| Forza Motorsport 4 | |
|---|---|
 North American cover art featuring aFerrari 458 | |
| Developer(s) | Turn 10 Studios |
| Publisher(s) | Microsoft Studios |
| Director(s) | Dan Greenawalt |
| Producer(s) | Drew Angeloff |
| Designer(s) |
|
| Programmer(s) |
|
| Artist(s) |
|
| Composer(s) | Lance Hayes |
| Series | Forza |
| Platform(s) | Xbox 360 |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | Racing |
| Mode(s) | Single-player,multiplayer |
Forza Motorsport 4 is a 2011racing video game developed byTurn 10 Studios and published byMicrosoft Studios for theXbox 360. It is the fourth installment in theForza series. It is the first title in the series to support theKinect sensor alongside the traditionalcontroller-based gameplay. It is the lastForza Motorsport released for Xbox 360; 2012'sForza Horizon andits 2014 sequel were the last twoForza games for the platform, while 2013'sForza Motorsport 5 was released as anXbox One exclusive.
A new feature in the series is Autovista, a game mode in which players can view precise details such as engine parts and interior gauges on a select number of cars. It features a partnership withBBC'sTop Gear as well as itsAmerican counterpart.Jeremy Clarkson, then-presenter forTop Gear, provided commentary in the game's Autovista mode. Other partnerships include a two-year agreement with theAmerican Le Mans Series (ALMS). Over 500 cars and 26 tracks are included.
The game received universal acclaim from critics, who praised the enhanced vehicle physics, updated visuals, and strong sound design. Several reviewers also gave high marks for the game's Autovista mode. Some critics expressed frustration with Kinect features, and others also felt that the game was not enough of an innovation from its predecessor,Forza Motorsport 3. These critics did, however, concede that the game was a vast improvement overForza Motorsport 3.
Forza Motorsport 4 is aracing video game, and the fourth in theForza Motorsport series. Like Sony'sGran Turismo franchise,Forza games areracing simulations; heavy emphasis is placed on making the cars drive and look as realistic as possible. Races are conducted on closed circuit tracks. 500 cars are featured in the core game experience, ranging from city cars to race cars.[1]
Players can utilizeKinect to look into a corner using a newhead tracking feature. This allows them to look toward the apex of a corner or at nearby cars. The controller or steering wheel is used to control the car while Kinect is used independently for viewing around the driver.[2] Players can also use Kinect as a game controller. In this setting the game automatically accelerates and decelerates the player's vehicle utilizing a modified version of the feature known as Auto Brake inForza Motorsport 3. The steering is controlled by placing the players arms out as if controlling an invisible steering wheel.[3] Kinect will allow the player to use voice commands to start races and navigate menus.[4]
New to theForza series is a feature known as Autovista. It is designed to allow players to walk around and explore inside cars. This feature allows players to view minute details such as brake pads, transmission, tyres, engine components, and interior details. The player can point at certain features, such as headlights, wheels and the engine for further information about them via audio recording.[5] It can be controlled via Kinect or a game controller.[6] Only 24 cars in the game support the Autovista feature, as it is primarily for sports cars, classic cars, and dream cars.[7] The graphics used to create these cars are formed usingimage-based lighting which allowed the developers to create perfect reflections, and would better immerse the car in the environment both when racing on a track or in the garage orTop Gear studio when viewing a car.[8]
As inForza Motorsport 3, there is a career mode for players to complete, which sees players racing at multiple locations around the world. This is known as World Tour Mode inForza Motorsport 4, previously known as Season Play inForza Motorsport 3. However, one new feature that appears inForza Motorsport 4 is the game's ability to adapt the difficulty as the player progresses through the career, and collect a trend of data to see how well they perform. This allows AI drivers to change and upgrade their cars automatically to suit the player's driving abilities.[9] There are several types of races besides the standard format.Forza Motorsport 4 includes the original bumper-to-bumper races, but also hasdrift,autocross, and multiple-heat races. Unlike inForza Motorsport 3 where players had no choice over which car they received after leveling up, inForza Motorsport 4 players are now able to choose one out of several cars as a prize, which are automatically upgraded to the high end of their class.[9] Players are able to import theirForza Motorsport 3 profiles intoForza Motorsport 4. This gives them the ability to transfer a certain number of in-game credits and gifted cars into their new garage. The allowed number transferred is based on how long they have played the game and how many cars and credits they have.[10] Players have the option to create car clubs and share cars in their garages within that club. Previous games in the series were limited to eight cars on the track, howeverForza Motorsport 4 supports 16 player racing online, and two players offline.[11]
