Racing fans and avid gamers, the thrilling streets of Forza Motorsport have hit a stumbling block. Currently available in Early Access and soon to be released on Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, and PC, this highly-anticipated racing simulation has left many of its front-row players navigating an unforeseen detour.
Imagine gearing up to upgrade your car or splurge on a new one in Forza Motorsport, only to see the racing sim plunge into an eternal loading screen. As described by an exasperated player on the Forza Forums, there’s no error handling or timeout. The game simply stagnates. And what’s the aftermath? A forced game restart, losing not just your most recent career progress but facing the dread of corrupted cloud saves. You might find yourself caught in a gaming limbo, unable to make any further progress.
Unfortunately, this isn’t an isolated narrative. Many share similar sentiments, echoing concerns about this glitch. It isn’t just restricted to the Xbox Series X or Series S platforms, the bug has also infected the PC version. One might ponder, is this an honest mistake? Was the oversight a genuine miss, or was the studio aware but hesitant to delay the release? The silence from Turn 10 Studios and Xbox is deafening.
It’s as if Turn 10 Studios, and perhaps Microsoft Gaming, as a whole, has forgotten what the term “Early Access” means. Outside of Steam, which has its own Early Access program, it’s a turn that should connote a privilege – early entry ahead of the masses. Instead, it has unintentionally turned these players into unwilling beta testers. The irony? These players paid a premium to enjoy this privilege. Early Access now seemingly translates to troubleshooting the game, ironing out its quirks, and ensuring its smooth sail for the broader release.
The good news is that when the game does operate as intended, it’s a marvel. Its realistic car handling mechanics and a revamped progression system prove that a lot of work went into the game. The consensus? A spectacular racing game lies buried beneath these technical mishaps. But, that’s the thing – Turn 10 Studios has its work cut out for it if it is to steer the game back on track, rectifying these pitfalls before the grand release on October 10.
However, this is a massive red flag that should scare off prospective buyers. Amidst a cacophony of complaints – from abrupt game crashes to slightly off-put graphics – Forza Motorsport, for now, seems like a challenge than a joyride. The official forum for the game is awash with feedback, some of it quite stark, urging potential players to wait before they invest. Those with a more sardonic sense of humor will use this opposite as a caveat to those who eagerly pay extra to access games ahead of their official release. The underlying sentiment? Perhaps it’s wiser to await a more polished version than to shell out premiums for an unfinished symphony.
One can’t help but wonder if this is emblematic of a larger problem that may be plaguing developers that fall under the Xbox Game Studios umbrella. This year alone, the likes of Redfall, Starfield, and now, Forza Motorsport, appear to have launched with less polish than expected.
Regardless of the truth, Turn 10 Studios needs to find a solution quick. Its sister title, the more casual arcade racing sim, Forza Horizon 5, set a high bar by enjoying the “biggest first week” in Xbox history after reaching more than 10 million players when it launched in late 2021.
In the current scenario, the ball is firmly in the court of Turn 10 Studios. Players have voiced their concerns, shared their experiences, and are now waiting for a solution. As the countdown to the official release date begins, all eyes are on the studio. Will they address the issues and deliver the mesmerizing racing experience that players around the world are yearning for? Only time will tell. Until then, racers worldwide must decide whether to take a pit stop or keep their engines revving, hoping for a smoother road ahead.
