Dear reader,
If you follow Traxion on instagram, you’ll know that our very own traveling reporter, Thomas Harrison-Lord, made a trip to Caffeine & Machine in Warwickshire, England to revel in the successful launch of Forza Horizon 6 with the very developers who made it.
It’s hard to imagine a more contented man, more at one with his present reality than Tom at a car show. Watching his content gave me a new, more positive outlook on society - there is still hope friends.
Whilst Tom delightedly submerged himself in the joyous rapture of a record-breaking game release, captivated by the inimitable collision of racing game news and automotive culture, he found time to sit with Mike and Don from Playground Games.
Also, Red Bull released some crocs.
Grab a coffee!
Tom Bunten, Traxion.gg
BTS at launch event for record-breaking Forza Horizon 6
This week at Traxion towers, there's been one dominant theme: Forza Horizon 6. And for once - it's great news!
Tom has a really great weekend surrounded by cars
(and conducted an interview with Mike Bennett and Don Arceta from Playground Games)
I wasn’t there, so I asked Tom, “How was it?”…
“There may have been significant personnel changes within the development team and it may reuse many elements from prior instalments, but Forza Horizon 6 is still unrelentingly brilliant.
“Following the same cycle as any great video game launch, there’s the initial positive review scores – Horizon 6 has the highest Metacritic score of 2026 so far of any video game, not just cars – followed by angry comment sections and toxic YouTube reaction videos.
“Having an opposite opinion in these algorithmic days becomes one of the few ways of standing out. This will, mercifully, pass, so the majority of players can enjoy one of the best open-world experiences ever made.
“Last weekend, I visited Caffeine & Machine near the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Not sure what the totemic playwright would make of the lowered RX-7s and bewinged Supras, but the Playground Games development team was there to celebrate the title’s launch.
Image of car at event to break up the big block of text…
Giddy with excitement, Tom continued…
“The mood was, justifiably, triumphant.
““It's such a cathartic experience where we put our blood and sweat into this game and so much passion, and then now it's out and being received well – it's just a great feeling,” said Art Director, Don Arcta, to Traxion at the gathering.
“To tie in with the launch, the car meet-up venue had erected Horizon 6-style banners, real-world XP boards, a festival-inspired DJ and even a barn find of sorts – a limited edition GR Yaris was hidden under a cloak.
“In truth, it was an event tailored for content creators. At one point, I requested a Japanese drink, only to be told that they were for influencers only. There was the option of filming a fake driving test, where you had to avoid actors pretending to be zimmer-frame-equipped octogenarians. Presumably, this would be hilarious on TikTok.
“But we got our developer interview, which will be released this Wednesday as the next Traxion Control Podcast episode, plus I was able to soak in the modified car culture scene. Which, contrary to noise complaints, legislation and The Times comment section, is alive and well.
“So too is Microsoft’s Horizon series, still top of the tree as the preeminent driving game. Long may its reign continue.”
Sim Racers will be first to experience Madring
Very often, sim racers are said to be following in the footsteps of real racers - but not this time.
This time, perhaps, drivers of the F1 2026 Season Expansion Pack will have the thrill of lapping at the newly touted Spanish GP venue, Madring, before F1 fans watch their favourite real-world driver explore its 22 corners.
Whilst this hasn’t been officially confirmed, it also sort of has 👇
Madring - possibly the worst name for a racetrack… ever.
SimRacing Expo in Charlotte!
Next week I will be sat writing the newsletter on the plane back from SimRacing Expo in Charlotte, that’s right - it’s this week!
I am really looking forward to meeting up with old friends from around the industry as well as meeting new teams in the hall who have been enticed to join the iconic event now it’s making tracks in the USA!
I haven’t decided what format the newsletter will be next week. Possibly a top 10 things I saw at the expo, perhaps five nice moments with the exhibitors and visitors or perhaps there will be some seriously juicy announcements to get stuck into!
Either way, I’m excited!
Can AI make you a faster sim racer?
Built by Driver61 (Scott Mansell), trophi.ai is trying to do just that. We’ve all been there, we get a couple of hours to dust of the rig and jump into some ranked sessions, but this week the track is one we’re unfamiliar with. trophi.ai will help you get up to speed faster, with live, AI-powered voice coaching.
Brake a little later here, get back on the power a little later there… you know the drill
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News Highlights This Week from Traxion.gg
Like sim racing? Have ears? Then listen to the new, weekly format of the Traxion Control Podcast!
Our AI Pledge
If you’ve ever read a Traxion.gg article, you’ll know that the writers over here all have very distinct voices and opinions. It’s this character and sound that I think makes Traxion special.
Human creation is becoming a rare commodity with which the media seem to trade less and less. But not at Traxion. We don’t use AI to write our articles on the website, and I pledge to you, that I will never use AI to write this newsletter.
Last week’s poll results
Last week I asked whether, if you regularly sim raced on circuit, you had also tried rally or drift racing.
Surprisingly an overwhelming majority of you had tried both at some point, more than 75%! A good chunk of people had only tried rally with only a smattering of people having only tried drifting.
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