Forza Horizon 5
News, coverage and analysis tracking Forza Horizon 5 across the outlets.
Forza Horizon 6 Brings Back Horizon 4’s Sweeping Seasonal Changes | IGN First - IGNForza Horizon 6 will reintroduce dramatic seasonal changes, similar to Forza Horizon 4, significantly impacting the Japanese landscape and gameplay. Art director Don Arceta and production director Mike Bennett discuss how the team learned from previous titles to create distinct and authentic seasonal experiences, including nuanced winter conditions and the integration of Japanese cultural elements and festivals.- Avowed on PS5 – Making the wait for The Elder Scrolls 6 a little less painfulObsidian Entertainment's fantasy action RPG Avowed is now available on PlayStation 5 as part of Microsoft's multiplatform strategy, offering an experience reminiscent of The Elder Scrolls series. The game features a vibrant world tied to the Pillars of Eternity universe, a compelling cast of characters, and flexible combat mechanics. While not as sprawling as Skyrim, Avowed provides a focused narrative with rewarding exploration and smart design choices, making it a strong contender in the RPG genre.
It's been 25 years since my jaw first dropped at 3DMark2001's Nature test but hoo boy, have 3D graphics…This article reflects on the evolution of 3D graphics over the past 25 years, comparing the benchmark tests of 3DMark2001 with modern games. It highlights significant advancements in polygon count, texture detail, draw distance, and animation complexity, noting how current titles like Forza Horizon 5 and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 showcase vastly superior visual fidelity and immersive worlds compared to the early 2000s.
Forza Horizon 6’s Tokyo City is Its Own Biome and Even Had a Dedicated Team, Says Playground GamesPlayground Games has revealed that Tokyo City in Forza Horizon 6 is a massive, dedicated biome, five times larger than previous urban environments and developed by a specialized team. Art director Don Arceta and production director Mike Bennett detailed the city's diverse districts, including suburbs, a dockyard, an industrial area, and downtown, highlighting its complex multi-level road infrastructure and immersive design.
Phil Spencer Was Good for Xbox, but His Legacy Is Complicated - IGNPhil Spencer is retiring after 38 years with Microsoft, concluding a 12-year tenure as Head of Xbox. His legacy is viewed as complicated, with shareholders seeing massive stock growth while some hardcore gamers point to increased subscription prices, fewer exclusives, and studio closures. Despite these criticisms, the article argues Spencer was a net positive, crediting him with saving Xbox during the Xbox One era, championing features like backwards compatibility and cross-play, and building a strong portfolio of studios and games.
Xbox’s “This Is an Xbox” Campaign Vanishes From the WebMicrosoft has quietly removed its "This is an Xbox" marketing campaign from February 2024, with associated web pages now showing 404 errors. This move follows the appointment of Asha Sharma as the new CEO of Xbox, who has defended her focus on strengthening the platform. The campaign's removal comes as Xbox shifts focus towards future hardware like Project Helix and the continued availability of former exclusives such as Forza Horizon 5 on competing platforms like the PlayStation 5.
Forza Horizon 6’s Tokyo City Is So Big and Detailed That it Had its Own Development Team | IGN First - IGNPlayground Games is expanding its development capabilities for Forza Horizon 6, with a dedicated team focusing on the game's massive and detailed Tokyo City map. The new map is five times larger than Guanajuato from Forza Horizon 5 and features diverse districts including suburbs, a dockyard, an industrial area, and downtown. The game will also include other biomes like the Japan Alps, highlands, low mountains, coast, and plains, with an elevation-based approach to biome placement.
Controller Design and Its Impact on GameplayController design significantly impacts gameplay by influencing player precision, comfort, and reaction speed, with Xbox controllers being a notable example of iterative ergonomic refinement. Modern gaming also integrates digital distribution and marketplaces like Eneba, alongside customization options, to enhance the overall player experience.
Steam Being Sued by UK Performing Right Society Over Music RightsThe UK's Performing Right Society (PRS) is suing Valve's Steam platform, alleging that it hosts games using music without proper licensing. PRS claims Valve has failed to obtain necessary licenses for music managed on behalf of its members, impacting games like Grand Theft Auto 5 and Forza Horizon. The lawsuit will proceed unless Valve engages in discussions to secure the required licenses.
