Available for 560 Microsoft Points, the pack meshes an assortment of Le Mans racers, a heavily modified luxury car, an E3 award winner, and some pure American muscle owned by one of the world’s most famous fighters.

The February American Le Mans Series Pack features 10 vehicles prepped and polished for the avid car aficionado:

• · 2011 #2 Audi Sport North America R18 TDI: Featuring a closed cockpit design (the first such Audi Le Mans car fielded in more than 10 years), the R18 is a marvel of modern racing design. Featuring a lighter materials and a premium on aerodynamic efficiency, it’s little wonder the R18 TDI brought home top honors during the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans.
• · 2011 Panoz #050 Panoz Racing Abruzzi: A five hundred horsepower engine that will feel right at home tearing down the straights of Le Mans, the Panoz Racing Abruzzi’s tusk-like front end marries unique styling with impressive performance.
• · 2010 Dodge Quinton “Rampage” Jackson Challenger SRT8: Owned by UFC fighter Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, this 2010 Dodge Challenger SRT8 is one of the most aggressive-looking cars ever seen in the Forza Motorsport series. With red and black rims that need to be seen to be believed, this Challenger will turn heads in Forza 4 the moment the race begins.
• · 1991 Mazda #55 Team Mazdaspeed 787B: One of the most unique sounding cars in Forza 4, the Wankel rotary engine-equipped 787B is also legendary for its performance. It won the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans race and the model was soon retired after FIA rules changes subsequently banned the use of Wankel-type rotary engines.
• · 2011 Bentley Platinum Motorsports Continental GT: This Bentley Continental GT features a widebody construction that was custom created by Los Angeles-based Platinum Motorsports. The Continental GT looks great and features some serious power underneath the hood—two factors that contributed it to being selected as Forza Motorsport’s “E3 2011 Car of Show”.
• · 1986 #2 Audi Sport quattro S1: Introduced in 1985 as a Group B rally entrant, this was the car that put Audi’s rallying program on the map. One of the most powerful Group B cars ever made, the quattro S1 held multiple hill climb world records in its day and is still widely regarded as one of the most incredible race cars Audi has produced.
• · 1992 Alfa Romeo 155 Q4: A “compact executive” with the heart of a touring car, the 155 Q4 features a 2.0 liter turbocharged engine capable of 187 horsepower and an all-wheel drive drivetrain.
• · 1995 Ford Mustang Cobra R: Long sought after by Forza’s Mustang fans, the 1995 Ford Mustang Cobra R is big and beefy American muscle at its finest. Its SVT-modified 5.8 liter Windsor V8 pumps out 300 horsepower and plenty of torque. The car’s legendary status is further enhanced by its rarity—just 250 Cobra R models were produced.
• · 2011 Holden HSV GTS: More power, better handling, and new technology are all hallmarks of Holden’s 2011 HSV GTS. The car’s MRC suspension brings a responsive ride in the corners that, when coupled with the 6.2 liter V8, makes the GTS a joy to drive.
• · 2011 Volkswagen Polo GTI: A great-looking hatchback with surprising grit underneath the hood, the 2011 Polo GTI packs a 1.4 liter twin charged engine combining both a turbocharger and a supercharger, belting out an impressive 177 horsepower in a compact size.

Related posts:

1. New Forza 3 car pack available now
2. Forza Motorsport 4 demo available now
3. Forza 3 “Road and Track” pack dlc available now

• Likes

  • Reworked Career Mode
  • Graphically beautiful
  • Amazing new community features
  • Improved handling
  • Rivals
  • Best variety of cars ever

• Dislikes

  • Not enough new tracks
  • A.I. can do some crazy things

For me Forza has always had a place in my heart, from the early offering on the Xbox racing in split screen with a friend to the rediculous amounts of hours that I invested into Forza Motorsport 2 to be at the top of my game and even once get a top 50 in the world lap time.  With Forza, there have always been advancements in the product and an ambition that few could replicate in the final product.

