Forza Horizon 6’s Seasons Have “Dramatic Impact” on Environments and Playable World, Says Playground

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Everyone is excited for *Forza Horizon 6* from Playground Games, but the developers are keeping many details about the Japan setting under wraps. We know Tokyo City and Mt. Fuji will be featured, and they’re dedicated to accurately portraying Japanese culture and the overall feel of the country, but more information won’t be released until early 2026.

Don Arceta, art director, and Kyoko Yamashita, culture consultant, have confirmed that changing seasons will be back in the new Forza Horizon game, as they were in Forza Horizon 4. This means players can expect hot summers, snowy winters, and the beautiful cherry blossoms of Sakura season to transform the game world.

Players of *Horizon* are used to seeing changes with the seasons, as it’s a key part of the game. According to Arceta, these seasonal shifts will be especially noticeable in the Japan setting, dramatically altering the environment and also reflecting important cultural traditions.

Yamashita explained that the team created a system where the game world realistically reflects the seasons – you’ll notice changes in the atmosphere, what’s happening around you, and even the sounds you hear as spring turns to summer, then autumn and winter. They’re also very proud of the small details, like subtle background sounds – such as train announcements or the gentle ringing of wind chimes in summer – that immediately create a sense of place without needing any explanation. These seemingly minor touches, they believe, add a lot of authenticity to the experience.

The team noticed something special about Japan – a sense of peaceful energy despite its bustling activity, which Yamashita called a calm, yet organized, energy. Even if they don’t perfectly recreate that environment in the game, they aim to make the setting feel genuine and believable to players.

The next installment in the Forza Horizon series, *Forza Horizon 6*, is scheduled to release in 2026 for Xbox Series X/S and PC. A PlayStation 5 version will follow, created with help from the team at Playground Games. Players with Xbox Game Pass will be able to play it on launch day.

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2025-09-25 14:42