Forza Horizon 6’s Open World Supports Time Attacks, Drag Races, and…Vibe Driving – IGN First - IGNForza Horizon 6 will feature a more structured campaign and introduce new open-world activities like time attacks and drag races, designed to reward players for simply driving around. The game aims to cater to various playstyles, from competitive racing to casual exploration, with features like "vibe driving" and a new link skill system that encourages cooperative play.
The Thrustmaster T248R is making me question where a sim racing wheel with no direct drive and no modular wheelbase fits in the market in 2026The Thrustmaster T248R offers a complete sim racing bundle for new players, featuring improved pedals and a leather-clad wheel rim. While its gear and belt-driven technology may feel dated for 2026, it performs well in arcade-style racing games like Forza Horizon 5, though its force feedback is less impactful in more simulation-focused titles like F1 25.
What Makes Crimson Desert a Strong Contender for Game of the YearCrimson Desert is positioned as a strong contender for Game of the Year in 2026, aiming to make a significant cultural and critical impact as a new IP. The game emphasizes a traditional premium experience without microtransactions, focusing on cinematic action, large-scale battles, and emergent open-world gameplay inspired by titles like Elden Ring and Breath of the Wild. Its unique genre positioning as a single-player, open-world, action-heavy RPG with deep progression systems could attract a broad audience, differentiating it from other upcoming releases.
Valve sued by The Performing Right Society for allegedly using its members musical works "without permission"The Performing Right Society (PRS) has sued Valve, alleging the unauthorized use of copyrighted music on the Steam platform. PRS claims Valve has never obtained a license for music from its members, which includes songs featured in titles like Forza Horizon, EA FC, and Grand Theft Auto. Separately, Roblox has launched two new developer programs, Incubator and Jumpstart, to support creators in building and scaling games on its platform, while also highlighting growth opportunities within its older user demographic.
Xbox Full Screen Experience, Windows 11's gaming UI overhaul, is available to try now on Legion Go handheldsMicrosoft's Xbox Full Screen Experience, a gamepad-friendly interface for Windows 11 handheld PCs, is now available in a preview build for Lenovo Legion Go devices. While not as polished as SteamOS, it offers improved controller navigation and potential performance optimizations. The feature is expected to see a full rollout soon and may influence future Xbox console operating systems.- Forza Horizon 6 Shows the Toyota Land Cruiser in Action in JapanMicrosoft released a new trailer for the upcoming open-world racing game Forza Horizon 6, showcasing the Toyota Land Cruiser in action. The trailer highlights gameplay set in Japan, featuring one of the many vehicles players can expect to drive.
Forza Horizon 6 Shows the Toyota Land Cruiser in Action in JapanPlayers are discussing the weather effects in Forza Horizon 6, comparing them to older titles like Driveclub. While Forza Horizon 5's weather is considered impressive, some users hope for further improvements in the upcoming title. The conversation also touches on the differences between open-world racers and more simulation-focused titles.
What are we all playing this weekend?Several gaming news staff members share their weekend gaming plans, with titles like Resident Evil 4 Remake, Slay the Spire 2, Forza Horizon 5, Marathon, and SCP Containment Breach being mentioned. Some are revisiting older favorites, while others are diving into new releases or preparing for upcoming games.
The Xbox isn’t ending, but it needs these 3 changes to return to gloryDespite recent reports and speculation, Xbox is not ending but is entering a critical rebuilding phase. To regain its former glory, the platform needs to focus on three key areas: successfully launching its next-generation 'Project Helix' hardware, consistently delivering high-quality games from its studios, and rebuilding its community culture by reintroducing personality and prioritizing game preservation.
Games Inbox: Is Pokémon Pokopia really worth getting?Readers share their thoughts on recent games, with one player enjoying the open-ended exploration of Pokémon Pokopia and another finding catharsis in Resident Evil Requiem. Discussions also touch upon Sony's management of Naughty Dog, the state of the games industry, and the potential success of Bungie's Marathon.
Forza Horizon 6 kicks off month of updates in the dullest way possibleForza Horizon 6's first gameplay demonstration, a nine-minute silent drive through Tokyo, has been criticized for its lack of excitement and missing features like customization and racing. While the game is set to launch on May 19, 2026, for PC and Xbox Series X/S, it will arrive later on PlayStation 5. This underwhelming reveal is seen as part of a broader trend of publishers putting minimal effort into game announcements.