Forza Motorsport Introduces Spectate Mode and Challenge Hub

Celebrate your favorite mid-engine cars with Forza Motorsport Update 12. Renowned for their exceptional balance, handling and performance, two incredible mid-engine cars can be unlocked over the next five weeks, both new-to-Motorsport: the 2023 McLaren Artura and the 2022 Lamborghini Huracán EVO Spyder.

In addition to the cars and events, we have two exciting features coming with this update: Spectate Mode, so you can race from start to podium and save a replay at the end, and Challenge Hub, which allows players to choose how they earn reward cars: either via the Featured Tour in Career as before, or by completing races in Featured Multiplayer. Moreover, Update 12 brings advancements to the Forza Race Regulations (FRR) AI Penalty System and customizable weather options for Free Play and Private Multiplayer.

Update 12 also celebrates a new partnership with the iconic Jordan brand. Race the custom 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Jordan Luka 3 Motorsport Edition in the Jordan Luka 3 Motorsport Series and complete its 5 events to win a Jordan Luka 3 Racing Suit.

Game Improvements and Release Notes

Forza Motorsport Update 12 rolls out for download starting Monday, September 9 on Xbox Series X|S and PC via the Microsoft Store and Steam. Spotlight cars and new in-game events will begin on Wednesday, September 11 starting at 5:00 PM PT (12:00 AM UTC on Thursday, September 12).

Below is a snapshot of the fixes and improvements included with Update 12. Head on over to Forza Support to view the full release notes:

• Fixed an issue with visible artifacts in car tire smoke when using Performance RT render mode on Xbox Series X consoles.

• Addressed a bug that causes car focus in Photo Mode to not work correctly when NVIDIA DLSS is enabled on PC.

• We’ve made memory and system improvements for PCs that support GPU upload heaps.

• Rivals events now set the default Fuel & Tire setup to minimum fuel load to lower vehicle weight (for all cars) and automatically equip Soft tires for maximum grip if player car is currently equipped with "Race" tires. As before, fuel use and tire wear are not simulated in Rivals.

• 2019 Porsche #70 Porsche Motorsport 935 has been removed from the Forza GT3 Series and added to the Modern Factory Racecar Series.

• Improved Screen Narration while selecting options for tires, fuel, and repairs during pit stops.

• Fixed an issue where the game crashes when a photo or replay is selected to be viewed.

Update 12 also advances the Forza Race Regulations (FRR) incident data capture system used to train the AI machine learning model for penalty system accuracy. Data reported after a collision now includes many additional metrics to determine fault and severity, measuring a 300% increase in captured information. Update 12 also includes general improvements to FRR accuracy.

Broadcast League Races with Spectate Mode

With Forza Motorsport Update 12, we have enabled Spectate mode in Private Multiplayer, making it much easier for league admins to view and broadcast their official events. This initial version builds upon our previous efforts and includes new features and improvements that have been requested by the community, particularly by tournament and league organizers.

Here’s a look at some of the highlights you can expect when using Spectate to watch or broadcast community races in Private Multiplayer. As Spectate is essentially like a live replay, many of the features and options outlined below are already available as part of our recent update for saved race replays.

• Full-Field Dynamic Driver List and Lap Counter – Greatly increases race comprehension, making it easy to select a car to focus on from the driver list. Positions are updated based on scoring type.

• Ticker – A dynamic data loop in the Driver List. This can also be locked to show the leader's time, race intervals, position changes, penalty time, or pit stops.

• Track Map – Shows all the locations of all the cars on the track map with the ability to zoom and view exact positioning more closely.

• Driver Data – Choose to see a race summary of the driver on focus, including car telemetry, comparison to the leader, and damage.

• True Race Start / Race End from 3-2-1 to Podium. In Forza Motorsport 7, the live feed in Spectate didn’t begin until several seconds after the race had started, which meant viewers missed much of the Turn 1 excitement. It also ended abruptly when the leader crossed the finish line. In Forza Motorsport, a spectator can watch the entire race from the moment it starts right up until either the final driver crosses the finish line, or the race timer concludes.

