DSP member/alum featured in Forza Horizon video

[RobVarak]

A few details about the rally expansion.

http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/12/14/ ... th-trailer

[Naples39]

A few details about the rally expansion.

http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/12/14/ ... th-trailer

"In addition, we've got more road surfaces than ever before, on-track vegetation with new physics properties, and new particle and sound effects."

Hopefully none of those immovable brick walls disguised as a small bush will be sitting in the middle of the road!

Other than the street races, I've done just about everything in Horizon, but not looking into buying any new games and will likely pick up this expansion.

The 5 new cars are a little disappointing though, as the game already has Lancers, WRXs...

[DChaps]

In preparation for the Rally addition tomorrow, a new patch to Forza Horizon has been released today. There is also an announcement of a new free Honda add-on coming in January. Here is the news courtesy of our good friend Brian Ekberg:

http://forzamotorsport.net/en-US/news/WIR_12_14_12

http://forzamotorsport.net/en-US/news/2 ... _Challenge

Monday – Forza Horizon Title Update

First up, Monday. That’s the day that we’re releasing the latest title update for Forza Horizon, one that has been in the works since the game was launched back in October. This title update will address a number of issues in Forza Horizon, most notably the loyalty car import issue, which resulted in some players not receiving the Forza Motorsport loyalty rewards cars (for having played Forza Motorsport 3 or Forza Motorsport 4) in Forza Horizon.

Also as part of the title update, rumble functionality in Forza Horizon has also been updated to take into account different rumble thresholds for wired and wireless controllers. In addition, Forza Horizon will now feature increased rumble effects at peak tire friction on paved roads as well as more pronounced off-road vibration effects. The vibration slider (which you can find by going to the Profile -> Options -> Controls -> Advanced menu) is now more tunable than before, giving players greater ability to dial the precise level of rumble they are looking for.

Finally, this title update will also address the lack of smoke effects when going from bumper or hood cam into photo mode, a bug that caused grid ordering based on last race results to not work, and a number of other improvements as well. The title update will be available on Monday, Dec. 17 and will download automatically (assuming your Xbox 360 is connected to the Xbox LIVE) when you fire up the game.

[Naples39]

A review of the DLC. Sounds kind of middling and $20 is kind of steep, though I have decided to get it.
http://www.savingcontent.com/video-game ... sion-pack/

These rally cars are born to play some golf course infected...

[TCrouch]

One thing I'm noticing is that some of the routes are the same--the second rally stage, for example, goes through that section of Goliath where you have the 'bush' that stops you if you miss the hard left before it goes through some dirt. Only now it's covered completely in dirt and fenced off to go different directions.

So far, I'm REALLY digging it.

[Teal]

It's not Colin McRae...but it'll do nicely enough. I only have one real issue: I don't like the navigator notes. I like 3 right, 5 left don't cut. I DON'T like 'medium left, hard right, easy right'. Sounds too much like Sega Rally. Other than that (and, in replays, you'll notice that your navigator is not in the car), I like the feel. ESPECIALLY being able to tweak the rumble effects. I cranked that sucker all the way up, and it feels like I'm on dirt now. Nice.

[pk500]

$20 for six cars, an online mode and rehashed gravel versions of parts of existing courses is too steep for me. I can buy a new, full game for that price, either an older title or some fairly recent titles in holiday sales.

Eager to read more feedback, but so far nothing inspires me to spend $20 on an expansion that seems more Sega Rally than Colin McRae Rally or even DIRT.

[TCrouch]

It feels a lot better than Dirt, to be honest. And I only noticed that one little stretch as something that I'd recognized. It handles like a Forza rally game, as easy as that is to explain. Handling is very fun, and with a RWD car I was losing it left and right. To each his own.

[pk500]

I need more feedback to generate the temptation to whip out the charge card. Wish MS made one stage available as a mini-demo.

[Teal]

Good lord, PK, we couldn't get you to shut up about it, and now that it's here, you get a case of vacuum-ass???

I've recognized precisely one part of one stage thus far. Get over it and buy it...you're going to eventually anyway...

[pk500]

Good lord, PK, we couldn't get you to shut up about it, and now that it's here, you get a case of vacuum-ass???

I've recognized precisely one part of one stage thus far. Get over it and buy it...you're going to eventually anyway...

