As highly anticipated as Playground Games’ Forza Horizon 6 is, there’s a lot the development team isn’t sharing about its take on Japan. Tokyo City and Mt. Fuji are confirmed, along with a commitment to capturing the culture and atmosphere, but much more will be revealed in early 2026.
In the meantime, art director Don Arceta and culture consultant Kyoko Yamashita confirmed to Xbox Wire that changing seasons will return. Introduced in Forza Horizon 4, these would impact the game world in different ways. In Forza Horizon 6, that means “sweltering summers, snowy winters and, of course, the iconic Sakura season,” where cherry blossoms adorn the landscape.
“Horizon players will be well acquainted with seasonal changes as a core part of the experience. For Japan, seasonal changes have a dramatic impact on the landscape and playable world, but also hold a deeper cultural meaning for the country and its culture,” said Arceta.
“The team has also been able to build a system where seasonal changes truly inform the world – how spring, summer, autumn, and winter subtly shift tone, activity, and sound,” added Yamashita. However, it’s also proud of the “everyday details” that change, including “ambient audio like station chimes or summer wind bells that instantly place you without a caption. Those are quiet choices, but they carry a lot of truth.”
This goes back to the team’s observations about Japan and how it’s quiet despite the overall energy (which Yamashita described as “organized chaos with surprising calm”). Even if a one-to-one recreation of the setting isn’t planned, fans will be able to feel the setting’s authenticity.
Forza Horizon 6 will launch sometime in 2026 for Xbox Series X/S and PC, with a PS5 version arriving later (and developed in conjunction with Playground Games). It will also be playable on day one for Game Pass subscribers.
This sounds really exciting! The impact of seasons on the environment and gameplay is such a fascinating concept. I can’t wait to see how it all comes together in Forza Horizon 6!
I completely agree! The changing seasons can really enhance the immersion and challenge in the game. It will be interesting to see how different weather conditions affect driving dynamics and strategy during races.
Absolutely! The dynamic seasons not only affect gameplay but also offer stunning visual changes that can make each race feel unique. It’ll be exciting to see how they incorporate these elements into different environments!
Absolutely agree! It’s fascinating how these seasonal shifts can also influence driving strategies, pushing players to adapt their techniques based on weather conditions. It really adds another layer of excitement to the game!
You’re right! The changing seasons not only affect the visuals but can also create unique challenges, like adjusting tire choices for different weather conditions. It adds a whole new layer of strategy to the gameplay!