Playground Games has always been about making the journey through its open worlds feel distinct, but with Forza Horizon 6, it wanted to add a more personal touch. This is obvious with The Estate, where you can turn an empty valley into your own property, but there’s also the Collection Journal.
Inspired by Japan’s stamp-collecting culture, the idea is to collect mementos of just about everything scattered through the region. Design director Torben Ellert told Xbox Wire that the team “wanted this archetypically Japanese experience, but delivered in a structured way. When you discover points of interest, that goes into your Journal, and it generates progression towards your rank in the Horizon Festival and your general progression in Japan.”
However, you’re also free to customize it with photos of the various landmarks or notable sights throughout the region. “It’s a visual representation of your journey. It’s a collection of your own specific experiences in Japan,” said Ellert.
It’s also worth noting that your character – a tourist in Japan who wants to participate in the Horizon Festival – isn’t alone. You’re accompanied by Jordy and Mei, the former a “passionate motorsports enthusiast” and the latter an “experienced Japanese car builder” who offers more insight into the country. Mei’s role didn’t just come about by chance – rather, she effectively mirrors how cultural consultant Kyoko Yamashita assisted the development team when they travelled to Japan for research.
As Ellert states, “One thing that surfaced when our team travelled to Japan was how valuable it is to have someone there who knows the place, who can help you navigate some of the things that even a well-researched tourist might not know. It’s one thing to understand it from your perspective, but that inside perspective is so important when recreating a space.” If nothing else, learning from someone who effectively grew up in the country makes for a more personable experience.
Forza Horizon 6 arrives on May 19th for Xbox Series X/S and PC, with the PS5 version out later this year. Premium Edition owners can get access on May 15th alongside other content, including two upcoming expansions.