After the wow factor of painting and tuning alongside the community element of Forza 2 came a sterile representation, in my opinion, of all that was good with the release of Forza Motorsport 3.  Don’t get me wrong though.  Forza 3 was a masterpiece in craftsmanship that utilised a lot old features and married them with new handling physics and modelling as well as several features that catered for drifting, filming, drag racing to name a few which resulted in us giving the title a top score of 5 out of 5 but something happened in there that turned me off of it.  To me it had lost some charm and became a little lifeless, something that I didn’t want to invest the time I had before in or take that kicking from the wife about playing the game too much, something we can all relate to – right?  I am not wrong in this thought as apparently there have been quite a few that left the world of Forza behind also.

Well, with Forza Motorsport 4′s imminent release, Turn 10 have the ability to redress the balance and restore order to the world of simulation racing.  What is apparent right from the outset is that the game has got its mojo back.  It has soul, it has personality and it is everything to everyone and will wrap you up in a warm bundle of love that gushes from the heart.

Anyone that has played Forza, no matter what your skill level, will need to do the following first.  Turn all of the assists off!  I completely forgot that all of the assists are turned on for my little soaree around one of the new tracks in the game, Bernese Alps.  Turn 10 have once again catered to everyone here as I allowed my 4 year old son to take over the lap and actually finish off the race – well going to show that this game is accessible to everyone.  The real fun though comes as you switch everything off.  The handling and physics engines have been refined to get maximum enjoyment from the cars and in cockpit view that has so much detail in makes you feel as though you are at one with the car, can feel every bump, slide and tire trying to grip for traction on the variety of roads available.  Yeah, Turn 10, you’ve nailed this baby alright and things only get better!

Anyone that has played Forza 3 will also get a few little bonus items added depending on your level of completion, for me was a few bonus cars added to my garage off the bat that allowed me to get behind the wheels of a few better class cars rather than the Citroen C1 I eventually chose as my initial car from the Bernese Alps trial.  The World Tour will be your staple way of earning money, XP as well as bonus cars for each level complete and manufacturer rewards that work slightly different then before. World Tour also gives you a choice of events depending on the car you have and feels nowhere near the sort of slog that previous Forza’s threw at you.  Instead a variety of events are offered from track days, races, head to heads to wacky events based around the Top Gear test track that makes its first appearance in the series.   One thing that you will also notice pretty instantly is the way the game throws money at you with not a lot to do than to spend it on cars.  The levelling system is easier to reach high levels fast and the cars manufacturer level system will stop you paying for car parts after level 5 and then start giving you bonus credits thereon!  This enables you to constantly think about buying cars rather than saving money for parts, tunes etc.

For all of the beauty of the remodelled single player campaign, community and Rivals is where the longevity of Forza 4 kicks in.  Forza is famed for its online and community features including events and tools for painters, drifters, film directors , drag racers, hot lappers etc, all have been reworked slightly to give a little more satisfaction to the experience.  Storefronts and auction houses also make a return but the big seller here is the newly introduced feature, Rivals.

Rivals is based loosely around EA’s creation Autolog which was first seen last year in Hot Pursuit.  Lap times etc are all up for grabs and relavent messages will be sent to your friends to show your achievement and give them something to try and beat.  If you want something to loose half of your life with then this is it.   Addictive as hell if you have a competitive bone in your body, Rivals will suck hours out of your day hunting down you friends times only for them to beat you back.  Turn 10 has also introduced community events too which will based around Rivals tech which will allow you to compete in numerous events at your leisure against your friends and the rest of the world.  These events will change every month or so and it definitely a breath of fresh air and something a little different to sway you away from an already packed title.

Clubs has also made an appearance in the game which will allow you to go online with friends that join your club, race, compete against other clubs as well as share cars and tunes together too.  With the amount of competitiveness out there with very good racing teams racing in previous Forza’s, clubs has them covered in a nice tidy one stop area for all members to arrange everything regarding their competitions.

Forza 4 is an astounding achievement but there are a few niggles.  Although there are new tracks within the game, I feel that there could have been more but what is there have been beautifully rendered and all run at a very smooth 60fps.  I just feel that there are so many other classic tracks out there, Brands Hatch and Brno for example that have more history and deserve their place within the game.  Not including the new Silverstone track feels like a smack in the teeth to any British racer too, although I prefer the old one that’s not to say that this oversight doesn’t cause a clench of a fist.  Last but not least, the A.I. can be very unpredictable with some strange outcomes in certain races.  I am all for hard A.I. and Forza 4 certainly provides them in places but when you have a driver racing on Sunset Reverse that fully locks his wheel to the left and cuts right across the track in front of you taking out two cars you have to question the validity of that driver being on the track in the first place!

