Forza Horizon 6 is the first game in the series set in Japan because Playground Games wanted to "do the country justice," and its Hot Wheels DLC helped that happen

Screenshot from Forza Horizon 5's Hot Wheels expansion, showing some cars racing on a hot wheels track wrapped around natural terrain.

Forza Horizon fans have been clamoring to see the music/car festival hit Japan ever since the series first revved up its engines, and with the newly-revealed Forza Horizon 6, it's finally happening. But why did it take over a decade? Developer Playground Games explains it first needed the right experience to tackle Tokyo City's unique roads – the experience of making Hot Wheels tracks, to be specific.

Playground Games art director Don Arceta tells GamesRadar+ that the team have "really grown to understand" the Xbox Series X throughout the years, helping them bring their vision of Japan to life in-game, "but technology and console aside," the bigger boon was the studio's knowledge from past games.