Forza Horizon’s approach to progression often polarises its fanbase. Its Wheelspin mechanic is a particular point of contention, frequently showering players with supercars in random slot-machine prizes. Some players relish this instant gratification, giving them a dopamine hit. But others crave a deeper sense of progression and reward. For Playground Games, catering to both fanbases is a difficult balancing act. “Forza Horizon is so many different things to so many different people” “It’s super tricky,” Production Director Mike Bennett told Traxion at a recent launch event. “The challenge we have is that our games are massive now. We have such a broad audience. Forza Horizon is so many different things to so many different people. “When we do our research early on, we find people play the game in so many different ways. Some don’t really engage in the curated race content: they just pick the car they want and drive around the game world, and that’s how they want to experience it. “We also saw the hunger and desire people had for a more meaningful progression system. They’re opposed to each other in some ways,” he continued. “We’ve got this cohort of players who want more progression and challenge. And then we have other people who love how rewarding and generous Horizon is. We’re trying to balance these things. There’s a healthy tension between the two of them.” This inspired Playground Games to reapproach Forza Horizon 6’s progression systems. Instead of earning accolades in previous games, the latest entry sees you tackle tasks in two progress-tracking journals: Horizon Festival and Discover Japan. The former sees you complete objectives from collecting specific cars and photographing murals to completing race events. Meanwhile, Discover Japan rewards exploration. Collecting up to seven stamps unlocks Barn Find hints and new homes to buy around