These small gripes can be tweaked, updated or downloaded as DLC and although they niggle a little, in the overall scheme of things become nothing that will break the experience.  Forza 4 serves as the ultimate car and racing experience giving you a sense of speed and inertia that is not experienced in any other racing game and although Kinect’s features like racing with no wheel seem gimmicky, there is a place for it using Autovista to discover and explore in great detail the cars that you are driving.

Overall, Forza Motorsport is the tour de force in racing games that brings a passion and feel to it that will bring many a racer back that may have deserted it in the past.  Forza Motorsport 4 is everything that Gran Turismo 5 aspires to be and cements itself as the go to racer of this year, hands down, with no exceptions!  Wrestling an R1 car out of a bend has never felt so good …..

Related posts:

1. Profile Import coming to Forza Motorsport 4
2. Forza Motorsport 4 gets BMW exclusive
3. Ferrari 458 Italia becomes Forza Motorsport 4 cover car

Forza Motorsport 4, available exclusively on Xbox 360 on 14^th October provides a safe haven for car lovers and adrenaline seekers to challenge modern conventions and keep the fire of our car culture burning.

In the live action short film titled “Endangered Species,” Jeremy Clarkson, host of BBC’s “Top Gear,” provides the narration for a tongue-in-cheek illustration of something many car lovers already know: that the real world is becoming an unfriendly place for those who truly love automobiles.

Taking place in the middle of a claustrophobic metropolis, the short film features edge-of-your-seat driving by world renowned stunt driver Martin Ivanov, whose credits include the “The Bourne Supremacy,” “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol,” “Quantum of Solace” and more.

Related posts:

1. Forza Motorsport 4 gets BMW exclusive
2. Forza Motorsport 4 demo available now
3. Ferrari 458 Italia becomes Forza Motorsport 4 cover car

The Xbox LIVE demo includes five of the world’s most exhilarating cars on several circuits of the all-new Bernese Alps track:

• · 2010 Ferrari 458 Italia
• · 2012 BMW M5
• · 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI
• · 1970 Mercury Cougar Eliminator
• · 2009 Pagani Zonda Cinque

When signed into Xbox LIVE, the demo will also support official leaderboards for lap times and showcase the all-new Rivals Mode that will let players compete online against their friends in a variety of game types, whether they’re online or not, by challenging them for bragging rights and rewards. The “Forza Motorsport 4” demo will feature three Rivals Mode events, set in the Bernese Alps:

• · Round the Mountain – In this hot-lapping challenge, you’ll race your rival in one of the world’s ultimate road cars, the Pagani Zonda Cinque Roadster, through the breathtaking vistas of the Brunnen Lauterbraunen ribbon
• · BMW Blitz – Put your driving skills to the test in the powerful, sharp-handling 2012 BMW M5 as you weave through slower traffic along the slowing Stadtplatz Circuit
• · Alpine Rush – In this Track Day Rivals event, you’ll battle slower traffic as you navigate the sweeping turns of the Bernese Alps Club Circuit

Fans are encouraged to pre-order “Forza Motorsport 4” before its launch on 14 October to ensure they can get their hands on the Limited Collector’s Edition and to receive the “Launch Bonus” car pack as supplies will be limited. Be one of the first to purchase “Forza Motorsport 4” and receive an exclusive five car pack to race, tune, paint and share:

• · Ford Mustang GT Coupe 1965: Take to the road in this classic American stallion, one of Ford’s most successful launch cars behind the Model A.
• · Koenigsegg Agera 2011: “The Agera–from the Swedish verb “to act”–celebrates 15 years of Koenigsegg’s uncompromising philosophy of making dream cars.”
• · Lexus SC300 1997: A classic personal luxury coupé, the SC300 combines a powerful racer with a 225bhp I6-powered engine.
• · RUF RGT-8 2011: The spectacular RGT-8 is powered by a 4.5-liter V8 engine that has been fine tuned to deliver unmatchable sports car power and curb appeal.
• · Tesla Roadster Sport 2011: For luxury car fans, the Roadster Sport is electric heaven. Get behind the wheel of this electric two-seater and go zero to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds with a peak rating of 288 horsepower.

