Forza Horizon 6 developers address itasha design ban controversy

Developers of Forza Horizon 6, including Turn 10 Studios and Playground Games, have updated the game’s Code of Conduct following a wave of player backlash regarding the banning of 'itasha' car designs. Itasha refers to vehicles decorated with anime, manga, or video game characters, a significant part of Japanese car culture and a popular feature in the game’s Japan-based setting.

Players have reported account suspensions and even hardware bans, alleging that the moderation system unfairly targets these designs. Some users claim that mass-reporting campaigns are being used to trigger bans, and that even unfinished sketches or in-game photographs of itasha vehicles have resulted in penalties. There are concerns that the line between artistic expression and prohibited content is being applied inconsistently.

In response, Turn 10 Studios clarified that all reported user-generated content is reviewed by human moderators rather than being processed solely by automated systems. The updated guidelines specify that while itasha designs are permitted, content featuring explicit sexual imagery, suggestive poses, or excessive skin exposure is strictly forbidden. The developers emphasized that the number of reports received does not influence the priority or position of a content item in the moderation queue.