x of 206 Roads Driven and other Horizon clues

[t.o.]

I know alot of people are ragging on the demo but if we dive in deeper there may be some clues to what we're seeing.

Anyone notice the pop-up saying "2/206 Roads Driven"? If we're to go by that we can assume Dan is playing the game as a first time driver. Ok big deal right? Well we have info here saying that on startup you'll have to drive to the 10pm event, sorta like when Forza 4 starts up and you HAVE to have that first race. Well if I recall correctly we were not given any options on that first race. It was just pretty much "SHUT UP AND DRIVE" when finished then the game opened up for us.

What if what we're seeing in this demo is just that part of the game. The part where everything is on super-assisted and Dan hasn't got to a part of the game where he can customize it. I say this because , according to the game he had JUST discovered his 2nd road out of 206. It would also seem that he was on the first road already and we can assume it's going to be more than one road to the Horizon event. So I think what we saw in the demo was just the VERY beginning like first time popping in the disc beginning and he hasn't had (not that he would) a chance to change any settings.

EDIT: Also notice while he goes toward the event and passes some markers it seems he stops short of the MAIN grounds. Could it be that going further triggers the "WELCOME TO FORZA HORIZON" section where the rest of the options are opened?

 

[Northstar]

I wouldn't put much stock in the demo he was playing, he did have a magic button last year that let him win instantly in Forza 4 after all.

 

[Rohrl-fan]

EDIT: Also notice while he goes toward the event and passes some markers it seems he stops short of the MAIN grounds. Could it be that going further triggers the "WELCOME TO FORZA HORIZON" section where the rest of the options are opened?

I did notice that he kept his distance there, but maybe that's just because the code isn't finished there yet. The little bit we did get to see looked impressive though!

 

[Spagetti69]

Ign is saying 60fps. I'm sure I've read it's 30?

I'm ok with the principle of this game. Be nice to jump in and not have to worry about tuning. Sometimes accessibility is a nice relief from Forza's sometimes overwhelming options. Plus it's not as if Forza 5 is suffering because of horizon. It's just a spin off.

Haven't seen this demo of Dan though, anyone know where I can see it?
Thanks.


Edit ah I see it.

 

[Wolfe]

The "x of 206 roads" prompt worried me a little bit, considering how quickly he started ticking up that number. Another article mentioned test players were getting lost, but I hope it's truly an epic map.

 

[ImaRobot]

The "x of 206 roads" prompt worried me a little bit, considering how quickly he started ticking up that number. Another article mentioned test players were getting lost, but I hope it's truly an epic map.

The mention of players getting lost is what led him to implement a fast travel, and aslo a marker system that when you use the map, you set a waypoint and the "driving line" comes on and tells you where to go. That being said it should be nothing to worry about.

As for the roads, he was kind of racking them in fast. Just from when he turned off road to when he got back on the road he racked up 3 more roads.. but whos to say exactly how long every road is?

 

[t.o.]

The mention of players getting lost is what led him to implement a fast travel, and aslo a marker system that when you use the map, you set a waypoint and the "driving line" comes on and tells you where to go. That being said it should be nothing to worry about.

As for the roads, he was kind of racking them in fast. Just from when he turned off road to when he got back on the road he racked up 3 more roads.. but whos to say exactly how long every road is?

Exactly, he was on a few roads quite a while with no pop-ups while one seem to pop up very quick. I guess there are some short roads and so VERY long ones and everything in between.

 

[drivatar]

Ign is saying 60fps. I'm sure I've read it's 30?

IGN was wrong and has removed the information.

 

[E28]

The "x of 206 roads" prompt worried me a little bit, considering how quickly he started ticking up that number. Another article mentioned test players were getting lost, but I hope it's truly an epic map.

As much as I want it to be a huge map, I don't think it will be near the scale of TDU2 or even TDU1. I think this is an early step into free roam and it won't be truly enormous, but I'm sure it'll be big.

 

[G219]

As much as I want it to be a huge map, I don't think it will be near the scale of TDU2 or even TDU1. I think this is an early step into free roam and it won't be truly enormous, but I'm sure it'll be big.

I know they're doing a bit more than TDU1 did in terms of maxing the hardware, but I'd be happy if they could make it close to TDU1 in size.

Really happy.

 

[Rohrl-fan]

I know they're doing a bit more than TDU1 did in terms of maxing the hardware, but I'd be happy if they could make it close to TDU1 in size.

Really happy.

I've read that the graphics engine can render a distance of up to 20km's (12,5 miles). If that's true, then the map should be at least about 40km's (25miles) across in bird's eye view.

