Microsoft and developer Playground Games has confirmed that Xbox One and Xbox 360 users should both expect a version of Forza Horizon 2 when it arrives this fall. You know, just when everyone thought they’d have to upgrade to Microsoft’s latest console to get all the cool games.
Microsoft worked together with gaming website IGN to reveal the new game. Like the original Forza Horizon Forza Horizon 2 will once again be aimed squarely at the casual racing crowd. That means users can expect dozens of cars and tracks though they won’t be as customizable as cars are in Forza Motorsport 5.
This game will take place in southern Europe, and IGN says that at least the Xbox One version of the game will include support for the Drivatar system that’s featured in Forza Motorsport 5. Drivatars use the power of Xbox Live Compute to learn each driver’s habits. It then uses what it learns about each driver to build AI characters that race against other users online — even when that original driver isn’t online.
Really, it’s shocking that Microsoft decided to make two versions of the game. Recently, the company has focused on profiling and detailing titles exclusively for the Xbox One. It’s easy to understand why: new and exciting games sell titles. That being said, the Xbox 360 is still a very capable gaming machine and Microsoft should be keen on maintaining its sales too.
Presumably, Microsoft and Playground Games will have more to share about Forza Horizon 2 at next week’s Electronic Entertainment Expo. Both versions of the game will go on sale sometime later this year. Forza Horizon 2 for the Xbox 360 will use the game engine of the original title and be developed by Sumo Digital.
