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RETAILBIZ: FORZA 3 46 MCV 02/10/09
The highly anticipated third instalment in Microsoft’s realistic racing series finally arrives, delivering more petrol-fuelled thrills than ever before…
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“There is a huge and extremely active Forza community who are eagerly awaiting the game and with the assists added by Turn 10, the game can now be enjoyed by a whole new audience of car and racing fans. Forza Motorsport 3 is about inspiring people’s car passion.”
by James Batchelor
FOR MANY people cars have become more than a mode of transportation. For some they are an obsession, as owners lovingly tweak and tune their engines to get the best performance out of every crucial piece concealed under the bonnet, and it is these people that have UNDER THE HOOD always flocked to Microsoft’s Forza Obviously, the cars are the stars here Motorsport titles. and there are plenty of vehicles for Like many of the most realistic racers gamers to choose from. Microsoft has available, the Forza series has always secured the rights to use 400 of the indulged in a car fanatic’s devotion to world’s greatest, sleekest and fastest cars digital automobiles, allowing them to from over 50 leading manufacturers. not only get their hands on some of the Players can get their hands on world’s hottest vehicles, but also to everything from the likes of the new completely customise them. Forza Audi R8 V10, to the classic Ford GT or Motorsport 3 holds true to this, and the Nissan 370Z. expands on the success of its predecessor to take the franchise to new heights. There is a huge and For the third instalment, extremely active Forza Microsoft has aimed to make Forza more accessible community who are eagerly while still satisfying the awaiting this new game. hardcore racing fans. For Laura Disney, Microsoft more casual players, a number of gameplay assists have been All of these vehicles can be introduced to allow gamers of any completely customised, with players ability to simply pick up and play, able to upgrade and tune every engine including auto-braking, auto-tuning and part to their heart’s desire. The a rewind feature to get them back on customisation tools themselves have the track after wrecking their car. been improved, making it easier to The season play mode also helps gamers to get their favourite cars newcomers to the series, pulling data running the way they want them to. from the cars, tracks and events they As with previous Forza games, there perform best in and creating a schedule is even an in-depth livery editor that of upcoming challenges based on the allows gamers to completely reskin any gamer’s strengths. Online multiplayer car and then use these redesigned racers can also be tailored to each player’s on the track. Once again, players will be needs with the new game rules editor able to share their creations via Xbox that lets them define racing parameters Live but crucially these can be sold to before they begin. other Forza owners for in-game credits. “Forza Motorsport 3 is the latest in “Forza 3 has many defining the hit racing simulation franchise,” says experiences and features for racing fans Microsoft’s Xbox product marketing UK and newcomers,” says Disney. executive Laura Disney. “We are “It has amazing graphics and physics extremely pleased with the great work that rival any racing game and boasts Turn 10 have done to improve on what the largest creative online community. was already an amazing game.
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Forza Motorsport 3 boasts the same impressive visuals and controls as its predecessors
CALL OF THE OPEN ROAD As one of Microsoft’s biggest releases this season, the platform holder is putting considerable promotional weight behind Forza 3. The key focus of the marketing campaign is to expand the series’ audience, inviting as many people as possible into the Forza fold. “We have a wide array of marketing around the Forza Motorsport 3
franchise to many audiences, from those who love to play racing titles to more causal consumers,” says Microsoft’s Xbox product marketing UK executive Laura Disney. “We will have a full range of POS instore and we have also had a pre-order POS available for several weeks.” Microsoft has arranged a large print campaign targeting gamers through
specalist magazines, as well as men’s lifestyle and motoring publications, and a radio promotion has been set up with Absolute Radio’s breakfast show. A heavyweight television campaign will see 60-, 30- and 20-second ads running during Champions League football games. These spots will also appear on Channel 4, Five and all major satellite channels.
RELEASED: OCTOBER 23 FORMATS: XBOX 360 PUBLISHER: MICROSOFT DEVELOPER: TURN 10 PRICE: £49.99 (STANDARD EDITION) £54.99 (LIMITED COLLECTOR’S EDITION) DISTRIBUTOR: GEM CONTACT: 01279 822800
“It has both thrilling and approachable gameplay. Turn 10 have improved on all the features Forza fans love but introduced multiple assists enabling anyone to play and enjoy. The game experience can be made as deep or simple as consumers want.” A collector’s edition will also be available, which will include a copy of the game, a Forza keyring, a 2GB USB memory stick and a theme for the Xbox 360 dashboard. Consumers who buy this edition will also be designated as VIP members, and will be able to download VIP-only car designs in the future. And joining this set is a super-elite Xbox 360 bundle, with a 250GB hard drive – all of which will be backed by a bumper marketing push (see ‘Call Of The Open Road’).
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Developer Turn 10 has made changes to Forza Motorsport 3 in order to attract the more casual user