- Forza Horizon 6 was shown for the first time at the recent Xbox Developer Direct
- Major changes include updates to career development and creative EventLab tools
- However, some users online have expressed concern about potential generative AI use
Playground Games just showed up Forza Horizon 6 for the first time during the Xbox Developer Direct showcase on January 22nd, and it looks like everything I could have wanted from an open-world racer in Japan.
First, it turns out that previous leaks were actually accurate – Forza Horizon 6 launches on May 19 for Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and PC. A Premium Edition offers four days of early access, and a PS5 version will arrive sometime this year.
As for the flagship car (what you can see on the box), it’s a choice. This time Playground Games has partnered with Toyota Gazoo Racing to present the 2025 GR GT Prototype as the game’s cover car.
The Developer Direct view does Forza Horizon 6 looks very promising, so I’ve picked out three things I’m particularly excited about with this long-awaited new post. That said, there have already been concerns about the developer potentially making use of generative AI tools for some in-game artwork.
It would be heartbreaking if true because Forza Horizon 6 is otherwise looks like a huge return to form post-split Forza Horizon 5.
A career reset
Look at
One more simple change Forza Horizon 6’s career path makes all the difference to me. In the previous game, Forza Horizon 5, the player is already treated as racing royalty, transferring our mastery of the festival i Forza Horizon 4. It just felt a little hollow; we were just there for laughs, there was no real growth or progression to be had.
Forza Horizon 6 changes this. We are basically back to square one here in Japan as tourist and racing enthusiast, eager to participate in the Horizon Festival to show our skills. It’s a small thing to be sure, but such a refreshing change that puts renewed emphasis on upgrading your festival wristband and participating in major showcase events.
I just hope the car collection gets easier too. I’ve talked before about how much I dislike the series’ Wheelspin system. Getting new, expensive cars once every half hour is a bit much, and it makes it really hard to settle on a favorite when you’re handed the keys to new rides so often.
EventLab inspection
Playground Games looks set to make huge improvements to EventLab – its suite of in-game creative tools for Forza Horizon series. Game houses and garages are now EventLab environments, allowing us to decorate our rooms and display our favorite cars in new and creative ways.
A few other improvements I’m really excited about also involve EventLab. The feature can now be accessed anywhere on the map, at any time. Additionally, EventLab can be used in a multiplayer environment, and we can see in Developer Direct what appears to be real-time editing while another player is running. It looks more seamless and accessible than ever before.
The big addition in Forza Horizon 6, however, at least when it comes to EventLab, Estate is. Essentially a massive blank canvas to start with, this is a dedicated EventLab space that you can build up however you like. I’m already considering setting up a race track around a small Japanese village. The possibilities seem excitingly endless here.
Car meetings are looking better than ever
Inspired by Japan’s legendary Daikoku parking lot, a melting pot for car enthusiasts and street racers alike, cars meet in Forza Horizon 6 sounds like a huge improvement. They are a fully social activity now, with decidedly low stakes.
Players appear to be able to meet in these areas of the map, enjoy the sight of each other’s cars and player characters, challenge each other to races, and even buy custom rides from each other.
A major AI concern
There is a lot to be excited about Forza Horizon 6, so. But there could be one seriously bad apple that spoils the whole bunch.
As reported by Tech4Gamers, Playground Games is being accused of featuring AI-generated art in the Forza Horizon 6. People on Twitter point to one piece of artwork in particular that is prominent on the side of a building.
The art bears some of the telltale signs of AI-generated imagery. A pointless abundance of small details (in this case, awkwardly placed gears adorning the central character), and an oversaturated color palette that doesn’t take into account basic color theory. For my two cents, it doesn’t really look like something a professional artist would whip up.
Playground Games has yet to confirm the use of generative AI in Forza Horizon 6. However, parent company Microsoft has been outspoken in its desire to use the deeply controversial technology.
Thing is, if the art linked above actually turns out to be AI-generated, it probably won’t be the only instance of it in the game. I want to be excited about Forza Horizon 6; it really looks like a brilliant return to form for the series. But it will be much harder to get excited about the game if it really relies on generative AI tools.
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