Microsoft has announced the next entry in its open-world racing series, Forza Horizon 6, during Xbox’s yearly Tokyo Game Show broadcast, with the game set to release on Xbox and PC first, with a PlayStation 5 version announced that will arrive at some point “post-Launch.” Forza Horizon 5 was released on the PlayStation 5 this year, with both cases continuing the trend of Microsoft bringing its biggest franchises across party lines.
Xbox exec Matt Booty revealed the game, stating during the event:
The teams at Playground Games and Turn 10 have poured their hearts into Forza Horizon 6, bringing Japan to life like never before. This has been the most-requested location since the very first game, and we can’t wait to share more next year.
An Xbox Wire blog post for the game discusses why Japan was picked for the next entry in the series, pointing out, “For a long time, Japan has been top of Horizon fans’ wish lists,” before stating:
Japan has such a unique culture – from cars, to music, to fashion – that make it perfect for the next Horizon setting. As with any Horizon title, we want to make sure we do the country justice in terms of authentic representation and Horizon open world playability – and now is the right time to realize that fully for players.
For the teaser trailers part, Forza Horizon 6 still seems like it has a lot to show, with the camera panning through a garage before panning up through a window to reveal Japan itself, with Mount Fuji in the background. While not indicative of design itself, Cherry Blossoms, which are common in Japan, can be seen falling from trees. Playground Games, in that Xbox Wire post, has stated that seasons will return, something that has become a staple of Western games set in Japan, so those cherry blossoms might be a major design component of driving through the countryside in spring.
Forza Horizon 6 is set to race onto the scene sometime in 2026, at least for Xbox Series and PC, with PlayStation depending on when the official release date is.
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