Forza Motorsport 4 features 26 courses to compete on. These race courses are mix between circuits courses and point-to-point courses. 17 real-world tracks and nine fictional locations are included. Each course features as reverse configuration, and many have multiple other configurations. Three additional real world race tracks and one fictional track have been added to theForza franchise,Hockenheimring,Indianapolis Motor Speedway,Infineon Raceway and the fictional Bernese Alps.[11][12][13]
.jpg)
A technology demo forForza Motorsport 4 was first revealed at Microsoft'sE3 2010 press conference.[5] The live demonstration showcased apassing challenge while driving the 2010Ferrari 458 Italia. Using the Microsoft Kinect sensor the player steered the car to pass opponents.[5]Forza Motorsport 4 was formally unveiled at the 2010Spike Video Game Awards. Turn 10 announced that the game would feature over 500 cars from 80 manufacturers, and confirmed that it will support Kinect as well as standard Xbox 360 controllers and racing wheels.[14] Turn 10 officially partnered with theAmerican Le Mans Series (ALMS) for two years from August 8, 2011. The partnership provides several in-game ALMS themed events to complement the cars and tracks raced in the ALMS present in previous entries in theForza Motorsport series.[15] Unlike past games in the series, vehicles from theSCCA Pro Racing World Challenge were not present initially inForza Motorsport 4 aside from aMopar sponsoredDodge Viper. The Porsche download content pack added one World Challenge Porsche GT3. More known content was leaked during IGN's visit toE3 2011, which revealed that there will be the option to create car clubs and share garages within that club, and that the game will support 16 player online racing.[11]Hockenheimring,Indianapolis Motor Speedway andInfineon Raceway were added as three more real world tracks to theForza series.[12][13]
On August 26, 2011, atPAX Prime it was announced that Turn 10 would include the UNSC Warthog fromMicrosoft Studios'Halo series inForza Motorsport 4's Autovista mode. The model of Warthog used inForza Motorsport 4 is identical to the version in the then-upcomingHalo 4, although the vehicle is not drivable.[16] Turn 10 has cited the vehicle's exaggerated four wheel steering system, fictional futuristic technology and excessive height as reasons for its exclusion, stating "One, it's got some technology that's built intoHalo that would have been a big investment for us to then build into the game only to support one vehicle. [...] Technically we don't support that because no real world cars in our game do."[17]
Turn 10 identified sound as a cornerstone of theForza experience, and that accuracy and excitement are key to that.[18] Thesound design team forForza Motorsport 4 set out to make car audio "more visceral" than prior entries in the series.[19] Sounds from over 500 cars were captured on adyno in aRedmond, WA garage, using the same recording setup first used with theBizarre Creations'PGR games beginning in 2001. Fans of the game were also solicited to bring their own cars for recording.[18] An 8 to 10 channel recording device captured sound from microphones at the engine, intake, and exhaust.[20] HighSPL mics were used on the loudest of cars, notably theMazda 787B, to reducedistortion.[21]
The audio channels were mixed, sliced, and recombined to span rev range. The sounds are then applied to the car physics model, applyingDSP and filters based on how the car is driven.[20] The team licensed a distortion effect,iZotope's Trash plugin onFMOD, to achieve the "on the limit" feeling of sound distorting in your head.[19][22] The sounds are then mixed with transmission and tire sounds, and finally the distance and environmental model to form the final soundtrack heard by the player.[20] DSP also changes the sound of the car after engine upgrades, rather than swapping samples as was done in prior games.[23]
Along with the physics team making a new tire physics model with data fromPirelli, the sound team added more granular tire sounds to differentiate skidding from braking, steering, or wheel spin.[19] ATesla Roadster was used to record the game's tire sounds, due to its near-silent electric motor which allowed them to record the sounds cleanly without engine or exhaust noise. Two microphones were mounted to the car and pointed at the tire for recording.[23] The tire model contains hundreds of sounds for each surface and varies dynamically depending on lateral and vertical load. This detailed tire feedback improved lap times among hardcoreForza drivers within Turn 10.[19]
In Autovista mode, engine startups were recorded in 5.1 from the perspective of the driver's head plus mics near the engine and exhaust.[20]
Lance Hayes, also known asDr Drunken Master, the award-winning composer forForza Motorsport 3, returned to scoreForza Motorsport 4 with the Microsoft Studios Music label, which features a combination of his music and other licensed artists.[24] 15 songs were provided by Hayes for theuser interface and some in-race music. In speaking of the tone of the soundtrack, Hayes stated "The score has an increased cinematic feel as well as incorporating many of the styles (downtempo, electronic, ambient) that made theForza Motorsport 3OST a fan favorite."[24]
