Forza Horizon 6 is real. The open world will take players to the birthplace of drifting, and PS5 is part of Xbox’s future plans. PlayGround Games and Xbox confirmed at Tokyo Game Show 2025 that the next installment will take us to Japan on Xbox Series, PC, and PS5.

What was once just a rumor has now become reality. Despite the age of constant leaks, it was a slip-up by Microsoft just hours before its Tokyo Game Show 2025 presentation that revealed Playground Games is indeed developing Forza Horizon 6. During its own showcase, Xbox confirmed that the next open-world racing entry in the series will take place in Japan.

The leak occurred when a promotional teaser appeared on the official Forza Horizon Instagram account, directly referencing Japan — the “Land of the Rising Sun” — and ending with a bold message: Forza Horizon 6 exists. While many expected the post to be removed quickly, it remained online until the Redmond presentation.

As expected after such a slip-up, the announcement took place during the Xbox Tokyo Game Show 2025 broadcast. It was accompanied by a cinematic teaser filled with callbacks to earlier games in the franchise. Although no gameplay footage has been shown yet — Microsoft is saving that for its early 2026 event — the team spoke about the significance of moving the series to one of the most unique and highly requested settings in its history.

Forza Horizon 6 Will Push the Franchise Further Than Ever

According to Xbox Wire, art director Don Arceta and cultural consultant Kyoko Yamashita believe Japan’s unique blend of culture — from cars and music to fashion — is a perfect match for the Horizon formula. Moreover, the team’s experience from previous titles and expansions has helped them recreate complex urban areas like Tokyo’s elevated highways while preserving the series’ hallmark authenticity and gameplay feel.

The map in Forza Horizon 6 will combine both natural landscapes and urban environments, featuring iconic locations like Mount Fuji and the streets of Tokyo. While it won’t be a one-to-one recreation of Japan, Playground Games aims to capture the country’s cultural essence in every corner of the open world. Just as they did with Mexico in the previous installment, the developers formed a field research team under Yamashita’s supervision to ensure that even the smallest details — from road signs and ambient sounds to neighborhood layouts — feel authentic and respectful of local culture.

Japanese Car Culture and Seasonal Changes at the Core

The new entry will dive even deeper into Japan’s legendary car culture. From Kei cars and cult classics to the art of drifting and custom tuning, Forza Horizon 6 aims to offer an experience that resonates with both local enthusiasts and global players. Seasonal changes will once again be a major feature, altering not only the game’s look but also its handling and dynamics — with cherry blossoms in spring, snowy winters, and hot summer weather.

While no specific release date has been announced beyond a 2026 window, Forza Horizon 6 is coming to Xbox Series X|S and PC, and it’s almost certain to launch on Game Pass from day one. Additionally, as reported by Xbox Wire, Playground Games and Turn 10 Studios are collaborating to bring the game to PS5 after its initial release.

Source: 3djuegos