Forza Horizon 6 team explains Japan setting with dramatic seasonal changes

Microsoft shared a teaser for Forza Horizon 6 during its presentation at Tokyo Game Show. The game is set in Japan, in line with what the leaks had suggested. It will be released next year but an exact date has not been shared yet. Playground Games, the developer of the game, has shared some information on why they chose Japan and the return of seasonal changes.

Art Director Don Arceta and Cultural Consultant Kyoko Yamashita spoke about choosing Japan as the setting for Forza Horizon 6. Arceta shared that they wanted to give fans what they have been asking for quite some time. “Japan has such a unique culture – from cars, to music, to fashion – that make it perfect for the next Horizon setting,” he added. Learning from previous Horizon games, the team feels that the technical side can now keep up with representing Japan correctly.

Furthermore, the Hot Wheels DLC for Forza Horizon 5 helped the developers incorporate the elevated roads of Tokyo in Forza Horizon 6.

Forza Horizon 5 was set in fictionalized Mexico and incorporated all four seasons, along with the visual and gameplay changes they would bring. These seasonal changes will return with the next game with a dramatic impact on gameplay. “For Japan, seasonal changes have a dramatic impact on the landscape and playable world, but also hold a deeper cultural meaning for the country and its culture,” Arceta explained. Not only will they change how the game looks and feels, there will also be more subtle changes in terms of tone, ambient audio, and activity.

More information about Forza Horizon 6 will be unveiled in early 2026 but it has been suspected that Microsoft’s hour long showcase on January 27 will also bring some information on the game.