Forza 2 trailer dissected

Microsoft has released a video of Forza Motorsport 2's developers talking through the trailer used to announce the game during E3.

Showing on Eurogamer TV right now, the video features art director John Wendl and game director Dan Greenawalt walking through the 90-second preview and explaining how it relates to the game the developer's aiming to ship this Christmas on Xbox 360.

During the video Wendl and Greenawalt discuss how they decided to show the car being pulled apart - with textures and other elements removed until it's just the broad-stroke design lines upon which the car is based, in an attempt to tug on the viewer's "car lust".

At one point in the E3 trailer the car comes apart so that you can see all of its component parts, and the big idea here, the guys say, was to underline the customisable nature of the game - that you can add a supercharger, change engine and suspension parts, the body kits and paint jobs. "[They] have a real effect on the performance of the car and the physics of the car, so it's a great chance for us to kind of communicate that complexity," says Wendl.

Then it's on to the wheel to wheel action, which is a nod to online gaming - something that Greenawalt reckons Microsoft Game Studios does better than anybody. "Between Project Gotham Racing and Forza Motorsport, we're just always pushing the boundaries of what people can expect in online racing."

Later the trailer shows the damage done to a Corvette that mis-times an overtaking manoeuvre, and he idea there was to show, for of all, that the damage model "keeps people driving in accordance with each other, respecting each other in the online space". "It's also really important because it's a key part of simulation... and it's really fun," Greenawalt adds with a smile.

The video concludes with a runthrough of the trailer in case you missed it. Check the whole thing out on EGTV.

Forza Motorsport 2 is due out on Xbox 360 this Christmas.