Reviving Forza Motorsport’s Legacy: A Vision for FM2023 with The Grand Tour or DRIVETRIBE

Dear Turn 10,

I hope this message finds you well. As a fan of the Forza Motorsport series, I wanted to share a suggestion that I believe could help bring back the magic and legacy of Forza, particularly for FM2023 and also believe that this could be a step in the right direction as well.

Forza Motorsport has always been a trailblazer in delivering an unmatched racing experience, and we all know that Forza Motorsport 4 remains a defining moment in the franchise’s history. From the thrilling content and challenging tracks to the heart-pumping car sounds and the unforgettable AutoVista, FM4 set the bar for what a racing game could be. The voiceovers of Jeremy Clarkson in AutoVista, the brilliant challenges, and the engaging content made it feel like much more than just a game — it was an immersive experience that kept us on the edge of our seats.

However, while I see the effort and improvements being made in FM2023, the game still hasn’t reached the level of excitement and depth that we all hoped for. Despite 18 updates, the game has not yet captured the same spirit that made Forza Motorsport 4 so iconic. While progress is happening, there’s still a noticeable gap in terms of the level of immersion and authenticity that many of us remember and loved.

That said, I have a proposal that I believe could truly help bring back the legacy of Forza Motorsport.

The Grand Tour as a Collaboration:

Just as Forza Motorsport 4’s collaboration with TopGear remains etched in our memories, a partnership with The Grand Tour could provide the spark needed to reignite the magic. Imagine the same level of excitement that Jeremy Clarkson’s voiceovers in AutoVista brought — a connection that helped players appreciate the cars even more deeply. The iconic tracks and engaging challenges from TopGear made FM4 unforgettable, and this type of partnership could bring that same thrill and sense of discovery back to Forza Motorsport.

Imagine bringing back the dynamic trio for voiceovers in ForzaVista (formerly AutoVista) — Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May. If Clarkson is not available, Richard Hammond and James May alone could still bring their signature charm, humor, and passion for cars to the experience which we have seen in FM5. Their voiceovers and narrations would add the perfect touch of character and personality, rekindling the joy that we experienced in FM4.

Moreover, incorporating The Grand Tour content, including tracks, challenges, and the high-energy antics that the trio is known for, would bring a fresh level of excitement to the game. The connection between The Grand Tour and Forza Motorsport could ignite a sense of nostalgia for long-time fans while also attracting a new generation of racing enthusiasts.

Alternatively, DRIVETRIBE:

If The Grand Tour collaboration isn’t possible, I strongly believe that DRIVETRIBE could provide a similar opportunity to revive Forza Motorsport’s legacy. Featuring voiceovers from Richard Hammond, Ben Collins (also known as The Stig) and other DRIVETRIBE personalities would be a brilliant way to bring that familiar energy and expertise to the game. The DRIVETRIBE team’s deep understanding of the automotive world, combined with the challenges and content they’ve experienced, would align perfectly with Forza’s dedication to realism and exhilarating racing experiences.

Both of these options — a collaboration with The Grand Tour or DRIVETRIBE — would not only enrich the game but also reintroduce the thrilling elements that made Forza Motorsport such a beloved series. The unique combination of voiceovers, engaging content, and track challenges would rekindle the excitement and passion that we all felt for the Forza franchise in its golden years.

Bringing back the amazing Autovista and Car sounds:

One of the standout features that made Forza Motorsport 4 truly unforgettable was Autovista (now ForzaVista) — a feature that allowed players to explore cars in unparalleled detail. The ability to interact with the cars by starting the engine, revving it, and hearing the raw sound of each car created an immersive experience that added both emotional depth and visceral excitement. This feature was further expanded in FM5, where players could take full control of starting the engine and revving it themselves, which enhanced the level of engagement and authenticity. I strongly urge you to bring this feature back in FM2023, continuing to enhance the sense of immersion and thrill for every car in the game.

To conclude, I highly recommend reintroducing the iconic car sounds from Forza Motorsport 3 and Forza Motorsport 4. The car sounds in these games were truly special, offering a raw, visceral quality that made every engine note come to life. These sounds weren’t just technically accurate; they were filled with depth and emotion, which made the driving experience feel incredibly immersive and exhilarating. The unmistakable roar of the engines, the sound of gear shifts, and the way each car felt alive through its sound helped create one of the most memorable audio experiences in racing games. Reintroducing these iconic sound samples into FM2023 would enhance the game’s audio landscape and bring back the authentic and thrilling driving experience that Forza Motorsport was once renowned for.

I truly believe that these suggestions, along with the other ideas shared, could help Forza Motorsport reclaim its rightful place at the top of racing simulations. I’m excited about the potential for the series to return to its legacy of innovation, excitement, and unparalleled realism.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my thoughts. I hope that this vision resonates with you, and that together we can continue to push the boundaries of Forza Motorsport for years to come.

10 Likes

I guess they could have some guest voice overs for the anniversary update.

Although given that’s gonna be their last and best chance to win some players back or attract some new players, I think the simpliest way is to add a huge career mode like FM3 or FM4 and to make it even better than those, bring back the option to increase race length like in FM7.

8 Likes

It wouldnt be bad to have any of those things, but the game is over a year old now. That kind of stuff could have set the tone at launch, to show some sort of passion for cars, but it would do nothing for this game now.

Theres been many good suggestions on what they could or should do, but they really havent really implemented any of it, i dont see them starting now. They wanted people to vote, people did and theres not much to show for it.

5 Likes

I love the idea of ​​bringing back the AutoVista from FM4 and FM5 and I would add one improvement: Let me suggest that this time the cars would be on a dyno, which would allow not only starting the engine and revving it but also accelerating and engaging all the gears until the end, going up all the gears, accelerating until the gearbox ends in the last gear and then downshifting and speeding until reaching idle and turning off the car’s engine, at which point a graph of the engine’s torque and power would be shown.

An Events List with a similar (potentially larger) amount of championships would basically fix the game for me. Since I almost exclusively play singleplayer in any Forza game, a checklist of races is always a feature I thoroughly enjoy.

One thing that possibly blocks them from being able to finally ditch this awful “tour” system that’s currently in FM is the achievements - there are multiple that require you to complete whole tours, not individual championships. They could change it to just championships while retaining the same requirements (4 championships for each) , but I don’t know if it’s at all possible to change an achievement’s description after a game’s launch.

2 Likes

I think the Top Gear/Grand Tour trio have had their day. Drivetribe seems to be a vehicle for Hammond’s daughter and old TG nostalgia.

To really honour the legacy of old Forza, whatever that means, maybe they should sign up some people who are making headlines now, rather than old folk (like me) who were already bemoaning the lost past 15 years ago.

2 Likes

An interactive dyno is actually a good idea. I wonder if it would be better if it was available in the tuning menus if you aren’t in a race of some sort.