Or am I making a mistake?

 

[Wolfe]

Found a video that pans across the entire available map (at 0:49):

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

As much as I want it to be a huge map, I don't think it will be near the scale of TDU2 or even TDU1. I think this is an early step into free roam and it won't be truly enormous, but I'm sure it'll be big.

Exactly what I am thinking. As I have said this is a beta test for them with the offroad free roam experience. Its not going to be huge. I am guessing about the size of Burnout Paradise. Maybe a little bigger. But its not going to be the scale of TDU1 or TDU2 by any means. TDU2 was MASSIVE especially when you consider it has 2 FULL islands. Oahu is the original large island from TDU1. And Ibiza which is the small island they added to TDU2. And when I say small, I dont mean small. Its still quite massive in size. Horizon will be nowhere near the size of these islands.

 

[Wolfe]

The problem with the maps in Test Drive Unlimited, IMO, is that the roads have no personality at all. They're just bland strips generated from a stock of assets, surrounded by grassy voids dotted with random trees. When you create a game with that kind of map, it's easy to go big, but you also need to make the large space worthwhile. FUEL did a better job of that by virtue of being an offroading game, and filling the space with a number of natural and manmade features (stock assets) that impact the landscape.

I think it's safe to assume the map in Horizon has been lovingly crafted -- again, like Burnout Paradise -- and if the roads have names, you'll actually be able to remember some of them.

 

[ImaRobot]

Found a video that pans across the entire available map (at 0:49):

nevermind im dumb

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

I had a go at fixing the map so we could see everything better

Quite interesting to see Speed Cameras shown on the map!

^ Yup that map is small for sure. As confirmed in another thread.

I will say again, Horizon is a small beta to see how the Forza physics will work with offroad. I think this should have been priced closer to $39.99. Heck even TDU1 was only $39.99 brand new and TDU2 was only $49.99 and those games are both much much much larger with more content than Horizon. And this is coming from a HUGE Forza fan.

 

[ImaRobot]

TDU was an horrible looking game, wouldnt be expected that they would be able to make a bigger map? It seems like they actually put less effort into the game itself just so they can get a rather large map. I dont know about you but I'd rather have a better game quality wise then a humongous map that you can drive your crap box's around.

 

[imported_JJ72]

^ Yup that map is small for sure. As confirmed in another thread.

I will say again, Horizon is a small beta to see how the Forza physics will work with offroad. I think this should have been priced closer to $39.99. Heck even TDU1 was only $39.99 brand new and TDU2 was only $49.99 and those games are both much much much larger with more content than Horizon. And this is coming from a HUGE Forza fan.

What content does TDU have? the car list is not even 1/5 of horizon.

BTW over here it's just $40.

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

What content does TDU have? the car list is not even 1/5 of horizon.

BTW over here it's just $40.

More cars does not make a game better. GT5 has 1000+ cars but is nowhere near as good as Forza 4 which has less cars. So we wont go that route with car number comparison. That doesnt make a game better.


I know Horizon will have some of these features but I will list them anyway. TDU1 and TDU2 have a TON of content and features.

-TDU2 has 2 massive islands to start with. I am guessing Horizon might be 1/10 the size of TDU2.
-Cockpit view
-You can change everything about the appearance of your character
-You can buy shoes, shirts, hats, pants, for your character
-You can buy EVERY single house/mansion in the game to store your cars.
-You can even decorate the walls, floor, and furniture any way you want.
-A variety of cars, suvs, and bikes
-Any picture you take in game can be placed into the picture frames that hang in your house
-A casino with poker tournaments, slot machines, Roulette, cars you can win, clothes you can win, and unique vinyls you can win to place onto your cars. Unique casino challenges. Just this Casino alone is well worth getting TDU2 for.
-You can roll the windows down and up
-In TDU1 you could actually change the seat position in any direction.
-Raise or lower your convertible top
-Walk around in the Casino with ANY amount of players you want. I have seen well over 50 people in the casino.
-Day night cycle
-Weather including massive rain and lightning storms
-Walk around in your house to show off all your cars, furniture, and everything in your house.
-Offroad and highway maps with really no restriction at all. If you want to drive out into the country to explore a hill in the distance, you can do that.
-Car clubs
-Club challenges
-Car wash
-Very unique paint editor that allows you to paint anything you want.
-Customize car interior (change colors, material type, etc)
-Car dealerships that you can actually walk around in with your character
-Photograph locations
-FRIM system that gives you points and money depending on how you drive
-Open doors to climb inside and outside of cars
-Car tuning
-Different license tests
-Drop off model challenges
-Hitchhiker challenges
-Create your own race challenges anywhere on the map and issue them for others to challenge. Pick any point a and any point b and thats the race.

