Forza Horizon 5: General Discussion

[The_Greaser]

What about this as a potential new addition to FH5 at some point? We got a good relationship with Hyundai after all, and this weird kart-thingmabob called the Hyundai RN24 concept should do that as well: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a62719060/hyundai-rolling-test-lab-details-specs/

It's basically an Ioniq 5 N strapped to a bare chassis and a roll cage.

 

[GTvsForza]

I think GT also has a partnership with Hyundai N, so it might be tricky.

 

[sirjim73]

I think the 512TR will win too, but it'll be close.

Joe Cee's latest Eventlab (airport race) was well built and fun as always. It made me wonder if anyone has built an Eventlab of Top Gear's test track yet... Now we have proper road segments (as shown in the Airport eventlab) it should be very easy to build Dunsfold.

Anyone else get FH2 "withdrawal pangs" driving around the airport?

Also, "Only Bulls and Horses" is just, well, cushty my son (and completely lost on anyone outside the UK)

PS I actually prefer the chandelier and "Batman and Robin" scenes to this one.

 

[KTR-eevee]

I think GT also has a partnership with Hyundai N, so it might be tricky.

I don't remember there being any agreement between polyphony and Hyundai (and if we look at the car list, fh5 has a lot more Hyundai vehicles including the N Vision 74 and the Elantra N TCR used in the Michelin pilot sport challenge)

 

[Vince_GT]

Hyundai belives in Videogame advertising (look for example at Assetto Corsa EVO) i highly belive that will be moar N cars in Forza series in future for sure.

 

[Edax 76]

Anyone else get FH2 "withdrawal pangs" driving around the airport?

Also, "Only Bulls and Horses" is just, well, cushty my son (and completely lost on anyone outside the UK)

PS I actually prefer the chandelier and "Batman and Robin" scenes to this one.

That scene gets me every time, but like you I do prefer the chandelier scene.

The build up to the punch line in the chandelier scene is perfectly paced and overall it's shot beautifully.

 

[Nacho Libre]

Well, I got Dirt Rally 2.0 on a Steam sale (basically, almost free) and with a few events into, I can't help to think that this is how a rally game built around the Forza engine would/should feel like, as my transition from FM/FH5 to Dirt Rally controls was almost automatic (it's Codemasters after all, they just don't do bad controls).

Eventually the new Forza engine will be fitted to the next Forza Horizon (maybe as we speak), and I wonder if the majority of players will be more accepting of a more sim-style of rallying.

 

[Digolgrin]

Well, I got Dirt Rally 2.0 on a Steam sale (basically, almost free) and with a few events into, I can't help to think that this is how a rally game built around the Forza engine would/should feel like, as my transition from FM/FH5 to Dirt Rally controls was almost automatic (it's Codemasters after all, they just don't do bad controls).

Eventually the new Forza engine will be fitted to the next Forza Horizon (maybe as we speak), and I wonder if the majority of players will be more accepting of a more sim-style of rallying.

Honestly, I wonder if this is why it's taking a while for FH6 to show itself. It should have been revealed by now, if not well before that if the fact that we're well past FH4's service cut-off date is any indication. An all-new rally physics set would take a lot of work to get right, especially with what happened with FM2023's initial reception.

Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if Horizon itself gets a soft reboot like that.

 

[skazz]

Honestly, I wonder if this is why it's taking a while for FH6 to show itself. It should have been revealed by now, if not well before that if the fact that we're well past FH4's service cut-off date is any indication. An all-new rally physics set would take a lot of work to get right, especially with what happened with FM2023's initial reception.

Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if Horizon itself gets a soft reboot like that.

I respectfully disagree. Horizon is doing great. Huge audience, clearly the top game in its segment. I see no reason why the problems of Motorsport would have any impact on Horizon.

If anything, it should encourage Microsoft to focus more on Horizon than Motorsport...

 

[Digolgrin]

I respectfully disagree. Horizon is doing great. Huge audience, clearly the top game in its segment. I see no reason why the problems of Motorsport would have any impact on Horizon.

If anything, it should encourage Microsoft to focus more on Horizon than Motorsport...

Oh, no, I was more postulating that developing a better off-road driving model (and maybe translating what FM2023 did to asphalt driving) might be why we haven't seen an FH6 yet. I didn't mean to imply Motorsport's issues would affect Horizon.

 

[pez2k]

Personally, I think the reason FH6 hasn't been shown yet begins and ends with Fable. For the first time they've got two games on the go, so taking an extra year for FH6 isn't a big deal.