Fans who purchase the Limited Collector’s Edition for £59.99 ERP (available exclusively from GAME and Gamestation) will get the ultimate day-one experience with an additional 25 cars from exclusive car packs and bonus car offers. Bundled together with a polished Steelbook™ DVD Case, the Limited Collector’s Edition content includes the following:

• · The VIP Car Pack ( 2011 Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, 2011 Ferrari 458 Challenge, 2011 Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera, 2010 Noble M600 and 2011 RUF Rt 12 R)
• · The limited quantity “Launch Bonus” car pack available for fans who order early (1965 Ford Mustang GT Coupe, 2011 Koenigsegg Agera, 1997 Lexus SC300, 2011 RUF RGT-8 and 2011 Tesla Roadster Sport)
• · A 10-car add-on pack of American muscle cars (also available for purchase at launch on Xbox LIVE Marketplace)
• · Custom-designed BMW cars from the “Forza Motorsport 4” BMW Design Challenge
• · VIP Membership status within the Forza community, including special recognition in new community features, leaderboards, ForzaMotorsport.net and more
• · A book titled “Cars of Forza Motorsport 4 Presented by Top Gear,” written by the “Top Gear” team, is a stunning 96-page book that describes in-game cars from the Autovista™ experience and features imagery from game and the Top Gear photo library
• · A vinyl sticker set featuring the logos of “Forza Motorsport 4,” “Top Gear” and Turn 10

Related posts:

1. Forza Motorsport 4 gets BMW exclusive
2. Profile Import coming to Forza Motorsport 4
3. Indianapolis Speedway comes to Forza 4 and that’s not all ………

The “Forza Motorsport 4” Season Pass is your action-packed ticket to six game add-on packs of the title’s downloadable content as they’re released through the next year.

Starting 14^th October, players can purchase the Season Pass on the Xbox LIVE Marketplace and at participating retailers for only 2,400 Microsoft points – redeemable for six game add-on packs, representing a 30 per cent overall saving as compared to purchasing the content separately.

Delivering 60 of the hottest cars to supplement your “Forza” experience, the six game add-ons included in the Season Pass offer will be released from November 2011 to April 2012 and are must-haves for “Forza Motorsport” fans, whether you like to race, tune or simply collect cars from the hundreds of available models in “Forza Motorsport 4.”

The “Forza Motorsport 4” Season Pass is also the key to the ultimate day-one experience. Fans who purchase the Season Pass will receive the first game add-on, the “American Muscle” car pack as an additional bonus

• · The American Muscle car pack includes:

o 1965 Pontiac GTO

o 1968 Pontiac Firebird

o 1970 Buick GSX

o 1970 Dodge Cornet Super Bee

o 1966 Chevrolet Nova SS

o 1969 Shelby GT500 428CJ

o 1971 Plymouth GTX 426 Hemi

o 1967 Dodge Cornet W023

o 1968 Dodge Dart HEMI Super Stock

o 1964 Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt

Indianapolis Motor Speedway comes to Forza Motorsport 4

Operating continuously for more than a century, Indianapolis Motor Speedway is one of the world’s most iconic tracks and home to the greatest American auto race: the Indianapolis 500. The team at Turn 10 went to painstaking lengths to capture every element of the speedway, including the legendary Brickyard, the instantly recognizable Pagoda building, and Gasoline Alley. Stay tuned for an upcoming entry in the “Making Of Forza Motorsport 4” video documentary series that explores the history of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and how Turn 10 Studios captured and brought the track to life in “Forza Motorsport 4”.

Xbox LIVE demo lands 3^rd October to get you ready for race day

For those who cannot wait to speed to victory, the Xbox LIVE demo for “Forza Motorsport 4” will be available to download from the Xbox LIVE Marketplace on 3^rd October for Xbox LIVE Gold members and on 7^th October for all other Xbox LIVE members. More information about the demo will be revealed soon.

