280°

Forza Horizon 2 Cross-Gen: Slamming the brakes on progress

Gameondaily's Gaz Lehri offers his thoughts on why he is disappointed by the recently announced Forza Horizon 2 being a cross-gen title.

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jay23656d ago (Edited 3656d ago )

When you're, what, 3-4mill units on your next gen hardware, you don't cater for the last gen, you give them insensitive to upgrade. FULLY agree with this guy, with this an HD ports of HD games.

GarrusVakarian3656d ago (Edited 3656d ago )

Damn Septic, that was fast! Lol.

I know your p***** off, but will adding an extra platform really impact the game that much? Perhaps the X1 is the lead platform and is the absolute priority, and the 360 version just gets scaled down and down until it's playable?

At the very least, wait until we see footage. I think there will be a very significant difference between the 360 version and the X1 version. I can't see this turning out like Assassins Creed 4, for example, where the only difference was the resolution and a few extra small bells and whittles.

GribbleGrunger3656d ago

LOL. It IS a Septic article. I was reading it and thinking: this writing style looks familiar ...

Dannyh3656d ago

Lets not forget how much better nba 2k14 looked on xbox one and ps4 then it did on xbox 360 and ps3. I think the game will look great on both

Gazondaily3656d ago

Mate, I'm so annoyed at this (I'm at work believe it or not lol).

Scaled down or not, we've seen what cross-gen constraints can do to the end quality of titles.

Take damage modelling for example. You sure as heck can say goodbye to realistic damage modelling because, something like that needs to designed from the ground up. I might not be a developer but I know that its not simply a case off locking-off damage modelling on the 360 and activating it on the X1.

Cross-gen just leaves such a bitter taste in my mouth. Even Destiny's cross-gen constraints have me worried. Colour me very disappointed.

truefan13656d ago (Edited 3656d ago )

IGN Ryan McCaffery tweeted that the 360 verion is being developed by FWIW and the XB1 version will be developed by Playground only. You all will have to find another way to downplay more postive XB1 news.

FM5 engine, weather cycle, HUNDREDS of cars, drive-a-tars. FH2 will be the premeir racer this fall.

hello123656d ago (Edited 3656d ago )

I agree we haven't even seen gameplay yet, but some people are getting their knickers in a twist, already.

The game line up for the fall of 2014, looks to be solid for Microsoft with Sunset Overdrive, Forza Horizan and the rumoured Halo Redone.

Evolve a third party title also coming out this fall.

NewMonday3656d ago (Edited 3656d ago )

cross gen 1st part game after 1 year means the XB1 has trouble giving returns on software.

just think about it if MS can't make efficient financial returns from 1st party software how can they expect the same from 3rd party publishers.

Volkama3656d ago

Septic, we've also seen examples of how cross-gen games can be done properly.

Fifa 14 (and probably other EA sports games) use an entirely different engine to the old-gen counterparts.

BF4 is very different between platforms, and still stands as one of the most impressive "next-gen games" available.

I feel weird referencing EA games as positive example of how a publisher can handle a cross-gen release. MS should surely be able to do better, right?

devwan3656d ago (Edited 3656d ago )

"Perhaps the X1 is the lead platform and is the absolute priority, and the 360 version just gets scaled down and down until it's playable?"

The business decision re: 360 version will not have been taken lightly and is highly unlikely to be a minimal-effort quick port with IP as strong and important as Forza. When you consider there's an existing codebase on 360 that's working and proven, it's very unlikely they would abandon that in favour of something entirely new and a backport. It'll be more along the lines of making a game and it's HD/remaster at the same time if you want to put it in a current game context.

Much more likely is that the game will be created within the confines of what is possible on 360 and embellished as much as possible for the one. That might well be 1080P, 60fps rather than 30 or both and all the usuals such as better AA, textures, filtering etc.

"I think there will be a very significant difference between the 360 version and the X1 version"

Highly probable in some respects, but the extent of that is more likely to be in areas mentioned above rather than any gameplay-defining differences. They will be the same game with different visuals essentially. It's possible that additional features might be present on the one and that might make better longer term business sense but I can't see them being revolutionary or such that they would make the 360 game pale into insignificance, otherwise why even make that 360 game if you're going to offer such a compelling reason to play the other version?

I can understand why people would wish for that, but essentially making two games is not the way studios are run and not the way to make money. It's very unlikely to be a situation similar to that of titanfall's that you imply... the chances that two full and distinct teams are in place to create two entirely different solutions to reach the goal are minimal, but not entirely out of the question.

