View source for Forza Motorsport (2005 video game)

{{Short description|2005 video game}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2016}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2016}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Forza Motorsport
| image = Forza Motorsport Coverart.png
| caption = Cover art featuring an [[Acura NSX]] and a [[Nissan 350Z]]
| developer = [[Turn 10 Studios]]
| publisher = [[Xbox Game Studios|Microsoft Game Studios]]
| director = Andrew Kertesz
| programmer = Garrett Young
| artist = John Wendl
| designer = Dan Greenawalt
| composer = [[Tom Holkenborg]]
| series = ''[[Forza]]''
| platforms = [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]
| released = {{Video game release|NA|May 3, 2005|EU|May 13, 2005}}
| genre = [[Racing simulation]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
}}
'''''Forza Motorsport''''' is a 2005 [[sim racing|simulation]] [[racing video game]] developed by [[Turn 10 Studios]] and published by [[Xbox Game Studios|Microsoft Game Studios]] for the [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] gaming system. The word ''Forza'' is [[Italian language|Italian]] for strength. The game is the first installment in the ''[[Forza]]'' series, which has continued on Microsoft's subsequent consoles, the [[Xbox 360]], [[Xbox One]], and [[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]]. It features over 200 cars and multiple real world and fictional race courses. It also featured online multiplayer via [[Xbox Live]]. It is compatible on the Xbox 360 via backwards compatibility. ''Forza Motorsport'' received universal acclaim according to the [[Review aggregator|review aggregation]] website [[Metacritic]], and received a Gold sales award from the [[Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association]] (ELSPA), indicating sales of at least 200,000 copies in the United Kingdom. The [[NPD Group]] reported that in its release month the game sold over 100,000 copies in North America.
==Gameplay==
[[Image:Forza motorsport gameplay.jpg|thumb|left|The first installment in the franchise, ''Forza Motorsport'' was also the only title in the series to be released on the original [[Xbox (console)|Xbox console]].]]
''Forza Motorsport'' is a [[sim racing|simulation]] [[racing video game]]. Players compete in events around the globe using real licensed cars on a variety of real world and fictional courses. It features an arcade mode, meant more for quickplay of races, and a career mode, which is focused on long-term play. Career mode spans several racing disciplines, spanning from racing of common commuter cars to those in racing series such as [[Super GT]] and [[Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters]] as well as other [[sports car racing]] series. To help players acclimate to the simulation style of racing, assists such as an ideal racing line, [[anti-lock brakes]] and [[traction control]] can be used.<ref name="gamespy youtube">{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JA3XPWlOgs |title=Forza Motorsport Xbox Interview - Garrett Young video |publisher=[[GameSpy]]/[[IGN]] via [[YouTube]] |access-date=September 25, 2017 |date=May 19, 2011 |archive-date=April 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422232310/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JA3XPWlOgs&gl=US&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> There are 231 cars in ''Forza Motorsport'' ranging from a [[Honda Civic]] to supercars such as the [[Enzo Ferrari (car)|Enzo Ferrari]] and [[24 Hours of Le Mans|Le Mans]] race prototypes such as the [[Audi R8 (race car)|Audi R8]]. There are nine classes of cars, spanning standard production vehicles to sports and high performance cars to purpose-built race cars. Each car can be upgraded and tuned with a large number of extras and parts.<ref name="ign indepth">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/08/09/forza-in-depth|title=Forza In-Depth - IGN|date=August 9, 2004|via=www.ign.com|access-date=June 30, 2021|archive-date=September 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917081727/http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/08/09/forza-in-depth|url-status=live}}</ref>
