Forza Horizon 5: General Discussion

[McLaren]

Of the top of my head I can’t think of many (any?) AAA studios not accounted for. AKA I can’t think of highly anticipated games that should be ready to be announced but aren’t.

There were a lot of predictions for more info on Fable, Horizon 6, Ghost of Yotei (beyond the very short teaser), Gears E-Day, Perfect Dark, State of Decay 3, Elder Scrolls VI (lol admittedly b/c that's always going to blue ball gamers), Duskbloods from FromSoft, Splinter Cell, Kingdom Hearts, etc. These are all pretty popular games/studios that have been known about for a good minute now, and it seems like they will remain that way for the next year.

The entire GTA thing is a bit overblown.

Publishers will avoid the GTA time window, but the world will keep on turning after that.

The game is likely going to cash in $1 billion on release day alone, most definitely on release weekend. That's a lot of money the other developers don't want to compete against in an age where consumers are concerned about games jumping up to $80 now b/c of Mario Kart.

The world will keep turning after that as you said, but that's precisely where the rest of the gaming industry seems to be waiting on now.

 

[Fezzik]

Speaking of $80 games this next Forza will be one. Microsoft have started the ball rolling on their own games at that price point with Outer Worlds 2.

 

[GlamFM]

There were a lot of predictions for more info on Fable, Horizon 6, Ghost of Yotei (beyond the very short teaser), Gears E-Day, Perfect Dark, State of Decay 3, Elder Scrolls VI (lol admittedly b/c that's always going to blue ball gamers), Duskbloods from FromSoft, Splinter Cell, Kingdom Hearts, etc. These are all pretty popular games/studios that have been known about for a good minute now, and it seems like they will remain that way for the next year.

The game is likely going to cash in $1 billion on release day alone, most definitely on release weekend. That's a lot of money the other developers don't want to compete against in an age where consumers are concerned about games jumping up to $80 now b/c of Mario Kart.

The world will keep turning after that as you said, but that's precisely where the rest of the gaming industry seems to be waiting on now.

They will be waiting. A few weeks. Not a year.
Microsoft just closed out a week of game announcements - most of them for 2026. We keep going.

Attributing every game not shown to GTA is a bit misguided imo - it’s much more likely that the games are not ready for primetime or don’t fit in the publishers schedule marketing wise.

Much like FH6 which would have sucked the air right out of this showcase, but was still mentioned by Phil - for 2026 (the year of GTA..)

 

[McLaren]

They will be waiting. A few weeks. Not a year.

They will be waiting longer than a few weeks. There's already heavy speculation GTA VI will launch like V where Online will be delayed a few weeks to ensure the story is played & the servers are ready.

Attributing every game not shown to GTA is a bit misguided imo - it’s much more likely that the games are not ready for primetime or don’t fit in the publishers schedule marketing wise.

I am not attributing every game to GTA considering I specifically said, "some".

 

[GlamFM]

They will be waiting longer than a few weeks.

Few weeks - still got to hit those financial quarters.

Big games have often given each other a bit room to breathe - especially those in similar genres. It will be no different here. Maybe you wait a few weeks longer to put your thing out, but you still have to. Publicly traded companies can’t just sit on their stuff and not generate revenue.

If GTA hits its date I expect games with similar target audiences to avoid the late April to early July time frame. After that it’s business as usual - as proven by this weeks showcases: 2026 is actually pretty stacked already.

 

[NotThePrez]

The entire GTA thing is a bit overblown.

Publishers will avoid the GTA time window, but the world will keep on turning after that.

To be honest, I don't think the "fear" of GTA stealing the thunder from a bunch of different games is unwarranted.

Remember that GTA 5 made $800 Million within its first 24 hours launching on the very much end-of-life consoles that were PS3 and Xbox 360. I haven't been able to find a hard confirmation anywhere, but it reportedly sold over 30 million copies within the first year of its launch, which is roughly equivalent to all the sales for Halo 1 to Wars combined. The series is genuinely a cultural icon that's extremely hard to compete against, and 5 in particular carried its momentum for quite some time.

With the extreme amount of hype surrounding VIs release, unless the game absolutely bombs on launch, I think it'll be even harder to compete against it, and it'll be that way through to the holidays. As such, I can understand game studios being weary of releasing around or not too long after VI becomes available.

To that end, if I were Microsoft, I'd want the new Forza and/or Fable to launch some time in Q1 of 2026. With the Xbox ROG Ally thingy, and with FH5 being quite successful on PS5, there isn't as much of a need for Forza to be a console seller or holiday blockbuster like it has been for the last few years, and with the frankly sorry state the console racing genre is in right now, a new Forza Horizon in particular would basically corner the market in that regard, while also not losing too much interest from trying to compete with GTA.