I expected more. This sounds like a watered-down, miniature version of Sega Rally or Rallisport Challenge for $20. Not enthused.

We'll see if my boys clamor for it.

[Teal]

Well, it sure as hell isn't Sega Rally, and at least with Rallisport Challenge, I could compete.

Wow.

Either this is not for the faint of heart, or I really, really, REALLY suck. Best I've done on an individual stage is 11th, and overall...17th. Most stages, I'm in the upper 20's, and a couple dead last. Damn, and I feel like I'm running good on some of them. This ain't some little arcade racer add-on, that I can say most assuredly. I win most of the races I enter in the normal mode...not so here. Not by a long shot.

Does that 'enthuse' you?

[pk500]

It would at 10 bucks.

[webdanzer]

It would at 10 bucks.

I think I may be with you on this one, PK. I love Horizon, but I'm not sure the value is there for $20.

Please keep impressions coming, though, folks!

I'd be shocked if they actually changed any of this for the Rally portion, but I assume you still have full rewind access, and scoreboards that don't differentiate based on assists or rewind use or anything like that?

[Teal]

Okay, I have found my competitive solution...and it is...
4 wheel drive.

I didn't realize that I was driving a rear wheel beast, sliding all over creation, getting turned completely around, and staying at the bottom of the boards. Got my Subaru Impreza WRX, hit the track, and placed first in the first stage. MUCH better. Shoulda figured, though...I wasn't ever worth a damn in anything but a 4 wheel drive in McRae or Dirt.


Duh.

[Gangrel]

Well, Santa brought me this under the tree...... haven't tried it yet, might pop it in now.

Are most of you just using a controller? I have a Microsoft wheel, but with my current "mini man cave" set up, to use it I have to clip it to my computer desk, etc, so I find I don't have the inkling to do that to play F1 or Forza 4..... yes, i'm that lazy.

I was hoping Horizon is a bit more forgiving, so I can just pop it in and play.

HOpefully some of y'all are on over the next few days as I'd love to try some multiplay.

[F308GTB]

Well, Santa brought me this under the tree...... haven't tried it yet, might pop it in now.

Are most of you just using a controller? I have a Microsoft wheel, but with my current "mini man cave" set up, to use it I have to clip it to my computer desk, etc, so I find I don't have the inkling to do that to play F1 or Forza 4..... yes, i'm that lazy.

I was hoping Horizon is a bit more forgiving, so I can just pop it in and play.

HOpefully some of y'all are on over the next few days as I'd love to try some multiplay.

I use the standard controller only as I don't own a 360 compatible wheel, though I've thought of getting a Fanatec. You can go plenty fast with a standard controller.

[fsquid]

I got this for Christmas too, so I'm looking forward to it.

[Gangrel]

I sent in a request to join the DSP club.

[fsquid]

ok what is the name of the club and password? Maybe I didn't go back far enough.

[Zeppo]

I think you can just search for clubs your friends are in and request that way.

[Gangrel]

Ya, I sent a request a few days ago. You just go into the car club menu and look up your friends list I think.

Haven't been on since, I should play some more today......

[DChaps]

A new free addition is coming to Forza Horizon today that sounds like it could be some added fun for those that still have the title.

http://forzamotorsport.net/en-US/news/1 ... b_Announce

Forza Horizon 1000 Club Expansion
April 15, 2013 by Brian Ekberg

On Tuesday, April 16 we are turning up the volume of the loudest car party in the world yet again with the release of the 1000 Club Expansion for Forza Horizon! This expansion brings more action, more fun, more achievements, and, yes, even more cars to Horizon Festival… and it can be yours for the low, low price of NOTHING. NADA. ZILCH.

Since the release of Forza Horizon in October, and the subsequent monthly DLC car packs that have followed, we’ve heard a familiar theme from the Forza community: Give us more to do! The 1000 Club Expansion does exactly that; offering you five brand new challenges for every car in the game. That’s more than 1,000 challenges across the hundreds of cars in the game.

With the 1000 Club Expansion, each car in Forza Horizon will have a number of new challenges associated with it. Once you select a car, you’ll see each of the challenges you can complete while driving it. These challenges come from practically all facets of Forza Horizon’s gameplay – from skills challenges like drifting or jumping, to plain and simple speed zone challenges and all points in between. There are location-based challenges, like drifting around the winding roads of Red Rocks, or new twists on familiar Horizon Festival events.

