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How Forza Horizon Took On Japan With Deep Research
The open world driving sim has roared through locations from Colorado to Australia, its authentic feel resting on exhaustive research. But, as the team explain, this was the toughest challenge yet
TL;DR
- Playground Games spent years preparing to develop a Forza Horizon game set in Japan, a location previously deemed too challenging.
- The team aimed for authenticity beyond stylized game and anime depictions, hiring cultural consultant Kyoko Yamashita and collaborating with experts like Rocket Bunny and Larry Chen.
- They conducted extensive research, including location visits, thousands of photos, 3D scanning, and sky captures, to build a virtual representation of Japan.
- The game features iconic Japanese street-racing elements like the *touge* (mountain pass racing) and specific vehicles such as the Nissan Skyline, Toyota Supra, and Mazda RX-7.
- The Forza Horizon 6 map includes a curated mix of biomes and landmarks, featuring condensed versions of Tokyo districts like Shibuya and Akihabara, alongside rural areas with bamboo forests and rice fields.
- Developer efforts to accurately depict locations like Tokyo railway station were validated by positive feedback from Japanese streamers and locals.