 

[McLaren]

To be honest, I don't think the "fear" of GTA stealing the thunder from a bunch of different games is unwarranted.

Remember that GTA 5 made $800 Million within its first 24 hours launching on the very much end-of-life consoles that were PS3 and Xbox 360. I haven't been able to find a hard confirmation anywhere, but it reportedly sold over 30 million copies within the first year of its launch, which is roughly equivalent to all the sales for Halo 1 to Wars combined. The series is genuinely a cultural icon that's extremely hard to compete against, and 5 in particular carried its momentum for quite some time.

With the extreme amount of hype surrounding VIs release, unless the game absolutely bombs on launch, I think it'll be even harder to compete against it, and it'll be that way through to the holidays. As such, I can understand game studios being weary of releasing around or not too long after VI becomes available.

To that end, if I were Microsoft, I'd want the new Forza and/or Fable to launch some time in Q1 of 2026. With the Xbox ROG Ally thingy, and with FH5 being quite successful on PS5, there isn't as much of a need for Forza to be a console seller or holiday blockbuster like it has been for the last few years, and with the frankly sorry state the console racing genre is in right now, a new Forza Horizon in particular would basically corner the market in that regard.

It was reported from their yearly conference calls for Take2 altogether. I believe they had cleared 30 million just under 2 months from launch, and 40-45 million a full year later. They were reportedly at 200 million units last November until the conference call earlier this year reported they were now sitting at 215 million units; a 5% year-over-year growth.

 

[FoxMulder]

It’s pretty disappointing but I’m coping by saying they could have just lazily rushed out a copy pasted FH6 in fan service Japan like a year or two ago if they really wanted.

Maybe Fable development took more Forza people off than expected or they’re just really putting time into making FH6 great on the new engine after T10’s new FM was a flop at launch. Another year will be rough as the game is end of life with no new content though.

 

[GlamFM]

To be honest, I don't think the "fear" of GTA stealing the thunder from a bunch of different games is unwarranted.

Remember that GTA 5 made $800 Million within its first 24 hours launching on the very much end-of-life consoles that were PS3 and Xbox 360. I haven't been able to find a hard confirmation anywhere, but it reportedly sold over 30 million copies within the first year of its launch, which is roughly equivalent to all the sales for Halo 1 to Wars combined. The series is genuinely a cultural icon that's extremely hard to compete against, and 5 in particular carried its momentum for quite some time.

With the extreme amount of hype surrounding VIs release, unless the game absolutely bombs on launch, I think it'll be even harder to compete against it, and it'll be that way through to the holidays. As such, I can understand game studios being weary of releasing around or not too long after VI becomes available.

To that end, if I were Microsoft, I'd want the new Forza and/or Fable to launch some time in Q1 of 2026. With the Xbox ROG Ally thingy, and with FH5 being quite successful on PS5, there isn't as much of a need for Forza to be a console seller or holiday blockbuster like it has been for the last few years, and with the frankly sorry state the console racing genre is in right now, a new Forza Horizon in particular would basically corner the market in that regard, while also not losing too much interest from trying to compete with GTA.

Q1 is out of the question because it’s not unveiled yet. Q3 or 4 most likely.

I don’t think anybody denies that GTAIV will be incredibly successful - the idea that that means that nothing else can co exist is where you lose me (and obviously the videogame industry as a whole given that they keep announcing games for 2026).

People will buy GTA and a few weeks later they will buy another game just like they always have 🤷‍♂️

 

[UKMikey]

I just hope the next Horizon has a more realistic handling model. H5 just felt alittle too generic. H4 felt more satisfying sweeping around corners at high speeds.

It's the opposite for me. Most of my S1/S2 cars went unused in FH4. In FH5 I can at least keep them on the road when turning corners because I find the handling more predictable even without traction control.

 

[McLaren]

the idea that that means that nothing else can co exist

Strawman.

the videogame industry as a whole given that they keep announcing games for 2026).

No one has said they wouldn't. However, nearly every single one has been intentionally vague. That does not mean solely because of GTA, but reports have shared the industry is well aware of concerns of releasing near it.

People will buy GTA and a few weeks later they will buy another game just like they always have 🤷‍♂️

Nobody has said this, either. What however, is a concern is the price of games clearly approaching a $80 as a standard. Then you have consoles going up instead of down.

There are plenty of people who manage their game purchases & will not do this. The entertainment industry as a whole, recognizes this. You can see it in the film industry often when films start to avoid releasing near box office hits to maximize profits.

 

[GlamFM]

Strawman.

No one has said they wouldn't. However, nearly every single one has been intentionally vague. That does not mean solely because of GTA, but reports have shared the industry is well aware of concerns of releasing near it.

