[XB1] Forza Horizon 2

[MrBill]

Forza Horizon 2 was just announced this morning to be coming this fall for the Xbox One and Xbox 360. Will be interesting to see what resolution this game launches with since it is likely to be the first flagship title MS launches after the announcement of the Kincect'less Xbox One meaning that the developers knew a long time ago they could allocate system resources away from the integration with Kinect.

Forza Horizon 2 Announced
Open-world racing sequel heading to Xbox One and Xbox 360 this fall.

It’s time to crank up the stereo and hit the open road once again, as Microsoft has announced Forza Horizon 2, the next installment in their flagship racing series. Forza Horizon 2 is in development for Xbox One and Xbox 360 and due for release this fall.

The racer follows 2012’s critically acclaimed franchise spinoff Forza Horizon for Xbox 360 and 2013’s frontline Xbox One launch game Forza Motorsport 5. Development is being handled primarily by Horizon 1 studio Playground Games, though the team is collaborating closely with the Motorsport team at Turn 10 Studios; the two teams share a technology pipeline as well as select key personnel.

“[Turn 10 and Playground] share this belief that we can create a true home for racing fans on Xbox One,” said Horizon 2 creative director Ralph Fulton.


Forza Horizon 2 Announced

In making the leap to Xbox One, Forza Horizon 2 will include hundreds of cars, according to Playground Games, headlined by the 2015 Lamborghini Huracán. A long-awaited weather system will also make its Forza debut, while Forza 5’s Drivatar system is also being adapted for Horizon 2.

As for the game’s setting? Contrary to recent rumors, it won’t take place in the bayous of Louisiana. Instead, the game will take place in gorgeous Southern Europe, leading to, in Fulton’s words, “incredible diversity” and “amazing vistas.” Music will again play a big part in the game, and a music festival will be the central event around which the game’s activities revolve.

Extensive improvements and features are in store for Horizon 2, which IGN will showcase throughout June as part of our brand-new IGN First initiative. We traveled to Playground Games in the UK and brought back a (metric!) ton of content that we’re excited to share with you all month long, including tomorrow’s full preview of our hands-on time with the game.

That sound you hear in the distance is the sound check for another music festival and the revving up of supercar engines…

[Swarley]

Why announce this now and not during their E3 press conference...

[Twigg4075]

Wow, so MS isn't even confident in their own new console at this point? When is the last time a first party (or second party?) game has released on last gen and new gen hardware like this? The only thing I can think of is Zelda Twilight Princess for Wii/Gamecube. I'm still not sure why Nintendo did that?

By the way, I l-o-v-e-d Forza Horizon and I'm definitely looking forward to the sequel.

I'm not a car guy but that Lambo looks sexy as fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck.

[Swarley]

Oh, and now Playground Games will have implemented day/night cycles AND weather into the Horizon games, and Turn 10 still can't get either into the Motorsport titles.

[Twigg4075]

Oh, and now Playground Games will have implemented day/night cycles AND weather into the Horizon games, and Turn 10 still can't get either into the Motorsport titles.

Because this one won't be rushed like Forza 5 (and a lot of launch titles in general) were/are.

[Swarley]

Either way, I'm excited for an arcade racer of this type. I've always loved the arcade racers that were more about building and racing your cars rather than using them as weapons (why I don't care for NFS much anymore). The open world in the first Horizon was great and I'm excited to see what they deliver this time.

[Swarley]

[Swarley]

[Swarley]

[Price]

[Twigg4075]

[Swarley]

[Twigg4075]

FYI, for those that may have missed the original, it's on sale for barely over $10 on Xbox Live. Great game. Get it!

[Nucking Futs]

[MrBill]

The car reveal started this morning-

Forza Horizon 2 Car List Reveal Begins

By Xbox Wire Staff posted July 22, 2014 at 8:00 AM

Forza Horizon 2 fans, today is the day! We are officially kicking off the car reveals for Forza Horizon 2 with our first huge reveal of cars. Today we are announcing the first 100 of the just over 200 cars that will be featured in Forza Horizon 2. All of the cars in Forza Horizon 2 have been built from the ground up for this generation with the utmost care and detail, taking full advantage of the power of Xbox One and Forza Horizon 2’s dynamic weather and wide-open world, including new features such as functioning windshield wipers, working headlights and interior lights, and dynamic dirt-mapping.

