Forza Horizon 6’s Japan is “Less About” Accuracy, “More About the Feel of It,” Says Design Director

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The upcoming Forza Horizon 6 will showcase famous Japanese landmarks like Tokyo Tower and Shibuya Crossing. While boasting that the new Tokyo City is five times bigger than any previous area in the game, Playground Games doesn’t intend to build a perfect, exact copy of all of Japan.

The goal isn’t to perfectly recreate a location, but to capture its unique atmosphere. As Torben Ellert, Design Director, explained to Xbox Wire, it’s about the feeling of a place. For example, when thinking about driving in Tokyo, what truly makes it feel like Tokyo? It’s the progression – seeing the city from afar on highways, then moving through residential areas, and finally being surrounded by skyscrapers in the downtown core.

It’s about observing the details of a location – the roads, landmarks, and overall atmosphere – and capturing the feeling of discovery as you move through it. The goal isn’t to perfectly copy every detail, but to recreate the experience of finding something new around each bend.

Creating a realistic experience is challenging, particularly in a game like Forza Horizon, which lets you freely explore a vast world without penalty. The developers focused on making the game feel immersive while still maintaining the fun, over-the-top spirit of Horizon – where you can drive incredibly fast cars, crash spectacularly, and even earn rewards for it. So far, gameplay footage suggests they’ve struck that balance perfectly.

Players can experience the thrill of driving in Japan with the release of Forza Horizon 6 on May 19th for Xbox Series X/S and PC. Joined by friends Jordy and Mei, they’ll participate in the Horizon Festival, starting with qualifying rounds and ultimately aiming to reach the legendary final destination, Legend Island. A PlayStation 5 version is planned for release in late 2026.

There’s plenty more to enjoy, like documenting your collectibles in a new journal, designing your dream home, and hosting friends. You can collect over 550 cars, including unique vehicles with rare parts to find throughout the game.

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2026-01-22 23:41