Exclusive Developer Q&A: Bringing Mount Panorama to Forza Motorsport 5

After Turn 10 Studios announced last month that “Forza Motorsport 5” will feature the acclaimed Mount Panorama circuit, the Xbox Wire team had the opportunity to speak directly with Turn 10 Studios content director, John Wendl, and Xbox ambassador/Xbox One Racing Team mentor, Mark Skaife, the most credentialed driver in the history of V8 Supercar racing.

John and Mark recently spent some time at the prestigious Mount Panorama circuit, along with Xbox One Racing Team drivers, Andy Priaulx and Mattias Ekström, as they went hands-on with Mt. Panorama in “Forza Motorsport 5” to prepare for the 2013 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000. Get their thoughts on bringing one of the world’s most famous racing circuits to the Xbox One.

After all the years of fans requesting Mount Panorama, why was NOW the right time to bring it to “Forza Motorsport 5”?

John Wendl: The Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst has been one of the most highly requested tracks for years for the “Forza Motorsport” series. In the past, we simply didn’t have the technology to properly capture and render this unique circuit. Now with digital laser scanning and our all new graphics engine on the Xbox One, we finally have the technology that can let us capture this unique track in all its challenge and grandeur.

What are some distinct parts of the Bathurst circuit?

Mark Skaife: Definitely The Dipper, the game perfectly captures the breathtaking panoramic view of Skyline, and the adrenaline rush you feel shooting through the Esses and into The Dipper. Also, at 300 km/h, the Chase is the fastest touring car corner in the world. You need to go flat out in the Conrod Straight and hit the drive line perfectly. You don’t want to miss this one.

Mount Panorama is a unique circuit in many ways. Talk about how you were able to capture the various nuances of the track, the surrounding area, etc.

John Wendl: Mount Panorama is a beautifully complex and technically challenging circuit. It’s known for its extreme elevation changes and subtle camber differences throughout the track. To capture all of this intricate detail, we’re now utilizing cutting edge digital laser scanning technology that allows us incredible precision on both the vertical and horizontal axis. In 2012, we sent a six-man crew to the circuit for three days. The team captured not only the racing surface itself, but the immediate surrounding areas as well including walls, trees, grandstands and buildings.

Our goal is to give players not just the look and feel of the track itself but to bring to life everything that makes the circuit so special. Of course this means getting the small details right – the cracks in the asphalt, the track signage, and even things like the TV camera towers correct. Beyond that, however, we want to provide players with a real feel for what it’s like being at the track, what the light looks like at eight o’clock in the morning, how it feels to climb the hill or …read more