The list goes on and on and on. There are a ton of features in TDU1 and TDU2. So again, Horizon will be a good game, but its going to take a lot to even compare to TDU1 or TDU2.

 

[Squach240]

I think this should have been priced closer to $39.99. Heck even TDU1 was only $39.99 brand new and TDU2 was only $49.99 and those games are both much much much larger with more content than Horizon. And this is coming from a HUGE Forza fan.

That's EXACTLY the difference between a 3rd Party title and a AAA 1st party title.

 

[ImaRobot]

TDU has so many useless features.. It seems to have more going on with the actual character then actual gameplay lol. To be honest, it sounds more like grand theft auto then it does a driving game.

I went through your list, instead of posting a new reply I just edited this one

More cars does not make a game better. GT5 has 1000+ cars but is nowhere near as good as Forza 4. So we wont go that route with car number comparison.

You already went that route though. A bigger map does not mean a better game.

-Cockpit view-
-You can change everything about the appearance of your character
-You can buy shoes, shirts, hats, pants, for your character
-You can buy EVERY single house/mansion in the game to store your cars.
-You can even decorate the walls, floor, and furniture any way you want.

Sounds pretty useless if you buy a game for driving but you end up playing grand theft auto.. heck even the driving in GTA was better then when I first tried TDU.

-A variety of cars, suvs, and bikes
-Any picture you take in game can be placed into the picture frames that hang in your house
-A casino with poker tournaments, slot machines, Roulette, cars you can win, clothes you can win, and unique vinyls you can win to place onto your cars. Unique casino challenges. Just this Casino alone is well worth getting TDU2 for.

Again, everything your posting just makes me believe more and more that this game is to focused on the actual character..

-You can roll the windows down and up

You know whats odd, this function is hidden in FM4 as well as pop up headlights. Actually leads me to believe that it will be present in FH.

-In TDU1 you could actually change the seat position in any direction.
-Raise or lower your convertible top
-Walk around in the Casino with ANY amount of players you want. I have seen well over 50 people in the casino.

These seem useless because all you have to do to change your in game "seating" was to change the multiscreen settings. Although the convertible thing would be cool.

-Day night cycle
-Weather including massive rain and lightning storms
-Walk around in your house to show off all your cars, furniture, and everything in your house.
-Offroad and highway maps with really no restriction at all. If you want to drive out into the country to explore a hill in the distance, you can do that.

Weather would be cool if it was done right. Dont really care to have a house in a racing game to be honest, so thats nothing that would sway favor.. Apparently we can do that in FH to, but still TDU does have block off points just as FH does.

-Car clubs
-Club challenges
-Car wash
-Very unique paint editor that allows you to paint anything you want.
-Customize car interior (change colors, material type, etc)
-Car dealerships that you can actually walk around in with your character
-Photograph locations
-FRIM system that gives you points and money depending on how you drive
-Open doors to climb inside and outside of cars
-Car tuning
-Different license tests
-Drop off model challenges
-Hitchhiker challenges
-Create your own race challenges anywhere on the map and issue them for others to challenge. Pick any point a and any point b and thats the race.

Things strikedout are in FH.

I'm not going to lie, most of everything you posted sounds quite useless in a racing game. There are some cool parts but most of that list is either bs or FH has it as well.

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

This reminds me so much of Forza Vs GT5.

When a feature is in one game and not in another, people justify it by saying "sounds quite useless"

I can promise you one thing for sure, if the features I listed above in post #19 are not in Horizon, many people will request them or coment about them not being there. Especially the group of people that have been playing TDU1 and TDU2 the last 5-6 years. I bet it will be mentioned in reviews for sure. This game is going to be compared to TDU1 and TDU2. Just like GT5 is compared to Forza.

 

[cuco33]

This reminds me so much of Forza Vs GT5.

When a feature is in one game and not in another, people justify it by saying "sounds quite useless"

I can promise you one thing for sure, if the features I listed above in post #19 are not in Horizon, many people will request them or coment about them not being there. Especially the group of people that have been playing TDU1 and TDU2 the last 5-6 years. I bet it will be mentioned in reviews for sure. This game is going to be compared to TDU1 and TDU2. Just like GT5 is compared to Forza.

