Forza Horizon 6 Leak Confirmed as Playground Games Warns of Permanent Hardware Bans

Image via Playground Games

Forza Horizon 6 has officially leaked online ahead of its highly anticipated release prompting developer Playground Games to issue a strong warning to players who are using pirated copies of the game.

The upcoming racing title which is set to be released globally on May 19, created controversy over the weekend when unauthorized versions of the PC build began circulating on piracy forums and private file-sharing communities. The leak quickly went viral, raising concerns among fans about spoilers, security risks, and possible online bans.

In response, Playground Games acknowledged that an early build of the game had been obtained illegally. However, the studio denied that the leak was caused by Steam's pre-load system or an accidental upload via Valve's platform.

In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), the developer addressed the growing reports surrounding the leaked build.

“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.”

The studio also made it clear that players who access or use the unauthorized version will face serious implications. According to Playground Games, enforcement actions could include permanent bans across the entire Forza franchise, as well as hardware-level restrictions that prevent future access.

“We are taking strict enforcement action against any individuals found accessing this build including franchise-wide and hardware bans.”

The warning signals a zero-tolerance approach as Microsoft and Playground Games prepare for one of Xbox’s biggest game launches of the year.

Forza Horizon 6 Leak Rumors and SteamDB Clarification

After the Forza Horizon 6 leak surfaced online, many players blamed Steam. The rumors began after a 155GB game listing was discovered on SteamDB, leading some to believe the game files had been uploaded without protection.

SteamDB later denied the claims, stating that the leak was most likely caused by someone with early access to the game, such as a reviewer or content creator. The site stated that the Steam listing did not allow users to download the game.

SteamDB also clarified that it does not host game files or offer download links. According to the platform, the extra game details became visible only after someone with access used the token dumper tool.

Forza Horizon 6 Piracy Warning and Ban Policy

Playground Games informed moderators on the r/ForzaHorizon subreddit that they would take strict action against pirated copies of Forza Horizon 6. The rules apply to anyone playing the cracked version of the game.

According to reports, even if players do not share gameplay online, connecting to official servers with the pirated build may result in a permanent ban. This shows how seriously publishers take game piracy before release.

Despite the leak, excitement for Forza Horizon 6 remains high. The game brings the series to Japan for the first time, and it is expected to feature the franchise's largest map to date.

The game will feature over 550 cars, seasonal weather changes, new multiplayer modes, and enhanced graphics for Xbox Series X|S and PC. Premium Edition players can begin playing as early as May 15, with the full release scheduled for May 19. Playground Games also asks fans to wait for the official release rather than using leaked versions.