Did you expect Microsoft to keep quite for the week leading up to the biggest week of the year? Well so did I, and looks like we were both wrong. Microsoft has officially announced the long-predicted Forza Horizon 2, and it will launch later this year for both the Xbox One and Xbox 360. Developed primarily by Playground Games, this arcady-F0rza will include a new version of Forza Motorsport 5‘s “Drivatar” and will feature dynamic weather. No word on whether or not those weather patterns will include a day/night cycle though.

Like the installment before it, music will again play a big part in Forza Horizon 2, as a music festival will be the central event around which the game’s activities are centered. Additionally, contrary to the rumors, the game won’t be taking place in the deep south of North America as originally thought, and will instead unfold along the sprawling landscapes of Southern Europe. In the words of Playground’s Ralph Fulton, developing within this region will create “incredible diversity” and “amazing vistas”.

More is set to be reviled tomorrow, so we’ll keep you posted!

[via, IGN]

[image credit, IGN]