Forza Horizon 6 Reportedly Leaks Online Ahead Of Official Release
Microsoft and Playground Games are reportedly taking action against players who accessed leaked copies of Forza Horizon 6 before the game’s official launch date.
The highly anticipated racing game is scheduled for general release on May 19, while buyers of the premium edition are expected to gain early access from May 15. However, reports suggest that unofficial versions of the game surfaced online more than a week before launch.
According to gaming reports, the leaked version quickly spread across online platforms, particularly among PC users, with gameplay videos and screenshots circulating widely on social media.
Players who allegedly accessed the early build claim that Microsoft has started issuing penalties, including Xbox account suspensions and hardware bans linked to affected computers.
Playground Games reportedly denied claims that the leak originated from Steam’s preload system, despite speculation that unencrypted files briefly became accessible online.
Industry reports indicate that a developer version of the game may have been uploaded to Steam’s backend without proper encryption, allowing third parties to intercept and crack the files before release.
Although some media outlets stated they did not independently download the leaked game to confirm its authenticity, the growing number of gameplay clips shared online has strengthened speculation that the leak is genuine.
The incident is considered a major setback for Microsoft ahead of one of its biggest gaming releases of the year.
Gaming analysts have already described Forza Horizon 6 as a strong contender for one of the best racing games of 2026, with early impressions praising its visuals and open-world gameplay.
The new instalment marks the latest entry in the long-running Forza Horizon franchise, which first launched in 2012. The upcoming game is set in Japan, making it the first time the racing series will use the country as its primary location.
The leak could potentially affect sales ahead of launch, especially as players continue sharing gameplay footage online before the official release date.
Microsoft has yet to issue a detailed public statement regarding the reported leak or the alleged player bans.
