Forza Horizon 5 could release next year, journalist suggests

Playground tipped to release back-to-back instalments in the arcade spin-off

Forza Horizon 5 could release for Xbox Series X / S as soon as next year, a key journalist has suggested.

The claim was made by GamesBeat’s Jeff Grubb, who told the Xbox Empire podcast that he believed Playground Games was likely to break from tradition and release two back-to-back Horizon games before the next full Forza game.

“We saw Forza Motorsport get teased a few months ago [but] I think we might get the next Forza Horizon game first and I think that might be coming this coming year,” he said.

“They’re in a weird situation where for some reason Playground says it does seem like they may be ready to go first. I think I know the setting, but I’m going to let them announce it.”

The last instalment in the arcade spin-off was 2018’s Forza Horizon 4, which was recently updated with new visual effects and increased performance on Xbox Series X/S.

The Horizon series has stuck to a strict two-year release cycle since its inception in 2012, so according to tradition it’s already overdue a new instalment.

Meanwhile, Turn 10 has said that the next Forza Motorsport – described as “a reimagining” of the series – is in early development.

In a trailer premiered during Xbox’s Games Showcase live stream in July, the new Forza was confirmed as an Xbox Series X console exclusive.

Xbox Series X/S at retail

Turn 10’s last title, Forza Motorsport 7, released in 2017, which means the next instalment will arrive much later than any of the series’ previous entries, which have stuck to a strict two-year cycle since 2005.

“We are taking what has made Forza Motorsport great over the past 15 years and pairing it with new game concepts and new technologies,” Creative director Dan Greenawalt told Xbox.com.

“With the new Forza Motorsport, ray tracing is coming to ForzaTech, you will see a dynamic world in 4K, 60fps, that is connected and dynamic – from surfaces of cars reflecting off each other, to brilliant red paint bouncing off intensely detailed track surfaces, and the interplay of light and shadow throughout the world.”