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Forza Horizon 6 has reportedly been leaked online just days ahead of its scheduled release. This happened after an unencrypted PC build was reportedly uploaded to Steam. The incident allowed users to access and distribute the full game files, which are around 155GB, a few days before its official launch.



The issue came to light over the weekend, when users tracking backend changes on SteamDB noticed that the game files were not encrypted. Members of online communities, including Reddit forums such as r/GamingLeaksAndRumours, flagged the listing early, after which the files began circulating across file-sharing platforms. Within hours, the build was reportedly downloaded, modified and made playable, with screenshots and videos appearing online soon after.



Forza Horizon 6 leaked: How the Steam preload issue occurred



Preloads are a standard distribution method on Steam, where encrypted game files are made available in advance so players can download them before release. These files are usually unlocked in a separate update when the game officially launches.


In this case, reports suggest the uploaded build may have included the game files and the decryption method, allowing the content to be available early. Neither Microsoft nor Playground Games has confirmed the exact cause of the issue, and no official statement has been released so far.



Users who accessed the build have reported that it is not fully stable, with crashes and performance issues suggesting it may not be a final release. Online discussions have also included guides on how to run the leaked build despite these limitations.



Despite the early leak, the game’s commercial performance does not appear to be affected significantly. Forza Horizon 6 continues to rank among the top-selling titles on Steam by revenue and remains high on wishlist charts.



The Premium Edition of the game is scheduled to unlock on May 15 for early access, followed by a wider release on May 19. The title is also expected to be available on Xbox Game Pass at launch.



Earlier this year, something similar happened with Death Stranding 2, when a significant chunk of the title's gameplay was leaked online just prior to launch. The industry’s processes for handling preloads could come under greater scrutiny following such repeated incidents.