Xbox Game Studios
Xbox Game Studios business and news from across the web.
Forza Horizon 6 is out, Valve update Proton Hotfix for Linux - initial thoughtsForza Horizon 6 has launched on PC and is playable on Linux via Valve's Proton Hotfix, which has been updated to address initial issues. While the game runs well on high settings on desktop PCs, Linux users on Steam Deck experience performance drops and stuttering, requiring significant setting adjustments for a smoother experience. Despite some visual glitches and AI concerns, the game is stable and visually impressive on Linux.
Forza Horizon 6 Proves Xbox Still Has One Franchise No One Can TouchForza Horizon 6 continues the franchise's streak of critical acclaim, earning high Metascores and praise for its visuals, gameplay, and open-world design in Japan. This consistent excellence stands in contrast to the struggles of other Xbox franchises like Halo and Gears of War. Playground Games' ability to deliver on fan expectations and maintain quality is highlighted as the key to Forza Horizon's enduring success.
Forza Horizon 6 is XBOX’s Biggest Steam Launch in HistoryForza Horizon 6 achieved the biggest Steam launch in Xbox Game Studios history, surpassing 273,000 concurrent players shortly after its Standard Edition release. This figure significantly outclasses previous records set by titles like Halo Infinite. The game is also available on PC via the Microsoft Store and Game Pass, with player numbers expected to rise further, especially on Xbox Series X/S.
A Tourist’s Guide to Forza Horizon 6, From A Designer’s PerspectiveForza Horizon 6 Design Director Torbern Ellert and Art Director Don Arceta discuss the creation of the game's recreation of Japan, highlighting iconic locations like Nachi Falls, Ruriko-ji Temple, and Tokyo City. They detail how real-world landmarks were adapted for gameplay accessibility while preserving their essence, and mention the role of cultural consultant Kyoko Yamashita in ensuring authenticity. The game launches May 19 on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Xbox Cloud, with day one availability on Xbox Game Pass.
Forza Horizon 6's imminent full release has fans turning to an old trick to play it early without paying for the…Xbox owners are using a 'New Zealand trick' to play Forza Horizon 6 early via Xbox Game Pass before its official release. This method involves changing the console's region to New Zealand to access games at the earliest possible time. The article notes that while this trick is possible on other platforms, it is significantly easier on Xbox.
All the fastest cars in Forza Horizon 6This guide details the fastest cars available in Forza Horizon 6, focusing on hypercars from manufacturers like Koenigsegg, Hennessey, and McLaren that can exceed 200mph. While these vehicles offer extreme top speeds, the article also highlights other high-performance cars that balance speed with better handling and acceleration for race scenarios.
Advanced Shader Delivery banishes long loads and shader stutter on first time launch, but only for certain games and there are a number of other caveats tooMicrosoft's Advanced Shader Delivery technology now supports AMD RDNA 3, 3.5, and 4 GPUs, including the Radeon RX 7000, 8000, and 9000 series, via the latest Adrenalin drivers. This feature, previously exclusive to the ROG Xbox Ally, pre-compiles shaders to eliminate long load times and stuttering on first-time game launches, particularly benefiting titles like Forza Horizon 6, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, and others downloaded through the Xbox app.
'This game is extremely broken': The dev of VKD3D-Proton, software for running Direct3D 12 games on Linux, isn't enjoying Forza Horizon 6 very muchThe developer of VKD3D-Proton, Hans-Kristian Arntzen, has identified and submitted fixes for issues causing Forza Horizon 6 to perform poorly on Linux. While the game runs well on Windows PCs, Linux gamers have reported significant problems, with Arntzen's work translating Direct3D 12 to Vulkan being key to resolving these glitches. Nvidia has also acknowledged issues and plans a driver release, while Valve's involvement with Steam Deck verification suggests ongoing support for the game on the platform.
Forza Horizon 6 reportedly has more than 1 million players, despite still being locked behind a $120 Premium EditionDespite its full release on May 19, Forza Horizon 6 has already surpassed one million players, primarily through its more expensive Premium Edition. Data from an early-game leaderboard indicates over 1.19 million players have engaged with the title, suggesting strong initial interest in the racing game.
