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Forza Horizon 6 Sufferes Leak, Studio Threatens Bans Including Hardware for Early Play

Playground Games has taken firm action against those playing the unauthorized Forza Horizon 6 build, warning of potential bans across their gaming franchise and even hardware involvement due to a reported Steam-related error.

Sophie Laurent · 3 min read

A pirated version of Forza Horizon 6 began circulating online following an apparent Steam-related error. In response, developer Playground Games has implemented strict measures against individuals found playing the unauthorized build. According to community reports, users detected with the leaked material may face bans impacting the game, the entire Forza franchise, and potentially even their hardware. The leak drew significant attention when the unreleased game build appeared on various sharing platforms and communities. This early access reportedly revealed substantial portions of the game, allowing players to access internal content before its official release. While the exact cause of the incident remains unconfirmed, it is believed to stem from a Steam-related flaw. Forza Horizon 6 was leaked four days before its scheduled early access launch and nine days before its May 19th public release. Contrary to some initial speculation, the leak was not due to a preload issue. Playground Games plans to take decisive action against anyone playing the leaked version, including potential franchise-wide and hardware-based bans.

Fifteen gigabytes of Forza Horizon 6 files were discovered on SteamDB ahead of the early access and full launch periods. This suggests that the files may have been unintentionally made available without encryption on Steam. One individual who posted gameplay footage of the leaked build on YouTube reportedly received a hardware ban lasting until December 31, 9999, the longest possible duration using four-digit years. Despite this, the same individual later released another gameplay video, claiming they could still play online with an alternative account and a blurred gamertag, unaffected by the hardware ID ban. A YouTube channel posting gameplay clips from the leaked version received a permanent ban for violating terms of service. Another player reportedly received a 10,000-year hardware ban for engaging with the leaked Forza Horizon 6 copies. Moderators for the r/ForzaHorizon subreddit confirmed with Playground Games that playing cracked copies could lead to permanent bans, even for users not publicly sharing content.

Early Play of Forza Horizon 6 Pre-Release Could Lead to Sanctions

Forza Horizon 6 is scheduled for an official launch on May 19th, with early access available four days prior for purchasers of the Premium Edition, beginning May 15th. Players are cautioned against engaging with the leaked version before the official release to avoid potential sanctions, including franchise-wide and hardware bans.

In Case You Missed It

While we're all eagerly anticipating more news on Grand Theft Auto VI, Marcus Thompson has shed some light on the situation with his latest post from April 29th. He breaks down Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick's recent comments at Iicon about GTA 6's release date and pricing strategies, so if you're curious about whether that November date is still set in stone or what this "premium" price tier could mean for your wallet, be sure to check out his article, "Take-Two CEO Confirms GTA 6 for November, Comments on Potential 'Premium' Price" Take-Two CEO Confirms GTA 6 for November, Comments on Potential "Premium" Price. Meanwhile, Ahmed Hassan has delved into a significant leak in our latest post published on May 11th. His eye-opening article explores how Playground Games' upcoming racing masterpiece, Forza Horizon 6, was accidentally uploaded to Steam ten days ahead of schedule, leading to a whopping 155GB data leak that could have implications for the game's worldwide release on May 19th. Head over to "Forza Horizon 6 Entirely Uploaded to Steam Unprotected" Forza Horizon 6 Entirely Uploaded to Steam Unprotected, Leading to Game Leak of 155GB Data for more details and keep an eye out for official responses from the developers. And finally, diving into the world of espionage, you might be thrilled to know that James Bond is set to make a comeback in gaming after a 15-year hiatus! Sophie Laurent's recent post, "007 First Light," published on May 27th across PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, promises an exhilarating blend of cinematic storytelling and interactive gameplay. This isn't your typical stealth fest or action-packed spectacle; it's a balanced experience that captures the essence of Bond while introducing innovative mechanics. Don't miss out on this promising new chapter in our favorite secret agent's life - read all about it here 007 First Light: A Blend of Hitman, Uncharted, and Even Sifu, But Primarily Popcorn Entertainment!.

// The Friday recap

Enjoyed this article? You will like the Friday recap.

Game info

Official Name
Forza Horizon 6
Brief Summary
Discover the breathtaking landscapes of Japan in over 550 real-world cars and become a racing Legend at the Horizon Festival. Start your journey as a tourist and explore a world full of hit music and Japanese culture. Build a Valley Estate, acquire awe-inspiring homes, and display your prized car collection in fully Customizable Garages. Cruise the roads with your friends and join Car Meets around Japan, unleash your imagination with EventLab and build together in Horizon CoLab.
Platforms
PlayStation 5, PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox Series X|S
Released
May 19, 2026
Genre
Racing, Simulator, Sport, Arcade
Play Modes
Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
Content Rating
E
Languages
Chinese (Simplified), Korean
Developer
Playground Games
Publisher
Xbox Game Studios

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