Vehicles can also be customized by the player, both visually and performance-wise. In addition to adding body parts such as hood scoops and body kits, players can add multiple layers of decals to the vehicles.<ref name="gamespy youtube" /> Upgrades are separated into three categories: engine/power, appearance/[[automotive aerodynamics|aerodynamics]] and chassis/drivetrain. There is a wide range of tuning available including tire pressure, which changes during races due to temperature, [[downforce]], [[gear ratio]]s and [[limited slip differential]].<ref name="ign indepth" /> Vehicles can be realistically damaged, from both a cosmetic and a performance standpoint. This changes the way the game is played, as collisions with barriers and other cars will alter the car's handling, top speed and acceleration. More noticeably, spoilers can be knocked off cars, bumpers dangle from their supports, paint can be scraped off and windows can be smashed completely.<ref name="ign indepth" />
The game contains a mix of licensed, street, point to point and original circuits. Real world tracks [[Road Atlanta]], [[Silverstone Circuit|Silverstone]], [[Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca|Laguna Seca]], [[Tsukuba Circuit|Tsukuba]], [[Road America]], and [[Nürburgring|Nürburgring Nordschleife]] were licensed and included. Furthermore, the game's Blue Mountains Raceway circuit is heavily comparable in track layout, characteristics and backgrounds with the [[Mount Panorama Circuit]] in [[Bathurst, New South Wales|Bathurst]]. In addition to these, ''Forza Motorsport'' also contains a wide variety of [[autocross]], oval, and [[dragstrip]] courses.<ref name="ign indepth" /> Each of these could be played online through the original [[Xbox Live]] service or through [[System Link]], which allows multiple Xbox consoles to be interconnected through a [[local area network]]. Network multiplayer is no longer available via Xbox Live, which was discontinued by Microsoft on April 15, 2010; however, ''Forza Motorsport'' is playable online using replacement online servers for the original Xbox called [[Insignia (Xbox)|Insignia]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Insignia - Forza Motorsport |url=https://insignia.live/games/4d53006e |access-date=2025-01-15 |website=insignia.live |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fraser |first=Gilbert |date=2022-12-21 |title=Xbox Live 1.0 Replacement Adds More Supported Titles, 40 Games Now Playable |url=https://www.purexbox.com/news/2022/12/xbox-live-1-0-replacement-adds-more-supported-titles-40-games-now-playable |website=Pure Xbox |language=en-GB}}</ref> The game is [[List of Xbox games compatible with Xbox 360|backwards compatible]], and can be played on the [[Xbox 360]], though as it uses the original Xbox Live service there is no online play.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.inquisitr.com/69896/original-xbox-live-service-getting-shut-down-tonight/|title=Original Xbox Live Service Getting Shut Down Tonight|author=Chris Greenhough|work=[[Inquisitr]]|date=April 14, 2010|access-date=August 25, 2015|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924063720/http://www.inquisitr.com/69896/original-xbox-live-service-getting-shut-down-tonight/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Development==
[[Image:K700i-acat(22).jpg|thumb|In addition to several production cars, ''Forza Motorsport'' features cars from various racing disciplines, such as this 2005 Yellow Hat [[Toyota Supra]], which competed in the Japanese [[Super GT]] racing series.]]
