Playground Games has officially acknowledged the ongoing leak surrounding Forza Horizon 6, confirming that unauthorized copies of the game are circulating ahead of launch and warning that strict enforcement measures are already being implemented.
In a statement posted on X, the studio clarified that the leaked build was not connected to the game’s pre-load rollout.
“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,” Playground Games said.
The developer also confirmed that enforcement action is being taken against users found accessing the leaked version. “We are taking strict enforcement action against any individuals found accessing this build including franchise-wide and hardware bans,” the statement continued. “We encourage fans to sit tight for the game’s release on May 19.”
The statement follows earlier reports claiming that some players who accessed cracked PC versions of the game had already begun receiving hardware bans. Screenshots shared online allegedly showed suspension notices issued by the Forza Community Team referencing “cheating/unallowed modding.”
Some community members suggested at least a portion of the bans may have involved users already known for using mod menus in previous Forza titles, though Playground Games has now confirmed broader enforcement tied specifically to unauthorized access of the leaked build.
Prior reports suggested the game files became accessible online before release after a leak connected to Steam distribution systems. SteamDB creator Pavel Djundik, also known as xPaw, later stated that the build likely originated from someone with authorized early access, possibly a reviewer, rather than from SteamDB itself.
The leaked build quickly spread across piracy communities and forums, where users claimed the game was already fully playable ahead of launch.
Forza Horizon 6 is scheduled to release on May 19, 2026 for Windows PC and Xbox Series X|S, with a PlayStation 5 version planned for later this year. Developed by Playground Games with support from Turn 10 Studios and published by Xbox Game Studios, the latest entry takes the Horizon Festival to a fictionalized version of Japan featuring the largest map in franchise history.