Once you’ve chosen a car, you’ll get tips on how to accomplish these tasks (for example, in a challenge where the goal is to smash a number of objects, the game will suggest a nearby location that includes lots of smashables). After that, you’re let loose on the open roads, free to compete any of that car’s challenges in any order you see fit. In fact, finding the quickest route towards completing each car’s challenges is part of the strategy and fun behind the 1000 Club Expansion.

Variety is at the heart of the Forza Horizon 1000 Club Expansion Pack. All of the challenges have been custom designed to fit the unique personality and strengths of each car in the game and, as you play through the challenges, the game will recommend new challenges for you to try.

In addition the expansion pack will also include 10 new Xbox Live achievements to collect, worth 250 gamerscore points, as well as two new cars to enjoy:

1995 RUF CTR2
In the late 1980s, Ruf made its auspicious debut in the world of high-performance cars with the original RUF CTR. Nearly a decade later, founder Alois Ruf succeeded in one-upping himself with the CTR2. Like a good Hollywood action sequel, the CTR2 featured more of what fans loved about the original – namely incredible performance, thanks to a 3.6 liter, twin turbocharged flat-six capable of 520 horsepower and a top speed north of 215 mph. As intended, this kind of performance immediately catapulted the CTR2 into the rarefied air of the world’s most elite vehicles, in demand by collectors and speed junkies alike.

1956 Ford F100
Ford’s F100 truck series was a hit in 1953 but didn’t really hit its stride until the 1956 model – the best-looking and most powerful version of Ford’s classic workhorse. Maybe it was the new grille. Or that wraparound windscreen. Fans of the blue oval had the optional V8, too, which boosted the F100 to a respectable 167 horsepower, plenty of power for a hard-working vehicle. The F100 went through additional revisions but, for Ford truck connoisseurs, the 1956 model remains a high point.

The Horizon Festival is calling once again: Are you in?

[fsquid]

I'm still trucking along through it, thanks for the headsup!

[DChaps]

So I downloaded the new/free Forza Horizon 1000 Club Expansion last night and discovered that last week a patch was released for Forza Horizon with a couple updates that really have made the game more enjoyable for me.

Forza Horizon Title Update

1.Fixing bogus times posted on various Forza Horizon leaderboards. These leaderboard events include Edifice Carson Challenge, Montano Plains Stage 4, as well as a number of street races, among others. All bogus times have been removed from the affected leaderboards.
2.A Photo Mode bug that prevented reflection maps from appearing on cars if the photo was taken when the player entered Photo Mode from either the cockpit, hood, or bumper game cameras. This bug was spotted by Forza community member Mattia Casa. Grazie mille, Mattia!
3.Also in the “You Talk, We Listen” department, we have reduced the frequency of Alice Hart’s voiceover lines, specifically the ones where she reminds you to spend your credits on cars. We still love Alice, but we’ll be hearing less from her from now on.
4.You can now purchase the “Fast Travel Anywhere” feature in Forza Horizon. The “Fast Travel Anywhere” feature unlocks the ability to instantly travel anywhere on the map, not just to Horizon Outposts.
Other fixes include a bug that prevented upgraded cars from being de-optimized for eligibility in open-class Monthly Rivals events, as well as improvements to game stability when customizing shared cars at Outposts.

It cost 5 coins to purchase this fast travel anywhere option, but it was well worth it for the way I play the game. While I do enjoy just crusing around and doing new things, the ability to now travel anywhere on the map instantly (not just listed posts or races) has me motivated to complete the game. I ended up playing for several hours last night due to the fun nature of the new 1000 Club Challenges, as well as the improved ease/speed of use that the update has allowed.

PS - The Turn 10 Team has a Live Stream of the 1000 Club Challenge, where they revelaed that anyone who completes the 1000 Club challenges for the following cars before 12:30 PM Pacific Time on Friday, April 19th will receive the Honda CR-X unicorn car as a gift.

• 2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4
• 1985 Ford RS200 Evolution
• 2011 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor
• 1956 Ford F100
• 1998 Toyota Supra RZ
• 1995 Ruf CTR2
• 2005 Ferrari FXX
• 2009 Ferrari California
• 2011 BMW 1 Series M Coupe
• 1987 Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500
• 1974 Lancia Stratos HF Stradale
• 1997 Mazda RX-7