Forza Horizon 4 news from E3With some previous Forza games, the game or cover car was teased or revealed prior to E3. No such official info was provided before the announcement of Forza Horizon 4 during Microsoft's Xbox Briefing on Sunday, June 10th. Ralph Fulton and demo drivers presented gameplay about a half hour into the briefing, announcing the game's major feature "Seasons change everything" in the shared world of Britain. Prior to E3 there had been a strong current of internet speculation that the next Forza location would be set in Japan, but Fulton stated in interviews that Japan wasn't at the top of the list. During the Xbox briefing, Phil Spencer also announced that Microsoft Studios had invested in the acquisition of Playground Games (developers of the Horizon series) and other development studios. There was no car on stage for the briefing, but FH4's hero car - the McLaren Senna - made its North American debut at the FH4 E3 booth two days later. During the week, E3 attendees were able to play the E3 floor demo on a hydraulic motion sled. Press were given Behind Closed Door looks gameplay beyond the B-roll, but were not allowed to record it (except for IGN, which continued its IGN First partnership for exclusive content.)
The community spotted around 90 cars from demo and media assets. Official announcements included release dates, pre-order bundle details, and DLC basics, and developers provided more information in interviews providing an overview of the game's features: In previous Horizon games you were a newcomer, champion, and manager of the summer Festival. In FH4 you're a resident of the year-round festival set in Britain (including Wales and Scotland). Part of this ongoing #HorizonLife experience is buying properties (which are used as Fast Travel and Forzavista/Upgrade points) from cottages to castles, taking on Jobs (such as a stunt driver for a tv show), and customizing your driver with clothing and emotes. You'll be able to earn Influence toward becoming a #HorizonSuperstar through racing (including Drag and Drift) but also through photography, Mixer streaming, painting, and other activities. Being there year round means you'll experience the four Seasons and changing environment which affect driving; frozen winter lakes and summer dry river beds open new driving locations, and muddy and icy terrain affect grip. Seasons cycle weekly for all FH4 players, though you can set your own time of day, season, and weather in Blueprint events, which includes a new Route Creator for P2P and circuit races. Though you have the option to play through the game in offline mode with Drivatar opponents, most will play through the game online on servers of 72 live players. Other player cars will be ghosted to prevent griefing collisions until you Co-op and Convoy with up to 6 players with the assistance of Quick Chat. Team Adventure provides 6 v. 6 ranked League competitions in playground game modes for Tag and Flag Rush. Showcase events put you up against special vehicle opponents such as motorcycles, hovercraft, and aircraft. Forzathon has been enhanced to become Forzathon Live, with hourly challenges and increased rewards when done with multiple players. Danger Sign jumps, Drift zones, Barn Finds, Auction House, and Storefront return. Other than the mention of new drift suspension, questions about car customization, a demo, and music channels were met with "stay tuned."
Forum:
discussion threadOfficial Trailer video - "I Can See For Miles" cover song
E3 Stage presentation video with Ralph Fulton and gameplay
FM.net Announcement article |
Xbox Wire |
Twitter- Details: over 450 cars from more than 100 licensed manufacturers, Ultimate Edition Early Access on September 28, worldwide release on October 2 included free with Xbox Game Pass, Play Anywhere, shared world Seasons, Route Creator, 60fps option on Xbox One X consoles, clothing options for driver personalization, own property in the game world, integrated Mixer broadcasting.
Pre-Order Announcement- Details: Standard/Deluxe/Ultimate Editions, Formula Drift Car Pack (cars TBA), Day One Car Pack (TBA), 2 Expansions (TBA), "Car Pass will deliver two new cars to your game every week over a 21-week period, beginning October 2, 2018." "VIPs receive 3 Exclusive Forza Edition cars, VIP Crown Flair, VIP Vanity Items, a VIP Emote and Car Horn, a free player house, 2x Credit race rewards, weekly bonus Super Wheelspins, and more." "Players who pre-order the physical edition of Forza Horizon 4 will also receive special digital bonus cars (check with your retailer for more details)." (which are tuned variants of base game cars)
^E3 Demo Overview- Details: photos of cars and landscape, Showcase examples with a hovercraft and motocross bikes
#InsideXbox livestream Ralph Fulton interview- Details: discussion of Britain, Seasons, shared world, 60fps option, commitment to support the game after launch "for months and years to come"
Senna debut and McLaren Partnership article on Xbox Wire,
Mixer VOD- Details: Senna reveal, demo sled, and gameplay with Brian Ekberg and Chris Bishop
E3 Demo Live from the Microsoft Theater Day 1 and
Day 2- Details: VOD of gamers trying the demo contest for a shirt, prerecorded developer interviews each hour
Week in Review 6-15-18 - recap
Press:
IGN: FH4 Gameplay Demo Reveal video
IGN: E3 stage interview with Ralph Fulton video mentions owning properties, jobs, Auction House
IGN: Every Season is Racing Season article
IGN: Seasons Change Everything video on capturing Britain
IGN: Making the McLaren Senna video on audio capture and handling
IGN: FH4's Shared World Explained video on transitioning through groups of players on the servers, antigriefing
IGN: Living the Horizon LifePolygon interviews Jon Knoles on Britain's environments and elevation.
Polygon interviews John Knoles on sheep and introduction to shared world Seasons
TC9700Gaming interviews Brian Ekberg video talking setting weather in Blueprint Route Creator
Gameslice interviews Ralph Fulton video
GameStop interviews Ralph Fulton video, discussing weather
GameStop interviews Dan Greenawalt video, 22 million Forza players in 2017
Shacknews interviews Ralph Fulton video, says Japan was never the top choice, talks Horizon Life
Game Informer video with Dan Greenawant on Playground Games partnership, development
DigitalFoundry E3 Demo analysis video - solid 30fps
Destructoid interviews Ben Penrose article on jobs, weekly seasonal changes
Motorworldhype interviews Ralph Fulton video on location choice, storefront, car/clothing customization
E3 Awards:
DualshockersEurogamerGameInformerHardcore GamerNew Game NetworkGame Critic AwardspicEdited by user Thursday, July 5, 2018 12:25:44 PM(UTC)
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