The highly anticipated Forza Horizon 6 is rumored to transport its vibrant open-world racing festival to Japan, following acclaimed previous installments across France, England, and Mexico. Multiple credible leaks, including a now-removed Instagram post, strongly suggest an official unveiling at the Tokyo Game Show next month.
This widespread speculation is primarily fueled by insights from well-known leaker NateTheHate. Windows Central has further corroborated this report, stating that they have reviewed documentation indicating Forza Horizon 6`s official presentation during the annual Japanese gaming event.
Adding more weight to these claims, an Australian car import business recently shared an Instagram post. The post featured a Playground Games staff member digitally scanning a rare compact Japanese car, with explicit mentions linking this activity to a new Forza Horizon title. The Tokyo Game Show is scheduled to run from September 25-28, an event where Microsoft has a history of hosting dedicated showcases for its upcoming games.
Its predecessor, Forza Horizon 5, launched in 2021, famously took players to the scenic landscapes of Mexico. It achieved remarkable success, notably becoming a best-selling title on PS5 this year, as reported by gaming analyst Alinea. The critically acclaimed game earned strong reviews, offered an extensive collection of hundreds of vehicles, and maintained player engagement through frequent content updates, ultimately attracting over 50 million players across various platforms.
The recent slowdown in the frequency of Forza Horizon 5`s content updates has led many in the gaming community to believe that developer Playground Games is dedicating significant resources to a sequel. This development is occurring alongside their ongoing work on the highly anticipated next Fable game. Japan has consistently been a top choice among fans for a future Forza Horizon setting, celebrated for its deep-rooted car culture, vibrant car meets, and legendary underground racing scene, making it an ideal candidate for the series` next destination.
These exciting rumors emerge during a period of significant upheaval across Microsoft`s game studios, marked by extensive layoffs and project cancellations. Turn 10, the developer behind the more simulation-focused Forza Motorsport, was reportedly hit particularly hard, with up to 50% of its staff affected. Despite these challenges, Turn 10 has affirmed its commitment to continued support for Forza Motorsport, with various in-game events having recently launched to maintain player engagement.