SteamDB flagged a Forza Horizon 6 file list on May 11, indicating that someone used its token dumper to upload the game’s build. The leak appears to stem from a reviewer or similar source rather than a Steam preload glitch. Playground Games quickly denied involvement and warned that possession of the files could trigger enforcement actions.

Customers who bought the standard $69.99 edition—or the $119.99 Deluxe version—still cannot preload the title ahead of its scheduled May 19 launch, according to Steam forum chatter. Playground Games says the breach is “not the result of a preload issue” and threatens franchise‑wide hardware bans for anyone running the leaked build, a stance harsher than Capcom’s recent leak response.

Reddit users have already posted provisional reviews and repackaged copies on r/CrackWatch, while some plan to play offline to dodge bans. TechPowerUp’s performance testing, underway since last week, will be published on May 14 once the embargo lifts, offering the first objective metrics despite the ongoing controversy.

The swift crackdown signals Microsoft’s intent to protect its flagship racing franchise from piracy, especially as the series prepares to expand onto new hardware. By threatening hardware bans, Playground Games aims to deter early‑access cheating, but the leak already fuels community speculation and may pressure the publisher to tighten future preload safeguards.