Furthermore, fans are encouraged to pre-order “Forza Motorsport 4” before its UK launch on 14^th October to ensure they can get their hands on the Limited Collector’s Edition and to receive the “Launch Bonus” car pack as supplies will be limited.

• · The limited quantity “Launch Bonus” car pack includes:

o 1965 Ford Mustang GT Coupe

o 2011 Koenigsegg Agera

o 1997 Lexus SC300

o 2011 RUF RGT-8

o 2011 Tesla Roadster Sport

Related posts:

1. New Forza 3 car pack released
2. Forza 3 Ultimate Collection to come with Top Gear goodies
3. Forza Motorsport 4 gets BMW exclusive

As anticipation builds in the run up to the event, Microsoft and GAME are giving fans something to get even more excited about by offering the first multiplayer hands on with one of the most exciting games set to launch this year, Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary.

These five titles will be joining Microsoft’s Gears of War 3 which was announced as a headline title earlier this year, and will be playable at the event ahead of its 20^th September release. The hugely anticipated Forza Motorsport 4 is another heavyweight addition to the line-up from Microsoft and is joined by the soon-to-be family favourite Dance Central 2, so there will be something for every gaming fan.

Completing the Microsoft line-up are Kinect Sports Season 2 and The Gunstringer, an ‘Old West’ third-person shooter, also for Kinect.

GAME can also reveal that Microsoft will be showcasing a range of exciting new hardware at the event including the new Xbox 360 Limited Edition Gears of War 3 console and Xbox 360 Gears of War 3 Wireless Controller. And a must for any Call of Duty fans, a first glimpse of the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 console, Xbox 360 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Wireless Controller and Xbox 360 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Wireless Headset with Bluetooth.

GAME UK marketing director Anna-Marie Mason said: “Since we first announced Microsoft as a headline sponsor, the buzz building around GAMEfest has gone through the roof. It’s great to be able to offer game fans this opportunity to see and play titles like Halo and Forza 4 before anyone else. With GAMEfest just over a week away, we know that fans will now be even more excited about getting hands-on with these great titles. ”

Tickets are available at www.game.co.uk/gamefest or at any GAME store. To buy tickets, would-be attendees need to own a GAME reward card. If they do not currently own one, they can go to www.game.co.uk or to any GAME store to sign up and then go to the website to buy the tickets.

Related posts:

1. Activision joins other major Publishers to back GAMEfest
2. GAMEfest picks up steam as Saturday completely sells out!
3. Pre Order Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary – Get a Halo mini book!

Chris Lewis, Vice President Interactive Entertainment Business for Microsoft Europe, said, “We’ve been very clear that our ambition is to be the number one console not only in Europe but worldwide, and looking at our lineup at gamescom while knowing what’s still in the pipeline, I’m confident we have the games and experiences to drive us toward that goal. Consumers of all ages continue to be captivated and entertained by everything Xbox 360 and Kinect have to offer and our commitment to the core remains undeniable.”

Xbox 360 is the home for blockbuster games

Opening Wednesday, August 17, 2011, Microsoft’s presence on the gamescom show floor will reaffirm Xbox 360 as the platform to play this holiday’s top games and promises to thrill core gamers with blockbuster titles and content available exclusively on Xbox 360, including the multi-million selling “Gears of War” franchise playable in Germany for the very first time. With a BBFC 18 approved rating, “Gears of War 3” will hit shelves beginning 20^th September, allowing fans in Germany and around the world to load up their Lancers and join Marcus Fenix and his fellow COG soldiers as they race to rescue the human race from the jaws of extinction. Setting the standard for the racing genre this Christmas on the Xbox 360 platform and Kinect, car lovers will be blown away as “Forza Motorsport 4” takes centre stage exclusively at the Xbox 360 booth with the worldwide debut of the 2012 BMW M5. The team at Turn 10 Studios will also reveal F1 track favourite, the Hockenheim Ring, joining the host of circuits available when “Forza Motorsport 4” speeds to store shelves across Europe on 14^th October, 2011. Fans of the popular Xbox exclusive and first-person shooter franchise, “Halo,” will be the first in the world to compete on classic multiplayer maps Beaver Creek and Damnation in the iconic, remastered “Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary,” launching on the franchise’s 10^th anniversary, 15^thNovember, 2011.

