Microsoft has tried to exhaust all confusion from its E3 2013 days; of course we’re talking about the always online and used game policies that bruised the companies reputation within the gaming community.
While the Xbox One will no longer require always online, it seems Forza Motorsport 5 will need an internet connection in order to launch for the first time.
Dan Greenawalt, Game Director at Turn 10, recently spoke with IGN and had this to say:
So when you first boot up the game, we’re going to ask you to log in. And when you log in you’re going to get the Drivatars and you’re also going to get a whole bunch of content: tracks and cars. Our production schedule is such that we are putting them in as late as possible and that means making them free as downloadable content on Day One.
Basically, Microsoft wants this game as a launch title and in order for that to happen the game must be ready in advance of the consoles release so proper testing, packaging, etc. can be completed. This will allow Turn 10 more time to work on the game, you’ll just have to download the latter content when you boot up.
Remember, the Xbox One and PS4 can play games while they are downloading so to say this is an inconvenience is an overstatement.