EDIT: Ah, there we have it: "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."-IGN

Game being made by the existing Horizon team and using Turn 10 presumably for the drivatar tech and models.

tuglu_pati3656d ago

N worries about been cross gen. The game will be developed by different. FWIW is doing 360 and Playground is building XB1 version off FM5 engine.

GarrusVakarian3656d ago (Edited 3656d ago )

@truefan

Awesome. That makes me even more confident that there will be a huge difference, and that quality won't be sacrificed with the X1 version. That is exactly what i was hoping for, that there would be dedicated teams working on each version separately. Great news.

" You all will have to find another way to downplay more postive XB1 news. "

Cmon man, don't ruin a perfectly normal comment with your typical trademark bitterness. No one is downplaying anything, some people have doubts and disappointment, others don't and see this as great news. Leave that crap out of here and stop fanning non-existent flames.

Volkama3656d ago

@Tuglu "FWIW" stands for "For what its worth". It isn't the name of the dev studio :)

GarrusVakarian3656d ago (Edited 3656d ago )

One other thing i wanna say, it's awesome to know that 'Drivatars' are being used in this game too. The AI in F5 acted so naturally, so realisticly. I wish every racing game used them.

It was so cool knowing that my racing habits were being saved and put into other peoples races. You simply can't beat racing against AI that are composed of real peoples skills, habits and tactics.

NewMonday3656d ago

@Lukas_Japonicus

"separate studios" doesn't mean "separate development", the base code and assets will be the same and designed to scale, the second team will just be porting code, their is a reason why some games like BatmanAK are next gen only.

"designed to scale" is the problem with cross-gen games.

darthv723655d ago

They obviously feel there is a market for the game on the previous platform. It is being handled by two teams and each will make the version that they feel defines that platform.

This is a win win for both 360 and xb1 players. 360 owners who dont have the xb1 will get to play it. And xb1 owners will get the better version to play on their platform.

Now, the bigger question is...will they be cross compatible? It would be sweet if 360 and xb1 players could race against each other.

nicksetzer13655d ago

Remeber that time when mlb the show was on ps3 and noone complained?

+ Show (12) more repliesLast reply 3655d ago
jay23656d ago (Edited 3656d ago )

That would be a good outcome, but the issues I'm having with devs is they're putting resources into, lets face it, a decade old hardware, and new hardwares losing resources to improve it's performance and catering need to old hardware is reducing the new possibilities in games the extra RAM, CPU, and in in MS case Blu-ray can offer. I'd take content over uncompressed textures anyday. Okay, so do these games come with exclusive game play options, say like another 5-10hrs of game play? No. Yes they've graphics etc but they're the same content and same lack of oh you can destroy everywhere, go everywhere etc. thats what I'm talking.

Gamer6663655d ago

Sony releases MLB 14 on PS3 and PS4... No one peeps a bit... And spends their time porting Fl0w, Last of Us, and Flower to PS4 and life is still great. And gets a bunch of re-released indie games from PC land and "everything is awesome". Which company is really holding back this generation?

MS releases Forza Horizon 2 on 360 and X1... The sky is falling... PS: They also announced that the game is being handled by two different studios for 360 and X1. So, this is going to be like Titanfall. A next gen game ported back to run on an older console.

It doesn't matter what MS does, the headlines are always negative from "supposed" journalists.

IamTheStorm813656d ago (Edited 3656d ago )

*not necessarily directed at this article*

The irony here is that, over the years many have bashed MS for abandoning old hardware, and now that they're supporting that old hardware with a new game, everyone is bashing them for supporting that old hardware because it will seemingly hold the new game back on the new hardware.

I think what's been established here is that MS simply cannot do right in some peoples' eyes - they drop the old, they get bashed. They support the old, they get bashed.

Me, I never cared about support for old hardware. I'm a launch day buyer of new hardware. Once I got my XBO/PS4/Wii U, I have no need for 360/PS3/Wii games.

Personally I wish Horizon 2 was XBO only. I, too, expect that Horizon 2 will suffer due to having to support now ancient hardware. Just thought I'd point out the irony in the reaction.

Neonridr3656d ago

damned if you do and damned if you don't.

oasdada3656d ago

lol dont forget that all this 'BASHING' made them take this course of action including the countless 180's...

p.s the irony here is that whatever cockamamie thing m$ does it ALWAYS please 'some people'

id rather they release a separate game for 360 and xb1 but yeah wait.. theyre out of ips

IrishSt0ner3656d ago (Edited 3656d ago )

Flame bait BS. Horizon 2 is developed by Playground for Xbox One SOLELY using the FM5 engine. A different developer is doing the 360 version.