Building on the strength of Microsoft’s portfolio, the industry’s best developers and publishers will showcase some of the best game experiences found on Xbox 360 with their latest blockbuster titles including “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3,” “Assassins Creed Revelations”, “EA SPORTS™ FIFA 12,” and “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.” Set to release exclusively for Xbox 360 and Kinect, Capcom will continue to demonstrate its commitment to pushing the boundaries of game development and showcasing new Kinect features for “Steel Battalion Heavy Armor” exclusively to media ahead of its release in 2012.

Controller-free magic continues with Kinect

gamescom will also provide an opportunity for Microsoft to highlight the breadth and depth of its game and entertainment portfolio, reaching core and family consumers alike. Kinect for Xbox 360, in conjunction with popular entertainment brands, will breathe life into the characters that touched our hearts, the worlds that captivated our imaginations, and the stories that defined generations for the whole family. For the first time anywhere in the world, attendees will be able to wreak havoc as the fearsome Rancor monster in “Kinect Star Wars” destroying Mos Eisley, crushing Stormtroopers, and swatting X-Wing fighters out of mid-air. Together with “Kinect: Disneyland Adventures” allows families to experience the magic of a trip to Disneyland park from the comfort of their living room. In addition to the already revealed adventures from Pirates of the Caribbean, Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan’s Flight, consumers will now also experience Matterhorn Bobsleds, Enchanted Tiki Room and Jungle Cruise. Together with “Sesame Street: Once upon a Monster,” which is playable at the show and allows families to interact with beloved characters, Xbox 360 is bringing iconic scenes and characters to life like never before through the power of Kinect.

Continuing to highlight the breadth of Kinect gaming experiences, Microsoft will also showcase “The Gunstringer,” an artistic character-based shooter for core gamers which utilises Kinect in a fresh new way. “The Gunstringer” will arrive in stores worldwide on 13^th September, 2011, bundled with a token for Xbox LIVE Arcade and “Summer of Arcade” title “Fruit Ninja Kinect.”

This year also sees the launch of the successors to three of Kinect for Xbox 360’s best-selling titles, “Dance Central 2,” “Kinect Sports: Season Two,” and “Kinectimals Now with Bears!” The launch of “Dance Central 2″ on 21^st October, 2011, will give movers and shakers the chance to strut their stuff with the introduction of full body two-player simultaneous dance tracking, a deeper one- or two-player campaign experience, and an improved fitness mode. “Dance Central 2′s” fresh, must-have soundtrack will feature more than 40 songs on disc, with support for more than 100 tracks. If that isn’t enough, music fans will also be thrilled to hear international superstars like Lady Gaga and popular European artists such as Lena, Enrique Iglesias and Daft Punk will join the tracklist with hit songs “Born This Way”, “Satellite”, “I Like It” and “Technologic”. During the show, sports fans will also be the first to experience two all-new sports, Tennis and Darts, celebrated by a controller-free set by five-time Grand Slam tennis star Martina Hingis. “Kinect Sports: Season Two” releases to the cheers of the crowd beginning 25^th October, 2011. Animal lovers across the globe will be able to bring home new furry friends in “Kinectimals Now with Bears!” on 11^th October, 2011, but the fun doesn’t end there. Coming this Autumn, “Kinectimals” fans can take their favourite cubs beyond the living room to care for and train while on-the-go. “Kinectimals” for mobile will deliver all of the fun of the original “Kinectimals,” using touch screen controls to feed, pet, play, train and nurture on-the-go from their Windows Phone while also enjoying Xbox LIVE integration of Achievements and Leaderboards.

The Xbox 360 booth will also play host to a range of new titles from leading games publisher Ubisoft which continues to harness the power of Kinect in ever more exciting ways. gamescom guests can immerse themselves in the forthcoming ‘Your Shape® Fitness Evolved 2012’, which hits shelves on 10^th November, 2011 and uses precise, real-time and full-body tracking to put your body in the game for the ultimate ‘at home’ work out. If they conserve enough energy, visitors to the booth can annihilate the forces of evil in ‘PowerUP Heroes’, a full-body fighting game which turns your Xbox 360 avatar into a powerful superhero ready for a cosmic combative showdown and launches on 6^th October, 2011. The booth will also feature a demo for the upcoming ‘Rabbids® Alive & Kicking,’ a Kinect-exclusive mini game collection which sees players halting Rabbids from invading the living room using an Augmented Reality feature with Kinect’s camera, when it launches on 3^rd November, 2011.

