I get the feeling MS have had a game plan with the Forza franchise since 2 released this gen, to realistically compete with the Gran Turismo franchise.
You might say "well duh", but i'm talking more about their approach, and what we will possibly see regarding Forza in the future.
One of the main reasons Microsoft called the 360, 360 is because it didn't sound inferior to PS3.
I believe Forza 7 and GT7 will launch around the same time, both being next gen titles.
This gen will be about building a stronger reputation, awareness and fans with every new game. Making sure quality isn't sacraficed, (the Forza franchise has never dropped below 90 on meta)
Bundling also comes into it, each time they do this, they're building more fans. Forza 3 sold more than Forza 2 in the same time frame from when they wernt bundled, because the Forza 2 bundles achieved new fans. Now Forza will reach 4.5/5 mill, expect Forza 4 to achieve better sales than Forza 3 in the same unbundled time frame (roughly a year it seems)
They ramped up awareness with Forza 3, getting on Top Gear, Forza 4's focus will be Kinect, and bigger advertising.
Forza 5? Who knows, it'll come 2013 just before the next gen launchs though.
I think come new generation, MS will play a LOT harder to win over GT fans, doing whatever it takes. It'll be an uphill battle, and the odds are stacked against them. I don' t think Euro fans would ever abandon the GT franchise for anything else, but MS are damn well gonna try.
