One of the key visual advantages Forza 4 has comes from what they call image-based lighting. Every surface in or on these cars takes in light so naturally that it's almost unbelievable. In a meeting at E3 yesterday Turn 10's Dan Greenawalt says that the visual technology used in this game is usually reserved for stuff like CG or commercials. And it looks like it. Gamers on the floor that don't give a flying **** about racing games were commenting on how gorgeous the real-time visuals of Forza 4 are in passing. Again, you're not going to believe it until you see it for yourself.
This visual technology was easily shown in the game's Autovista mode. If GT5 was naughty car porn, Forza 4's Autovista is the dirtiest, nastiest, most sinful smut ever made. It's like that high-detail HD Blu-ray porn that's reserved for the perviest of perverts. I'm trying to say that it's beautiful. Greenawalt gave us a good, close-up look at this car viewing mode in a demo, and I was impressed with the game's ability to render up-close detail so clearly. You can stick your virtual face up to wheels, trim, fabric and more and see every little grain, light shimmer and sparkle. If you're as car horny as I am you may have taken a road trip to a luxury car dealer just to drool at pretty machines. The Autovista mode is like an unlimited pass to do that as long as you want, without having to feel the judgmental eyes of the dealership salesmen.