Microsoft unveils Forza Horizon 6 set in Japan

Microsoft has announced Forza Horizon 6, the latest installment in its popular racing series, with a release date of May 19 for Xbox and PC. The game emphasizes Japanese car culture and features diverse landscapes across the country, including views of Mount Fuji. PlayStation 5 players will gain access later in 2026.

Microsoft revealed details about Forza Horizon 6 during a recent showcase, highlighting its focus on Japanese car culture. The open-world racing game launches on May 19 for Xbox and PC, with Premium Edition buyers accessing it early on May 15. It will be available day one on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, as well as Steam and Xbox Cloud. PlayStation 5 support is slated for sometime in 2026, though no specific date was provided. A first-look video showcased stunning Japanese scenery, from cherry blossom-lined rural roads and ice-enclosed courses to neon-lit streets in Tokyo and prominent views of Mount Fuji. The game includes 550 collectible cars at launch, with the cover featuring the 2025 GR GT Prototype and the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser. Players take on the role of a newcomer to Japan, guided by two friends: Jordy, a motorsports enthusiast, and Mei, a car builder. The map is divided into districts, encompassing urban hubs like Tokyo's Shibuya Crossing, suburbs, industrial docklands, and rural areas. Progression involves unlocking new cars, advanced races, and a journal of digital mementos reminiscent of stamp collecting. For the first time in the series, players can acquire and build on a personal piece of land called The Estate. Eight player houses serve as fast-travel points, while new Car Meets provide social spaces inspired by Japanese car culture. Pricing includes $70 for the Standard Edition, $100 for the Deluxe Edition, and $120 for the Premium Edition, which adds early access and several Car Packs. A separate showcase praised enhancements like improved player housing, touge-style battles, and iconic Japanese street racing locales, though it raised concerns about potential generative AI usage in development.

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A photorealistic image showing a computer screen with leaked Forza Horizon 6 files on Steam, illustrating the early game leak and developer bans.
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Forza Horizon 6 leaked early on steam ahead of may 19 launch

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An unencrypted build of Forza Horizon 6 appeared online several days before its scheduled release. Players accessed and cracked the game files, prompting immediate bans from the developers.

Playground Games has confirmed that players cannot smash cherry blossom trees in Forza Horizon 6. The studio also chose to exclude certain Japanese temples and shrines. These decisions aim to avoid cultural disrespect in the Japan-set racing game.

Reported by AI

Following the January reveal of Forza Horizon 6 set in Japan, developers at Playground Games have assigned a dedicated team to build the game's expansive Tokyo—the largest urban area in series history. Art director Don Arceta detailed its scale and complexity in a recent IGN interview.

Xbox has announced that Grand Theft Auto 5 will leave Game Pass on Xbox Series X/S and PC starting April 15. The service will also lose Ashen, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, My Little Pony: A Zephyr Heights Mystery, and Terra Invicta around the same date. New titles including Clair Obscur Expedition 33 and Final Fantasy IV arrive this month.

Reported by AI

Microsoft detailed its next-generation Xbox console, Project Helix, at the 2026 Game Developers Conference, highlighting a custom AMD SoC for Xbox and PC games, advanced ray tracing, AI upscaling, and alpha developer kits shipping in 2027. The announcements include platform convergence, game preservation efforts, and follow recent leadership changes.

Sony has announced the April 2026 lineup for PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium tiers' Game Catalog, available starting April 21. Highlights include Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, Squirrel with a Gun, The Casting of Frank Stone, Monster Train, Football Manager 26 Console, The Crew Motorfest, and Warriors: Abyss, with Wild Arms 4 exclusive to Premium subscribers. Leaks from Dealabs accurately predicted several titles ahead of the official PlayStation Blog reveal.

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