Development of Forza Horizon 6 in Japan becomes a priority after the end of Motorsport updates

Turn 10

This reallocation of personnel and investment is primarily aimed at supporting the development of the highly anticipated Forza Horizon 6. The move was communicated as a way to optimize operations and focus on the next major installment of the popular racing franchise.

For the active Forza Motorsport community, the studio has assured that the game’s online servers will remain operational for an indefinite period of time. Embora there are no more new cars or tracks added, players will be able to continue to compete online and will have access to a rotating content cycle with previously released events and rewards.

Restructuring and the impact of layoffs at Turn 10

The change in focus is directly linked to a broader corporate restructuring at Microsoft’s games division, which has affected several studios. In July 2025, Turn 10 experienced a wave of layoffs that, according to internal reports, impacted about half of the team working specifically on support and content creation for Forza Motorsport. Essa drastic reduction in the number of employees was a strong indication that the strategy for the simulator would be changed.

Although Microsoft did not disclose exact numbers about the cuts, the company justified the actions as a necessary adjustment to prioritize projects considered to have greater impact and with closer launch dates. The strategy highlights a concentration of talent and resources in titles with the highest return potential, with Forza Horizon 6 being the main beneficiary of this new guideline within the Forza franchise.

The new focus on Forza Horizon 6 and the Japanese setting

Most of the remaining Turn 10 team was integrated into the development of Forza Horizon 6, working in direct collaboration with Playground Games, the main studio behind the Horizon series.

The new open-world racing game was one of the big stars of Tokyo Game Show 2025, where it was confirmed that its setting will be in Japão, a location long requested by fans.

The choice of the Asian country promises to offer one of the most diverse and visually impressive maps in the series, ranging from the neon-lit streets of large metropolises to challenging mountain roads and coastal landscapes, all immersed in the rich and vibrant Japanese automotive culture.

Platforms and launch strategy

Scheduled for release in 2026, Forza Horizon 6 will first arrive on Xbox Series X|S consoles and PC. Seguindo is the standard for Microsoft, the title will be available in the Game Pass catalog from day one. In a notable move to expand the brand, it was announced that a PlayStation 5 version will be released at a later date, allowing a new audience to experience the franchise.

What happens to Forza Motorsport now

For players who have invested time in Forza Motorsport, Turn 10 has outlined a long-term maintenance plan. The main guarantee is that the online infrastructure will not be shut down, allowing multiplayer races to continue without interruption.

Engagement will be maintained by organizing special events and seasonal online competitions, utilizing existing in-game content.

Career Tours, reward cars, and other content released since 2023 will not be removed. Instead, they will be part of a monthly rotation system, giving players a chance to revisit or unlock items they may have missed.

However, the studio has been clear in stating that there are no further plans to introduce new vehicles, circuits or implement significant bug-fixing updates, effectively placing the game in a passive support mode.

The vision of Xbox leadership

Phil Spencer, head of the Xbox division, commented on the decision in an effort to reassure the franchise’s fanbase. Ele highlighted that the Forza Motorsport series has not come to an end, but that the game development industry requires flexibility and, at times, the relocation of teams to avoid burnout and ensure the quality of releases.

Spencer reinforced that Microsoft’s priority is to deliver exceptional experiences in titles with shorter deadlines and greater impact, and that support focused on multiple projects is essential for the health of its studios’ ecosystem.

Critical reception and dominance of the series Horizon

The 2023 reboot of Forza Motorsport faced a mixed reception upon release. Muitos players and critics pointed out a car progression system considered slow and a lower amount of initial content than its predecessors as negative points. Throughout 2025, the game received several updates that added more cars, tracks, and gameplay improvements, but the initial perception continued to influence part of the community. In contrast, the Forza Horizon series has consistently surpassed the Motorsport series in sales, popularity, and number of active players, cementing itself as the strongest pillar of the Forza brand. Essa difference in commercial performance is a determining factor in Microsoft’s decision to invest more heavily in Playground Games’s open world formula.

Inter-studio collaboration

Turn 10 Detalhes details about the innovations this collaboration will bring are expected to be revealed throughout the first half of 2026, as the new game’s marketing campaign intensifies.