Microsoft will also debut a host of new content from across the portfolio as Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and Games for Windows continue to bring the best in interactive entertainment to living rooms around the world with:

• · Kinect Fun Labs: Microsoft captured the world’s imagination at E3 2011 with the announcement of Kinect Fun Labs, a dedicated hub showcasing the latest Kinect innovations. The latest Gadget, “Air Band,” introduces new Augmented Reality technology to Kinect and places you on stage as the star of your living room with a guitar, drums or keyboard. “Air Band” will be unveiled at gamescom and available in Kinect Fun Labs on 22^nd August, 2011.

• · Xbox LIVE Arcade: A wave of new content for Xbox LIVE Arcade playable for the first time at the Xbox booth including first looks at “Skulls of the Shogun” and “Trials Evolution,” the highly-anticipated sequel to “Trials HD.” XBLA fans will also be able to get their hands on “Iron Brigade” – also known as “Trenched” – which will be released in Europe this September.

• · Games for Windows: The launch of free-to-play PC title “Age of Empires Online” both online and in retail. Starting today, consumers worldwide can take advantage of two limited time offers for premium content bundles for the game. Players can purchase a Season’s Pass to get all of the game’s premium content for six months at a 30 percent discount, or take advantage of the opportunity to get the Defense of Crete Booster Pack for free with the purchase of the Greek and Egyptian Premium Civilizations.

• · Games for Windows Phone: Building on a year of success as one of the most used features on Windows Phone, Xbox LIVE is poised to deliver great additions to its games portfolio and new features that will make it easier to get into your games, find new titles, connect with friends, and see where they stand amongst the leaderboards. In addition to a new look and feel to the Games hub, the upcoming Mango update to Windows Phone will allow users to unlock in-game Avatar Awardable items and purchase add-on content. gamescom attendees will also get a sneak preview of a diverse and exciting collection of new Xbox LIVE games coming to Windows Phone later this year, including the quirky “Chickens Can’t Fly” and the mobile companion to “Toy Soldiers: Cold War” which features a series of three mini games mirroring the recently released Xbox LIVE Arcade title.

Related posts:

1. Over 8 million Kinects sold!
2. Microsoft details Kinect launch titles
3. New Kinect, Xbox 360 bundle unveiled

And while all “Forza Motorsport 4” players will enjoy this premiere automotive experience, Turn 10 announced that, starting today, fans who purchase the Limited Collector’s Edition for £59.99 ERP (available exclusively from GAME and Gamestation) will get the ultimate day-one experience with an additional 25 cars from exclusive car packs and bonus car offers. “Forza Motorsport 4” fans will also be the first in the world to get behind the wheel of the 2012 BMW M5, which was recently unveiled in “Forza Motorsport 4” at the Nürburgring 24 Hour Race in Germany.

Be among the first to take the newly announced 2012 BMW M5 for a test drive before the production car comes out in 2012

The meticulously designed 2012 BMW M5 is the most powerful production sedan ever created by BMW’s M division and will be featured on the cover of the “Forza Motorsport 4” Limited Collector’s Edition. The 2012 BMW M5 will be available as part of the “BMW M5 Fan Pack,” available starting at launch to all “Forza Motorsport 4” owners who download it from Xbox LIVE Marketplace. With the BMW M5, fans will be able to experience Autovista mode, where “Top Gear’s” Jeremy Clarkson takes fans on a virtual tour of the world’s most sought-after cars. In addition, the M5 will be added to fans’ garages and a BMW theme will be available for download on Xbox LIVE Marketplace.

“At BMW we are thrilled to offer fans the first chance, whether it’s in game or on the road, to experience the brand new BMW M5 in ‘Forza Motorsport 4,’” said Mr. Ralf Hussmann, general manager BMW Sportmarketing & Cooperation. “‘Forza Motorsport’ players are some of the most loyal and passionate automotive fans in the world, so the choice to partner with Turn 10 Studios to feature our car in the game and on the cover of the Limited Collector’s Edition was an obvious win for BMW. We invite fans everywhere to celebrate the new M5 debut in ‘Forza Motorsport 4’ on 14 October”.

