A broadcast ticker option has been added to all multiplayer races, which can be toggled when a player is spectating on the action. The ticker gives up-to-the-minute positional data on all racers, updating whenever one driver manages to overtake one of their opponents.
This should make it much easier for viewers to keep track of the race as a whole, even when they’re watching from a particular driver’s perspective. Each competitor’s gamertag and their positional data will also be displayed above their vehicle during a race.
It’s clear that Microsoft and the team at Turn 10 are eager to make Forza Motorsport 6 a major force on the eSports scene, and it’s easy to see how functionality like this will make it easier for viewers to immerse themselves in competition between high-level players. Between this title, Gears of War 4, Killer Instinct, and Halo 5: Guardians, the Xbox One is amassing a varied range of exclusives that lend themselves to competitive play.
The update is just one component of the Forza franchise’s “ongoing commitment to eSports,” according to a blog post detailing its functionality published on the series’ official website. Qualifying for season 2 of the Forza Racing Championship recently came to a close, and the grand finals of the event are scheduled for December 11.
The eSports update is available now to Forza Motorsport 6 players on Xbox One and PC. The blog post announcing the update also suggests that more new features intended to improve online multiplayer will be added to the game over the next several months.