Personally I've never been a big fan of night nor weather in racing. I like that it adds variability to racing but I personally prefer racing in day clear weather because I'm racing, trying to get the fastest lap time possible. It's cool to get night and weather in other racers but given the option I'll do without it.

With that said, I think FH will force players to play in the night time, and that's fine by me.
People will only make comparisons for games in the same genre but I think reviewers and gamers will make comparisons of FH to other FM and GT games, not so much to TDU1/2. Those comparisons will be there but as it's a Forza game, it will be compared more with other Forza games and it's biggest competing franchise, GT. Kind of expected though.

I hope the offroad is done well and doesn't feel tacked on grip modifier with visuals as backup like it feels to me in GT5. Never been a fan of GT5's offroad. I loved RBR but that game was a bit more sim for most. I actually prefer the more arcadey offroad physics of DiRT, but it could be that I really dug that game.

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

^ Horizon will be compared to TDU1 and TDU2 because they are all open world racers. GT5 is not. Forza 5 is not. There should be NO comparison at all between Horizon and GT5. That would not make sense at all. That would be like comparing Grand Theft Auto to Call of Duty. They are two different genres so they are not comparable.

 

[VXR]

Not a single one of the features listed would be enough to make me choose TDU over a Forza game, because where it counts, it just isn't up to scratch.

 

[ImaRobot]

Well the thing is, they are actually useless features. Things that could be done without that and be used in different areas to make the game better. Something TDU needs drastically.

None of those features are anything that would sway me to make me think that its a better game.

 

[Wolfe]

I loved TDU. It's one of those cult classics with shoddy programming and mediocre car control but unique and brilliant ideas. However, I rented TDU2 once and have never picked it up.

TDU2 is great if you've never played the first game. Otherwise, you'll notice the shortcomings that tarnished the experience of the first game have hardly been addressed. The cars still handle like rubber chickens, the landscape is just as bland, and it's even buggier than the first game (maybe they've updated it to fix the freezing/crashing I had). In fact, the campiest aspects of the first game seem to have been expanded the most -- things to do with your creepy sex offender avatar and the tedious house system (Sorry CAMAROBOY69). I just didn't feel it was worth playing the same game again. So much wasted potential.

^ Horizon will be compared to TDU1 and TDU2 because they are all open world racers.

Well you brought up Burnout Paradise earlier; honestly I think Horizon has more in common with that game than TDU -- even down to rewards for breaking fences.

TDU has that whole "virtual life" aspect that defines the gameplay and theme. Horizon is all about driving; you're either racing or you're in free roam, like almost all open world racers.

 

[imported_JJ72]

you cant argue car number doesn't matter when world size does, the roads in TDU are like standard cars in GT5, so low poly it hurts to drive sometimes, so the argument about quality vs quantity also exists in this case.

I am a big fan of the little details in TDU, the up down windows, radios, seat position, support for clutch pedal, but the bulk of lifestyle features in TDU2 left me cold, it is something designed by and for a very particular crowd in car culture.

For the objectives these game want to achieve, I can't really see myself being short changed by Horizon, the livery editor and wider range of cars cater a much wider range of auto enthusiasts. Tuning options and physics caters all sort of more serious racers, the only letdown might be for those who want to wear the latest Ecko fashion line in game - that in the grand scheme of things is a relatively minor point, since you can perfectly identify yourself with your car already, which is something TDU2 didn't do really well.

 

[cuco33]

^ Horizon will be compared to TDU1 and TDU2 because they are all open world racers. GT5 is not. Forza 5 is not. There should be NO comparison at all between Horizon and GT5. That would not make sense at all. That would be like comparing Grand Theft Auto to Call of Duty. They are two different genres so they are not comparable.

I understand the comparison to TDU1/2 but because it's the new Forza title, it will be compared somehow to FM and GT games probably more than TDU1/2.

On the bulk of websites I visit the comparisons so far all over for FH are directly to other Forza titles and GT games, not so much TDU1/2. I'm pretty sure the reviewers will follow suit.

 

[shawtyoner]

I understand the comparison to TDU1/2 but because it's the new Forza title, it will be compared somehow to FM and GT games probably more than TDU1/2.

On the bulk of websites I visit the comparisons so far all over for FH are directly to other Forza titles and GT games, not so much TDU1/2. I'm pretty sure the reviewers will follow suit.

And the reason it is compared to FM and GT more so than TDU is because its a game based more on its physics then anything else, regardless if its open world or circuit racing I believe.

I do think it would be cool to give the players as many options as possible, all it does is add to the involvement of the game, however, the most important, and the most anticipated part of Horizon will be FM4 physics in an open world environment for sure.