Playground Games detailed the highly anticipated new entry in the series, Forza Horizon 6, at today’s Developer_Direct event. Japan, which has been at the top of players’ wish lists for years, has been confirmed as the host for the new game. The developers emphasize that the game will not just be a racing simulation, but also an exploration experience that pays homage to Japanese culture.
The game will launch on May 19, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Game Pass Ultimate subscribers. Additionally, in a first for the series, it was announced that a PlayStation 5 version will be released later in 2026.
Starting Not as a Superstar, But as a “Tourist”
The career mode, which in previous games began with the player already being a recognized racer or the star of the festival, undergoes a radical change in Forza Horizon 6. This time, players will take on the role of a “tourist” arriving in Japan. Starting as a fan with a dream of attending the Horizon Festival, the feeling of climbing from zero to the top will be crafted much more strongly.
The game’s Design Director, Torben Ellert, expresses this change with these words: “Ultimately, so many of us love that idea of going to a place that you don’t know. You come to Japan just as a fan, with a dream of being part of the festival. We wanted you to feel like someone who just got off the plane, accompanied by a few friends who share this dream.”
The Map of Japan and “Condensed Reality”
Forza Horizon 6 offers a wide range of environments, from the neon-lit streets of Tokyo to rural mountain roads. However, when designing the map, the team chose to reflect the “essence” of the country rather than copying Japan mile for mile. Tokyo’s iconic Shibuya crossing, massive dockland areas, suburbs, and mountain passes have been reinterpreted to suit the game’s driving dynamics.
Tokyo’s city center, in particular, is described as the area with the densest vertical architecture and detail level the series has seen to date. The contrast between Brutalist architecture and narrow streets creates distinct playgrounds for both drift enthusiasts and speed lovers.
New Features: “The Estate” and The Collection Journal
The progression system in the game has also evolved according to Japanese culture. A new system called “The Collection Journal” takes inspiration from Japan’s famous “stamp collecting” culture. Players will be able to level up in the festival by recording the places they discover, the photos they take, and their memories in this journal.
In addition to this, a new property system called “The Estate” has been introduced. Inspired by the “Akiya” culture in Japan (rural houses abandoned by their owners), players will take over an old property belonging to the family of a character named Mei. This area will function as a massive sandbox space where players can build whatever they want, construct tracks, or customize as they please.
Car Roster and Cover Stars
Forza Horizon 6 will arrive with a massive garage of approximately 550 cars on launch day. The game’s cover stars, determined through a collaboration with Toyota, are the 2025 GR GT Prototype and the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser.
The GR GT Prototype, in particular, will be given to users for a short time during the game’s opening sequence (Initial Experience), after which the player will need to climb the career ladder to own this vehicle again.
Social Spaces: Car Meets
To strengthen the social aspect of the game, a Car Meets feature inspired by real-life “Daikoku” gatherings has been added. Located at three different points on the map (The Festival area, The Alps, and Daikoku), these areas will allow players to show off their cars, examine other players’ designs, and make instant car purchases.
Release Date and Editions
Forza Horizon 6 will take its place on Xbox and PC platforms on May 19, 2026. Premium Edition owners will have access to Early Access starting May 15. The PlayStation 5 version of the game will hit the shelves before the end of 2026.