Forza Horizon 5 initially faced some challenges but quickly evolved into one of the top open-world racing games in the genre.
With the Horizon Festival captivating players in Mexico for nearly three years, speculation is rising about what Playground Games has in store for the next chapter. Although a 2024 release was initially expected, recent reports suggest that Forza Horizon 6 may now launch in 2025.
Fans are especially excited about the potential of new features, including a rumored map set in Japan and enhanced car rosters.
Here’s everything we know so far about Forza Horizon 6.
Key Takeaways
- Forza Horizon 6 will likely come out in 2025 since it was not announced at the 2024 Xbox Games Showcase.
- Japan is the most rumored and wanted location for the next Horizon Festival, offering a thrilling setting for car lovers.
- Forza Horizon 6 is expected to have a similar car list to Forza Horizon 5, with improvements to the player experience.
No Forza Horizon News at the Xbox Games Showcase
Fans of Forza Horizon were excited for news at the 2024 Xbox Games Showcase.
However, the spotlight was taken by Playground Games’ new Fable reboot, leaving Forza Horizon 6 unmentioned.
This absence has led to the expectation that the game will not launch in 2024 but in 2025 instead.
What’s Next for the Horizon Festival?
Despite its initial hurdles, Forza Horizon 5 has flourished with continuous updates, drawing players back for fresh content, including new cars, challenges, and races. As anticipation builds for Forza Horizon 6, fans are eager to see how the series evolves.
With former creative director Mike Brown having left Playground Games in 2023 to form Maverick Games, there’s speculation that the new installment could introduce significant changes, potentially shaking up the formula that has worked so well in past titles.
Rumors suggest that Forza Horizon 6 could bring in a new storyline or feature set, possibly reintroducing a narrative antagonist or rebooting the series in an exciting new direction. A new location, such as Japan, could also provide an immersive and fresh experience.
While Forza Horizon 5 allowed players to carry over progress from its predecessor, some fans are hoping that Forza Horizon 6 reintroduces a greater sense of progression and rewards, enhancing the sense of achievement as players advance through the game.
Possible FH6 Locations: Japan Is the Clear Favorite
The Horizon Festival has already visited the USA, Europe, Australia, the UK, and Mexico.
Fans are now clamoring for Japan as the next location, renowned as the birthplace of the drift scene and home to major car manufacturers like Honda, Nissan, and Toyota.
Japan offers rich potential for new gameplay experiences, from drifting in neon-lit cities to racing along mountainous highways.
Japan also remains underrepresented in open-world racing games, making it a prime candidate for Forza Horizon 6.
While Tokyo is an obvious choice, it might be too demanding for current-gen hardware, suggesting a smaller city or a collection of towns could be more feasible.
Other rumored locations include Germany, China, and a return to the USA, with some fans favoring Detroit’s Motor City.
Expected Car List: Building on Forza Horizon 5
Forza Horizon 5 launched with over 530 cars, a number expected to be matched or exceeded by Forza Horizon 6.
Fans hope for a launch that includes all cars from Forza Horizon 5, avoiding the pitfalls of missing or DLC-locked vehicles.
Expanding the car list to include more Japanese drift and race cars would align perfectly with a Japanese setting.
Including cars from previous Forza Horizon titles could also address past player dissatisfaction and enhance the game’s appeal.
Current-Gen Focus with Potential for Multiplatform Release
Forza Horizon 6 will be available on Xbox Series X|S and PC, potentially leaving last-gen consoles behind to fully exploit current-gen hardware capabilities.
This focus would allow for a more expansive and content-rich game world.
We also expect Forza Horizon 6 to debut on Game Pass, following the success of Forza Horizon 5’s record-breaking launch.
Rumors suggest Forza Horizon could eventually appear on PlayStation, though Microsoft may choose to keep Forza Horizon 6 exclusive to Xbox and PC initially to drive console sales.
Future legacy title releases on PlayStation could pave the way for a broader platform presence.
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Forza Horizon 6 Release Date Likely to Be in 2025
Forza Horizon 6 was expected to come out in 2024, but since it wasn’t announced at the Xbox Games Showcase, it will probably be released in 2025, possibly in the autumn.
With Forza Motorsport being delayed and Grand Theft Auto VI’s massive upcoming release in 2025, timing will be crucial for Forza Horizon 6’s release.
Excitement Peaks as Forza Horizon 6 Draws Closer
The anticipation surrounding Forza Horizon 6 continues to grow as fans eagerly await official announcements.
With speculation pointing to a 2025 release, players are excited about the potential of new gameplay mechanics, a whole new location – possibly Japan – and an expansive roster of cars. The series has always excelled at delivering stunning visuals and immersive experiences, and Forza Horizon 6 promises to push those boundaries even further.
While the exact details are still under wraps, the possibility of a more dynamic progression system, along with fresh content and features, has the community buzzing. As we inch closer to the next chapter of the Horizon Festival, it’s clear that Forza Horizon 6 is shaping up to be a must-play for racing game enthusiasts.
Stay tuned for more updates as Playground Games continues to develop the future of the Forza series. It’s only a matter of time before the next thrilling Horizon Festival begins!
