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No one car should have all that power (in Forza Motorsport 4)
It's the 21st century, folks. And whether or not you're "doing something mean to it" like our main man Kanye, you may want to take a peek at a new trailer featuring a variety of powerful vehicles.
Forza 4's Kinect head tracking features previewed on video
There are two things that every discerning gamer needs to see in the Major's Minute video posted below. First: the Kinect-based head tracking features of Forza Motorsport 4, which look exceptionally neat. Second: the steely, Earnhardtian gaze of Major Nelson behind the wheel of a virtual stock car.
First copies of Forza 4 include five extra cars, pre-order bonuses revealed
Despite the fact that retailers will assuredly have plenty of extra copies of Forza 4 when it arrives at retail, perhaps you're interested in pre-ordering the game long before its planned fall launch? Well that's just peachy, 'cause today Microsoft announced pre-order bonuses that folks can pick up at a variety of retailers. Unfortunately -- as has become de rigeur as of late -- rather than making it so fans of the series can actually acquire all the pre-order items that they're nicely plunking down money for ahead of time, various retailers have exclusive in-game content that can only be attained through a pre-order at their stores. In essence, this means that folks who pre-order Forza 4 at Target are locked out of the bonuses being offered at Amazon, GameStop, Walmart, and Best Buy... at least, unless the retailer DLC is offered later through XBLM. At very least, fans who pick up the game (at any store) around its launch later this year will snag a quintet of free vehicles in the "Ship Bonus" car pack, listed alongside the aforementioned pre-order items below the break. The car pack will only be free to folks purchasing the "first production run" of Forza 4, so be sure to choose your fastest supercar for shuttling to the local brick and mortar.%Gallery-124664%
Forza 4 pitch video pulled by Microsoft
If you must suffer an unforeseen failure in confidentiality on any day of the year, what better day than April 1st? It's the one time when the internet can muster some skepticism, even while presented with purportedly leaked footage of a high-profile sequel. Doubt over the authenticity of an "internal" pitch video of Forza Motorsport 4 might have obscured the news, had Microsoft not pulled it from Youtube. According to a Microsoft statement received and published by several gaming news sites, the video "was not intended for public distribution and may not accurately reflect features and functionality that ship in Forza Motorsport 4." The company's concern may lie in promising features that have yet to be finalized, such as 16-player online races, the contribution of over 80 automobile manufacturers and the introduction of social car clubs. (One promoted feature we can rule out with ease, however, is the career mode that has you "literally" traveling the globe. Forza 4 isn't likely to include a bundle of plane tickets -- if it did, you'd have a cheap opportunity to swing by this year's semantics nazi convention.) Considering the glossy, flattering nature of the video, and the presence of already-announced additions like Kinect head tracking, it's possible that April Fools' Day marked the start of a viral marketing campaign for Forza 4. Let's see how long this version of the video stays up, and whether Microsoft comes knocking on our door. Not literally.
Forza 4 tuned up to take checkered flag, boosted by Kinect
In the unending competition to create the preeminent simulation racing game, Turn 10 Studios has kicked it into overdrive for this fall's Forza 4, reports MSN Autos. Let's run through some highlights from the development process (as documented by MSN), shall we? 3-D laser-scan "select cars, including the Bugatti Veyron?" Check. Obtain "proprietary performance data from tire manufacturer Pirelli" to create "the most up-to-date simulation of how modern tires grip or slip in a variety of racing conditions?" Done. "[Isolate] the intake, exhaust and engine sounds from each vehicle" in the game to record realistic audio? You have to. "[Rent] out each track that appears in the game for two to three days, [shoot] terabytes worth of video and photos, and [trace] the inside, middle and outside portions of the road surface with a commercial-grade GPS system?" They did that. Of course, as MSN observes, "[few] players will notice this level of nuance mid-game." It's only through the endorsements of "the tiny, exacting minority of hardcore players and professional racers who train using Forza" (and other sim racers, like Gran Turismo) that we few can trust that the iterative updates over the years are actually bringing us closer to the the most accurate simulation racing game of all time. It's worth a chuckle, then, that Forza 4's most marketable feature is "more gimmick than breakthrough," according to MSN, and is perhaps a mini-step backwards in the race to ultimate realism. That feature, of course, is Kinect support. Aside from the "advanced ogling tool" (which allows players to walk around and inspect their virtualized cars; as seen at E3 2010), Forza 4's "Kinect-only mode" will also feature a "more interesting" head-tracking ability, by MSN's account: "when you lean to one side or the other, the driver's perspective edges with you, letting you peer around a blind curve or just slightly around a car before passing it." Still, even coupled with "the phantom steering wheel you can grip and steer," this experience is more "potential" than achievement. "I think we're just scratching the surface," game director Dan Greenawalt told MSN.