 

[Edax 76]

If anything changes for FH6 I hope it's the map. It's just too open and barren at the moment. Whether that's because of The Eliminator or others factors I'd personally like it to change.

We need open spaces on the map for hooning around on, but structures we could driving around in or, geographical features (woods with potential rally stages, quarries, hill climbs, caves, estuaries etc), and of course the obligatory runway are needed.

With the potential power of the gaming platforms two good size cities/large towns would be nice. As would a return to the larger festival sites we had in FH3.

This last one will be controversial but I'd welcome the return of snow as one of the four seasons again, if the location was suitable. It can add variety to a map.

As a product I think there's little that needs changing overall in the FH games. The map however is one.

 

[UKMikey]

If anything changes for FH6 I hope it's the map. It's just too open and barren at the moment. Whether that's because of The Eliminator or others factors I'd personally like it to change.

We need open spaces on the map for hooning around on, but structures we could driving around in or, geographical features (woods with potential rally stages, quarries, hill climbs, caves, estuaries etc), and of course the obligatory runway are needed.

With the potential power of the gaming platforms two good size cities/large towns would be nice. As would a return to the larger festival sites we had in FH3.

This last one will be controversial but I'd welcome the return of snow as one of the four seasons again, if the location was suitable. It can add variety to a map.

As a product I think there's little that needs changing overall in the FH games. The map however is one.

Ek'Balam is no Castelletto.

 

[Digolgrin]

If anything changes for FH6 I hope it's the map. It's just too open and barren at the moment. Whether that's because of The Eliminator or others factors I'd personally like it to change.

We need open spaces on the map for hooning around on, but structures we could driving around in or, geographical features (woods with potential rally stages, quarries, hill climbs, caves, estuaries etc), and of course the obligatory runway are needed.

With the potential power of the gaming platforms two good size cities/large towns would be nice. As would a return to the larger festival sites we had in FH3.

This last one will be controversial but I'd welcome the return of snow as one of the four seasons again, if the location was suitable. It can add variety to a map.

As a product I think there's little that needs changing overall in the FH games. The map however is one.

You'll get no argument from me on this front. I just uninstalled FH5 for the second time because of burnout, and I think the maps we have are a major reason for it. I am actually tempted to install FH4 just to have some kind of Horizon in my life besides, and even I know it'll still take me three years, or about the same amount of time I spent with FH5, to fill out that game's garage--I just want something that isn't Mexico.

 

[Edax 76]

You'll get no argument from me on this front. I just uninstalled FH5 for the second time because of burnout, and I think the maps we have are a major reason for it. I am actually tempted to install FH4 just to have some kind of Horizon in my life besides, and even I know it'll still take me three years, or about the same amount of time I spent with FH5, to fill out that game's garage--I just want something that isn't Mexico.

I might be slightly biased as a Brit, but FH4's map is definitely better than FH5's.

It also has the British Black Cab as a vehicle. One car I'd love to see return. I think the Black Cab Vs the Mexican Beetle Cab would make for some cracking races.

 

[Digolgrin]

I think as long as PG pushes the idea of the "Horizon Adventure" the map design will never truly go back to what it was pre-5, or even pre-4. Heck, who's to say FH6's map won't jist be designed around Horizon Hide and Seek now that PG has basically made it into a Playlist regular? Thry might just find a way to make the same design decisions that led to Mexico in the first place.

 

[Edax 76]

I think as long as PG pushes the idea of the "Horizon Adventure" the map design will never truly go back to what it was pre-5, or even pre-4. Heck, who's to say FH6's map won't jist be designed around Horizon Hide and Seek now that PG has basically made it into a Playlist regular? Thry might just find a way to make the same design decisions that led to Mexico in the first place.

Hide and Seek would suit the type of map I'm advocating, so I'd be happy on that one bud.

Even Horizon Adventure works on a more detailed map. By its nature a more detailed map gives the player more to explore, hence enhanced adventure opportunities.

I honestly think the Mexico map, and this is just my opinion, was strongly influenced by The Eliminator and the fact the game had to run on Xbox One, so the Devs had to keep map infrastructure low.

I might be wrong, after all you could write everything I know about coding and programming on the back of a postage stamp ten times over 😂😂😂.

