Forza Horizon 5
News, coverage and analysis tracking Forza Horizon 5 across the outlets.
Latest coverage
How I smashed my target to complete one video game every month - Reader’s Feature
A reader details their goal of completing one video game per month in 2026, successfully finishing 11 games in the first half of the year. The feature highlights various titles across different genres and platforms, including "Dispatch," "Ghost of Tsushima," "Resident Evil Requiem," and "007 First Light," offering brief impressions of each.
Evening Reading - July 24, 2026
This edition of Evening Reading covers various gaming news items, including the announcement of Forza Horizon 6 and updates for games like 007 First Light, Marvel Rivals, and Disney Dreamlight Valley. It also highlights ongoing sales for PlayStation and Xbox, PC download deals, and a Hades 2 cover song. The article also mentions Shacknews's collection of video game maps and a segment on former President Obama playing WNBA games.
Weekend Console Download Deals for July 24: PlayStation & Xbox Summer Sales continue
The PlayStation Summer Sale and Xbox Ultimate Game Sale are ongoing, offering discounts on a wide range of titles for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. The Nintendo eShop also features deals, including a sale on Balatro for the Nintendo Switch. PlayStation Plus members can also access free games.
Where to find Naruo Golf Course in Forza Horizon 6
This guide details the location of Naruo Golf Course in Forza Horizon 6, a key spot for the Afternoon Tee photo challenge in Series 3 Autumn. The course is situated in the Minamino region, north of Tokyo, and can be identified by surrounding landmarks like the Airfield Trail and convenience stores. The article also outlines the rewards for completing the challenge, including Festival Playlist points and exclusive cars.
Saudi-led EA buyout receives EU approval, Xbox trials ad-supported game streaming, and Poinpy is eternal - Patch Notes #62
The European Commission has approved the Saudi-led buyout of Electronic Arts, while Xbox is trialing ad-supported game streaming for select titles. Separately, the mobile platformer Poinpy has returned, and news emerges about a revived Kinect game, scrapped Pokémon designs, and legal disputes involving Nintendo and Bethesda employees.
Xbox Starts Testing Ad-Supported Cloud Streaming Tier Through Insider Program
Xbox has begun testing a new ad-supported tier for its cloud streaming service exclusively for Xbox Insiders. This tier will feature session limits and display ads before gameplay begins, but will not include a built-in game library and is separate from Game Pass. The company emphasizes that this optional service aims to lower access costs and expand player audiences, with ads designed to be non-intrusive and relevant to the player.
The Logitech G29 Racing Wheel and Driving Force Shifter Bundle Drops to the Lowest Price Ever
The Logitech G29 Racing Wheel and Driving Force Shifter bundle is currently available at its lowest price ever. This accessory is designed to enhance the gaming experience for racing titles such as Forza Horizon 6 and Gran Turismo 7 on PC.
Forza Horizon 6 Festival Playlist Challenges Guide – Series 3 Autumn
This guide provides tips and recommended cars for completing the Series 3 Autumn Festival Playlist challenges in Forza Horizon 6. The challenges run from July 23rd to July 30th, 2026, and offer rewards such as the 2017 Abarth 124 Spider and 2020 Lamborghini Huracán Evo. The article details various events including championships, photo challenges, and speed zones, suggesting prioritizing easier tasks for quick point accumulation.
Where to find tank lattes in Forza Horizon 6
This guide details how to find and smash 20 tank lattes in the town of Ine, located in the Ito region on the east coast of Forza Horizon 6's map. Completing this challenge, part of the Series 3 Autumn series, rewards players with Festival Playlist points towards unlocking exclusive cars like the 2017 Abarth 124 Spider and the 2024 Lamborghini Temerario.
Despite Xbox console sales doubling YoY, hardware sales across the US are down 62% | US Monthly Charts
Total video game sales in the US experienced a 20% year-on-year decline, dropping from $5.7 billion to $4.5 billion. Hardware sales saw the most significant decrease at 62%, largely due to the Nintendo Switch 2's launch the previous year. Despite this, UFC 6 debuted as the best-selling game, followed by Meccha Chameleon and 007 First Light.
Best-selling games in the U.S. for June 2026 – Star Fox makes the top 5
Circana has released the top ten best-selling video games in the U.S. for June 2026. UFC 6 topped the list, followed by Meccha Chameleon and 007 First Light. Nintendo titles Star Fox and Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream also performed well, ranking fourth and sixth respectively.