Forza 4 will have Kinect support, Top Gear content
With a quick tease during this past weekend's Spike VGAs, Turn 10 Studios revealed its next project: Forza Motorsport 4. Microsoft confirmed today that Forza 4 will feature Kinect functionality -- the teaser trailer we've dropped after the break shows a brief moment that looks identical to a few of the features we saw at E3 this year. Additionally, the studio is working with the US version of Top Gear "to create an automotive experience unlike anything before it" -- perhaps Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson has been cloned and will ship with copies of the game, cheering and jeering players as they pilot supercars? That remains to be seen. What we do know is that Forza 4 will drift into retail outlets sometime next fall.%Gallery-110457%
Forza 3 'community choice classics' DLC adds 10 cars, hits Dec. 14
With all the hype surrounding the likes of Gran Turismo 5 and Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit, Forza Motorsport 3 dev Turn 10 Studios would like owners of its Xbox 360-exclusive racing sim to know that they're not forgotten. To that end, it's releasing the Community Choice Classics pack on December 14 for 400 Microsoft Points ($5), featuring 10 new cars voted into the game by fans. For us, the highlight of the pack is the 1982 DeLorean DMC-12. (We probably shouldn't tell Turn 10 it could've just sold the car by itself for $5 and called it a day.) You'll find the full list of cars after the brake break, and remember: just like election day, you can't complain about the winners if you didn't vote. Well, you can, but you'll sound like a big jerk.
Forza 3 'Ultimate Collection' rated by OFLC
Evidence has surfaced that Microsoft plans to re-release Turn 10's Forza 3, seemingly as an "Ultimate Collection" with what we can assume would include much, if not all of the game's downloadable content. Australia's OFLC ratings board has listed the potential encore package -- which, if released this holiday, would appear to be a friendly challenge to Sony's long-awaited Gran Turismo 5. Additional retail sources could not immediately corroborate the Forza 3 Motorsport: Ultimate Collection listing, but we'll update as this story develops.
Forza 3 'World Class Car Pack' rides onto Xbox Marketplace
A wise man once said, "One can never have too many exotic sportscars." Or maybe it was a rich man. Either way, the lastest Forza Motorsport 3 add-on, the World Class Car Pack, is now available for 400 Microsoft Point ($5). The full list of new cars is posted after the break.
Kinect motion controls coming to Forza
Microsoft announced at this morning's E3 event that the Kinect system will interact with very popular Forza series. So we'll get this out of the way right now: yes, you will be able to play Kinect Forza. Whew -- glad we could get that one out. And you won't just be driving with a nonexistent steering wheel -- Microsoft showed someone actually walking around and inspecting the car with the Kinect system, as well as opening up the hood, waving a hand to shut the doors, and hovering a virtual cursor over various parts to open up menus of information. Turn 10 is developing, and a release date was given as 2011, but it's not clear yet whether this is added functionality to a current version of Forza, or a completely new game. We'll let you know when we do.
Forza Motorsport 3 $10 off on Amazon
A quick note for any driving simulation fans that have yet to dive into Forza Motorsport 3: Amazon is currently offering Turn 10's latest opus as a Gold Box deal. The game is selling new for $49.99, making it $10 cheaper than the retail price. Of course, if you've waited this long without picking up a new copy, you could probably pick up a used copy for less. Then again, there's no telling whose grubby little fingers have been groping those, so new certainly has its advantages.