Nobody has said this, either. What however, is a concern is the price of games clearly approaching a $80 as a standard. Then you have consoles going up instead of down.

There are plenty of people who manage their game purchases & will not do this. The entertainment industry as a whole, recognizes this. You can see it in the film industry often when films start to avoid releasing near box office hits to maximize profits.

This is all about what “near” means I guess.
To me it’s not within a few weeks and to you it seems to be not in the same year.

Given how stacked 2026 is I feel good about my pov.

A lot of the vagueness surely also comes from the fact that GTA 6 was only delayed once so far and nobody buys that the new date will stick until we are way closer to it.

 

[meganinja]

spent most of the time doing nothing instead of taking advantage of extra time

they were updating FM7 that also was considered a mess in the launch... in fact they kept updating FM7 until summer 2019....

Next question: Motorsport or Horizon? :|

we all know that it is horizon
motorsport was scheduled to last at least until the beginning of next generation (they had talking about 10 years but i dont know if they will go for this 10 years) and the person tha leaked that FH6 would not be in event said that FH6 is in development but it slowed down so PG can finsh fable faster

a reveal at the Game Awards in December would make sense

I would look at TGA for a possible Horizon 6 announcement.

FH6 in 2027 maybe.

phil said that forza is coming for 25th anniversary, so it is next year
i would put my bet in xbox showcase 2026 reveal if is to avoid GTA, since GTA comes in may, if is not delayed

To that end, if I were Microsoft, I'd want the new Forza and/or Fable to launch some time in Q1 of 2026.

i think that fable is early 2026 before GTA
Fable in Feb/March with date announced in TGA or in developer direct 2026

 

[McLaren]

to you it seems to be not in the same year.

Lol, absolutely not what I said. It was the opposite.

showcase in June 2026 with a Holiday 2026 release so GTA is out of the way

A lot of the vagueness surely also comes from the fact that GTA 6 was only delayed once so far and nobody buys that the new date will stick until we are way closer to it.

Congratulations, you've finally read my original post.

But, when it came to the AAA-esque titles, the only ones with set release dates were this year whilst the rest left it vaguely at just "2026"

It makes me wonder if some of these development teams are waiting closer to December to showcase the games & release dates as we'll know more about GTA meeting its May deadline

 

[Famine]

we all know that it is horizon

We all very firmly suspect that it is Horizon 6, and FH6 makes the most sense - per my subsequent post and everything I put in the article - but we're a step off "know".

 

[GlamFM]

Lol, absolutely not what I said. It was the opposite.


Congratulations, you've finally read my original post.

So we actually never disagreed 😂

🤝

 

[FoxMulder]

Speaking of $80 games this next Forza will be one. Microsoft have started the ball rolling on their own games at that price point with Outer Worlds 2.

I don’t really care. Xbox says I’ve got over 500 hours in FH5. It’s a game I’ll play over years.

 

[SugaredFlyer]

The ideal window to avoid GTA VI is November/December 2025 reveal, March/April 2026 launch, the Xbox 25 Years celebrations are a year around thing not just November, and anyone suggesting a November 2026 launch are completely delusional, no one is going to wait over a year, especially FH5's updates have stopped all together

 

[Digolgrin]

Genuinely surprised no Forza, and no Fable for that matter. FH5 will probably use the extra year to go through all the spare Playlists, but... I wonder if they'd have a case for starting live updates again if the game is unexpectedly a year out. Perhaps four-car updates and car packs containing FM2023 cars?

 

[SugaredFlyer]

Genuinely surprised no Forza, and no Fable for that matter. FH5 will probably use the extra year to go through all the spare Playlists, but... I wonder if they'd have a case for starting live updates again if the game is unexpectedly a year out. Perhaps four-car updates and car packs containing FM2023 cars?

No! They've specifically said no more updates are coming, we aren't getting anymore new stuff

 

[Edax 76]

Genuinely surprised no Forza, and no Fable for that matter. FH5 will probably use the extra year to go through all the spare Playlists, but... I wonder if they'd have a case for starting live updates again if the game is unexpectedly a year out. Perhaps four-car updates and car packs containing FM2023 cars?

Even though the Devs have seemed to rule out anymore content I'd happily take some car packs or extra challenges to get some FM2023 cars.

