Microsoft's Playground Games says the Forza Horizon 6 leak was not caused by a preload issue and it's taking action against anyone accessing the leaked build

It's a potentially multi-million dollar error. Playground Games uploaded fresh pre-load files to Steam, albeit without encryption.

Windows Central 2026-05-11 Jez Corden

Discussion

@tomwarren Tom Warren on x
Forza Horizon 6 has been leaked and cracked a week before its release. The source of the leak appears to be an unencrypted Steam preload 😬 full details 👇 https://www.theverge.com/...
@pirat_nation @pirat_nation on x
Forza Horizon 6 leaked online yesterday after a Microsoft employee forgot to encrypt the files and uploaded them to Steam by mistake. This made the full 155 GB playable build available early before the official release date of May 19. Players who downloaded the leaked [image]
@horsepower @horsepower on x
Yes, Forza Horizon 6 is already leaked and entirely playable. However I personally wouldn't suggest downloading the files if you do happen to come across them. Just my 2 cents.
@oliver_drk Oliver Darko on x
Review embargo for Forza Horizon 6 is on May 14. Early Access start for people who paid $60 for the “Premium Upgrade” is on May 15. This is a PR disaster.
@realityuk @realityuk on x
games been cracked before its release 😭😭😭 [image]
@savipww @savipww on x
Microsoft just accidentally leaked the entirety of Forza Horizon 6 two weeks before launch • developers push a routine backend update to the Steam servers • they accidentally include the entire 155 gigabyte unencrypted game • data miners immediately spot the massive file [video]
@vxunderground @vxunderground on x
Big shout-out to the homies at Microsoft for accidentally publishing Forza Horizon 6 on Steam early Microsoft corrected the issue but it was too late. Stinky internet nerds yanked it and now it's all over piracy sites Very cool, Microsoft. [image]
r/GamingLeaksAndRumours r on reddit
Forza Horizon 6 files got leaked 10 days before the release day
Gameranx Ryan Parreno on x
Forza Horizon 6 Leaked And Cracked Days Before Release
r/windowscentral r on reddit
Xbox accidentally uploads unencrypted Forza Horizon 6 PC pre-load files to Steam, leading to a full game leak
@devindra Devindra Hardawar on bluesky
This is the one MS game I was looking forward to, potentially their biggest release this year, and they still screwed it up. What is going on over there? www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/ ...
@weareplayground @weareplayground on x
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
Pure Xbox Fraser Gilbert on x
Forza Horizon 6 Dev Vows ‘Strict’ Action Against People Playing The Leaked Version

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Microsoft's Playground Games says the Forza Horizon 6 leak was not caused by a preload issue and it's taking action against anyone accessing the leaked build

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