Turn 10 has entered a multiple year partnership with the BBC'sTop Gear.[25] The content provided by the BBC'sBAFTA award-winning television showTop Gear, also includes narration from presenterJeremy Clarkson during the virtual showroom (Autovista) navigation.[26] The game features theTop Gear test track at Dunsfold Aerodrome, near the village of Cranleigh, UK.[27] The first in-game demo in Autovista was revealed at E3 2011.[6] An extra piece of content forTop Gear fans is the addition of two of the show's three reasonably priced cars, theKia Cee'd, and theSuzuki Liana, while the TV show's third such car, theChevrolet Lacetti is not present. At E3, players were able to complete laps of theTop Gear Test Track and record their own times.[28] TheTop Gear test track inForza Motorsport 4 also features authentic camera angles during replays. The game featuresTop Gear "Car Football" (only available online with Xbox Live) and aTop Gear bowling mini game, both set on the officialTop Gear test track.[29]
The BBCTop Gear studio is part of the Home Space when viewing a car. The studio has the original TV series cars on plinths, such as the destroyedToyota Hilux and Clarkson'sFiat Coupé police car as seen in Series 11, Episode 1, and all of the originalTop Gear logos, Stig posters, and lighting arrangements, that reflect off the paintwork of the car the player is viewing, similar to how they would on the realTop Gear show.[4][30] A live action commercial was produced and contained a voice over track by Jeremy Clarkson. The commercial is set in a busy city in which a man merely wants to drive fast. As the man speeds through the city streets with police in pursuit Clarkson speaks of lovers of speed as an endangered species. He notes that places for these people to truly enjoy their cars are being taken away, then pitches the video game. The commercial was well received by the media.Jalopnik's Ray Wert called the advert "epic".[31] The driving was performed by professional stunt driver Martin Ivanov.[32]
Forza Motorsport 4 was featured in theU.S. version ofTop Gear. At the 2010Spike Video Game Awards professional stunt driver and show co-hostTanner Foust andRutledge Wood, car expert and co-host were featured in the unveiling of the game. Foust drove a 2010Dodge Challenger while Wood rode as a passenger. The advertisement showed Foust drifting around the environment and ended with a top-down shot of the pad. On the pavement the wordForza was spelled out in tire marks.[33][citation needed] Additionally in the final episode of the show's second season Wood and co-hostAdam Ferrara challenged Foust to a timed race atInfineon Raceway, otherwise known as Sears Point; Foust drove theLexus LF-A around the real course while Wood and Ferrara drove the course inForza Motorsport 4.[34]
Players who bought the Limited Collector's Edition got a polished Steelbook case, with the 2012BMW M5 as the cover car. They received a V.I.P. car pack, including theBugatti Veyron Super Sport andNoble M600; a 10-carAmerican Muscle Car Pack, including thePlymouth GTX 426 HEMI andChevrolet Nova SS, (also available onXbox Live on launch day);[35] a pre-order exclusiveShip Bonus Car Pack, including theKoenigsegg Agera andTesla Roadster Sport; a five-carBMW Designer Car Pack featuring five BMWs with unique exterior designs, including aBMW M6 designed by an entrant into an M6 design competition.[36] This pack was available on launch day, along with a free download of the 2012 BMW M5 and a BMW theme for the Xbox 360 dashboard. In addition to this, Collector's Edition owners were given a 96-page volume entitled 'Cars ofForza Motorsport 4 Presented ByTop Gear', written by the editors fromTop Gear magazine. This volume gives detailed information about many of the exotic cars found within the game, as well as photos (both in game and real life) of them. The description of the cars is exactly the same that Jeremy Clarkson narrates while using theTop Gear section found within the Autovista feature.[36]
Forza Motorsport 4 had received monthlydownloadable content (DLC) packs since its release. Each month a number of new cars would be bundled into a pack available for purchase. Players could also opt to purchase individual cars from a given pack should they not want all the vehicles presented that month.[citation needed] Players can purchase a Season Pass which entitles them to free downloads of the first six packs.[37] TheTop Gear Car Pack DLC was the first of the monthly packs to not be covered by the Season Pass.[38] Unlike previousForza titles which includedPorsche cars through a sublicense fromElectronic Arts,Forza Motorsport 4 did not initially include the Porsche marque.[39] Instead, cars fromRuf Automobile, a German car manufacturer which builds their own models frombodies in white received from Porsche, were included.[40] EA's release ofShift 2: Unleashed earlier in 2011 was regarded as an expansion into the simulation-racing genre, and brought theForza series into more direct competition with EA Games.[39][41] On March 5, 2012 it was announced there would be a downloadable car pack on May 22 that will feature 30 Porsche cars.[42] The new 2013SRT Viper GTS was included inForza Motorsport 4 as free downloadable content on June 22, 2012.[43][44] As a part of the June DLC pack, a1940 Ford was added. This pack also includes anMG MGA, aVolkswagen Beetle, aBMW 507, and aMaserati Ghibli.[45] In September 2015, all downloadable content was removed.
