Why Players Choose "Sightseeing" Over Racing: A Deep Dive into Forza Horizon's Revolutionary Game Design

The open road beckons - but sometimes the journey matters more than the destination
Originally written in Chinese, translated and adapted for the international game development community

Introduction

What makes a racing game so compelling that players would rather explore and admire scenery than actually race? Forza Horizon has completely revolutionized the traditional racing game framework by combining open-world exploration with festival-style racing culture.

The Horizon series has earned the playful nickname "landscape simulator" among players, and while this started as a joke, it actually reveals something profound about Playground Games' approach to environmental design. From the moment players boot up the game, their attention is captured by the stunning scenery rather than just the racing mechanics.

Breaking Free from Track-Based Design

Traditional racing circuits vs. the freedom of open roads
Before diving into Horizon's design philosophy, we need to understand its core principle: "Racing shouldn't be confined to tracks."
Starting with Forza Horizon 2, Playground Games completely departed from traditional racing game frameworks. Most racing games before this point focused heavily on circuit-based design (think F1 series or Gran Turismo). While these games offered depth and authenticity, they often felt too complex for casual players.
This creates a classic design dilemma: the deeper your design, the lower its accessibility becomes. But make it too accessible, and you risk creating a bland, featureless experience.
The Open World Solution
Horizon's open-world approach solved three critical problems:

1. Freedom of Exploration

.Players can deviate from race routes at any time
.Hidden rewards encourage exploration (billboards, barn finds, etc.)
.Discovery becomes part of the core gameplay loop

1. Dynamic Events

.Race routes integrate naturally into the environment
.Rally races through farmland feel organic, not artificial
.The world itself becomes part of the challenge

1. Low Floor, High Ceiling Design

.Assist systems allow newcomers to experience the thrill of drifting
.Hardcore players can dive deep into tuning and racing lines
.Everyone finds their comfortable skill level

Accessibility Without Compromise

Playground Games' approach to "low floor, high ceiling" design includes:

Assist Systems:

.ABS, traction control, automatic braking
.Difficulty scales dynamically based on player performance
.AI opponents adjust to match player skill level

Reward Structure:

.Players earn experience even when losing races
.Reduces frustration and maintains engagement
.Every action feels rewarding

Location as Gameplay
While other developers were focused on perfecting track design, Horizon chose to merge tracks with natural environments:

.Horizon 2's Côte d'Azur: Drifting through Provence lavender fields
.Horizon 4's British countryside: Four-season mud racing that challenges driving skills
.Horizon 5's Mexico: Racing through dust storms in tropical rainforests and volcanic landscapes

These aren't just beautiful backdrops—they're integral to the gameplay experience.

Vehicle Diversity and Customization

The game offers everything from everyday cars (Toyota Supra) to classic vintage vehicles (1965 Ford Mustang). This variety serves multiple purposes:

.Familiarity: Players connect with cars they see in daily life
.Aspiration: Dream cars become achievable goals
.Humor: Racing in unconventional vehicles adds personality

The customization system operates on two levels:

1.Visual customization: Livery editor increases player investment
2.Performance tuning: Deep mechanical modifications satisfy hardcore players

This dual approach perfectly embodies the "accessible yet deep" philosophy.

Dynamic Seasonal System

Dynamic environments change everything - from racing conditions to visual appeal
Perhaps Horizon's most innovative feature is its seasonal system:

.Environmental Changes: Each season transforms the landscape
.Event Rotation: Seasonal races with unique characteristics
.Reward Cycles: Seasonal rewards encourage regular engagement
..Community Events: Festival playlist brings players together

This creates a "games as a service" model that keeps the world feeling fresh and alive.

Community-Driven Content

The blueprint system allows players to create custom races and challenges. Combined with:

.Livery sharing
.Photo mode
.Online multiplayer
.Community challenges

This creates a self-sustaining ecosystem where players become content creators.

Design Lessons for Developers

1. Break Genre Conventions Don't be afraid to challenge established frameworks. Horizon succeeded by asking "What if racing games weren't just about racing?"
2. Embrace Player Agency Give players multiple ways to engage with your game. Not everyone wants to be competitive—some just want to explore.
3. Build Community Features User-generated content and sharing tools can extend your game's lifespan indefinitely.
4. Seasonal Content Models Regular content updates keep players engaged and create anticipation for what's next.

Conclusion: The Never-Ending Festival
Forza Horizon's success lies not just in providing excellent driving mechanics, but in creating a "never-ending festival" where racing becomes synonymous with freedom, exploration, and community.
The game teaches us that sometimes the most profound design innovation comes from asking: "What if we did the complete opposite of what everyone expects?"
Perhaps that's the real lesson here—that in game design, as in racing, sometimes the most beautiful discoveries come when you're brave enough to leave the established track behind.