''Forza Motorsport'' was announced at [[Electronic Entertainment Expo|Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3)]] 2004.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/05/11/e3-2004-press-conference-microsoft-delivers-the-goods|title=E3 2004: Press Conference: Microsoft Delivers the Goods - IGN|date=May 11, 2004|via=www.ign.com|access-date=June 30, 2021|archive-date=February 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203235547/http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/05/11/e3-2004-press-conference-microsoft-delivers-the-goods|url-status=live}}</ref> Development of the game took over two and a half years.<ref name="ign indepth" /><!--two years at the time of the article + release date--><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/qanda-microsofts-ken-lobb/1100-6117749/|title=Q&A: Microsoft's Ken Lobb|access-date=September 25, 2017|archive-date=September 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925225806/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/qanda-microsofts-ken-lobb/1100-6117749/|url-status=live}}</ref> The release was delayed at three times, with [[GameSpot]] reporting the first delay from a December 2004 release to February 2005.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/forza-motorsport-to-hit-the-road-next-february/1100-6110313/|title=Forza Motorsport to hit the road next February|access-date=September 25, 2017|archive-date=September 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925180856/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/forza-motorsport-to-hit-the-road-next-february/1100-6110313/|url-status=live}}</ref> It would later be delayed until April 2005.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/forza-motorsport-garaged-until-april-2005/1100-6115484/|title=Forza Motorsport garaged until April 2005|access-date=September 25, 2017|archive-date=September 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925181056/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/forza-motorsport-garaged-until-april-2005/1100-6115484/|url-status=live}}</ref> It was delayed one last time, and the game was released May 3, 2005 in North America and May 13, 2005, in Europe.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/forza-motorsport-shifts-into-reverse/1100-6117821/|title=Forza Motorsport shifts into reverse|access-date=September 25, 2017|archive-date=January 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101145011/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/forza-motorsport-shifts-into-reverse/1100-6117821/|url-status=live}}</ref> The game was created with the intent to compete with [[Sony]]'s popular ''[[Gran Turismo (series)|Gran Turismo]]'' franchise, with Microsoft director Kiki Wolfkill stating, "we are targeting Gran Turismo with this game on Xbox, and I think we've been very focussed on that. We have a lot of respect for Gran Turismo, which helps drive that desire to beat them."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Garratt |first1=Patrick |title=Forza Motorsport: More robust, more accurate, more depth than Gran Turismo 4, says Microsoft's Kiki Wolfkill |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/i_forzamotorsport_x_dec2004 |access-date=21 October 2020 |work=[[Eurogamer]] |date=15 December 2004 |archive-date=October 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022102142/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/i_forzamotorsport_x_dec2004 |url-status=live }}</ref>
To promote ''Forza'' and other [[Xbox Live]] titles Microsoft teamed up with [[EB Games]] to provide 25 kiosks with games that could be played online through the service. ''Forza'' was the first of these titles to be displayed and playable on the kiosks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/eb-games-teams-with-xbox-live/1100-6123995/|title=EB Games teams with Xbox Live|access-date=September 25, 2017|archive-date=September 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925225839/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/eb-games-teams-with-xbox-live/1100-6123995/|url-status=live}}</ref> It was shown at multiple events during its development. Following E3 2004, it was shown at GameRiot, a traveling game event.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/unreleased-titles-dot-gameriots-summer-lineup/1100-6100384/|title=Unreleased titles dot GameRiot's summer lineup|access-date=September 25, 2017|archive-date=September 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925230105/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/unreleased-titles-dot-gameriots-summer-lineup/1100-6100384/|url-status=live}}</ref> It further was featured at the 2004 [[Tokyo Game Show]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/forza-motorsport-updated-hands-on/1100-6108474/|title=Forza Motorsport Updated Hands-On|access-date=September 25, 2017|archive-date=September 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926040949/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/forza-motorsport-updated-hands-on/1100-6108474/|url-status=live}}</ref>