Kayant3656d ago (Edited 3656d ago )

"Flame bait BS" - Seeing as this was written before that news. It really isn't and a fair concern at the time in how much they can push the XB1 version.

@Dudebro90

To be fair I agree to a point but IGN could have easily put it in their announcement post rather than it only coming out after speculation.

@IrishSt0ner

Fair point there.

Dudebro903656d ago

And that's the difference between a journalist and a wannabe blogger. A journalist finds the facts first, then writes their opinion. A blogger is someone out for ad revenue and will write a stupid headline to generate clicks.

This right here is the perfect example of what's wrong with gaming journalism.

IrishSt0ner3656d ago

So it's okay to say "Slamming the brakes on progress" without any evidence, but it's not okay to call out Flame bait BS. While I understand it was a fair concern.... shit like "Make no mistake about it; the Xbox One version of Forza Horizon 2 will be one that is compromised by the limitations of the Xbox 360" kinda sets up the Flame bait argument.

incendy353656d ago

Haha, these sites constantly make themselves look stupid. Their hate blinds them from reality :D

GarrusVakarian3656d ago (Edited 3656d ago )

Lol, you should probably take a look at Septic's comment history before talking about blind hate. He's easily one of the most level-headed and unbiased guys on here.

Your blind hate for anything that appears blindly negative towards Xbox/MS is blinding you.

I find it embarrassing that someone can't even voice their opinion on a game without being called out and accused of being a hater. People are so unwilling to accept other peoples opinions. No one is asking you to agree with him, hell...look above, you will see that i don't agree with him myself, but at least be understanding of other peoples opinions and why they feel the way they feel.

No wonder the media thinks we're all a bunch of immature basement dwellers......

Dread3655d ago (Edited 3655d ago )

Sorry but i have to also call him out regardless of his comment history. I am not saying he is a troll, but the fact is that he made very specific comments without having all the facts. If he had waited a few hours he would have known that the xbox one is the lead platform and that a another studio is porting the game to the 360.

knowing that, he can still have the same opinion, but at least it would be better informed and less controversial.

hello123656d ago

That's good to know. For me this is why the bubble system is broken, you get disagrees, even when you state the 360 version is being done by a different developer.

Why are you getting disagrees? People on N4G want x box games to fail. No reason for you to be getting disagrees for stating facts.

Gazondaily3656d ago

No flame-bait at all mate. This is really me offering my thoughts on it. Even considering the fact that a different studio is developing it, can you honestly tell me that last gen considerations won't hamper the overall design of the game?

"shit like "Make no mistake about it; the Xbox One version of Forza Horizon 2 will be one that is compromised by the limitations of the Xbox 360" kinda sets up the Flame bait argument."

I stick by this comment until I see proof to the contrary.

I understand what you're saying but trust me, I'm not here to get clicks. I don't give two s**** about how much money those measley adsense adverts on my site make. As for being a 'wannabee blogger', I'm not a wannabee anything. Some of these so-called journalists make me laugh. If they even had half the back-bone some of us 'wannabee bloggers' have...

But of course, we have to start somewhere. Feel free to take the opinions of the likes of IGN and Gamespot more seriously than mine. Just remember my name mate. I've bookmarked this thread for future reference.

Volkama3656d ago

I've been reading your commments for months now, and I've only just noticed you have a Quake 3 avatar.

Some was say this comment is off-topic, so.... erm cars and stuff. Vrooooooom.

Gazondaily3656d ago

@Volkama

Haha ye, Quake 3 almost ruined my life lol. I loved (and still love that game).

Oh yeah and err...yeah cars and stuff!

Anyway, the backlash was expected I guess (I'm always in the firing line no matter which side of the fence I happen to sit at) but my view still stands.

Turn 10 (different studio I know) a few months ago stated that next big jump for car sims is realistic damage modelling. Now I can almost guarantee you, that won't really happen with Forza: Horizon 2 (or won't happen as well as it could) because of considerations for the 360 version of the game.

Unless the 360 version of the game is a whole different beast, my pessimism remains. I'm not trying to hate on this at all though. Just look at my comment literally a few minutes before the announcement was made.

IrishSt0ner3655d ago

Yea mate that's fair enough. A valid concern although I still do not think, in hindsight, you would have used as strong a statement... and if I'd have read your article prior, I wouldn't have made the accusation.

