The world of virtual racing changed forever when developers from the studio Playground Games officially announced the release date Forza Horizon 4. This project has become a landmark not only for fans of the series, but also for the entire industry, implementing a dynamic change of seasons that affects the physical behavior of the car and the availability of tracks. For many players, the exact release date has become the starting point in planning game time and preparing the hardware of a computer or console.
The official launch of sales took place on October 2, 2018, which marked the transition of racing simulators to a new level of visual and technical excellence. It's important to understandIt was from this date that the era of “live service” in the genre of arcade racing began, where content is updated weekly, rather than being released as cumbersome additions every six months. The global release was synchronized for Xbox One and PC owners, which was rare for Microsoft exclusives of the period.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the chronology of the game’s release, the differences between standard and extended editions, and the technical aspects that are relevant even years after the premiere. You'll find out why. 4K resolution It became the standard for this project and how the release date influenced the game's support in the years to come.
Release chronology and schedule of updates
The path to a full launch Forza Horizon 4 It started long before October 2018. The first announcements and demonstrations of gameplay appeared in June at the exhibition E3, where the developers showed the UK in miniature. However, the game became available to the general public in the fall, which was a strategic decision of the publishers, timed the release to the holiday season.
The main difference is the availability of early access for owners of extended editions. Those who pre-ordered the version Ultimate EditionWe got the opportunity to enter the game world three days before the official start. This meant that the actual date for the first launch for part of the audience shifted to September 28, 2018.
⚠️ Note: The game servers are operated in an online service mode. If you plan to play on an anniversary date or during major events, make sure your internet connection is stable, as logging in requires constant communication with Microsoft servers.
After the initial release, an active support phase began. The developers have implemented a system of weekly updates that are released on Thursdays. Each update changed the game’s season, offering new challenges and rewards. This schedule has been maintained for several years, turning the game into a constantly evolving project.
Edition versions and their differences
At the time of release, users were offered several purchase options, each of which contained a unique set of digital bonuses. Understanding the difference between the two is critical for those who want to get the most experience possible without having to buy content separately in the future.
The standard edition included a base game and access to the first month of service. Xbox Live Gold (for new users) It was an option for those who wanted to just ride around the open world without racing ahead of the garage pumping.
Version. Car Pass The new car added access to 42 new cars that were released weekly during the year following its release. These machines could not be bought with in-game currency in the usual mode, they were available for free for pass owners or bought separately for loans.
The most complete version has become Ultimate EditionThe game that combined the base game, Car Pass, and the expansion Formula Drift packet Welcome Pack. The latter included a set of 4 unique cars and the ability to buy homes in-game, which accelerated progress.
| Edition | Basic game | Car Pass | Dop. packet | Early access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Yes. | No. | No. | No. |
| Deluxe | Yes. | Yes. | Formula Drift | No. |
| Ultimate | Yes. | Yes. | Formula Drift + Welcome Pack | Yes (3 days) |
Buying Ultimate Edition at the time of release or sale is the most cost-effective, since the purchase of all add-ons separately will cost 2-3 times more expensive.
Technical requirements and optimization
Release date Forza Horizon 4 It also marked the introduction of new optimization standards for PCs. Engine. ForzaTech The game has made it look great even on medium hardware, supporting a wide range of configurations.
For comfortable play in resolution 1920×1080 At 60 frames per second, the developers recommended using an Intel i5-4460 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200 processor. The card was supposed to be the same as the NVIDIA GTX 970 or AMD RX 470. However, these requirements were only for launch.
If you plan to play in 4K With ultra-settings, the requirements increase exponentially. Here you need an Intel i7-4770K or Ryzen 5 1500X processor, as well as a graphics card of the GTX 1080 Ti or RX Vega 64 level. The game is highly scalable using the power of modern multi-core systems.
- 🚗 Support for ultra-wide monitors (21:9) is implemented natively without distortion of the interface.
- 🖥️ Optimizing for 4K HDR requires a proper display to fully transfer the color gamut.
- ⚙️ The engine automatically adjusts graphics settings on first run for a stable FPS.
⚠️ Note: On PC, the game requires the latest version of DirectX 12. Attempts to run through DirectX 11 are impossible, as the engine is completely tied to the new APIs for rendering the open world.
Xbox Ecosystem and Cross-Platform
One of the key features of the release date was the implementation of the function Play Anywhere. This meant that a digital copy of the game for Xbox One would automatically be available on Windows 10/11 PCs at no extra charge.
The game progress is synchronized through the cloud. You can start the race on the console and continue it on your laptop while on the road. Savings, achievements and purchased cars are instantly available on any device linked to your Microsoft account.
The game also supports cross-platform multiplayer. PC and Xbox players compete in the same lobby. This is a large population of servers and a quick search for rivals in any mode, from racing to team adventures.
How do I connect accounts?
To activate cross-platform, you need to log in through the Xbox app on your PC using the same Microsoft Account as you do on the console. In the privacy settings, cross-platform game search should be allowed.
Supplements and Seasonal Content
After the main release date, life in Britain did not stop. The developers have released two major story extensions: Fortune Island and LEGO Speed Champions. They added new locations, mechanics and cars, greatly expanding the map.
Seasonal content was updated every week, changing the seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter. Each season made its own adjustments to physics: in winter the lakes froze, allowing you to ride on them, and in autumn the leaves on the trees changed traction.
There is also the term “Series”. These are major updates that come out every few months and add hundreds of new jobs, new cars and garments. The game has been through more than 20 such series so far, each lasting about 4 weeks.
- 🏝️ Fortune Island has added treasure-hunting mechanics and dramatic storms.
- 🧱 LEGO Speed Champions has turned part of the map into a constructor with diced physics.
- 🎁 Weekly awards include exclusive cars that can’t be obtained anywhere else.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Can you play Forza Horizon 4 without the internet?
Yeah, there's an offline mode in the game. However, for initial installation, license activation and receiving updates, network connection is required. Offline, you won’t be able to participate in seasonal events or see other players.
Do you need Xbox Live Gold to play on PC?
No, on personal computers, Xbox Live Gold subscription is not required for online modes. A regular Microsoft account is enough. On Xbox consoles, a Gold (or Game Pass Ultimate) subscription is mandatory for multiplayer.
Will the game stop updating after Forza Horizon 5?
The developers announced that after September 26, 2023, the game will no longer receive new seasonal updates or content. However, the servers continue to work and you can play the existing content to the fullest.
Will my progress continue on the Xbox Series X?
Yes, thanks to Smart Delivery and cloud-based saves, your progress, cars and achievements will automatically be pulled up to the new console. Graphics will improve to 4K/60fps or even 120fps without data loss.
If you play through Game Pass, remember that access to the game and DLC is valid only as long as the subscription is active. To keep progress, in-game purchases (credits, homes) will remain, but access to the machines themselves from the Pass will disappear after the subscription expires.
In summary, we can say that the date of release Forza Horizon 4 It became an important frontier. The game set a new standard of quality for open racing worlds. Even years after its release, it remains the benchmark of the genre, offering an unparalleled combination of arcade physics, beautiful graphics and a huge amount of content.
Whether you decide to start in Britain on the day of release or years later, you will have one of the best racing experiences in the history of the industry. The main thing is to choose the correct version of the publication and prepare the system for high loads.
⚠️ Note: Since the game no longer receives new updates (since September 2023), all seasonal events are now available in the archived "Horizon Solo" mode or through the past season playback feature if it is active on the menu.