It was developed to allow for multiple Xbox consoles to be linked directly and/or to be played online via Xbox Live. A customization system was developed where players can create custom layers over sections of the car, similar to layers in professional image programs such as [[Adobe Photoshop]]. Objects can be change in shape, scale and color, which allowed for players to create custom designs and [[livery|liveries]]. Each car is divided into six sections, and each section can handle up to 100 layers.<ref name="ign indepth" /> A custom soundtrack was composed by DJ [[Junkie XL]], which features 56 original music tracks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/03/02/junkie-xl-and-forza-motorsport-collide|title=Junkie XL and Forza Motorsport Collide - IGN|date=March 2, 2005|via=www.ign.com|access-date=June 30, 2021|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112003055/https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/03/02/junkie-xl-and-forza-motorsport-collide|url-status=live}}</ref>
The game began with a team of only 20 people and was, according to Turn 10 studio head Dan Greenawalt, originally an excellent simulator, but not as fun as a game. He stated that the team then worked "to make the physics more accessible, more handle-able. So we started on the game."<ref name="ign april 14">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/04/14/forza-motorsport-2|title=Forza Motorsport - IGN|date=April 14, 2005|via=www.ign.com|access-date=June 30, 2021|archive-date=November 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130030659/https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/04/14/forza-motorsport-2|url-status=live}}</ref> Greenawalt further noted that he wanted it to be a "car collecting game." To aid with that Turn 10 hired a designer formerly of [[Nintendo]]'s ''[[Pokémon]]'' team and said that the team "played a lot of ''Animal Crossing'' and ''Diablo II''."<ref name="ign april 14" /> It was developed to display in high definition at [[480p]], and supports [[Dolby Digital]] 5.1 surround sound.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/05/04/forza-motorsport|title=Forza Motorsport - IGN|date=May 4, 2005|via=www.ign.com|access-date=June 30, 2021|archive-date=February 17, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100217093054/http://uk.xbox.ign.com/articles/609/609884p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The team developed drivatar technology, which is an [[artificial intelligence]] avatar for the player which learns from the players habits. The player can assign the drivitar to compete in races which they do not wish to, such as endurance races.<ref name="gamespy youtube" />
Like the majority of major racing simulators, ''Forza Motorsport'' is designed to calculate a car's performance in real time using physical data (for example, the weight of a car's engine, its drag coefficient, etc.), consequently causing the cars to mimic the handling characteristics of their real-life counterparts. In 2005, [[Popular Science]] magazine tested this effect by inviting professional race car driver [[Gunnar Jeannette]] and a car enthusiast without major professional motorsports experience to drive identical cars on an identical track in both ''Forza Motorsport'' and the real world. Aside from several cars which were either in challenging physical condition or lacking identical setups, Jeannette's track times matched closely from his performance on the real track and in virtual reality. The amateur's real world times in all of the cars were roughly identical despite a 16-second spread between fastest and slowest in Forza, which he attributed to his fear of the consequences of driving too hard causing him to drive more slowly in the faster cars.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.popsci.com/cars/article/2005-03/race-against-reality |title=Race Against Reality |magazine=[[Popular Science]] |first=Joe |last=Brown |date=March 29, 2005 |access-date=August 26, 2011 |archive-date=December 2, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202093333/http://www.popsci.com/cars/article/2005-03/race-against-reality |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
|MC = 92/100<ref name="MC">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/forza-motorsport/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox |title=Forza Motorsport for Xbox Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=March 3, 2012 |archive-date=May 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190522052235/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/forza-motorsport |url-status=live }}</ref>
|Edge = 8/10<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Forza Motorsport |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |author=Edge staff |issue=150 |date=June 2005 |page=89}}</ref>
|EGM = 9.5/10/10<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Linn |first1=Demian |last2=Chou |first2=Che |last3=Davison |first3=John |date=July 2005 |title=Forza Motorsport |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |issue=193 |pages=114–115}}</ref>
|EuroG = 9/10<ref name="EuroG">{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_forzamotorsport_x |title=Forza Motorsport |website=[[Eurogamer]] |first=Kristan |last=Reed |date=May 9, 2005 |access-date=March 4, 2012 |archive-date=July 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170724022218/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_forzamotorsport_x |url-status=live }}</ref>
|Fam = 31/40<ref name="Fam">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamezone.com/originals/i-nintendogs-i-gets-perfect-score |title=Nintendogs Gets Perfect Score |publisher=Kombo |date=April 26, 2005 |access-date=May 14, 2017}}</ref>