• Default Spectate Camera – The first time you use Spectate mode, you can decide which camera to use by default at race start. This can be changed at any time in the settings menu under Gameplay & HUD.

• New Camera Options – In addition to all the prior cameras available in game, two new camera modes have been added to both Spectate Mode and Race Replays:

  • Rail Cam – This gives race spectators controls that our cinematics team uses, like FPS camera controls that move with the focus car. The left stick moves the camera forward or backward, left or right around the focus car. Use the right stick to change the camera target left and right or move the camera up and down.

  • Point of Interest – Stationary cameras focusing on important track segments. Each track has at least 3 points of interest with more available on longer tracks.

• Improved Control Panel for much easier access to Spectate and Replay tools.

• Customizable HUD – The Spectate and Replay HUD elements are customizable to show as much or as little as you want. This gives you the freedom to prioritize between either a clean camera feed or a detailed, more informative interface.

• Minimized Switch Lag – Changing the camera view or car to focus on is much faster than it was in Forza Motorsport 7.

• Saving Replay after Spectate – You can save a replay from the Spectate post-race menu to view later. Please note that previous limitations for replay save length still apply and will vary based on factors such as the number of cars on track and the race duration.

Once you have tried the Spectate functionality in Private Multiplayer, we would like to get your input on how it could be made even better. You can share that feedback with us on the Suggestions Hub. We’re especially keen to gather thoughts from tournament organizers and live streamers who are broadcasting community racing leagues on their channels, and we will continue to collaborate closely with these groups to incorporate their ideas for Spectate improvements in future iterations.

Reach Unexpected Speed with Jordan

Tracks haven’t seen an ankle-breaker like this one. To celebrate our partnership with Jordan in Forza Motorsport, we’re sending all players a car inspired by the iconic sneaker, the custom 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Jordan Luka 3 Motorsport Edition. Simply play Forza Motorsport before January 31, 2025, to claim the car for free. It’s all gas. And brakes!

In addition to the car, players can enter the Jordan Luka 3 Motorsport Series, which will be available in the Career mode until January 31, 2025. Take the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Jordan Luka 3 Motorsport Edition through five tracks including Silverstone, Catalunya, Yas Marina, and a special rendition of Hakone featuring the iconic Jordan brand. Reach Unexpected Speed and complete all 5 events to win a unique Jordan Luka 3 Racing Suit that you can wear in the game.

Race Exceptional Cars in the Mid-Engine Tour

Mid-engine sports cars are renowned for their exceptional balance, achieved by placing the engine near the vehicle's center for better weight distribution and a lower center of gravity. This layout allows for larger, more powerful engines without sacrificing handling or performance. However, due to cost, design complexity, and limited cabin and storage space, this configuration does not lend itself to everyday vehicles. Mid-engine cars are special, as they are as good at turning heads as they are at turning laps.

The Mid-Engine Tour invites you on a journey to discover some of the most popular mid-engine sports cars in four racing series: Mid-Engine Muscles, Mid-Engine Legends, Mid-Engine Monsters, and Mid-Engine Miracles.

Mid-Engine Muscles

Experience modern-day Mid-Engine Muscles like the twin-turbocharged 2019 Ferrari F8 Tributo with its best-in-class performance in the first series of the Mid-Engine Tour.

Mid-Engine Legends

Mid-Engine Legends features exceptionally balanced production cars from the late 80s to early 90s such as the supreme V12-powered 1993 McLaren F1. These are the cars you would proudly display in your garage alongside your cabinet of racing trophies.

Mid-Engine Monsters

Supercars produced from the late 90s to early 2000s require no introduction – they're the ultimate eye-catchers, destined to achieve glory on the racetrack. Mid-Engine Monsters like the fast and lightweight 2003 Porsche Carrera GT made headlines for their impressive engineering feats.

Mid-Engine Miracles

Pure innovation and inspiration are at the heart of these cars. Mid-Engine Miracles such as the 2021 McLaren 765LT Coupe ensure a sensational driving experience that you will never forget.

