Microsoft has just announced Forza Horizon 2, the next installment in their long-running series of racing games that began with the first Xbox.
Like its predecessor, which was released in 2012 for the Xbox 360, Forza Horizon 2 is a spinoff of the Forza Motorsport series of games that takes place in an open world environment rather than close circuit racing.
Development of the game is being handled by Forza Horizon studio Playground Games, which is said to be collaborating closely with the series owners at Turn 10 Studios.
“[Turn 10 and Playground] share this belief that we can create a true home for racing fans on Xbox One,” said Forza Horizon 2 creative director Ralph Fulton in a quote to IGN.
Contrary to recent rumors that the game would be set in Louisiana, the game is instead taking place in Southern Europe, which is known for its incredibly diverse environments. Like the first game, music plays a big role in the game and a music festival is central to the game’s setting.