- Jeremy van Dyk
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After a slip‑up on Instagram that hinted at a new horizon, Playground Games finally put the brakes on speculation and announced Forza Horizon 6. The teaser dropped at the Xbox Tokyo Game Show 2025, confirming that the next chapter of the beloved racing series will roll out in 2026 and take players straight to Japan.
What we know about the setting
The one‑minute cinematic gave fans a quick glimpse of familiar license plates before revealing the real star: Japan. Tokyo’s electric urban sprawl is set to share the stage with the country’s iconic countryside, and the brief shot of Mount Fuji suggests that the legendary peak will serve as a dramatic backdrop for at least one high‑speed circuit.
Art Director Don Arceta explained that the game will capture the contrast between skyscraper‑filled Shibuya and the serene, rolling hills surrounding Fuji. Expect neon‑lit streets, winding mountain passes, and a mix of traditional shrines with modern pop‑culture vibes. Seasonal changes, a staple of the Horizon series, will roll back in, meaning the same route could look entirely different in spring cherry blossom and autumn foliage.
- Urban races through Tokyo’s downtown districts.
- Rural events around Mount Fuji and nearby villages.
- Dynamic weather and seasonal shifts throughout the year.
- Authentic Japanese car culture, music, and fashion integrated into the Horizon Festival.
To nail cultural details, Microsoft brought in Kyoko Yamashita as a consultant. Her role is to make sure the game respects Japanese customs, signage, and the nuances of local car enthusiasm, which has long been a fan‑demanded setting after the popularity of tracks like Fujimi Kaido in the Forza Motorsport series.
Release plans and platform support
Forza Horizon 6 will launch first on Xbox consoles and PC, with Xbox Game Pass subscribers gaining immediate access. The exact launch window within 2026 hasn’t been pinned down yet, but the timeline aligns with Microsoft’s broader strategy to keep the franchise fresh on its own hardware.
Playground Games isn’t going it alone; Turn 10 Studios, the team behind Forza Motorsport, is teaming up for the post‑launch PlayStation 5 version. This marks a notable expansion, as the Horizon series has historically stayed within the Xbox ecosystem. By branching out, the franchise hopes to tap into a wider audience while still rewarding its core fanbase.
- Initial launch: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Series S, and Windows PC (2026).
- Game Pass: Included from day one for subscribers.
- Post‑launch: PlayStation 5 version slated after the Xbox/PC debut.
The accidental Instagram post that previewed the announcement read, “The Horizon Festival is heading to Japan. Coming 2026,” which gave sharp‑eyed fans a heads‑up before the official reveal. While the leak sparked a wave of speculation, the formal trailer confirmed that the hype was warranted.
All signs point to a title that marries the series’ signature open‑world freedom with a fresh cultural landscape. Whether you’re geared up for neon night races or winding mountain drifts, Forza Horizon 6 promises to keep the adrenaline flowing while celebrating the distinct flavor of Japan’s automotive scene.
