After several rumors and leaks, the most recent of which arrived in the last hour, now it's official: Microsoft and Playground Games have announced Forza Horizon 6, a new episode of the racing series that will see us race in Japan this time. The game is expected for the end of 2026; Here are the first details and a teaser trailer that unfortunately does not show us any gameplay.

Art Director Don Arceta explained that Japan has long been at the top of fans' wish lists and that this is the right time to make it happen, both from a technological point of view and thanks to the experience accumulated with the previous chapters. For example, the Hot Wheels expansion of Forza Horizon 5 was useful for developing the elevated roads that we will find in the game's Tokyo. Cultural consultant Kyoko Yamashita added that the country's richness, with its coexistence of traditional and modern elements side by side, fits perfectly with the series' spirit of exploration.

As already seen with the Mexican setting, the game map will not be a 1:1 scale reproduction, but rather a fusion of iconic locations designed to capture the essence of the country and maximize fun. We'll be able to zip through the neon lights and towering buildings of Tokyo, described as one of the most detailed and layered environments the team has ever created, and then immerse ourselves in the serenity of rural and mountainous areas, with Mt. Fuji as a backdrop. To ensure maximum authenticity, the team traveled to Japan to study not only the landscapes, but also the atmosphere, sounds and small details of everyday life, with the aim of creating a believable and immersive world, which avoids stereotypes.

As already seen starting from Forza Horizon 4, seasons will also play a central role in Forza Horizon 6 . In Japan, seasonal changes have a profound visual and cultural impact, and this will be reflected in the game. It will not only be an aesthetic change, but a real transformation of the game world that will affect the atmosphere, activities and even ambient sounds, going from hot summer months to snowy winters, without forgetting the iconic season of sakura, cherry blossoms. Of course, we'll be able to explore the country's unique automotive culture, which ranges from 'Kei cars' and precision motorsport to the roots of drifting and a deep passion for customisation.

Forza Horizon 6 will arrive in 2026, with an initial launch expected exclusively on Xbox consoles and PC. Playground Games has also confirmed that it is working, together with Turn 10 Studios, to bring the game to PlayStation 5 at a later date, after the initial release. To see the actual gameplay, however, we will have to wait until the first months of 2026, when more details will be revealed.

We leave you to the trailer, enjoy!