Forza Horizon 6: Can Japan’s Open-World Festival Save Racing Games?

Forza Horizon 6: Can Japan’s Open-World Festival Save Racing Games?

Forza Horizon 6 is the next open‑world racing game from Playground Games, set in Japan and launching later in 2026 on Xbox, PC, and PlayStation 5. With a Tokyo‑centered map, expanded progression systems, and a broader platform strategy, it is positioned not just as another sequel but as a potential turning point for the racing genre. The State of Racing Games in 2026 Over the last decade, racing games have split into two main camps: hardcore simulation titles like iRacing and Assetto Corsa, and open‑world or arcade experiences like Forza Horizon and Need for Speed. While sim racing has grown steadily thanks to esports and high‑end rigs, the more casual racing market has seen fewer big-budget, system‑selling releases outside Forza and Gran Turismo. At the same time, the overall racing and sim market is still growing, with racing simulator software projected to expand at a healthy compound annual growth rate through 2031. This means players are interested in racing, but they are spread acr…