The Forza Motorsport series has consistently provided players with thrilling racing experiences, pitting them against a full grid of rival racers to challenge and put their driving skills to the test. Yet, there are times when people simply crave the thrill of competing against friends and family from the comfort of their couch.
During the development of Forza Motorsport, the multiplayer modes have undergone significant improvements, introducing both new and familiar features. The latest installment of the series, Forza Motorsport features two distinct multiplayer modes. Players can choose between Featured Multiplayer or Private Multiplayer modes from the Race tab in the Main Menu.
Featured Multiplayer
The Featured Multiplayer option in Forza Motorsport allows players to race with up to 23 other players. However, to access Featured Multiplayer, players must first participate in the Qualifier Series. This series comprises three placement races that determine a player's multiplayer ratings.
Ratings
Upon completing the Qualifier Series, each player receives a personal Driver Rating and Safety Rating. The Driver Rating is the primary value for matchmaking and reflects a player's overall driving skills and pace, while the Safety Rating is influenced by their on-track behavior. Safety Ratings range from S (indicating clean racing) to F (reflecting unsportsmanlike conduct). This system ensures that clean and skilled racers are matched with one another in Featured Multiplayer, creating a more competitive environment.
Qualifying
The revamped Featured Multiplayer mode in Forza Motorsport has introduced a Qualifying session, which serves as a means to determine a player’s starting position for the upcoming race. Players have the flexibility to jump into the Qualify Session at any time, even up to 5 minutes before the Featured Race begins.
The duration of Qualifying sessions can range anywhere between five and 20 minutes giving players plenty of time to practice beforehand. However, late joiners would only have a few minutes to qualify instead. Players have three chances to put in their best lap and their best time will determine their starting position at the beginning of the Featured Race.
Event Types
Featured Multiplayer offers two distinct event types: Spec Series and Open Series. Spec Events provide a level playing field, with all cars being identical and fine-tuned to ensure a fair and competitive racing experience. Success in these races is solely dependent on a player's driving skill and strategic decisions.
In contrast, Open Series allows players to use any car that meets the class restrictions. All custom upgrades and tuning are allowed in these races, resembling the classic Forza multiplayer experience found in previous titles. The events included in these playlists will frequently change, introducing new events, featured racetracks, spotlight cars, and updated race parameters for players to abide by.
Typically, there is at least one event players can join within each series in Featured Multiplayer at any given time – with new events starting approximately every 30 minutes. Additionally, the Open Series rotate through different car classes on a weekly basis.
Featured Multiplayer also integrates strategic racing elements, such as pitting to manage tire compounds and fuel loads to optimize performance. In shorter races, pit stops may not be required, but in longer races, changing tires or refueling may become essential.
Penalties
Powered by machine learning, the Forza Race Regulations serve as the race adjudication system capable of identifying thousands of individual racing incidents, ranging from track cutting to intentional collisions and unsportsmanlike conduct. Players can expect penalties and even disqualifications from the race based on the severity of incidents.
Private Multiplayer
Players can invite up to 31 other participants to their lobby for a Private Multiplayer race. This feature allows them to enjoy racing with friends and family while selecting race settings, tracks, and cars to their liking. Private Multiplayer lobbies are not affected by Safety and Driver Ratings and outcomes in these matches do not influence a player's overall ratings. Additionally, enabling Qualifying in Private Lobbies is not available currently.
This feature is similar to Free Play and encompasses various game modes such as Circuit Race, Timed Race, Multi-Class, and Meetups.
- Circuit Races involve multiple laps around a racetrack or circuit with the goal of crossing the finish line before opponents. Players can adjust the default number of laps to suit their preferences.
- Time Races are set for a fixed duration, requiring participants to reach the finish line before the timer expires.
- Multi-Class races feature a circuit race where two or more different car classes compete. Each class competes exclusively within its designated category, but all classes race simultaneously on the same track.
- Meetups, on the other hand, have no specific race rules. In these sessions, players can freely drive around the track with no defined finish line until the host concludes the session.
The host can customize race length, car class, track layout and temperature, weather conditions, time of day, and race rules according to everyone's preferences. Event rule presets offer players the flexibility to adjust the level of competitiveness and fun. Preset options range from competitive events with simulated damage, required pit stops, and strict penalties to more relaxed races with limited penalties and no racing strategy.
Forza Motorsport is now available for PC, Xbox Game Pass, and Xbox Series X/S consoles.