A new Forza Horizon 5 patch added badges and custom racing to online play, improving on Horizon Open and the game’s progression system.
Playground Games released a new Forza Horizon 5 patch which added badges and custom racing to online play among other general improvements and bug fixes. The open-world racing game is among the highest-rated in the franchise, improving from previous iterations with technical innovations, upgraded graphics, and new systems for players to explore. It launched with critical acclaim, winning both critics and consumers by fixing some of Forza’s biggest problems. Despite its success, Playground Games seems to remain committed to improving the game with continued content updates and patches.
Forza Horizon 5’s Series 5 update arrived in early March, bringing a larger prop selection to EventLab, the PR Stunt Carnival to the Horizon Stadium, and more cars for players to earn. The updates also addressed some player concerns, fixing bugs such as problems with Photo Mode and Headlights. Most notably, the Series 5 updates introduced sign language accessibility features to the game, supporting both the American Sign Language and British Sign Language for over 300 cinematics. The update was a huge step forward in making Forza Horizon 5 the most accessible racing game. Playground Games had already provided other accessibility features, such as the ability for players to adjust the game for multiple forms of colorblindness.
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According to the Forza Horizon 5 patch notes (via Forza Support), the developers have added badges and custom racing to online play, in addition to several general improvements and bug fixes. Horizon Open now includes custom races, which allow players to matchmake with like-minded players. These players will now be able to set different racing parameters like PI class and the type of race, altering what kind of race they’ll enter in online competition. The patch also implemented a new progression system that includes badges that can be unlocked through gameplay. The progression system will apply to Open Racing, Drifting, Playground Games, and the Custom Racing game modes. XP earned in Forza Horizon 5’s Horizon Open will now contribute to both the player’s level and the new Horizon Open level. Reaching higher Horizon Open levels unlocks various rewards in the Horizon Open tile.
The patch is part of Forza Horizon 5’s Series 6 update, which drastically changes the game in many ways. The Series 6 Update, also named “Horizon Customs,” mainly focuses on Horizon Open and the EventLab systems. It was announced that the EventLab would get a slew of new original props, such as concrete and plaster walls, asphalt platforms, and neon shipping containers, among other items. There are also new additions to the Rules of Play, which grant even more freedom for Forza Horizon 5’s race-creation toolkit.
The badges introduced in the Series 6 patch add more incentive for players to compete in Horizon Open games. Completing challenges or gaining Horizon Open XP will earn players different badges, which can be displayed beside a player’s Gamertag. Badges are also visible in Horizon Life Free Roam, as well as other game modes, so players can share their achievements with friends and other racers. The progression system and new custom races are just more examples of Playground Games’ dedication to Forza Horizon 5 and are a good sign for its longevity.
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Alden is a freelance gaming news writer for Screen Rant. He has a love for video games and tabletop board games, and is an avid fan of all things sci-fi/fantasy.