Forza Horizon 6 wants a much more alive Japan after criticism of Forza Horizon 5’s map

Playground Games acknowledges that the previous map didn't connect the same way with players.

More stories in the category News

• More than 20 newly announced Xbox Series games that may not have been on your radar
• Xbox Play Anywhere adds 8 new games after the Future Games Showcase (full list)
• Future Games Show Spring Showcase leaves dozens of announcements: these are all the games presented

The team at Playground Games has shared new details about the development of Forza Horizon 6 and, in the process, has left an interesting reflection on the design of its open world. During a recent conversation, the developers explained that they have carefully analyzed how players reacted to previous installments to build a more varied and activity-filled map.

One of the points that generated the most debate in Forza Horizon 5 was its setting in Mexico. Although the game was very well received, part of the community considered that large areas of the map felt too similar to each other, especially in areas dominated by desert landscapes.

Forza Horizon 6 will bet on a denser and more contrasting Japan

For the new installment, the studio wants the map to feel much more dynamic and varied, something they hope to achieve thanks to the chosen scenario: Japan. According to the developers, the goal is to create a world where the player perceives constant changes when moving through the environment.

The transition between spaces will be one of the most important elements. The team comments that going from outdoor areas to urban environments like Tokyo will generate immediate contrasts, with narrow streets that lead to large avenues, neighborhoods full of activity, and very different landscapes at a short distance.

The most advanced Forza Horizon

This approach aims to make the map convey the feeling of being full of interesting places, with many points of interest and activities distributed throughout the territory. The studio also explains that this type of small-scale change helps to make the game’s world feel richer, avoiding the feeling of traveling through large expanses where everything seems similar.

Although not all the details of the map have been revealed yet, Playground Games has announced that Tokyo will play an important role in the experience, accompanied by other biomes characteristic of Japan.