Microsoft promises free Forza game for Windows 10

Gamers rejoice. The Forza Motorsport game series, which was exclusive to Microsoft’s own Xbox range of gaming consoles (Xbox 360 and Xbox One), will now be heading to PCs running Windows 10. The name of the game is Forza Motorsport 6: Apex, and it is tentatively timed for a “spring release”—we expect it to be available for download in April. This game will also be developed by Turn 10 Studios.

But, what’s the catch?

This free to download and play game will be a “curated and focused” version of the popular series. Basically, this is a slightly slimmed down spin-off from the Forza Motorsport 6 game for Xbox. But despite the “weight reduction” to allow wider compatibility on PCs, Apex will still carry a considerably big bag of goodies. The main focus will be on the Showcase Tour mode, which includes 12 events themed around specific motoring scenarios. For example, one of the events is set on the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium and pits a Ferrari against a Lamborghini in a competition to decide the ultimate Italian super car. Then there is the free mode which allows the player to race any of the 63 cars (as against 450+ cars available in the console version—that is an indicator of the slimming down) across various circuits. To keep the realism alive, Microsoft and Turn 10 Studios have retained the full set of driver assists, car set-up features as well as practice options.

The tracks available in the game include Brands Hatch, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Rio de Janeiro, Sebring International Raceway, Top Gear track and Yas Marina, all with the full spectrum of day and night races as well as dynamic weather changes. The cars include the 2014 Audi #2 Audi Team Joest R18 e-tron quattro, 2017 Ford GT and classics such as the 1973 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am SD-455.

Getting a console game on the PC

The game has been written as a Windows Universal Application, a platform that Microsoft had long touted as the killer feature for the Windows 10 platform, which allows the same app to be made compatible for the PC, phones as well as consoles. It allows developers to create game titles that can run across both PC and Xbox One, without the need of rewriting the game for each device. The platform also supports DirectX 12 application programming interface (API) as well as 4K resolution displays.

Incidentally, Forza Motorsport 66: Apex isn’t the first console title to head to the PC. Microsoft recently announced that Gears of War: Ultimate Edition and sci-fi action adventure game Quantum Break will also make their way to the PC.

The availability of this flagship Xbox title on the PC will enhance the spotlight on how Microsoft plans to use the flexibility of Windows 10 and whether the accompanying strategy puts the PC on the same pedestal as the Xbox console, within the same ecosystem.