FORZA HORIZON 5
Forza Horizon 5 invites players to the vibrant Horizon Festival set against the stunning backdrop of Mexico. From lush jungles to sun-soaked beaches and arid deserts, players explore diverse biomes while experiencing dynamic weather events.
Overview
With hundreds of cars to collect, customise, and race, Forza Horizon 5 delivers an unparalleled open-world driving experience. Players can explore Mexico’s diverse landscapes while experiencing dynamic weather events like storms, lightning, and even tornadoes.
Project Details
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S | Microsoft Windows
Genre: Driving
Partners: Xbox Game Studios | Playground Games
Service: Co-Development
Engine: Proprietary
The Challenge
Sumo partnered with Playground Games to bring Forza Horizon 5 to PC and deliver a seamless experience across platforms. Our responsibilities included:
- Implementing vehicles and balancing performance.
- Populating Mexico’s expansive open-world environments.
- Developing unique tracks and events.
- Delivering live operations support post-launch.
- Handling complex technical requests for the Steam version and cross-platform integration.
Our Involvement
Content Creation & Co-Development
- Designed and implemented unique tracks and event setups.
- Took ownership of a sub-region, fully populating its environment.
- Delivered the Barn Finds feature, a fan-favourite in-game event.
- Created character outfits and integrated ambient creatures for added immersion.
- Produced and balanced vehicles for optimal gameplay.
- Developed UI concepts and icons to enhance player experience.
Porting & Technical Integration
- Delivered the Steam port of Forza Horizon 5.
- Ported network code from UWP/Live to Win32.
- Migrated GameChat2 to PlayFab Party Chat.
- Implemented Xbox Live integration in the Steam build.
- Enabled account linking and cross-play between Steam and Xbox platforms.
- Ported DLC handling to Steam.
- Integrated Steam Controller Input and rig presence.
- Developed Steam Achievements, including code and server setup.
- Provided ongoing live support for the Steam version post-launch.
Impact
Our collaboration on Forza Horizon 5 highlights Sumo’s ability to:
- Deliver high-quality content for AAA open-world titles.
- Execute complex technical integrations across multiple platforms.
- Provide long-term live support to maintain player engagement.
- Adapt quickly to evolving requirements while ensuring a premium experience for millions of players worldwide.
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