The download content featured a few unique themes not previously seen in the series. Some cars were carried over into subsequent games.
Forza Motorsport 4 features an original score byLance Hayes, also known as DJ Drunken Master. LikeForza Motorsport 3, the score consists mainly ofambient electronica music, although orchestral elements are incorporated into the music. Alongside the score,Forza Motorsport 4 contains a wide selection of licensed music from various artists. Although the game was released in 2011, the score was not officially released until October 30, 2013 oniTunes.[46]
Initially, there were 25 cars that were explorable in the Autovista mode, with 23 of them being drivable in the game. A further 3 cars were added later as DLC content.
| Car | Manufacturer | Release Date | Drivable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aston Martin One-77 | Aston Martin | 2010 | Yes |
| BMW M5 (DLC) | BMW | 2012 | Yes |
| Bugatti Veyron 16.4 | Bugatti | 2009 | Yes |
| Bentley 8 Litre | Bentley | 1931 | No |
| Delorean DMC-12 | Delorean | 1982 | Yes |
| Enzo Ferrari | Ferrari | 2002 | Yes |
| Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa | Ferrari | 1957 | Yes |
| Ferrari 458 Italia | Ferrari | 2010 | Yes |
| Ferrari 599 GTO | Ferrari | 2011 | Yes |
| Ferrari California | Ferrari | 2009 | Yes |
| Ferrari F50 | Ferrari | 1995 | Yes |
| Ford GT | Ford | 2005 | Yes |
| Gumpert Apollo S | Gumpert | 2010 | Yes |
| Hummer H1 Alpha | Hummer | 2006 | Yes |
| Hyundai Veloster Turbo (DLC) | Hyundai | 2013 | Yes |
| Koenigsegg CCX | Koenigsegg | 2006 | Yes |
| Lamborghini Reventón | Lamborghini | 2008 | Yes |
| Lexus LFA | Lexus | 2010 | Yes |
| McLaren F1 | Mclaren | 1993 | Yes |
| Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren | Mercedes-Benz | 2005 | Yes |
| Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG | Mercedes-Benz | 2011 | Yes |
| Morgan Aero SS | Morgan | 2010 | Yes |
| Pagani Zonda Cinque Roadster | Pagani | 2009 | Yes |
| Peugeot Sport Total 908 | Peugeot | 2009 | Yes |
| Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85 | Spyker | 2010 | Yes |
| SRT Viper (DLC) | SRT | 2013 | Yes |
| TVR Sagaris | TVR | 2005 | Yes |
| UNSC Warthog | UNSC | 2554 | No |
| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | 91/100[47] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Destructoid | 10/10[48] |
| Edge | 8/10[49] |
| Eurogamer | 9/10[50] |
| Famitsu | 38/40[51] |
| Game Informer | 9.25/10[52] |
| GamePro |  [53] |
| GameRevolution | B+[54] |
| GameSpot | 8.5/10[55] |
| GameTrailers | 9.4/10[56] |
| GameZone | 9/10[57] |
| Giant Bomb |  [58] |
| IGN | 9.5/10[59] |
| Joystiq |  [60] |
| Official Xbox Magazine (US) | 9.5/10[61] |
| The Daily Telegraph | [62] |
| Digital Spy | [63] |
Forza Motorsport 4 received "universal acclaim" like the first three games before it according to thereview aggregation websiteMetacritic.[47] It also won the award for Most Anticipated E3 2011 game fromComputer and Video Games.[64] During the15th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, theAcademy of Interactive Arts & Sciences awardedForza Motorsport 4 with "Racing Game of the Year".[65] It ranked first in sales in the United Kingdom during the week of its release.[66] As of April 30, 2012 it ranked 23rd in sales in the UK.[67]