No intention to disrespect your integrity with a knee-jerk reaction, grounded more in general annonyance. You're clearly not pushing advertising, with nothing showing at the landing screen, and I'll say your site is well developed, clean, and interesting.

I'll concede you were not intentionally flame baiting, although concrete positions tend to get hard responses.

I only take empirical evidence seriously, opinion is just that, but know I prefer hearing yours over mainsteam outlets.

I don't like the connotation of your last two sentences, not my game; but I applaud your effort and wish you all the best with growing a good userbase.

Gazondaily3655d ago

Cheers for the mature and understanding response mate. It is appreciated. In hindsight, it does seem too strongly worded but, my opinion piece reflects my disappointment that I felt at the time. Right now, I'm a bit more optimistic and yeah, separate studios working on the game is a good thing. I'd be lying though if I said I wasn't disappointed that its coming to the 360.

I know its an unpopular opinion and people want support for the 360 and fair enough. But I just want devs to go all in with the X1. I'm growing weary of cross-gen titles. They always dampen my hopes.

But I really do hope Forza Horizon 2 is as great as it could possibly be.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 3655d ago
ats19923656d ago (Edited 3656d ago )

There is a different developer doing the xbox 360 version than the xbox one version.

https://twitter.com/DMC_Rya...

Kayant3656d ago

Was about to post that so there shouldn't be too much to worry about looks likes a TF situation. We will just have to wait and see at E3.

Tedakin3656d ago

It's not just Forza. It's Watch Dogs, Destiny, Titanfall, everything. Even MKX is apparently on last gen, and it's a 2015 release.

oasdada3656d ago (Edited 3656d ago )

except for titan fall of course... and see how that looks... and to people who say 'buh it has nexgen gameplay' then if it plays same on xb360 then u dont apparently need a new hardware to play it... its all in the idea and programming

Show all comments (63)
130°

Looking Back To 2014 and Forza Horizon 2

Paul writes: "Forza Horizon 2 then, a game from 2014 - a game that still stands up today"

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thexboxhub.com
xRacer74x1709d ago

Would love to see a PC port of this game Forza 3 and 4 are just gorgeous on XBOX but Jaw dropping on PC.

ilikestuff1709d ago (Edited 1709d ago )

I remember when gran turismo was the driving sim king, I miss those days, I played the crap out of gt1, took me forever to get enough credits to get that viper, gt2 brought those muscle cars! Gt3 was a banger, gt4 was the downfall in my opinion, it was like they half assed the game, I think at one point they scanned a model car and used the bottom of it for the bottom of a car on their game. They gave up the crown and dont seem to care. Man though, gt1,2, and 3 were great.

sizeofyou1708d ago

Seriously even comparing FH to GT? 🤔

sampsonon1709d ago

not like DC does. they were 10 yrs ahead of their time.
https://youtu.be/pBEip6goHb...

but FH2 was pretty good as well.

ilikestuff1709d ago

Awesome video, those weather effects are nuts. I know that game didn’t start off to good but they should’ve gave them one more chance before they got shit down. Loved motorstorm

sampsonon1708d ago

i made sure i bought it before they de listed it from the ps store. those graphics are still one of the best this gen. and the best when it comes to realism. it looks soo real sometimes.

ramiuk11709d ago

i was blown away by driveclub ,infact still am tbh...
the rain !!!!!!!!!

porkChop1709d ago

DriveClub had some really impressive weather effects. It's a shame they didn't get another shot.

spicelicka1708d ago

Graphically that's true DC is the best looking racing game ever, but the article isn't talking about graphics only. Game design and gameplay in FH2 was miles ahead and has consistently improved with each iteration.

sampsonon1708d ago

they are saying it still holds up. to me that's a graphical thing. but if they think the open world car games are is the thing that makes a racing game hold up then The Crew is the winner.

in 10 yrs you can show DC and people will still think it's one of the best looking games.

but i get your point.

xRacer74x1708d ago

Just think if DC did not have prerendered backgrounds and the narrowest roads of any game i had played in a long time and it felt like it was on rails. DC was subpar and it cost the studio their jobs.

sampsonon1708d ago (Edited 1708d ago )

first of all the studio was shut down because of the launch of the game and all the free dlc they had to give away because of it. not the game itself.
pre-rendered backgrounds? lol thanks i needed that laugh.