 

[meganinja]

We all very firmly suspect that it is Horizon 6, and FH6 makes the most sense - per my subsequent post and everything I put in the article - but we're a step off "know".

it is fair, i had posted hours after your post

anyone suggesting a November 2026 launch are completely delusional, no one is going to wait over a year, especially FH5's updates have stopped all together

the Forz games tend to launch around october and november, also everyone will avoid lunch games in april/may/june beacuse of GTA, also dont forget that at this point, Fable likely will come first than FH6 as it seems to be MS priority in moment

 

[SugaredFlyer]

it is fair, i had posted hours after your post

the Forz games tend to launch around october and november, also everyone will avoid lunch games in april/may/june beacuse of GTA, also dont forget that at this point, Fable likely will come first than FH6 as it seems to be MS priority in moment

It will not be November 2026, that's too long to wait and it'll make Xbox 25 feel dragged out when it's a year round thing with fresh content not stuff we have to wait with several month gaps for
Also you just know Fable will be delayed again, FH6 will be a bigger priority than Fable
Anywhere from January-April release date is the ideal launch window because anything after that will be affected by GTA VI

 

[Stang616]

It will not be November 2026, that's too long to wait and it'll make Xbox 25 feel dragged out when it's a year round thing with fresh content not stuff we have to wait with several month gaps for
Also you just know Fable will be delayed again, FH6 will be a bigger priority than Fable
Anywhere from January-April release date is the ideal launch window because anything after that will be affected by GTA VI

Part of the reason FH6 was delayed was because of Fable, FH6 is definitely not the bigger priority.

Let's be honest, it's all speculation. It needs to not be stated as facts.

November makes logical sense to line up with the Holiday season and it is not uncommon for major titles to release around the holidays to capitalize on revenue during that time period.

 

[warp9engage]

At this point I'm rooting for The Crew Motorfest's offline mode to arrive before FH6, so that I have a nice open-world game to play.

 

[SugaredFlyer]

Part of the reason FH6 was delayed was because of Fable, FH6 is definitely not the bigger priority.

Let's be honest, it's all speculation. It needs to not be stated as facts.

November makes logical sense to line up with the Holiday season and it is not uncommon for major titles to release around the holidays to capitalize on revenue during that time period.

You think waiting until November 2026 is "logical", no one is waiting until then especially when all FH5 updates have stopped
Also you know that Christmas 2026/New Year 2027 sales will still be dominated by GTA VI, the January to April release window is still the ideal launch time so that they avoid being mothballed by GTA VI
Finally, you don't know if Fable is the reason why FH6 is delayed especially when there are separate divisions of PG for both games and that they've been developing FH6 for nearly 4 years and they've been doing major hires of people in the last 12-18 months for roles relating to FH

 

[Edax 76]

If I was a betting man (just betting, we're not talking wheelspins here) I'd go for a Q1 or Q4 release for FH6.

Q1 to kick off the 25th anniversary year of Xbox or a Q4 release to fit in with the holiday season as the Americans call it, or Xmas in the UK 😂😂.

I can't see it coming out in the middle of the year as that traditionally isn't a great time to release big titles.

Ultimately though time will tell, it will prove some us to have Nostradamus like abilities and others to be no more powerful than Mystic Meg (for non UK readers she was a fortune teller in newspapers and magazines over here).

 

[Stang616]

You think waiting until November 2026 is "logical", no one is waiting until then especially when all FH5 updates have stopped
Also you know that Christmas 2026/New Year 2027 sales will still be dominated by GTA VI, the January to April release window is still the ideal launch time so that they avoid being mothballed by GTA VI
Finally, you don't know if Fable is the reason why FH6 is delayed especially when there are separate divisions of PG for both games and that they've been developing FH6 for nearly 4 years and they've been doing major hires of people in the last 12-18 months for roles relating to FH

I said part of the reason, not all of it, I can say with a fair amount of confidence that it had something to do with it, since they split the team originally after FH5 was released. That combined with the creative director leaving probably let to the delay as well.

GTA 6 was delayed until May of 26, so yes, it is logical to release it around the holiday season or Q1 as Edax stated. If they release it Q2 or Q3, they will absolutely be mothballed by GTA 6. There is a much higher chance of a successful launch in November after some of the hype from GTA 6 has died down.

 

[SugaredFlyer]

I said part of the reason, not all of it, I can say with a fair amount of confidence that it had something to do with it, since they split the team originally after FH5 was released. That combined with the creative director leaving probably let to the delay as well.

GTA 6 was delayed until May of 26, so yes, it is logical to release it around the holiday season or Q1 as Edax stated. If they release it Q2 or Q3, they will absolutely be mothballed by GTA 6. There is a much higher chance of a successful launch in November after some of the hype from GTA 6 has died down.

The hype of GTA VI wouldn't have died in November

 

[McLaren]

The hype of GTA VI wouldn't have died in November

The game will still be big, but much of the hype will have died down by Holiday 2026. Rockstar will probably have Online's first Holiday event that will have eyes on it, but the game will have already made most of its sales by then. There will be Holiday buyers, but not enough a major title like Horizon 6 has to worry. If anything, a Fall release fits right in line with the Horizon games.