Forza Horizon 6 Streams Draw VTubers and Streamers for Japan Drives
The game's Japan setting has turned streams into virtual tourism and driving lessons, creating a new genre of VTuber content distinct from competitive racing.
Key Facts
- Playground Games' 'Forza Horizon 6' was released on May 19 and is set in Japan.
- Nijisanji's Shellin Burgundy and Hayama Marin, Hololive's Wando Chihaya, Oozora Subaru, Natsuiro Matsuri, and Vspo's Choya Hanabi have all played the game on stream.
- Wando Chihaya hosted a 'driving school comedy' stream with Sakura Miko, teaching her left-hand traffic and speed limits.
- Shellin Burgundy's streams feature reactions to real-world locations like Akihabara and Shibuya, and she practices drifting with an 86 using H-pattern shifters.
- As of June 1, 'Forza Horizon 6' held the number one spot on Steam's Japan sales rankings, according to ASCII.jp.
Reporting from 3 sources: ASCII.jp, KAI-YOU, Game Spark.
Playground Games' open-world racing title 'Forza Horizon 6', set in Japan and released on May 19, has become a popular streaming vehicle for VTubers and streamers. According to KAI-YOU, Nijisanji's Shellin Burgundy and Hayama Marin, Hololive's Wando Chihaya, Oozora Subaru, Natsuiro Matsuri, and Vspo's Choya Hanabi have all played the game. Streamers Haseshin, SHAKA, and Suzuki Noriaki are also broadcasting 'driving in Japan' sessions. Wando Chihaya, known as the 'driver' of the VTuber unit FLOW GLOW, showed particular compatibility, hosting a 'driving school comedy' stream with Sakura Miko. Shellin Burgundy's streams focus on recognizing real-world locations like Akihabara and Shibuya, while Hayama Marin's 'beginner drift story' involves learning to drift with a kei truck. Separately, ASCII.jp reports that 'Forza Horizon 6' held the number one spot on Steam's Japan sales rankings as of June 1. Meanwhile, Game Spark notes that the 'Premium Upgrade' for the Steam version has been temporarily removed due to a rights issue with unreleased content, though the Premium Edition remains available.
Wando Chihaya, known as the "driver" of the VTuber unit FLOW GLOW, entered the game as a series newcomer in her first stream. She adjusted controller settings and spent time examining detailed car designs, showing a car enthusiast's perspective. In a collaboration with Sakura Miko, the two held a stream with the premise of "teaching unlicensed Miko-senpai how to drive in Japan." The dynamic cast Wando Chihaya as instructor and Sakura Miko as student, creating a "driving school comedy" centered on left-hand traffic and speed limits.
Shellin Burgundy's streams feature reactions to cityscapes resembling Akihabara, Shibuya, Tokyo Tower, and Marunouchi, along with commentary on rural scenery like rice fields and mountain roads. She practices drifting in an 86, uses H-pattern shifters and steering wheel setups, and references memories of past racing games such as "Ridge Racer," "Gran Turismo," and "Mario Kart." A running gag where she is called "old man" in the game has led to the catchphrase "Alright, old man" becoming a series meme.
Hayama Marin, who says she has been told "don't touch anything with a steering wheel" in real life, starts playing under the premise that she can drive in the game. Her first car bought with her own money is a white kei truck, and she tries to drift with it. She eventually becomes so absorbed that she says she has "learned the taste of drifting."
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 3 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.