The Microsoft Xbox One console is supposed to lead the new generation of console games, on a capable platform, with improved visuals and performances. This isn’t always the case though, and many Xbox One games that have so far been released are nowhere near running at the high quality standard of 1080p and 60 FPS. In fact, many Xbox One games run at 720p (or similar, up-scaled resolutions). The PS4 seems to be doing better in this department, with more games leaning towards the full HD resolutions and high frame-rates.
The upcoming Forza game, Forza Horizon 2, will aim to change this trend and prove that the Xbox One can indeed handle games at 1080p. The game’s creative director Ryan Fulton recently confirmed to IGN that Forza Horizon 2 will be full HD and will be running at a stable 30 FPS. “I think what we did on Horizon was demonstrate that, and this is really important, a locked frame rate that’s absolutely solid and never drops is the most important thing for our game. 30 [frames-per-second] actually enables us to realize that experience.” he explained. “But 1080p was an absolute must for us; it’s the benchmark for next-gen.” he added, emphasizing that Forza Horizon 2 will indeed strive to provide quality visuals for Xbox One fans.
This should not really come as a surprise, as the Xbox One launch title, Forza Motorsport 5, already ran at 1080p and 60 FPS. The difference between the two games is that Horizon 2 will be an open-world racing game, requiring a lot more juice to run. “The biggest difference is that, obviously, we’re an open-world streaming game. We need to be able to drive in any direction at up to 270 miles an hour, if you’re gonna soup up a Veyron or something like that. So one of the big technical challenges that we had to face was making sure that we could stream in a world that is next-gen beautiful, but fast enough to keep up with the fastest car. That’s a huge tech challenge but it’s one that our guys just eat up.” he explains.
Rendering a map is one thing, rendering an open-world game is another. This difference could explain the change from 60 FPS to 30 FPS, but we’re glad that the developers managed to stick to the 1080p visual quality, despite requiring more from the Xbox One to run the game. The interview also details aspects of Forza Horizon 2’s soundtrack, gameplay elements and much, much more. We’re likely to see more of Forza Horizon 2 at E3 2014 next week, but if you’re curious to read more about it until then, you can check out the full IGN exclusive interview here.