 

[skazz]

Don’t forget that rally adventure brought us twisty winding roads with bad cambers. Hopefully response was positive enough to give us those kinds of roads on the main map in FH6

 

[Edax 76]

Don’t forget that rally adventure brought us twisty winding roads with bad cambers. Hopefully response was positive enough to give us those kinds of roads on the main map in FH6

I hope so bud 🤞

 

[The_Greaser]

I think as long as PG pushes the idea of the "Horizon Adventure" the map design will never truly go back to what it was pre-5, or even pre-4. Heck, who's to say FH6's map won't jist be designed around Horizon Hide and Seek now that PG has basically made it into a Playlist regular? Thry might just find a way to make the same design decisions that led to Mexico in the first place.

We'll see about that... and unfortunately it could be likely it won't be on the Xbox. I've heard reports about the major decline of Xbox in general and even if FH6 does come through, it will likely suffer for Series S owners. Personally, MS should abandon the Series S and go all-in for Series X. Or just migrate over to PlayStation...

I'd also vouch for the new Forza engine, and of course, TDU:SC's level of detail for vehicles. Say what you will about TDUSC but detail is pretty nice despite the mediocre reviews that game has.

 

[Beebo]

If anything changes for FH6 I hope it's the map. It's just too open and barren at the moment. Whether that's because of The Eliminator or others factors I'd personally like it to change.

We need open spaces on the map for hooning around on, but structures we could driving around in or, geographical features (woods with potential rally stages, quarries, hill climbs, caves, estuaries etc), and of course the obligatory runway are needed.

With the potential power of the gaming platforms two good size cities/large towns would be nice. As would a return to the larger festival sites we had in FH3.

This last one will be controversial but I'd welcome the return of snow as one of the four seasons again, if the location was suitable. It can add variety to a map.

As a product I think there's little that needs changing overall in the FH games. The map however is one.

I'm kind of glad this sentiment is shared now, since 2022 I've felt the FH5 map just lacks true elevation diversity. Sure, we've got the highest point in any map now, but when the rest of the map is mostly flat it just ends up being for nothing really. Somehow too, despite having heaps of different biomes, the FH5 map feels less varied than maps we've gotten before. That being said, I wouldn't be totally against Appalachia as a location for a future horizon game because they've got some great roads leading through the mountains. Just don't simulate the potholes and generally crumbling roads and we should be good to go!

 

[Digolgrin]

I'm kind of glad this sentiment is shared now, since 2022 I've felt the FH5 map just lacks true elevation diversity. Sure, we've got the highest point in any map now, but when the rest of the map is mostly flat it just ends up being for nothing really. Somehow too, despite having heaps of different biomes, the FH5 map feels less varied than maps we've gotten before. That being said, I wouldn't be totally against Appalachia as a location for a future horizon game because they've got some great roads leading through the mountains. Just don't simulate the potholes and generally crumbling roads and we should be good to go!

What kept me going for so long was probably the fact that I hadn't played any Horizon game after 1 before I picked this up. I had, and still have, nothing to compare Mexico to other than Colorado, so I just went on with it for about three years. Honestly, now that you mention it I do recognize just how quickly biomes change in Mexico--at least Australia had the fact that it was already mostly desert to justify the switch-up. With Mexico, you have plains, rainforests, a canyon, badlands, two beaches and Rub al'Khali-esque sand dunes all on the same map, and it's almost jarring to witness the change. I hope the next map does a better job of handling this, and, y'know, actually has more noticeable seasonal changes than puddles on the road and snow on the highest points.

 

[The_Greaser]

And that's if the next map isn't China. I do not want it to be China due to personal reasons, in my opinion.

I would pick South Africa, Canada, New Zealand, Sweden or Poland as future venues, if I were you.

 

[Edax 76]

And that's if the next map isn't China. I do not want it to be China due to personal reasons, in my opinion.

I would pick South Africa, Canada, New Zealand, Sweden or Poland as future venues, if I were you.

I think it'll be China too bud, although I'd love South Africa as I've said before.

Sweden is an interesting shout. It's a country that offers plenty of possibilities.

 

[RazorSharkz]

China would be a great location for aesthetic purposes. I really hope they go deep into Chinese Automotive history like they did with Australia and UK

 

[Edax 76]

China would be a great location for aesthetic purposes. I really hope they go deep into Chinese Automotive history like they did with Australia and UK

The map China could offer would be fantastic too. From natural features to man made cities and structures it has it all. Not to mention the potential revenue from the Chinese consumer wanting to play Forza Horizon in their home country. Microsoft would be sitting on a goldmine if the Chinese Communist Party allowed the young to go online to play. However, there's still the large Chinese overseas market. I really would be very, very surprised if FH6 isn't based in China.