Forza Horizon 2 will feature a huge and diverse lineup of awesome cars to collect, customize, and drive. That means everything from state-of-the-art supercars like our cover car, the 2015 Lamborghini Huracán, to Group B rally legends, monster off-roaders, classic American muscle cars, and much more. Leading into launch we’ll continue to reveal more to get you ready for the ultimate racing experience coming on September 30.

First up, let’s take a look at five of the never-before-seen cars in Forza Horizon 2:



1973 Renault Alpine A110 1600S

Prior to 1973, Alpine was its own make, purveyed by Jean Redele, who had achieved notable success racing Renault 4CVs, including class wins at the Mille Miglia and the Coupe Des Alpes. In 1954, Redele formed the Societe Anonyme des Automobiles Alpine and the Alpine was born. Alpine always worked closely with Renault and always utilized Renault mechanicals, so the assimilation of the two was a natural progression. The Alpine scored international recognition as it took several wins throughout Europe in the first international rally championship and would later win the first World Rally Championship. Set aside the Alpine's astounding championship winning performance and you still have a sleek, mid-engine Berlinetta with flowing body lines that demand attention.



2009 Vauxhall Corsa VXR

Compact and quick, that’s how best to describe the 2009 Vauxhall Corsa VXR. This is a small car with a big point of view, notably in its compact form and assertive lines. Featuring a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine and more than 180 bhp, the Corsa VXR is no stranger to pint-sized performance, with a respectable 0-60 time of just under 7 seconds and a top speed north of 130 mph. You can control that modest grunt too; with pliable and playful handling, the Corsa guarantees a fun time behind the wheel.



1945 Jeep Willys MB

As tensions heightened during the 1930s, the U.S. Army asked automakers to deliver a replacement for its aging light armor division. At the time, the division was mostly comprised of motorcycles—some with sidecars—and many Model T Fords. By 1940, the division had formalized its vehicle requirements to include the following specs: four-wheel-drive, a wheelbase of no more than 80 inches, a minimum payload of 660 lbs. and minimum torque of 85-ft-lbs. Lastly, the vehicle had to weigh no more than 2,160 pounds empty. The original design was contrived by American Bantam Car Company but, due to a lack of production capacity and fiscal stability, the U.S. government assumed legal rights to the design and contracted with Willys-Overland and later Ford to produce their variations the Willys MA—Military A, and later MB. The origin of the term “Jeep” has more than one influence. One clearly points to the Ford designation Gee- P. The second comes from the popular Popeye cartoons of the era. “Eugene the jeep” was Popeye’s jungle pet who could solve difficult problems with his ability to move between dimensions. Much as the implementation of the Jeep did for the military.



1963 Volkswagen Type 2 De Luxe

Who would have ever thought an old Volkswagen van would be worth upwards of $200,000? Today, these little buses are going for incredible sums at auction and even rusting hulks can garner more than the cost of your favorite sports car. The 23-window De Luxe is the most desirable model of “splitties” – for their split windshield – and will sell for huge sums in nearly any condition. An array of roofside windows lets the sun shine in and offers a beautiful accent to the breadbox form of the classic bus. Pushing the little guy around is a rear-mounted, 1200cc, air-cooled flat-four. The mighty 36 hp motor will deliver highway speeds, even when full of long-haired hippies, except when climbing hills. Many vans of the era had sayings such as “please just pass” painted on the back and inspired bumper stickers like “NEVER get behind a VW” or “0-60 in 15 Minutes.” The truth is, you don’t have to go fast in a VW Bus to be having a good time, riding or road-tripping in one will make memories that last a lifetime.



1954 Jaguar XK120 SE

The Jaguar XK120 SE is an iconic post-World War II auto; one of a group of cars that became synonymous with European sports cars of the time when it was released. Little wonder too – the car’s open top and swooping lines practically scream for a spin along the Cote d’Azur or a brisk ride through wine country in Tuscany. The original XK120 line was launched in 1948 as a test bed for the then-new Jaguar XK engine. Later, Jaguar introduced the optional SE package found here, which increased engine performance to 180 hp, added a dual exhaust, and stiffened the suspension, bringing some added pep to an already classic chassis. Take the SE for a spin in Forza Horizon 2’s southern European setting for a high-speed taste of what the good old days must have felt like.