Soon, not only will Forza Feedback Panel participants be able to take surveys regarding Forza Motorsport 8, but also participate in actual playtests of the game. The anticipated sequel of the Xbox console-exclusive franchise was officially revealed last July, and since then, Turn 10 Studios has been relying on community involvement while developing its latest premier racing title.
During the world premiere of Forza Motorsport, it was revealed that the game was heading to Xbox Series X/s and PC (and dropping the number from its title). The upcoming sequel will serve as a reimagining of sorts, especially when it comes up to visual quality. The devs have promised to offer an unprecedented level of graphics including realistic reflections, believable shadow behavior, and full RTX support. Last summer, the game was still early in development, but quite soon, players will have the opportunity to experience some parts of the racing title.
In the recent Forza Monthly video podcast, Turn 10’s creative director Chris Esaki has shared that Forza Feedback Panel participants will soon start receiving invitations to join Forza Motorsport playtesting sessions. Players who are willing to get the chance to taste the newest racing game can do so by signing up at SurveyGizmo. According to Esaki, it’s the next phase of the community-driven process of developing Forza Motorsport.
Thanks to the Forza Feedback Panel, many players had the opportunity to participate in different surveys and discussions, which has helped the developers to fine-tune the upcoming title. Now, the time has come for an interactive playtest, the results of which will further determine the direction of the game’s development. Turn 10 is going to test numerous gameplay features of the title in the course of several playtests, implying that players will be getting access to different parts of Forza Motorsport during that time.
Despite that playtesting certain parts of Forza Motorsport might imply that the game is close to its release date, the truth is that the game's development is taking longer than before - and it might be further away still. Traditionally, Forza Motorsport games release biennially, and the latest entry is accordingly two years late. The title was specifically announced for Xbox Series X, which implies it requires a lot of computing power and a potential technical overhaul of the game's engine to better take advantage of the new hardware.
The fact that Turn 10 is starting to invite the fan community to participate in the development process by playtesting crucial parts of Forza Motorsport is an inspiring sign. Not only will the game become partially available months before it releases, but it will also be influenced by players’ feedback and suggestions. As a community-developed title, Forza Motorsport seems like it seeks to satisfy both thits e core audience and newcomers, potentially helping the franchise establish and solidify its dominance in the racing genre.
Source: Forza Motorsport/Twitter