Taking the Sim Further...with Motion Controls?
by Amanda L. Kondolojy
by Amanda L. Kondolojy
Over the past two years, fans of the automotive genre have been treated to two great simulation titles: Forza Motorsports 3 and Gran Turismo 5. Though we'll probably have to wait until several years into the PlayStation 4's lifecycle to get Gran Turismo 6, Turn 10 isn't waiting so long to release the next installment of Forza. As of this writing, Forza 4 is on track for a late 2011 release, despite only being formally announced several months ago. Though Turn 10 isn't releasing much information on Forza 4 yet, we do have some preliminary details about the game, and what fans can expect from this much-anticipated release.
Perhaps the most anticipated feature of Forza 4 will be its use of the Kinect peripheral. Though Turn 10 promises an "engaging controller-based experience" as well, the Kinect peripheral will be heavily implemented into the game through extra modes and features. What does this mean? Motion controls probably won't make it into the career mode, but if you have a Kinect unit, you'll be able to have a fuller Forza experience.
Forza Motorsport 4 Screenshot
One of the Kinect-only modes, which first premiered at 2009's E3, is a virtual showroom of sorts that allows you to use the Kinect motion controls to walk around in-game vehicles and sit behind the wheel in cars that most of us can never dream of affording. In addition to looking pretty, the showroom mode also features interactive elements. Reaching out and touching signature parts of the car will allow you to have the experience of sitting in a real showroom, and voiceovers inform you about distinguishing features of the particular model you are checking out. You will also be able to pop the hood, check out the engine, and look at various other parts of the car that are not immediately visible just by walking around. While I wouldn't expect this feature to extend to all of the cars that will eventually be in the game (that would be a ridiculous undertaking considering Forza 3 had more than 400 cars), it will be interesting to see which cars do make it into the showroom mode. I'm sure there will be more than a few Ferarris!
Although car aficionados should definitely be excited about the showroom mode, the Kinect peripheral will be used in actual gameplay modes as well. Although everything we've seen so far seems to suggest that the core gameplay mode will still feature a button-based experience, a Forza-branded tech demo that premiered earlier this year shows that there will likely be an arcade-like experience that will compliment the simulation experience. The demo we saw uses motion controls to steer a self-accelerating car as it passes cars in the slow lane. Though the Kinect driving experience hasn't made a name for itself just yet (Joy Ride wasn't exactly well-received), if there is a game that will bring a more precise driving experience to Microsoft's peripheral, you can put your money on Forza. Though it is unlikely it will feature the intense precision the series has become famous for, you can bet the experience will be unlike any other.
Forza Motorsport 4 ScreenshotIn addition to the Kinect options, we also know that Forza 4 will continue the series' relationship with automotive enthusiast series Top Gear, although instead of drawing on the long-running British show for inspiration, it looks like Forza 4 will instead be looking to the American version of the show this time around. Though it's unknown what the Top Gear content will include, I would wager that some bonus episodic content will be included (much like what was included in the "Ultimate" edition of Forza 3) as well as some bonus cars.
Forza Motorsport 4 Screenshot
There is plenty we still don't know about Forza 4, but you can bet there will be plenty of big reveals come this summer. Though early details are scarce, the prospect of new Kinect-compatible modes is certainly interesting. Though I don't expect a drastic change in formula with regard to the controller-based experience, the implementation of new arcade-like features may just introduce a whole new audience to Forza.
By Amanda L. Kondolojy
Perhaps the most anticipated feature of Forza 4 will be its use of the Kinect peripheral. Though Turn 10 promises an "engaging controller-based experience" as well, the Kinect peripheral will be heavily implemented into the game through extra modes and features. What does this mean? Motion controls probably won't make it into the career mode, but if you have a Kinect unit, you'll be able to have a fuller Forza experience.
One of the Kinect-only modes, which first premiered at 2009's E3, is a virtual showroom of sorts that allows you to use the Kinect motion controls to walk around in-game vehicles and sit behind the wheel in cars that most of us can never dream of affording. In addition to looking pretty, the showroom mode also features interactive elements. Reaching out and touching signature parts of the car will allow you to have the experience of sitting in a real showroom, and voiceovers inform you about distinguishing features of the particular model you are checking out. You will also be able to pop the hood, check out the engine, and look at various other parts of the car that are not immediately visible just by walking around. While I wouldn't expect this feature to extend to all of the cars that will eventually be in the game (that would be a ridiculous undertaking considering Forza 3 had more than 400 cars), it will be interesting to see which cars do make it into the showroom mode. I'm sure there will be more than a few Ferarris!
Although car aficionados should definitely be excited about the showroom mode, the Kinect peripheral will be used in actual gameplay modes as well. Although everything we've seen so far seems to suggest that the core gameplay mode will still feature a button-based experience, a Forza-branded tech demo that premiered earlier this year shows that there will likely be an arcade-like experience that will compliment the simulation experience. The demo we saw uses motion controls to steer a self-accelerating car as it passes cars in the slow lane. Though the Kinect driving experience hasn't made a name for itself just yet (Joy Ride wasn't exactly well-received), if there is a game that will bring a more precise driving experience to Microsoft's peripheral, you can put your money on Forza. Though it is unlikely it will feature the intense precision the series has become famous for, you can bet the experience will be unlike any other.
Forza Motorsport 4 Screenshot
There is plenty we still don't know about Forza 4, but you can bet there will be plenty of big reveals come this summer. Though early details are scarce, the prospect of new Kinect-compatible modes is certainly interesting. Though I don't expect a drastic change in formula with regard to the controller-based experience, the implementation of new arcade-like features may just introduce a whole new audience to Forza.
By Amanda L. Kondolojy
CCC Senior Contributing Writer
Game Features:
Game Features:
- The definitive racing game of 2011, "Forza Motorsport 4 " will bring together genre-defining, controller-based racing, the power and freedom of Kinect, and content from leading brands like "Top Gear" to create an automotive experience unlike anything before it.
- "Forza Motorsport 4 " will be the most expansive and vividly realistic automotive experience across any console, bringing you closer to the edge than you've ever been before.
- Through the power of Kinect, players will be able to step through the TV screen and jump into the driver's seat while the engaging controller-based experience will let you take on the bone-jarring physics, unparalleled levels of customization, and rosters of dream cars and tracks.
- Offering gameplay that will electrify racing fans and excite car lovers and novices alike, the highest-rated racing franchise of this generation returns in Autumn 2011.
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