Test your design skills in the brand new “Forza Motorsport 4” BMW Design Challenge

The “Forza Motorsport 4” BMW Design Challenge is inspired by the world-renowned BMW Art Car programme which began in 1975 and has featured some of the greatest artists of our time, including Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, David Hockney and Jeff Koons. Bringing together the worlds of art and motorsports, the “Forza Motorsport 4” BMW Design Challenge invites talented artists to paint original pieces on a digital version of the 2010 BMW M6 Coupe. Turn 10 Studios and BMW will select a winning design to bring to life digitally in the game, and complement four other designed cars from the BMW M stable. The other cars will be custom designed by BMW, Turn 10 and other talented artists and will all made available in the Limited Collector’s Edition. Those cars include:

• · 2008 BMW M3 E92
• · 2008 BMW Z4 M Coupe
• · 1981 BMW M1
• · 2012 BMW M5

Those interested in entering the design challenge and more information about “Forza Motorsport 4” can find more details at http://www.ForzaMotorsport.net.

Bundled together with a polished Steelbook™ DVD Case, the Limited Collector’s Edition content includes the following:

• · The VIP Car Pack

o 2011 Bugatti Veyron Super Sport

o 2011 Ferrari 458 Challenge

o 2011 Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera

o 2010 Noble M600

o 2011 RUF Rt 12 R

• · The limited quantity “Launch Bonus” car pack available for fans who order early

o 1965 Ford Mustang GT Coupe

o 2011 Koenigsegg Agera

o 1997 Lexus SC300

o 2011 RUF RGT-8

o 2011 Tesla Roadster Sport

• · A 10-car add-on pack of American muscle cars (also available for purchase at launch on Xbox LIVE Marketplace)
• · Custom-designed BMW cars from the “Forza Motorsport 4” BMW Design Challenge
• · VIP Membership status within the Forza community, including special recognition in new community features, leaderboards, ForzaMotorsport.net and more
• · A book titled “Cars of Forza Motorsport 4 Presented by Top Gear,” written by the “Top Gear” team, is a stunning 96-page book that describes in-game cars from the Autovista™ experience and features imagery from game and the Top Gear photo library
• · A vinyl sticker set featuring the logos of “Forza Motorsport 4,” “Top Gear” and Turn 10

Fans are encouraged to pre-order “Forza Motorsport 4” today to ensure they can get their hands on the Limited Collector’s Edition and to receive the “Launch Bonus” car pack as supplies will be limited.

The standard edition of Forza Motorsport 4 will also be available for £49.99 ERP with the following in game car packs available exclusively when pre-ordering with selected retailers:

• · Subaru Impreza WRX STI, available exclusively when pre-ordering at GAME
• · MINI John Cooper Works Clubman, available exclusively when pre-ordering at Gamestation
• · Alfa Romeo Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde, available exclusively when pre-ordering at Amazon.co.uk
• · Honda CR-Z EX, available exclusively when pre-ordering at HMV
• · BMW 1 Series M Coupe, available exclusively when pre-ordering at The Hut, Zavvi.com, Shopto.net and Play.com

Related posts:

1. Profile Import coming to Forza Motorsport 4
2. Ferrari 458 Italia becomes Forza Motorsport 4 cover car
3. Forza 4 confirmed for Autumn 2011

Based on your player level and the cars in your garage in “Forza Motorsport 3”, gift cars will be automatically added to your “Forza Motorsport 4” garage and you’ll also receive bonus gifts and credits. And for those who spent hours creating intricate layers and liveries in the “Forza Motorsport 3” Livery Editor, you will be able to import those layers, so your time isn’t lost!

Related posts:

1. Ferrari 458 Italia becomes Forza Motorsport 4 cover car
2. Forza 4 confirmed for Autumn 2011
3. Forza 4 gets the Kinect treatment

Related posts:

1. New Forza 3 DLC out today
2. Free DLC for Forza 3 launch
3. Forza 4 confirmed for Autumn 2011