Forza Horizon 6
Upcoming video game
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Forza Horizon 6 is an upcoming racing game developed by Playground Games and published by Xbox Game Studios. It is the sixth Forza Horizon title, following Forza Horizon 5, and the fourteenth main instalment in the Forza franchise. Set in a fictionalised representation of Japan, it features a stylised version of Tokyo as the game world's main city. It is scheduled to be released on 19 May 2026 for Windows and Xbox Series X/S, with a release for PlayStation 5 later that year.
| Forza Horizon 6 | |
|---|---|
Key art featuring a GR GT Prototype and a Toyota Land Cruiser 250 with Mount Fuji and Tokyo in the background | |
| Developer | Playground Games[a] |
| Publisher | Xbox Game Studios |
| Designer | Torben Ellert |
| Artist | Don Arceta |
| Series | Forza |
| Engine | ForzaTech |
| Platforms | |
| Release | Windows, Xbox Series X/S 19 May 2026[b] PlayStation 5 2026 |
| Genre | Racing |
| Modes | Single-player, multiplayer |
Gameplay
Forza Horizon 6 is a racing game set in Japan. The game's open world map is the franchise's largest and the Tokyo City area is considered to be its "most complex and intricate drivable space", being five times larger than any other Horizon city.[1] Similar to Forza Horizon 4 and 5, the game features a dynamic weather system that reflects seasonal changes.[2] Players begin as a tourist and must work their way up to qualify for the Horizon Festival, eventually rising through its ranks. The wristband progression system from previous entries, specifically the original Forza Horizon, returns. Players earn wristbands by completing races and events, unlocking better and faster cars along the way. Reaching the gold wristband grants access to Legend Island, a special area featuring unique challenges and exclusive races.[3]
The game will launch with over 550 cars, all of which can be extensively customised. Players can store unlocked vehicles in one of eight garages which also serve as fast travel points. Additionally, players can unlock "the Estate", a customisable mountainside property in rural Japan which can be decorated with various items and objects.[4] As players explore the open world, they can join events such as car meets where vehicle customisations can be shared with others, street racing, and touge battles. Players can also photograph points of interest, with these shots stored as stamps in a Collection Journal.[5] "The Eliminator" battle royale game mode will again be available.[6]
Development
Forza Horizon 6 is being developed by Playground Games with assistance from Turn 10 Studios.[7] In December 2025, it was reported that Turn 10 had ended work on supporting Forza Motorsport (2023) and had shifted its focus entirely to Forza Horizon 6.[8][9] Turn 10 contributed help in polishing Forza Horizon 6 and their experience working on the more sim-racing focused Forza Motorsport series aided Playground Games in improving car detail and introducing new mechanics.[10]
Setting
Japan was chosen as the game's setting due to its popularity among fans, who frequently requested it.[11] Playground Games felt that Forza Horizon 6 was the right time to accurately represent Japan due to not feeling technical limitations would be an obstacle in that goal.[12] In choosing Japan as a location, art director Don Arceta noted the "unique culture" of Japan and that it is a location "full of contrast", with urban areas in the game juxtaposed against mountainous roads and open fields.[13] Japan also experiences dramatic seasonal changes from the cherry blossoms blooming during Sakura season to snowy winters that can have a "dramatic impact on the landscape and playable world" according to Arceta. Seasonal changes also have cultural meaning in Japan.[12] According to Arceta, the game's map is not a one-to-one recreation of Japan, much like with the maps of past entries' locations, as the team wanted to "capture the country's unique cultural essence" instead.[11] The city of Tokyo was described as the "biggest urban area yet" in a Forza Horizon game, being five times larger than the urban areas in previous titles. Within Tokyo, there are distinct districts with their own identity and city landmarks such as Shibuya Crossing, Ginko Avenue, and Tokyo Tower are featured.[14] Tokyo's urban areas will vary in density from the neon-lit streets downtown to suburbs and industrial docklands.[15] The team's prior experience developing the Hot Wheels expansion for Forza Horizon 5 also helped the team developing Tokyo's elevated highways.
Kyoko Yamashita was hired as a cultural consultant.[11] The team travelled to Japan for location research with Yamashita where they witnessed Japanese car culture firsthand. Forza Horizon 6 represents Japanese car culture with urban street racing and Daikoku car meets.[16]
Technology
Forza Horizon 6 was developed in Turn 10 Studios' in-house ForzaTech engine. It is the first Forza Horizon title developed exclusively for ninth-generation consoles. Playground Games credited leaving behind Xbox One as enabling "more potential" in what they can do with post-launch live service releases.[17]
Forza Horizon 6 on PC features ray-traced global illumination for indirect lighting and ray-traced reflections.[18][19] The consoles forgo ray-traced reflections for screen-space reflections instead. A new refraction-based shader is included on car headlights and taillights to exhibit more authentic depth. Light cast from polycarbonate-style headlights, for example, is given a rainbow refraction effect.[20]
Release
Revealed during the 2025 Tokyo Game Show, Forza Horizon 6 is confirmed to be launched on Windows and Xbox Series X/S on 19 May 2026;[21][22] with a PlayStation 5 version releasing later in the year, the date yet to be confirmed.[23] It will be made available to subscribers of select Xbox Game Pass plans on release day, including Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.[24] The game was part of Xbox Developer Direct on 22 January 2026, with Playground Games debuting the first look of gameplay.[25]
Promotion
On 20 April 2026, a limited edition Forza Horizon 6-themed Xbox Wireless Controller and Wireless Headset were announced with a May 19 release date alongside the game.[26] The controller's colour scheme was inspired by the Horizon Festival with transparent cyan, volt green and hot pink accents.[27]
Notes
- Assistance from Turn 10 Studios
- Users purchasing the Premium version receive access on 15 May.