Forza Motorsport is certainly one of the most anticipated first-party games in Microsoft's upcoming lineup. It's been six years since the release of the latest installment in the racing simulation series, which is three times the amount of time between any prior releases.

　　After the relatively underwhelming launch of Forza Motorsport 7 (compounded by the loot box fiasco), Turn 10 Studios decided to take its time and include the community's feedback from the concept phase of the next game.

　　Following the announcement of the game at the 2020 Xbox Games Showcase, creative director Chris Esaki stressed Turn 10's intent to go back to the franchise's roots, as exemplified by the title's choice.

　　In June 2021, Esaki said the new Forza Motorsport had undergone more physics improvements than were made from the fourth to the seventh installments, making it by far the biggest leap yet in simulation accuracy.

　　At last year's Xbox Game Showcase, Turn 10 debuted the first gameplay footage. It also confirmed the biggest new features, such as dynamic time of day and weather for every track (coupled with track temperature changes that affect the car's grip), 48x more detailed physical simulation, tire and fuel management, in-depth car tuning, extremely accurate car body damage (down to individual scratches), and real-time ray tracing. The developer also promised a Spring 2023 launch window, but that didn't happen. At this January's Xbox Direct, Forza Motorsport slipped to a generic 2023 window, though fans received confirmation that the racing game will include over 500 cars at launch and 20 different environments to race in.

　　Earlier this month, Microsoft seemed to be teasing a Summer launch, but Xbox insider MrMattyPlays said in yesterday's episode of the Defining Duke: An Xbox Podcast that he heard rumblings of an October launch.

　　It wouldn't be the first time a Forza Motorsport game launches in October. That already happened with the seventh installment, not to mention the fourth and the third. Also, it would leave September entirely to Bethesda's Starfield, while Xbox fans are hoping to also get Senua's Saga: Hellblade II in November.

　　Still, we should take this with a huge grain of salt until there's a more reliable confirmation. At any rate, the 2023 Xbox Games Showcase is less than a month away, and Microsoft is sure to announce the final release date there.

　　Forza Motorsport will be released on PC and Xbox Series S|X, available to Game Pass subscribers on day one.