Forza Horizon 6 Leaked — Playground Games Issues Ban Warning
Playground Games has confirmed a pre-release build of FH6 is circulating online and is issuing franchise-wide and hardware bans against anyone found accessing it.
⚠️ Note: This article is based on pre-launch information and official statements from Playground Games. Details may be updated as the situation develops.
Playground Games has officially confirmed that a pre-release build of Forza Horizon 6 has been obtained and is circulating online ahead of the game's May 19 launch.
What Happened?
A full pre-release PC build of Forza Horizon 6 leaked online in the days leading up to launch. The game was subsequently cracked and shared across various platforms. Playground Games confirmed the leak on May 11, 2026, clarifying that it was not caused by a Steam pre-load issue.
According to SteamDB creator xPaw, the build most likely originated from someone with authorized early access — such as a reviewer — rather than through any platform vulnerability.
The leaked build contained a large portion of the game's final content, including unreleased car reveals and map details. Gameplay footage spread rapidly across social media in the days following, spoiling surprises ahead of launch.
Official Statement
Playground Games posted the following on their official channels:
*"We are aware of reports that a build of Forza Horizon 6 has been obtained prior to its release and can confirm this is not the result of a pre-load issue. We are taking strict enforcement action against any individuals found accessing this build including franchise-wide and hardware bans. We encourage fans to sit tight for the game's release on May 19."*
What Do the Bans Mean?
Franchise-wide ban — Your account loses access to all Forza titles: Forza Horizon 1–6, Forza Motorsport, and any future entries in the series.
Hardware ban — The most severe penalty. Your console or PC hardware is flagged at the system level. Even creating a new account will not restore access, as the ban is tied to the device itself — not the account.
Reports have also emerged of at least one player receiving a ban expiring on December 31, 9999 — effectively permanent — after using mods on the leaked build.
Should You Be Worried If You Preloaded?
No. Playground Games explicitly stated the leak is unrelated to the pre-load. Preloading the game through Steam or the Xbox app is safe and will not put your account at risk.
The Verdict
The risks are severe and disproportionate to any benefit. A hardware ban means losing access to your entire Xbox library on that device — not just Forza titles. A franchise-wide ban on top of that strips years of progress across FH5 and Forza Motorsport as well. With the official release just days away, there is no good reason to risk a permanent ban over an unfinished pre-release build.