Accelerating Immersion in Forza Horizon 5
Our multidisciplinary teams contributed extensively across art production, engine enhancement, performance optimization, and tooling development to help deliver a visually breathtaking and technically robust racing experience.
Forza Horizon 5 was one of the best-selling titles on PlayStation 5 in 2025, surpassing 5 million copies sold on the platform and earning widespread acclaim with a 92 Metacritic score. Praised for its stunning visuals, immersive open-world environments, and finely tuned gameplay mechanics, the game set a new benchmark in the racing genre.
- Created roughly 90% of the photo-realistic vehicles featured in the game including DLC
- Delivered extensive environmental assets, modular structures, props, and unique characters
- Developed comprehensive texture libraries and biome-specific visual detail elements
- Produced advanced vehicle animations and damage systems ensuring dynamic in-game realism
- Crafted immersive environmental and gameplay VFX
- Advanced the franchise with a performance mode debuting in Forza Horizon 4 and integrated into Forza Horizon 5
- Developed bespoke performance testing tools and dashboards for continuous optimization
Glass Egg – A Virtuos studio were responsible for creating roughly 90% of the photo-realistic vehicles featured in Forza Horizon 5 including DLC. The teams meticulously crafted iconic hero cars, including the Mercedes-AMG One, Porsche Mission R, and Hot Wheels Bad to the Blade. From detailed 3D modeling and UV mapping to high-fidelity texturing, every vehicle was brought to life with precision and authenticity. All assets were integrated smoothly into the game engine, ensuring optimal performance and maintaining the high visual and gameplay quality standards that Forza Horizon 5 is acclaimed for.
Beyond vehicles, Glass Egg – A Virtuos studio delivered a broad range of environment assets such as hero constructions, buildings, modular structural elements, barriers, props, and even dinosaur characters. This extensive asset creation was key to constructing a believable, living world for players to explore and race through.
Our artists created a comprehensive library of tiling textures, decals, and trims tailored for buildings, roads, infrastructure, and natural elements across the diverse biomes. Each environment was carefully given a unique visual signature to ensure an immersive, varied racing experience.
Virtuos also developed detailed animations for vehicle components, including rigging, skinning, and advanced damage functions. These efforts contributed to the gameplay’s dynamic and realistic feel, allowing vehicles to respond authentically to in-game events and physics.
Environmental and gameplay VFX assets were produced using Popcorn VFX to enhance the atmospheric and sensory impact of the racing environments. From subtle environmental effects to gameplay-related visuals, these elements added depth and engagement to the overall player experience.
In addition to art production, Third Kind Games – a Virtuos studio contributed pivotal engine enhancement and performance optimization work in Forza Horizon 4. This included developing a groundbreaking performance mode allowing players to choose between 4K at 30 FPS or 1080p at 60 FPS – a first for the franchise.
Our team built bespoke tools for dynamic, automated performance testing with web dashboards, improved core systems such as memory allocation, job systems, particles, and shaders. Many of these enhancements and optimizations were integrated into Forza Horizon 5, contributing to its technical excellence and gameplay polish.
Virtuos is proud to have partnered with Playground Games and Turn 10 Studios in delivering Forza Horizon 5, combining cutting-edge art production with deep technical expertise to accelerate this landmark racing experience that continues to thrill millions of players worldwide.