Microsoft confirms Bayonetta/Forza 3 bundle for Japan
Microsoft is putting on its best marketing face to try and sell some Xbox 360s in Japan, hence a new Xbox 360 Elite bundle -- last week's rumored bundle. The new pack includes a copy of Forza 3 and Bayonetta on top of all the usual trimmings that come with an Xbox 360 Elite -- all for a cool ¥29,800 ($319.48). It's one of the more unique software bundles we've seen, to tell the truth, but a nice way to entice Japanese gamers. Each title comes from an opposite side of the spectrum: Forza 3 is a diehard racing sim with an emphasis on cool, calculative driving, whereas Bayonetta is a frenetic action game with an emphasis on giant, ambiguous animals and riding motorcycles in space. The bundle is available to Japanese consumers right now. [Via Kotaku]
Splinter Cell and Forza gear on Avatar Marketplace
Getting tired of looking at the same old, boring Avatar? Of course you are, so why not dress him or her up in some fancy new duds? You're in luck, because two new batches of Avatar goodies have landed on Xbox Live Marketplace. First up, there's a new Splinter Cell: Conviction collection and yes, before you ask, Sam's trademark goggles are up for grabs. On the other side of the proverbial track is a new collection of Forza Motorsport 3 goodies. While there are plenty of items for sale, the only one you really need to know about is the RC car. Browse each collection via the links below. Source - Splinter Cell: Conviction Avatar apparel on Xbox.com Source - Forza Motorsport 3 Avatar apparel on Xbox.com
Rumor: Forza 3/Bayonetta hardware bundle coming to Japan
There's a new Xbox 360 bundle headed to the land of the rising sun, and it's oddly appropriate. Spotted by Siliconera on Japanese retail site Famicom Plaza, the bundle -- apparently slated for an April 28 release -- includes an Xbox 360 Elite with the usual trimmings, along with Forza Motorsport 3 and Bayonetta. While the pairing might seem strange at first, think about it. What it amounts to is cars and overtly sexual women, which have enjoyed a symbiotic relationship on magazine covers since time immemorial. The bundle clocks in -- get it, racing? -- at ¥29,000 ($312). Siliconera notes that both games normally retail for around $75, making this a pretty good deal for prospective 360 owners in Japan.
Forza 3 Road & Track DLC out now
Good news for the digital gearheads and livery artists out there, as new DLC for Forza Motorsport 3 is available on Xbox Live Marketplace. Up for grabs is the Road & Track Pack, which is being released in cooperation with Road & Track magazine. The pack includes ten new cars for 400 ($5). As usual, Turn 10 is also offering a free sample car, the adorable MINI Coupé Concept seen above, to give players a taste of the content included in the pack. See the full list of cars below and check out stats for each on the official Forza website. 2010 Volkswagen Golf R 2009 Holden HSV w427 2010 Ford Taurus SHO 2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG 2010 Renault Megane RS 250 2010 Vauxhall Insignia VXR 2010 Mini Coupé Concept 2010 Bentley Continental Supersports 2010 Mazda MX-5 Superlight 2010 SEAT Leon Cupra R Xbox.com: Add The Road & Track Car Sample to your Xbox 360 download queue Xbox.com: Add The Road & Track Car Car Pack to your Xbox 360 download queue ($5)
Amazon's Forza 3 and ODST 360 Elite bundle now available at GameStop
There are plenty of reasons to be wary about buying expensive electronics over the internet. They could be forever lost to shipping accidents. You could have trust issues about purchasing items from faceless vendors. Or maybe you're just addicted to instant gratification. If brick-and-mortar transactions are your preferred M.O., then you'll be pleased to hear that the formerly Amazon-only 360 Elite Spring Bundle, which comes packaged with Forza Motorsport 3 and Halo 3: ODST, is now available at GameStop for $299.99. We can't stress this enough -- this is by far the best Xbox bundle ever to hit store shelves, so we suggest picking one up if you still find yourself sans 360. There's no telling when the offer will cease to be ... offered, but if we were to wager a guess, we'd say "around the start of the next temperate season." [Via Halo.Bungie.org]
Forza 3 Jalopnik DLC hits XBLM
