Forza Horizon 3 has quickly raced its way into the hearts of many Xbox One and Windows 10 gamers. Although you can enjoy Horizon 3 for ages without buying any DLC, content like the VIP Pass can be mighty tempting. The $20 VIP pass offers exclusive cars and in-game rewards, but is it a must-have?
How to become a VIP
Permanent VIP access for Forza Horizon 3 costs $19.99. VIP membership is also included with the Forza Horizon 3 Deluxe Edition ($79.99) or the Forza Horizon 3 Ultimate Edition ($99.99). The Deluxe and Ultimate options include the Motorsports All-Star Car Pack DLC ($10 value), making them a better value than buying VIP separately.
To buy VIP directly from in-game:
- Press the Start/Menu button. This will bring up the pause menu.
- Navigate to the Marketplace tab. It will be all the way to the right.
- Select VIP membership. You'll be taken to the VIP page in the store.
Alternately, you buy the VIP Membership directly from the Windows Store page or Amazon.
A big improvement over Forza Horizon 2's VIP Pass is that buying VIP Membership in Horizon 3 grants VIP access to other Gamertags on the purchaser's home console. That way, the whole family can benefit from a single VIP purchase. Buying VIP membership will unlock the content for the purchaser on both Xbox One and Windows 10, as well.
VIP benefits at a glance
The Forza Horizon 3 VIP membership includes five cars right off the bat. These are exclusive to VIPs and can't be obtained any other way, plus a few bonuses like Double Wheelspin earnings, exclusive online events, and community gifts from the Forza team.
The VIP Cars
2016 Lamborghini Aventador LP750-4 SV
- Class: S2
- In-game credits value: 480,000
2016 Koenigsegg Regera
- Class: S2
- In-game credits value: 1,900,000
2015 Ferrari F12tdf
- Class: S2
- In-game credits value: 500,000
2015 Ultima Evolution Coupe 1020
- Class: S2
- In-game credits value: 130,000
2015 Ford Falcon GT F 351
- Class: A
- In-game credits value: 60,000
Additional Benefits
On top of the five exclusive cars in the VIP pack, the main reason to get VIP membership is the Double Wheelspin earnings. This boosts the amount of credits you win from wheel spins when you level up. The boosted value is accompanied by a snazzy new "VIP x 2" graphic as well. Credits can be spent on buying new cars and upgrades for your cars.
Leveling up is much more worthwhile for VIP members. If you're the kind of player who doesn't have that much time to play (like me), the increased wheel spin rewards can be super handy. You'll be able to buy new cars much faster, allowing you to participate in more types of races without resorting to rentals.
As with other Forza VIP passes, Horizon 3 VIPs get in-game recognition as well. All VIP members have a crown displayed next to their Gamertags. That applies to everyone who plays from the VIP owner's home console too, so your whole family can look like VIPs – at least while they're on the home console.
You'll see crowns when encountering or competing against other Drivatars, during multiplayer games, and while browsing car club ladders and leaderboards. The crown doesn't do anything special, but it does tell everybody what a big Forza fan you are.
Two of the VIP membership benefits are not available just yet: in-game gifts and exclusive multiplayer events. Throughout the life of the game, the game developers will occasionally send new cars as gifts to VIP players. Forza Horizon 2 VIP members received a total of six community car gifts during the first eight months following the game's release.
As for the exclusive online events, I wouldn't expect much from them. Forza Motorsport 6's VIP events were just Rivals races, one of the least exciting types of races in both games. Forza Horizon 3's VIP events might be different, but I'm not holding my breath.
Join the Windows Central Forza Horizon 3 Club!
Clubs are Forza Horizon 3's version of guilds or clans. There are several benefits to membership, such as weekly clan leaderboards and prizes for moving through the club tiers.
Clubs don't unlock until you get your fifth Festival expansion – a few hours into the game. After that, you're free to join Windows Central's official club on Xbox One! Search for us by name: Windows Central or club tag: WinC. With your help, we'll become one of the top clubs in the game as we did with Horizon 2!
Overall impression of VIP Membership
Forza Horizon 3's VIP Membership is a totally optional add-on intended just for serious fans of the game (and players in a hurry). Many players will be able to pass on VIP and never feel like they missed out. But I do recommend VIP membership to car collectors and people who just love the Horizon series beyond all reasoning. If Forza Horizon 3 is already your game of the year (as it is mine), don't hesitate to show your love to the world by becoming a Very Important Player.