"Just think if DC did not have prerendered backgrounds and the narrowest roads of any game i had played in a long time and it felt like it was on rails."

that's called a racetrack dumb dumb :)

FH2 had some of the worst graphics in a racer so of course you could have an open world. too bad the crew did a better job than FH2 and still does when it comes to open world racing.

https://www.youtube.com/wat...

https://youtu.be/5WS55RHXyz...

xRacer74x1708d ago (Edited 1708d ago )

@sampsonon Except Genius(Intended Irony) not all the tracks were race tracks. And No feeling like the game is on rails does not mean its a race track either. DC was a subpar racing game. I really enjoyed the invisible barriers when you drove on the burm too. Forza was such a better game but that does not need to be said its why the studio is still making games and the other was FIRED. I get it though its not like on the PS4 their is a great arcade first party racing game. So you do not know any better.

sampsonon1708d ago (Edited 1708d ago )

@xRacer74x they were race tracks, just not off road tracks.
sub par my ass. Like i said sony only disbanded the company because of the bad launch. they also have GT so they could afford to close the company.

FH2 looked like shit and still does compared to the superior graphocs of DC. even 3 looks shit compared to DC.
One game was using tracks and the other was an open world. one looked way better and the other one allowed you to "REWIND" HAHA! when you race = garbage.

Forza Horizon is a fun game, don't get me wrong. but it was lacking in so many places compared to DC.
https://youtu.be/aa6qZ2pny6...

spicelicka1708d ago

I don't think simply being open world makes a game hold up, there were plenty of things FH2 did so well. IMO it did many things better than the Crew, which is why it's rated so much higher as well. Better graphics than the crew, the multiplayer was amazing with FM drivatar tech, and the handling of car just feels better than any arcade racer given the variety. The soundtrack is still my favourite.

Imortus_san1708d ago

LMAO, all the people that add no internet sucked balls since the phisical edition did not had those effects.

Forza Horizon 2 metacritic = 86 user 83
https://www.metacritic.com/...

Drive Club metacritic = 71 user = 63
https://www.metacritic.com/...

There is no real comparation, Drive CLub floped and the company went down while Forza Horizon 2 triumphed.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 1708d ago
3-4-51708d ago

* I've still yet to beat the game and haven't bought FH3 or FH4 because I still have stuff to do in FH2....I just haven't played in a while. It's an awesome game and yes it still is just as good now as when it originally released.

80°

7 Ultimate Xbox Gamerscore Grinds for Those with Way Too Much Time on Their Hands

Jacob writes: "Following on from my list of insanely difficult achievements, it’s time to shine the spotlight on another type of hellish achievement. The dreaded grind. These are the awards that will take you hundreds of hours at the absolute minimum, and often involve repeating menial tasks over and over. It’s safe to say that these were definitely not made with the casual gamer in mind. Only the most committed will ever see these pop."

Read Full Story >>
thexboxhub.com
BillyG0AT1797d ago

rewording countless other articles, yayyy

130°

Pay much more for playing a bit earlier – this new emerging trend is alarming

As different as they are, Assassin's Creed Odyssey, Forza Horizon, FIFA 19, and the new Tomb Raider have something in common. You could play all of them earlier than others. But there was a catch – you had to pay extra. And this practice doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon.

Read Full Story >>
gamepressure.com
InKnight7s2051d ago

Meanwhile selling Switch at MSRP price is considered an amazing offer. PATHETIC.

CDbiggen2051d ago

What's that got to do with this article?

Segata2051d ago

Is this how they trick people into paying $80 Us Dollars for games next gen? Then I will get every game used.

princejb1342051d ago

if games cost $80 next gen i will problably quit console gaming

Sokol2051d ago

Games have been priced at 79.99$ in Canada for almost six years now.

It won't change anything.. Sadly.

princejb1342051d ago

@sokol sorry to hear that its been $60.00 in the US. If it goes up in the US it will probably go up in canada also

sawoosevens2051d ago (Edited 2051d ago )

With their current practices bringing up prices is not practical unless they remove MT and get back to making awesome games like the old days I'm still at a complete loss as to how our technologies has come so far and our games have become hot pieces of garbage of course some games are exceptions. Only games I feel okay with $ 80 towards are all made by Sony and that's me thanking them for providing me with the true gaming experience from when I was young when games we're actually fun.

sawoosevens2051d ago (Edited 2051d ago )

If they remove MT and actually make games fun again like they used to I'll gladly pay $ 80 for game hell I already do that for Sony's games.

Jinger2051d ago

As long as the early access is just an additional feature of the edition that comes with the season pass and all that then I'm fine with it. But I'm not going to pay extra JUST for early access.

AK912051d ago

Don’t buy it, speak with your wallets not your words.

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