The previously announced Jalopnik DLC for Forza Motorsport 3 is now available on Xbox Live Marketplace. The pack includes 10 cars, which were chosen by the editors of Jalopnik.com, and include "some of the most coveted 2009 and 2010 models." The pack contains the following cars: 2008 Mazda Furai 2010 Jaguar #33 Jaguar RSR XKR GT 2009 Ford #40 Robertson Racing Ford GT Mk7 2010 Aston Martin V12 Vantage 2010 Porsche 911 Sport Classic 1992 Bugatti EB110 SS 2011 BMW Motorsport Z4 sDrive35is 2010 Audi TT RS Coupe 2010 Aston Martin Rapide 2010 Honda Mugen Civic Type-R 3D The car pack costs 400 ($5), but you can also grab a sample -- the 2010 Honda Mugen Civic Type-R 3D -- for free. Head over to the Forza Motorsport website for more info on each car. Shortcut: Add the Jalopnik Car Pack to your Xbox 360 download queue [Via Xbox.com] Shortcut: Add the Jalopnik Sample Car to your Xbox 360 download queue [Via Xbox.com]
Microsoft bringing 'the full lineup' of Natal titles to E3
GDC 2010 is the hotness this week, but according to Microsoft's Mindy Mount (speaking at a tech conference in NYC), E3 should be fun this year, too. As you might expect, Microsoft is bringing "the full lineup" of Project Natal titles to the convention in June. We know there are a whole bunch of developers working on Natal titles, including EA, Capcom, Forza Motorport's Turn 10, and SpawnPoint Studios. Mount promises that Microsoft is "putting some of our best people on coming up with great game ideas for this, and we're going to have some great stuff." We'll start working out now to make sure we have enough stamina to flail our limbs all week long.
New 360 Elite bundle includes Halo 3: ODST and Forza 3 for $300
Are you preparing to buy your first ever Xbox 360, and are looking for the best value for your money? Alternatively, did your Xbox 360 just commit ritual seppuku, and now you're looking for a SKU that comes bundled with some good games? Both parties are in luck -- Amazon recently added a listing for an Xbox 360 Elite Spring 2010 bundle, which includes Halo 3: ODST, Forza Motorsport 3 and a 120GB hard drive for just $299.99. According to the listing, this bundle will go on sale next Tuesday, March 9 -- the same day the $399 Final Fantasy XIII bundle hits Amazon's virtual store shelves. We're extremely excited about this news -- not because it's a great deal (though it really, really is), but because it's allowed us to break the world record for "Most Times Using The Number '3' In A Single Headline." Thanks for making this dream possible, Microsoft. [Via 1UP]
Forza 3 'limited edition' content for sale, some proceeds go to Haiti relief
If you snatched up a used copy of Turn 10 Studios' two-million selling racer, Forza 3, you now have the chance to tune up the game with some new content from Xbox Live. There are four new packs available for purchase, each previously only available through new standard and limited editions of the game. Here's a rundown of each pack's specs: Sidewinder Proving Grounds Track Pack (400 / $5) -- This pack features 18 courses, including an updated version of the Sidewinder Proving Grounds from Forza Motorsport 2. Benchmark High Speed Ring Track Pack (400 / $5) -- A four-mile stretch of road to test your car's mettle, the Benchmark High Speed Ring Track Pack also features a large parking lot environment for online multiplayer games of "Tag" and "Keep It Clean." Motorsports Legends Car Pack (400 / $5) -- As suggested by the name, this pack features 10 of racing's most classic cars: 1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA Stradale, 1964 Aston Martin DB5 Vantage, 1981 BMW Motorsport M1, 1960 Chevrolet Corvette, 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona Hemi, 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, 1980 Fiat 131 Abarth, 1967 Lamborghini Miura P400, 1971 Nissan Skyline 2000GT-R, and the 1965 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe. VIP Membership Car Pack (800 / $10) -- This pack unlocks VIP status for your profile in Forza 3, giving you special recognition as a VIP on leaderboards, in multiplayer lobbies, on ForzaMotorsport.net, in the in-game storefront and places your auctions at the top of the Forza 3 auction house. It also unlocks five additional cards: 2008 Aston Martin DBS, 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, 2007 Ferrari F430 Scuderia, 2007 Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera, and the 2007 Porsche 911 GT3 RS (997). During the month of March, Turn 10 Studios will donate $10 for each download of the VIP Membership Car Pack (up to $100,000) to Save the Children. The proceeds will be donated to victims of the Haiti earthquakes.