Forza Horizon 5’s ex-creative director pins Xbox’s turmoil on Game Pass
Mike Brown, former creative director for Forza Horizon 5, suggests that Xbox's recent turmoil, including layoffs and project cancellations, stems from Game Pass failing to meet subscriber and revenue targets. He argues that Microsoft invested heavily in the subscription service and studio acquisitions based on projections that did not materialize, leading to financial strain.
Forza Horizon 5 Creative Director Says Xbox Game Pass Was “A Good Idea”
Former Forza Horizon 5 creative director Mike Brown believes Xbox Game Pass was a good concept that ultimately failed due to insufficient subscriber numbers needed to sustain its business model. He expressed sadness over the potential studio closures and job losses resulting from this outcome. Brown also defended Xbox employees amidst criticism and recent layoffs, emphasizing that the core idea of Game Pass was player-focused, though it did not reach the scale required to justify major acquisitions like Activision Blizzard.
Halo’s PlayStation Debut Could Also Be Its Farewell
Microsoft's Xbox division is undergoing a significant strategic shift, moving away from broad multi-platform releases like Halo: Campaign Evolved towards a renewed focus on console exclusivity. This change, spearheaded by CEO Asha Sharma, involves scaling back the Xbox division and potentially canceling unannounced titles, though games already expected on other platforms will proceed. The article analyzes the implications of this shift for future Halo titles and the broader gaming landscape, considering factors like sales, player acquisition, and potential exclusive benefits for Xbox players.
Xbox Game Pass isn’t "viable" with so few subscribers, says former Forza lead bracing for more…
Former Forza Horizon 5 director Mike Brown stated that Xbox Game Pass is not viable due to insufficient subscriber numbers, leading to recent studio layoffs. He believes the service's player-focused concept, while well-intentioned, has not met the necessary financial targets. Journalist Jason Schreier also noted that some Xbox studio leadership detest Game Pass, viewing it as detrimental to game value and the industry.
Xbox Game Pass was a good idea in theory, former Forza Horizon 5 director says, but "the reality is not enough people have subscribed"
Former Forza Horizon 5 director Mike Brown believes Xbox Game Pass was a good concept but failed due to insufficient subscriber numbers at necessary price points, leading to studio closures and layoffs. He noted that while the service was player-focused and funded many games and studios, the financial reality did not align with Microsoft's ambitious expectations. Brown also expressed admiration for former Xbox leaders Sarah Bond and Asha Sharma.
"The concept of [Xbox] Game Pass was good" despite its eventual faceplant now contributing to mass job losses, reckons Forza Horizon 5 director
Mike Brown, former creative director for Forza Horizon 5, believes the concept of Xbox Game Pass was fundamentally good, despite its current struggles leading to significant layoffs within Microsoft's gaming division. He suggests that while the service was a well-intentioned, player-focused idea, it failed to gain enough subscribers at the necessary price point to be financially viable. Brown also defended Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond, acknowledging their roles in the Game Pass push while noting the harsh criticism they face on social media.
The Biggest Critics Of Xbox Game Pass May Be Inside Xbox
Internal criticism within Xbox suggests that Xbox Game Pass has devalued games and negatively impacted the industry, with some leaders viewing it as a detriment. Despite its initial promise, the subscription service has faced challenges including price increases and shifting tiers, with even its own leaders questioning its success and impact on major franchises like Call of Duty.
Is Game Pass Still the Right Strategy for Xbox?
This article analyzes the current state and future strategy of Xbox Game Pass, questioning its sustainability and impact on game value. Despite initial excitement and acquisitions to bolster its library, internal sentiment appears negative, with reports of studios detesting the service and subscriber growth falling short of projections. While Game Pass remains a key, albeit paradoxical, component of Xbox's offerings, its future is uncertain amidst internal challenges and a need for renewed growth.
Game Pass Was A Good Idea But It Didn’t Work, Forza Horizon 5 Creative Director Says
Forza Horizon 5 creative director Mike Brown stated that Xbox Game Pass, while a good idea, failed to attract enough subscribers to be a viable business model, contributing to current struggles at Xbox. He expressed sadness over potential studio closures and job losses resulting from the service not meeting expectations, despite significant investment from Microsoft. Brown believes changes are coming to Game Pass, such as delaying the inclusion of new major titles to maximize initial sales.