|GI = 8.5/10<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/C2F3B1CD-D0E1-45D8-B9DC-0F7DB7353E11.htm |title=Forza Motorsport |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |first=Lisa |last=Mason |issue=146 |date=June 2005 |page=130 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080401010607/http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/C2F3B1CD-D0E1-45D8-B9DC-0F7DB7353E11.htm |archive-date=April 1, 2008 |url-status=dead |access-date=May 15, 2017}}</ref>
|GamePro = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/44868.shtml |title=Forza Motorsport Review for Xbox on GamePro.com |magazine=[[GamePro]] |author=Funky Zealot |date=May 3, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050507043327/http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/44868.shtml |archive-date=May 7, 2005 |url-status=dead |access-date=May 15, 2017}}</ref>
|GameRev = A−<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/forza-motorsport |title=Forza Motorsport Review |publisher=[[Game Revolution]] |first=Brian |last=Gee |date=June 21, 2005 |access-date=May 15, 2017 |archive-date=June 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630115435/https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/34371-forza-motorsport-review |url-status=live }}</ref>
|GSpot = 9.2/10<ref name="GSpot">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/forza-motorsport-review/1900-6123431/ |title=Forza Motorsport Review |website=[[GameSpot]] |first=Brian |last=Ekberg |date=May 3, 2005 |access-date=May 14, 2017 |archive-date=November 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118024400/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/forza-motorsport-review/1900-6123431/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|GSpy = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="GSpy">{{cite web |url=http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/forza-motorsport/609599p1.html |title=GameSpy: Forza Motorsport |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |first=Russ |last=Fischer |date=May 3, 2005 |access-date=March 4, 2012 |archive-date=February 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210191355/http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/forza-motorsport/609599p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|GT = 8.9/10<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gametrailers.com/gamepage.php?id=457 |title=Forza Motorsport Review |publisher=[[GameTrailers]] |date=May 3, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070327204447/http://gametrailers.com/gamepage.php?id=457 |archive-date=March 27, 2007 |url-status=dead |access-date=May 15, 2017}}</ref>
|GameZone = 9.5/10<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/forza_motorsport_xb_review |title=Forza Motorsport - XB - Review |publisher=GameZone |first=Steven |last=Hopper |date=May 2, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080311010229/http://xbox.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r24069.htm |archive-date=March 11, 2008 |url-status=live |access-date=May 15, 2017}}</ref>
|IGN = 9.5/10<ref name="IGN">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/05/04/forza-motorsport |title=Forza Motorsport |website=[[IGN]] |first=Douglass C. |last=Perry |date=May 3, 2005 |access-date=May 14, 2017 |archive-date=September 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918004112/http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/05/04/forza-motorsport |url-status=live }}</ref>
|OXM = 9/10<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Forza Motorsport |magazine=[[Official Xbox Magazine]] |date=July 2005 |page=80}}</ref>
|rev1 = ''[[Detroit Free Press]]''
|rev1Score = {{Rating|3|4}}<ref name="Detroit">{{cite news |url=http://www.freep.com/entertainment/videogames/game22e_20050522.htm |title=TAKE THE WHEEL: That's me in your rear-view mirror, eating your dust |newspaper=[[Detroit Free Press]] |first=Jim |last=Schaefer |date=May 22, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050525141454/http://www.freep.com/entertainment/videogames/game22e_20050522.htm |archive-date=May 25, 2005 |url-status=dead |access-date=May 14, 2017}}</ref>
|rev2 = ''[[The Times]]''
|rev2Score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name="TheTimes">{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/forza-motorsport-0pdf3pk0pzr |title=Forza Motorsport |newspaper=[[The Times]] |first=Anita |last=James |date=May 28, 2005 |access-date=May 14, 2017 |archive-date=June 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630115437/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/forza-motorsport-0pdf3pk0pzr |url-status=live }}{{subscription required}}</ref>
}}
