Summary
The recent release ofForza Motorsportmakes it clear that Microsoft is unwilling to let Sony’sGran Turismo 7be the main player in the AAA racing sim genre. But while the list offeatures inForza Motorsporthas nearly everything gamers could hope for, from gorgeous graphics to a wholly revamped career mode, Turn 10 Studios’ racing title didn’t include what was arguably the most impressive addition to Polyphony’s Digital’s acclaimed racer. To take the action and immersion in its redesigned racing game to the next level and remain competitive withGran Turismo 7, Turn 10 Studios needs to add VR support to the PC version ofForza Motorsport.
Adding VR support toForza Motorsporton PC would ensure that Microsoft’s latest entry into the sim racing genre can stand on equal footing with its biggest competitor,Gran Turismo 7. The Turn 10 Studios racer wouldn’t be able to offer the fully immersive mode to all players due to Microsoft’s historic hesitancy toadd VR support to Xbox Series consoles, but its addition on PC could be a boon for the franchise. Not only could Microsoft attract gamers looking for a more accessible VR experience than can be found in PC racing games likeAssetto CorsaandiRacing, but also steal the thunder fromGran Turismo 7and some upcoming PC competitors.
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Forza Motorsport Could Offer PC VR’s Most Accessible Racing Experience
There is no shortage of high-qualityVR racing gamesavailable on PC, but most of what is available is targeted squarely at the hardcore sim community. Games likeiRacingand theAssetto Corsafranchise offer players precision handling and a thriving community of other racers to compete against, but little in the way of pick-up-and-play accessibility. This can leave players looking to hop in and enjoy a few races without needing to know the intricacies of the tracks and cars on offer feeling overwhelmed.
With its wide range of options designed to make the game accessible to everyone from casual players to hardcore sim fans, a VR-supportedversion ofForza Motorsportcould be a breath of fresh air for PC players. The multiple toggleable driving assists and easily scalable AI opponents would ensure that players of all skill levels could fine-tuneForza Motorsportto play just the way they want it to on their headset. This would makeForza Motorsportstand out from many of its PC contemporaries and ensure it remains competitive not only against the PS5-exclusiveGran Turismo 7, but also upcoming entries in the VR racing genre.
A VR Mode for Forza Motorsport Would Keep It Competitive With Sony and EA’s Entries in the VR Racing Genre
A VR-supportedForza Motorsporton PC could draw in gamers who were first introduced to the VR racing genreGran Turismo 7.Gran Turismo 7’s VR modewas many players’ first introduction to the highly immersive form of racing, with some gamers even purchasing a PS5, PS VR2, and pricey accessories specifically for the title. For those who’ve exhausted the available content inGran Turismo 7, being able to put their PC headset and high-end racing gear to use withForza Motorsporton PC could be highly appealing.
Adding support for VR toForza Motorsportcould also help Microsoft get a leg up on upcoming competition from the recentlyrebranded EA Sports line. Set to launch on November 3,EA Sports WRCis developer Codemasters’ first entry in the long-running franchise and will feature full VR support on PC. While the track-focusedForza Motorsporttargets a different market than EA’s upcoming offroad racer, adding an equally robust VR mode to the Turn 10 Studios title could ensure it remains competitive among racing enthusiasts.
Turn 10 Studios has shown thatForza Motorsportcan compete withGran Turismo 7in terms of gameplay and graphics, so adding VR support on PC could help bring the pair to full feature parity. And while Xbox Series X|S owners would unfortunately miss out on the high-tech fun, the introduction of this immersive feature could keep PC players coming back for years to come.
Forza Motorsportis available for PC and Xbox Series X/S.
