gamescom 2014: Connect Like Never Before with Forza Horizon 2’s New Social Features

For many fans, the social aspect of gaming is one of the best elements. Whether you’re playing cooperatively with a longtime friend, meeting (and defeating) new people in competitive multiplayer, or just chatting it up in a pre-game lobby, there are plenty of opportunities for socializing. But it can always get better. As you’ll see in the video above, the development teams at Playground Games and Turn 10 Studios have been hard at work ensuring that Forza Horizon 2 will be the most social racing game ever made.

The key for the team was to ensure everyone’s game feels connected, even when you’re not in multiplayer. For instance, when you’re in your solo campaign, you’ll see your friends’ Drivatars cruising around the world, practically daring you to challenge their best times. This is made even easier thanks to the fact that you’ll be presented with friend comparisons for nearly everything you do in-game. Coolest of all, your friends don’t even need to be online for you to take them on, as asynchronous Rivals challenges let you race on your own schedule.

When the time is right to hop on Xbox Live for some online action, the transition from single-player to multiplayer is completely seamless thanks to a notable lack of lobbies or anything else that might force you to wait. Just hop in and start racing toward the finish line (or completing objectives, or doing one of the many other new activities to be found in Forza Horizon 2).

Of course, Forza Horizon 2 is about much more than just racing. As a celebration of all thing automotive, Forza Horizon 2’s community features shine bright. Players will be able to create Clubs with up to 1,000 like-minded members. The purpose of that club, however, is up to you. Maybe you want to hang with Forza fans who pledge allegiance to a certain car brand, or find other people to tackle specific challenges with. Or maybe the club just consists of you and a group of your closest friends. It’s your call.

Custom liveries have long been one of the hallmarks of the Forza franchise, and Forza Horizon 2 takes sharing them to a whole new level. Want to show off your sweet custom ride or check out what’s hot amongst members of the Forza Horizon 2 community? Head into one of the Online Car Meets to show off your car or take a look at other drivers’ whips. Like the custom livery on one of the car? You’ll be able to download it for yourself with just the press of a button.

There are a few ways to enjoy road time with friends. One is Online Road Trip, which will allow your group to see the sights while exploring the open world between destinations. Once you reach where you’re going, your group will be able to vote on the next destination. Online Free Roam, on the other hand, is precisely what it sounds like: hit the road and go wherever you want to go next.

Forza Horizon 2 has been built from the ground up to let you easily connect with your friends and fellow members of the gaming world’s most passionate car community. Connecting with them will be easier than ever before once Forza Horizon 2 hits the road beginning on Sept. 30.