Forza Horizon 6 not only reveals the release date and shows gameplay for the first time, but also unveils the “Akiya” system, a real revolution for the series.
At Xbox Developer_Direct, Microsoft and Playground Games finally presented the first real gameplay footage from Forza Horizon 6 and showed how the open world will be implemented technically and in terms of gameplay.
The developers not only announced the release date of May 19, 2026, for Xbox and PC (and later in the year for PS5), but also went into great detail about mechanics that we had not seen before.
The biggest surprise is probably the completely revamped housing system, which gives you far more creative freedom than simply buying real estate ever could.
Revolution in housing: The “Akiya” system
In previous Horizon games, purchasing real estate was usually a simple transaction: you buy a castle, a villa, or a beach hut, unlock a fast travel point, and that’s it. In Forza Horizon 6, this changes dramatically with the new “Akiya” feature.
Although there are still eight classic player houses, the centerpiece is an abandoned property that you take over as the game progresses. Design Director Torben Ellert explained in an
Japan as “condensed reality”
The gameplay footage also confirmed the enormous vertical orientation of the new map: However, the developers emphasize that it is not a 1:1 replica of the real streets, but rather a “condensed reality.” The aim is to capture the feeling of driving in Japan – from the narrow suburban streets criss-crossed with power lines to the industrial port districts.
One highlight is, of course, Tokyo: The metropolis is said to be five times larger than any city Playground Games has built so far. It features various districts such as the famous Shibuya and Ginza, all of which are seamlessly connected. This is complemented by rural areas and mountain passes that are ideal for drift duels.
You can see some new screenshots here:
The career restart
The game’s story takes a hard reset: While you were already celebrated as a festival champion in Forza Horizon 5, you start out in Japan as a complete nobody. You are a tourist who dreams of participating in the Horizon Festival.
Accompanied by the NPCs Jordy (motorsport fan) and Mei (expert in tuner culture), you first have to build up your reputation. At the beginning, you get to briefly drive the new cover star, the Toyota 2025 GR GT Prototype, and compete against a Shinkansen high-speed train. But the race is just a small taste – afterwards, the car will be taken away from you and you’ll start in “economy class.”
In addition to the races, Forza Horizon 6 introduces the Collection Journal: Inspired by the Japanese tradition of collecting stamps at train stations and tourist attractions, you fill this book with memories.
Discovering landmarks or hidden locations is documented here and contributes directly to your progress in the festival. This rewards exploration, even when you’re not racing.
To authentically reflect Japanese car culture, the game integrates permanent Car Meets – essentially tuner meetups. At three fixed locations in the world – including the legendary Daikoku Parking Area – you can seamlessly meet up with other players. Simply drive into the parking lot, check out other players’ cars, download their paint jobs, or buy their car configurations directly.
Forza Horizon 6 will be released on May 19, 2026, for PC and Xbox and will cost €70. Buyers of the Ultimate Edition can start Advanced Access four days earlier, on May 15.