Luke Reilly ofIGN called the game "this generation's premier racing simulator".[59] He praised the game's Autovista mode, specifically mentioning the attention to detail given to even the smaller parts of the vehicles. He gave high marks for the commentary given by Jeremy Clarkson of the BBC'sTop Gear. He called Clarkson's remarks "refreshingly candid".[59] Reilly did state, however that he wished the game offered evening races.[59] Editor Martin Robinson ofEurogamer felt that the game was "easy to fall in love with."[50] Robinson noted that several cars benefit from the improved handling system, including theFerrari 250 Testa Rossa. He contrasted the game toGran Turismo 5 (GT5). He explained thatGT5 emitted a "crazy love" from its developers and noted thatForza Motorsport 4 "often failed to embrace the emotion its subjects can inspire."[50]Official Xbox Magazine's Ryan McCaffrey lauded the game's 60fps framerate and breathtaking views. He stated that this, along with excellent sound design, kept him "playing from the cockpit view the entire time."[61] He did note, however, that the game's soundtrack felt out of place, and that he muted it during gameplay.[61]
Jeff Gerstmann, co-founder ofGiant Bomb, felt that whileForza Motorsport 4 was a "fantastic driving game" it merely felt like an incremental improvement on its predecessor. "I found myself getting a very 'annual sports game update' vibe off of it," stated Gerstmann.[58] Justin Calvert ofGameSpot agreed; he said thatForza Motorsport 4 refines upon its predecessor, "but also feels just a little too familiar".[55]X-Play's Jason D'Aprile also felt thatForza Motorsport 4 an improvement overForza Motorsport 3, "making it the absolute king of the road."[68] He cited the game's audio and visuals, the number of cars and tracks, the online play and variable skill level all as high points. However, D'Aprile felt that the Kinect implementation was "a gimmick" and expressed disappointment that there was not more content involvingTop Gear.[68] Matthew Kato, reviewer forGame Informer, was unimpressed byForza's Kinect integration as well. He felt that Kinect-based racing "isn't satisfying since your arms get tired and the game controls the gas and brake for you."[52]
1UP.com Associate Editor Jose Otero calledForza Motorsport 4 "the most accessible racer around."[69] He cited the new World Tour mode as a major improvement overForza 3' Season Play. He noted that should a car in the player's garage not be tuned correctly for an event the game can suggest the proper upgrades. For seasoned players this feature can be turned off. He felt that features like this, along with the returning Rewind feature which allows players to replay a poor section of their race, cater to all skill levels.[69] The reviewer fromEdge magazine comparedForza Motorsport 4 to its closest competitor,Gran Turismo 5 (GT5). He stated that though theForza series "might be getting familiar, but it's still a more exciting drive than [GT5]."[49] The review stated that the improved handling dynamics, focus on the player and the game's community, and strong accessibility made the game a "supercharged package."[49] In Japan,Famitsu gave it a score of two nines and two tens for a total of 38 out of 40.[51]
The Digital Fix gave the game a perfect ten and called it "the best racing simulator on any platform."[70]Digital Spy similarly gave it all five stars and said it was "authentic yet accessible, educating, entertaining, occasionally silly, always spectacular, but most importantly, faster and more thrilling than riding a V12-powered rollercoaster with no restraints."[63]The Daily Telegraph gave it four-and-a-half stars out of five, saying it was "welcoming, slick and meticulously built in order to give its audience what it most desires. Because whether it's the feel of the road, the fury of competition or good old fashioned wish fulfilment,Forza 4 really does have you covered."[62]
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)We headed to Turn 10 Studios to witness how the real-life car sounds you hear are recorded and put into the game.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link)| Motorsport |
|  |
|---|---|---|
| Horizon | ||
| Spin-offs | ||
| Companies | ||
