xbox Series 10. Ray tracing likewise looks to be visible across many scenes in the trailer, particularly when the reflection of a surrounding garage is visible off a helmet's visor.

At this stage, however, that's really all nosotros know. In that location are certainly some impressive visuals shown in the trailer, like a painstakingly-detailed engine bay of a Mazda Lola B12/80 prototype, and the reflection of a coiffure member off the side of an Apollo Intensa Emozione race machine. Too, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca appears in this trailer, and looks stunning, with grit, smoke and dirt flying about the rail surface and rays of light breaking through the trees that line the iconic Corkscrew.

Forza Motorsport 8 outlook

We hope this is something we'll see a lot of in game, and not just hype material for the trailer. — Nosotros hope this is something we'll see a lot of in game, and not just hype cloth for the trailer. (Image credit: Microsoft)

With simply a minute-long trailer to tide the states over until Plow ten is willing to share more than, that's nigh all nosotros know surrounding the next Forza Motorsport. It certainly looks to bring virtually a change in direction for the franchise, with the name certainly providing the virtually obvious clue. Still, we accept many more than questions.

We wonder how much of the motorcar-PG progression system from Forza games of erstwhile will interpret to the new entry. We're too curious as to what advancements the team has made in respect to car customization, tuning and aftermarket upgrades. Forza Motorsport in one case defined customization in the racing genre, but that attribute of the experience has languished with installment after installment. And what of hotly-requested features like dynamic time and weather?

Indeed, all of those questions wait answers, especially because some have theorized that the name alter might accompany a shift to a long-term service model for the serial. Still, if y'all've been wondering where Forza Motorsport could become since the seventh title was received lukewarmly past fans and critics, information technology at least appears that Plough x won't be resting on its laurels this get around. We can't wait to learn more.

Adam Ismail is a staff writer at Jalopnik and previously worked on Tom'southward Guide roofing smartphones, car tech and gaming. His dearest for all things mobile began with the original Motorola Droid; since and then he's owned a variety of Android and iOS-powered handsets, refusing to stay loyal to one platform. His work has as well appeared on Digital Trends and GTPlanet. When he'southward non footling with the latest devices, he's at an indie popular show, recording a podcast or playing Sega Dreamcast.