At today’s Developer Direct, Playground Games unveiled an extended look at Forza Horizon 6, immersing players in Japan’s unique landscapes and culture. Available later this year for Xbox Series X|S, PC, Xbox Cloud, Steam, and included on day one with Game Pass Ultimate, the game also arrives on PlayStation 5 later in 2026.
Unlike previous entries, Horizon 6 doesn’t start you as a professional driver. Instead, players begin as a tourist with dreams of attending the Horizon Festival in Japan. Design Director Torben Ellert explained this fresh approach:
“You have this motivation to go to Japan with the Horizon Festival, but you’re only attending as a fan, with a dream to take part in it… The thrill of arriving in a new place full of opportunities felt right for this game.”
This framing emphasizes exploration and personal ambition, appealing to both car enthusiasts and gamers seeking adventure in a vibrant open world.
The country: capturing the essence of Japan
Forza Horizon 6 transports players across Japan’s mountains, neon-lit cities, and bustling docklands. The team focused on recreating the feel of the country rather than replicating every street precisely. Ellert elaborated:
“It’s less about accuracy and more about the feel of it. Driving through Tokyo, for example, you experience the suburbs, then downtown skyscrapers, each moment revealed as you explore.”
The map is divided into distinct districts:
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Suburbs: Narrow streets with telephone wires overhead, modest homes clustered together
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Docklands: Industrial spaces with massive cranes and colossal freighters
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Downtown Tokyo: Iconic landmarks like Shibuya Crossing, Ginko Avenue, and Tokyo Tower, designed for Horizon’s fast-paced gameplay
The combination of verticality, neon signs, and dense streets creates a visually radical and unprecedented environment for a Horizon game.
Culture: an insider’s perspective
Players aren’t alone in Japan—they’re accompanied by two friends: Jordy, a motorsports enthusiast, and Mei, an experienced Japanese car builder. Mei provides an insider view of the culture and car scene, enhancing the player’s journey.
Playground Games also brought in Cultural Consultant Kyoko Yamashita to ensure authenticity:
“Even a well-researched tourist can miss key details. Having someone on the ground helps us navigate nuances and capture the essence of Japan accurately.”
This attention to cultural detail extends to both gameplay and environment design, blending authentic references with the freedom and fun of a Horizon game.
What to expect from gameplay
Players can expect:
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Hypercar freedom across mountains, cities, and coastline
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Dynamic urban exploration with shortcuts, hidden paths, and iconic landmarks
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Interactions with friends and NPCs that enrich Japan’s automotive culture
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Stunning visuals, from neon-soaked city streets to serene mountain passes
Forza Horizon 6 promises a fresh start for the series, combining racing thrills with the excitement of discovery in one of the world’s most visually captivating countries.
Source: Xbox Wire
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