But still the little kid in me wants South Africa. It has great natural features and the cities and towns. It just has little to no car history and I wouldn't get my snowy season (see my previous posts). South Africa would just be a stunningly pretty location with great map potential.

 

[Nacho Libre]

With the work they have done with the Evolving World and the outstanding work of many creators with the tools at hand (which keep growing) I sincerely hope that the next map won't be based on a single geographical location of the world, but instead act as an evolving hub of sorts where every type of activity (road and circuit, offroad, dirt/rally, drag, drift, Eliminator, etc) can be had in whatever setting can be imagined: Italian autostrada or German autobahn, Japanese touge racing, African savannah, Greek ruins, futuristic city, etc.

But if they go the traditional route, I think the US West Coast (California, Washington and Nevada) would have every type of urban/geographical/weather/road feature.

 

[Digolgrin]

The map China could offer would be fantastic too. From natural features to man made cities and structures it has it all. Not to mention the potential revenue from the Chinese consumer wanting to play Forza Horizon in their home country. Microsoft would be sitting on a goldmine if the Chinese Communist Party allowed the young to go online to play. However, there's still the large Chinese overseas market. I really would be very, very surprised if FH6 isn't based in China.

But still the little kid in me wants South Africa. It has great natural features and the cities and towns. It just has little to no car history and I wouldn't get my snowy season (see my previous posts). South Africa would just be a stunningly pretty location with great map potential.

To your point, mainland China is essentially the only other place on the planet with as diverse a climate set as Mexico. You've got the Taklamakan Desert in the north, the Kunlun and Himalayan mountains to the south, sprawling cityscapes to the east and wide open plains and occasional jungles everywhere else. For a live service game like FH5, this is important for map diversity, especially if you do what 5 did and give each festival outpost its own "domain" to rule over, so to speak.

South Africa might come close but it's nowhere near as potentially lucrative, as much as I would like it as well. Same with going back to the West Coast, you'd just be doing Mexico all over again.

 

[The_Greaser]

The map China could offer would be fantastic too. From natural features to man made cities and structures it has it all. Not to mention the potential revenue from the Chinese consumer wanting to play Forza Horizon in their home country. Microsoft would be sitting on a goldmine if the Chinese Communist Party allowed the young to go online to play. However, there's still the large Chinese overseas market. I really would be very, very surprised if FH6 isn't based in China.

But still the little kid in me wants South Africa. It has great natural features and the cities and towns. It just has little to no car history and I wouldn't get my snowy season (see my previous posts). South Africa would just be a stunningly pretty location with great map potential.

Again, I have no desire of ever wanting China as a location. Maybe I am very much biased because the country is barely known for anything except its history, mass production of cheap goods or its food, and much less for its cars, but I don't want it to gravitate to that location.

By comparison, I would want Scandinavia, as it should be an ideal proving ground for a wide variety of vegetation and terrain types. Who doesn't want to cruise around Lapland territories of Finland or take picturesque screenshots of Norway's fjords? I would - and so should everyone. Plus, the northern part of Europe is known for longer nights, and some nights not being dark at all (spend some time in Rovaniemi in the summer; you'll get the idea). While they don't have much of an automotive history, it should be quite a blast. Does anyone want an '80s Hilux?

 

[Digolgrin]

Again, I have no desire of ever wanting China as a location. Maybe I am very much biased because the country is barely known for anything except its history, mass production of cheap goods or its food, and much less for its cars, but I don't want it to gravitate to that location.

By comparison, I would want Scandinavia, as it should be an ideal proving ground for a wide variety of vegetation and terrain types. Who doesn't want to cruise around Lapland territories of Finland or take picturesque screenshots of Norway's fjords? I would - and so should everyone. Plus, the northern part of Europe is known for longer nights, and some nights not being dark at all (spend some time in Rovaniemi in the summer; you'll get the idea). While they don't have much of an automotive history, it should be quite a blast. Does anyone want an '80s Hilux?

I can see why most people wouldn't--I mean, we're talking about a multi-billion dollar corporation potentially choosing to set its one big open-world game in a country that's looking to sink its teeth into Western-style media in general. It would set the casual fanbase ablaze in ways I don't wish to post here, even though from a gameplay and map design perspective China should absolutely be high up on PG's list of settings for the next game.

But at the same time... would such a map even be that much better than Mexico? Perhaps Sweden or Norway would indeed be better fits, Nordic countries that they are.