Mid-Engine Tour Reward

Dive into the highly aspirational world of mid-engine cars and complete all four series in the Mid-Engine Tour before October 30, 2024, to get the new-to-Motorsport 2023 McLaren Artura. Experience this masterpiece, high-performance hybrid supercar at Brands Hatch circuit in the Reward Showcase.

Putting together the loud and proud power of a twin-turbo V6 and a silent but deadly electric power train, the 2023 McLaren Artura makes a combined 671 horsepower with a zero-to-60 miles per hour time of 2.6 seconds and a top speed of 205 miles per hour.

Spotlight Cars and VIP Discounts

Spotlight cars are featured in the Showroom every week. These cars correspond to the available in-game events and can be acquired with a temporary 30% discount using in-game credits.

Update 12 will showcase five Spotlight cars from the Showroom during Mid-Engine Month, one per week. These Spotlight cars can be used in the Mid-Engine Tour, as well as Spotlight Series events in Featured Multiplayer and Spotlight Rivals.

Forza Motorsport VIP Members also benefit from a 15% five-week discount in the Showroom on the 2016 Lamborghini Aventador Superveloce. Breeze through the turns and sustain momentum in this Raging Bull in the Superveloce Speed VIP Rivals event at Yas Marina or test your racing skills in the Lamborghini Spec Series, available in Featured Multiplayer for week one of Mid-Engine Month.

In addition, VIPs receive an exclusive 15% discount on a car every week in the Showroom – these cars can be entered into the Featured and Spec Series in Featured Multiplayer during Update 12.

Here’s a look at the cars that will be going on sale for VIP Members over the next five weeks, featuring a variety of mid-engine cars – and an iconic front mid-engine race car – all eager to be unleashed at the track:

Exclusive VIP discounts and VIP Rivals events require VIP Membership, available in the Premium Edition or Premium Add-Ons Bundle, sold separately.

Race Mid-Engine Cars in the Open Tour

Once you’ve mastered the latest Featured Tour, check out the Open Class Tour to continue the story of these mid-engine cars. Check it out under the Featured tab in Career mode.

Open Class Tour is where you can resume the journey of your favorite tuned cars, and each update to Forza Motorsport refreshes the Open Class Tour with new events and a different reward car. Cars you’ve already upgraded in a different Builders Cup series can be further levelled up in the Open Class Tour.

The Open Class Tour features six series, each with three races, that range from D Class to R Class. Upgrade your favorite mid-engine sports cars and use them to complete all six series in the Open Class Tour before October 16, 2024, and you will receive the 2022 Lamborghini Huracán EVO Spyder, new-to-Motorsport with Update 12.

With a high-performance 5.2-liter V10 engine powering this esteemed Raging Bull, the 2022 Lamborghini Huracán EVO Spyder – complete with its all-wheel drive layout – is capable of 630 horsepower and 442lb-ft of torque, making it an ideal contender on the racetrack.

Lamborghini and Mid-Engine Series in Featured Multiplayer

Race your favorite mid-engine sports cars in the Mid-Engine Series featuring different restrictions each week. For fans of the Raging Bull, the Lamborghini Spec Series lets you compete for the podium in some of the most iconic Lamborghini models from the past decade.

Join these events under the Featured tab, which is where you’ll find all currently active, limited-time Multiplayer Series. Plus, fan-favorites like the Endurance Series, Multi-Class Series, and Forza GT2|3|4 Series are continuously available.

With Update 12, the Forza GT4 Series now cycles weekly with Forza Touring Car Series instead of with the Forza GT2 Series and Forza GT3 Series, and the Formula Mazda Spec Series has been changed to a weekly, cycled one-make spec series – see the calendar below. (Editor's note: as of September 16, the Forza Touring Car Spec Series will now occur every week, and the Forza GT4 Spec Series has been removed.) Meanwhile, the Endurance Series has been moved from the Featured tab to the Spec tab.

