Speaking last week with Kikizo, Microsoft's Shane Kim has been asked about the future of the Project Gotham Racing series, now that creator Bizarre have up and left. His response should help out any 360 racing fans who are yet to put 2+2 together:

...you know, we have a great internal racing studio in Turn 10, the creators of Forza Motorsport. And our goal is to roll the studio so that they can do more creative execution within the racing space. So you can imagine a future where they would develop a new version of Project Gotham Racing.

Think by this stage we've all stopped imagining it, and are just assuming it's already happening.

Shane Kim Interview [Kikizo]

Project Gotham Racing 4 is great. Sadly, with Bizarre now no longer able to work on the franchise, somebody's gotta hop into their shoes, keep the dream alive. But who? Well, Microsoft aren't short on options. Forza 2 devs Turn 10, well, they're definitely an option, according to MGS boss Phil Spencer:

We don't have any clear set answer for how PGR5 might come to market yet, but we're looking at a lot of different alternatives right now. Obviously Turn 10 is a strong team, and they're really focused on Forza and it's doing well so I wouldn't want to distract them, but it is an option.

Interesting. Interesting. Could you live without Forza if it meant PGR was still a hoot? We could. It'd be tough, but we'd find a way to soldier on.
Game On - Part 1 [Develop]

Turn 10 have just announced that some Forza 2 DLC will be hitting on Friday (October 26). Included will be four "variations" of Japan's Twin Ring Motegi course, which in English means four different ways of racing around the same track. How much will said track cost you? Oh, around 600 Microsoft points ($US 7.50). Oh my. As much as that price-point screams compelling, we're going to have to pass.

Turn 10 on Forza 2's new DLC track [GameSpot]

Surfer Girl Reviews Star Wars reports that a third instalment in the racing series is currently in development, most likely at Microsoft's Turn 10 Studios. Other than that, there are no more details. Guess the fans out their will have to keep their eyes peeled, or if you have a thing against peeling, boiled.

In other news, has Surfer Girl reviewed Star Wars yet? I know it's one of those random names, but surely it wouldn't hurt to have a quasi-real critique up somewhere. For me, you know?

Two quick exclusives [Surfer Girl Reviews Star Wars]

It won't, says Turn 10 Studios (big) boss man Alan Hartman. The developer of Forza Motorsport 2 and adoring child to providing parent company Microsoft isn't planning on going independent any time soon, says the studio manager. According to Hartman's in-company interview, the guys at Turn 10 seem pretty content working for Microsoft, who they say has nurtured a good environment for them to build one of the strongest racing franchises this generation.

Plus, Hartman's not interested in doing the necessary paperwork. With the recent shake-up of internal development studios at FASA and Bungie, plus the snatching away of two third party developers to third party publishers, the Xbox crowd may be worried that Turn 10 has their eye on the door. Hartman's pretty clear, saying of the Bungie deal that it's a "win-win situation as far as I can tell, but not one I'm very interested in."

A Turn 10 Introduction... [Forza Motorsport]