Forza Horizon 6 Leaked Online Ahead of Official Launch After Unencrypted Steam Upload
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Playable copies of Microsoft's Forza Horizon 6 appeared on piracy sites over a week before its official launch. The leak occurred after the game's files were uploaded to Steam in an unencrypted form, allowing them to be downloaded and cracked. The developer, Playground Games, has fixed the error and is enforcing bans on players using the leaked version.
Facts First
- Forza Horizon 6 files were uploaded to Steam unencrypted, making them accessible for download.
- Pirated versions of the game became available online more than a week before its May 19th release.
- Playground Games fixed the upload error quickly, but a window for downloading the files had already opened.
- Microsoft is banning players caught using the leaked version, with one content creator receiving a ban until the year 9999.
- The game is set in Japan and details about its map and vehicles have been officially released.
What Happened
Microsoft accidentally uploaded approximately 155 GB of Forza Horizon 6 files to Steam in an unencrypted form early Sunday morning. The unprotected upload was tracked by SteamDB and noticed almost immediately on social media and Reddit. Within hours, the game's copy protection was broken, and pirated versions became available for download across multiple piracy sites. Playground Games, the developer, fixed the error quickly, but a window of time allowed the files to be downloaded. The official release date for Forza Horizon 6 is May 19th.
Why this Matters to You
If you pre-ordered the game, this leak could mean you encounter spoilers about the game's content or setting in Japan before you get to play it. For the gaming community, it highlights the immediate consequences of piracy; Microsoft is enforcing bans, with one verified case showing a player banned for over 69 million hours. This incident may lead to stricter pre-release security for future major game launches, which could affect how and when you can preload games before their official launch day.
What's Next
Playground Games and Microsoft are likely to continue monitoring for and banning accounts using the pirated software. The official launch on May 19th will proceed as scheduled for legitimate purchasers. The developer has already released official details about the game's scale, setting, and vehicles, which may help refocus attention on the authorized release.