Forza Horizon 6 Reveals Japan Setting, New Gameplay Systems and 550-Car Roster
Playground Games has unveiled new details about Forza Horizon 6, confirming Japan as the setting for the latest instalment in the open-world racing franchise, alongside new progression systems, social features and a launch roster of around 550 cars.
Revealed during Xbox’s latest Developer_Direct, the game is described as the studio’s most ambitious Horizon title to date, blending dense urban environments with mountain passes, rural roads and coastal industrial zones inspired by locations across Japan.
Unlike previous entries, players begin the game as a tourist rather than an established driver, gradually working toward participation in the Horizon Festival. Design Director Torben Ellert said the approach was intended to emphasise discovery, freedom and aspiration rather than immediate prestige.
The map is divided into distinct districts, including neon-lit city centres inspired by Tokyo, suburban neighbourhoods, docklands and mountainous regions. While not a one-to-one recreation, Ellert said the goal was to capture the “feel” of Japan rather than precise geography.
New features include a Collection Journal, inspired by Japan’s stamp-collecting culture, which rewards exploration and photography, and Car Meets, reflecting informal Japanese automotive gatherings such as Daikoku. Players can also acquire and customise a large buildable area known as The Estate, based on the concept of abandoned rural properties, or Akiya.
At launch, Forza Horizon 6 will feature approximately 550 vehicles, including cover cars the 2025 GR GT Prototype and the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser.
Forza Horizon 6 launches later this year for Xbox Series X|S, PC, Xbox Cloud, Steam and Game Pass, with a PlayStation 5 release planned for 2026.