Here’s a look at the Featured Multiplayer calendar of upcoming events for Mid-Engine Month:

Weather Options in Free Play and Private Multiplayer

Additional weather options have been added to Free Play and Private Multiplayer. Set the Start, Mid-Race, and End Race weather types and adjust their probability percentage:

• Partly Cloudy
• Overcast
• Cloudy
• Looming Clouds
• Thunderclouds
• Lightning Clouds
• Patchy Fog
• Thin Fog
• Dense Fog
• Summer Drizzle
• Drizzle
• Light Rain
• Moderate Rain
• Heavy Rain
• Rain Thunder
• Rain Lightning

Selecting Variable Dry or Variable Wet in the Private Multiplayer or Free Play Advanced event setup menus will expose these new options.

Get Your Name on the Rivals Leaderboards

Mid-Engine Month features a variety of Rivals events for you to tackle. How far can you climb the leaderboard? Participate in these challenges over the next five weeks.

Featured Rivals for Mid-Engine Month features the Forza GT3 Spec Division. Burn rubber and set lap times around the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in speedy Forza GT3 cars! Pick your favorite and achieve your fastest time on the track. Cars have all been pre-tuned for optimal competition, however they can be further tuned to suit each individual driver.

Join the Logitech McLaren G Challenge bonus stage at Maple Valley – Full Circuit featuring the 1988 McLaren #12 Honda McLaren MP4/4 for your chance to win a trip to the McLaren Technology Centre!

Race Mobil 1 driver Jenson Button in a 1971 Lotus Elan Sprint at Maple Valley – Short Circuit and try to beat his lap time of 00:52.168. Finish in the top 50% in the leaderboard to get the Mobil 1 50th Anniversary Driver Suit, which will be gifted to all qualifying players with the release of Update 13 in mid-October. Head to mobil1gaming.com to see Jenson set the lap and more.

Participate in the eRacing Association Alpha Cup II featuring the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 at Daytona Sports Car Course for a chance to win $500 in cash prizes.

Here’s a closer look at the Rivals calendar for Mid-Engine Month:

Earn More Rewards in the Challenge Hub

Whether you prefer to race in Career, compete in Featured Multiplayer, or outpace your Rivals, the new Challenge Hub presents special objectives and rewards for every player.

Here you will earn credits, cars, race suits and other rewards for completing challenges.

In addition, starting with Mid-Engine Month and going forward, the reward cars for each update can be earned either by completing the Featured Tour in Career or by playing a specified number of races in Featured Multiplayer.

Here’s a look at the Challenge Hub objectives available throughout Mid-Engine Month:

Featured Challenges

Weekly Challenges

Week 1: Sept. 11 5:00 PM PT – Sept. 18 5:00 PM PT | Sept. 12 12:00 AM UTC – Sept. 19 12:00 AM UTC

Week 2: Sept.18 5:00 PM PT – Sept. 25 5:00 PM PT | Sept. 19 12:00 AM UTC – Sept. 26 12:00 AM UTC

Week 3: Sept. 25 5:00 PM PT – Oct. 2 5:00 PM PT | Sept. 26 12:00 AM UTC – Oct. 3 12:00 AM UTC

Week 4: Oct. 2 5:00 PM PT – Oct. 9 5:00 PM PT | Oct. 3 12:00 AM UTC – Oct. 10 12:00 AM UTC

Week 5: Oct. 9 5:00 PM PT – Oct. 16 5:00 PM PT | Oct. 10 12:00 AM UTC – Oct. 17 12:00 AM UTC

Discover Your Favorite Mid-Engine Car

That’s Mid-Engine Month in Forza Motorsport! Whether it’s a high-end supercar, luxurious sports car or a track-focused racer, we hope you fall in love with the cars being showcased over the next five weeks, while enjoying the content and improvements available in this update. Remember you can always share your feedback with us on the Suggestions Hub or inform us of game bugs or any technical issues you might be encountering on the Troubleshooting Hub.

In our latest message to the Forza Motorsport community, we told you that Sunset Peninsula – last seen in Forza Motorsport 4 – makes its long-awaited return with Update 13 in October, followed by Bathurst, which we expect to be available by the end of the year. We’re also working on Drift Mode, Creative Hub and Share Codes, advanced car ghosting functionality and continued updates to Car Proximity Radar, all of which we are planning to roll out in the months ahead. Read the full blog for all the details.

Check out Mid-Engine Month in Forza Motorsport and look forward to additional updates soon. We will see you at the track!