Forza Horizon 6 has hit a higher peak player count than Forza Horizon 5 and it's not even out yetForza Horizon 6 has achieved a peak player count of 178,009 on Steam, significantly surpassing Forza Horizon 5's previous record. This surge in players is attributed to the game's early access availability for premium edition buyers and its setting in Japan. The article also touches on the current state of racing game franchises under Microsoft.- All Forza Horizon 6 Collection Journal exclusive cars and how to get themThis guide details how to obtain exclusive cars within Forza Horizon 6's Collection Journal. It lists specific car models, their year of origin, and the in-game requirements or tiers needed to unlock them, such as completing specific events or reaching certain Horizon Promo tiers. The article notes that while collecting these cars takes time, they are added to the player's garage for free.
- All Forza Horizon 6 Collection Journal exclusive cars and how to get themThis guide details how to obtain exclusive cars within Forza Horizon 6's Collection Journal. It lists specific car models, their year of origin, and the in-game requirements or tiers needed to unlock them, such as completing specific events or reaching certain Horizon Promo tiers. The article notes that while collecting these cars takes time, they are added to the player's garage for free.
All Forza Horizon 6 Barn Find locationsThis guide details the locations of all 15 Barn Find cars in Forza Horizon 6, which are scattered across Japan. Players must earn Discover Japan points and Stamps to unlock rumors for these hidden classic vehicles. Once a rumor is active, players can locate the barn and recover the car for restoration.
Forza Horizon 6 won't let you destroy cherry blossom trees because they're too important to Japanese cultureForza Horizon 6 will not allow players to destroy cherry blossom trees in its Japan setting due to their cultural importance. Developer Playground Games opted to preserve these iconic elements, along with shrines, while most other environmental objects are destructible. This decision highlights a focus on respecting Japanese culture within the game's world.
The 10 best RPGs for beginners looking to try out the genre for the first timeThis guide highlights ten approachable role-playing games perfect for newcomers to the genre. It features titles like Yakuza 0, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Persona 5 Royal, and Dragon Quest 11 S, detailing their gameplay, story, and why they serve as excellent entry points. The article also explains the 'RPG Vibes' used to categorize the games and the methodology behind the ranking.- FlightControlTools Releases FlightControlSpotter - Version 2 FlyBy Camera View and much moreFlightControlTools is releasing version 2 of its FlightControlSpotter tool for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 on PC and Xbox. This update introduces a new Fly-By Camera system for cinematic tracking of player and AI aircraft, enhanced AI traffic interaction, and improved drone camera controls. The update is free for existing users and is available on SIMMARKET.com and the in-sim Microsoft Marketplace.
Next Week on Xbox: New Games for May 18 to 22Xbox has announced a slate of new games arriving on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Game Pass between May 18 and May 22. Titles include Forza Horizon 6, LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, Riven, and many more across various genres.
Forza Horizon 6 overtakes Pokémon as the top-rated game of 2026 so farForza Horizon 6 has surpassed Pokémon Pokopia and Resident Evil Requiem to become the top-rated game of 2026 on Metacritic, achieving an average score of 92. While Pokémon Pokopia has more reviews, Forza Horizon 6's higher score has placed it in first place. The game is launching this week on Xbox and PC, with a PlayStation 5 version planned for later in the year.- Forza Horizon 6’s First Festival Playlist Rewards Revealed, Begins May 21The first Festival Playlist rewards for Forza Horizon 6 have been revealed, with the event set to begin on May 21. The content includes the 2008 Mazda Furai as one of the rewards.
Forza Horizon 6 immediately beats its predecessor's all-time Steam record with 130,000 concurrent players – and that's only counting people willing to pay $120 for early accessForza Horizon 6 has set a new Steam record with over 130,000 concurrent players, surpassing its predecessor's peak. This impressive number was achieved by players who purchased the Premium Edition for early access, ahead of the official May 19th release. The game's setting in Japan is also noted as a significant factor in its early success.