''Forza Motorsport'' received a Gold sales award from the [[Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association]] (ELSPA),<ref name=goldelspa>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090319031650/http://www.elspa.com/?i=3943 |url=http://www.elspa.com:80/?i=3943 |title=ELSPA Sales Awards: Gold |work=[[Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association]] |archive-date=March 19, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> indicating sales of at least 200,000 copies in the United Kingdom.<ref name=gamasutrasales>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918063107/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/112220/ELSPA_Wii_Fit_Mario_Kart_Reach_Diamond_Status_In_UK.php |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/112220/ELSPA_Wii_Fit_Mario_Kart_Reach_Diamond_Status_In_UK.php |title=ELSPA: ''Wii Fit'', ''Mario Kart'' Reach Diamond Status In UK | author=Caoili, Eric | date=November 26, 2008 |work=[[Gamasutra]] |archive-date=September 18, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[NPD Group]] reported that in its release month the game sold over 100,000 copies in North America.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/npd-may-sell-through-spikes-skyward/1100-6128131/|title=NPD: May sell-through spikes skyward|access-date=September 25, 2017|archive-date=September 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925225732/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/npd-may-sell-through-spikes-skyward/1100-6128131/|url-status=live}}</ref>
''Forza Motorsport'' received universal acclaim according to the [[Review aggregator|review aggregation]] website [[Metacritic]].<ref name="MC"/> The game was also featured in the June 2004 issue of ''[[Popular Science]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.popsci.com/cars/article/2005-03/race-against-reality|title=Race Against Reality|website=Popular Science|date=March 29, 2005|language=en|access-date=2019-02-13|archive-date=August 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811110828/https://www.popsci.com/cars/article/2005-03/race-against-reality/|url-status=live}}</ref> Reviewers praised the game's advantages over ''[[Gran Turismo 4]]''.<ref name="IGN"/><ref name="GSpy"/> Che Chou of ''[[1UP.com]]'' commented that ''Forza'' was the "most realistic console racer ever made".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/forza-motorsport |title=Forza Motorsport |website=[[1UP.com]] |first=Che |last=Chou |date=May 3, 2005 |access-date=March 4, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201150205/http://www.1up.com/reviews/forza-motorsport |archive-date=February 1, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> [[GameSpot]]'s Brian Ekberg noted how well the game balanced accessibility and pleasing genre fans.<ref name="GSpot"/> Kristan Reed of ''[[Eurogamer]]'' liked the game's online integration.<ref name="EuroG"/> In Japan, ''[[Famitsu]]'' gave it a score of one eight, two sevens, and one nine for a total of 31 out of 40.<ref name="Fam"/>
''[[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]]'' gave the game all five stars, saying, "Microsoft Game Studios' answer to Sony's automotive masterpiece is simple–add online play and program cars that take realistic damage."<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.maximonline.com/entertainment/reviews/review_games_9702.html |title=Forza Motorsport |magazine=[[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]] |first=Scott |last=Steinberg |date=May 3, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050502200021/http://www.maximonline.com/entertainment/reviews/review_games_9702.html |archive-date=May 2, 2005 |url-status=dead |access-date=May 14, 2017}}</ref> ''[[The Times]]'' also gave it all five stars, saying that "the really ingenious element is the Drivatar AI, in which the computer learns your driving technique."<ref name="TheTimes"/> ''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]'' gave it four-and-a-half stars out of five, saying, "Car handling is demanding, but beginners can instantly have fun, thanks to helpful driving assists and generous early prizes."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/Games/Instant-fun/2005/05/11/1115584971864.html |title=Instant fun |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |first=Jason |last=Hill |date=May 12, 2005 |access-date=May 14, 2017 |archive-date=July 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170714003303/http://www.smh.com.au/news/Games/Instant-fun/2005/05/11/1115584971864.html |url-status=live }}</ref> However, Jim Schaefer of ''[[Detroit Free Press]]'' gave it three stars out of four, saying, "man, is this game difficult, even on the easy setting. I prefer games with unreal speed, power boosts and shortcuts. I just couldn't seem to get a grip on Forza until I played around with different cars, perusing the six classes, from standard production cars like your basic Honda Civic to race cars like the Audi R8."<ref name="Detroit"/>
During the [[9th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards]], the [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] nominated ''Forza Motorsport'' for "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Racing Game of the Year|Racing Game of the Year]]".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2006&idGame=152 |title=D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details Forza Motorsport |publisher=[[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] |website=interactive.org |access-date=30 October 2023 |archive-date=October 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030182159/https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2006&idGame=152 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
==External links==
{{Portal|Video games}}
*{{Official website|http://www.forzamotorsport.net}}
* {{MobyGames|id=/xbox/forza-motorsport}}
{{Forza series}}
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