Forza Horizon 6 is taking the long-running racing franchise to Japan for the first time, and Microsoft has now confirmed its release date. The game launches on May 19 for Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Xbox Cloud Gaming, with early access beginning on May 15. The timing aligns with earlier leaks that surfaced after an in-game advertisement reportedly appeared in Forza Horizon 5. A PlayStation 5 version is also planned for later this year.
The standard edition of Forza Horizon 6 is expected to cost $70, though it will be available at launch through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Players who want early access will need to purchase the Premium Edition, with a Deluxe Edition also set to be offered.
Developer Playground Games, alongside co-developer Turn 10 Studios, shared the first gameplay footage during Thursday’s Xbox Developer Direct showcase. Players will begin by completing Horizon qualifiers to gain entry into the Horizon Festival, gradually unlocking faster cars and new rewards as they progress. A new mode called Horizon Rush introduces obstacle-based racing challenges designed to further test driving skills.
According to Playground Games, this is the largest Forza Horizon entry to date. The game’s version of Tokyo is said to be five times larger than any urban environment the studio has previously built, featuring multiple distinct districts. Beyond the city, players can explore expansive rural regions, with environments dynamically changing across seasons. As with previous entries, the open world can be explored freely, either solo or with friends.
At launch, the game will feature more than 550 cars, along with new customization options such as window liveries. Player homes now include fully customizable garages, and a new area called The Estate allows players to build and personalize sections of the world. For the first time in the series, construction will be available in multiplayer, allowing friends to visit and interact with shared creations.
Additional features include open-world car meets where players can showcase vehicles, purchase replicas of other players’ builds, and download new music. Playground Games is also carrying over all accessibility features from previous titles, while adding new options such as a customizable high-contrast mode and an autodrive feature.
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