Forza Horizon 6 Hit by Major Leak After Steam Preload Files Appear Without Encryption

Forza Horizon 6 has reportedly suffered a major pre-release leak after the full game appeared to become available through an unencrypted Steam preload, creating a serious headache for Microsoft just days before launch.

The incident has sparked concern among fans and industry observers alike, not only because of the scale of the leak, but because of how close it comes to one of Microsoft’s biggest first-party releases of the year. With early access imminent and the full launch fast approaching, the timing could hardly be worse.

A Major Leak Days Before Launch

According to multiple online reports, around 155GB of unencrypted Forza Horizon 6 files appeared on SteamDB over the weekend, just four days before early access begins and nine days ahead of the game’s full release. Following the leak, Forza Horizon 6 reportedly became available to download through piracy sites.

For a blockbuster release of this size, the appearance of unencrypted game files online is a significant breach. Preload periods are intended to help paying customers prepare for launch by downloading large game files in advance, but they rely on encryption to keep those files locked until release day. In this case, that safeguard appears to have failed.

How the Steam Preload Issue Appears to Have Happened

The issue appears to have originated with the Forza Horizon 6 preload. Typically, Steam preloads allow players to download game files in an encrypted state before release. Once the game officially goes live, Steam pushes an update that decrypts those files and makes the game playable.

In this case, it seems both the preload and the decryption update for Forza Horizon 6 were released ahead of schedule. That would explain why the full game files were allegedly accessible before Microsoft intended them to be, and why piracy sites were reportedly able to distribute the game before its official unlock date.

While preload systems are common across major PC releases, this incident underlines the risks involved when a technical or publishing error exposes files too early. For a game with the scale and visibility of Forza Horizon 6, even a short window of exposure can cause significant damage.

Microsoft Appears to Be Trying to Contain the Leak

While the damage may already have been done, Microsoft appears to be taking steps to contain the situation. A prominent Reddit thread discussing Forza Horizon 6’s availability on piracy websites had its original post removed by Reddit’s Legal Operations team, according to an online notice.

There are also reports of people streaming the game before release, although Microsoft is likely to take action against anyone doing so. Pre-release streams could reveal major content, locations, vehicles, progression systems, and other surprises before official coverage and player impressions are meant to go live.

A Costly Mistake for a Huge Xbox Release

It is a serious mistake for Microsoft, and one that could prove costly for both the company and Forza Horizon 6 developer Playground Games. The highly anticipated racing title is due to launch on PC and Xbox, and as a first-party Microsoft release, it will also arrive on Game Pass on day one. Even so, Steam is expected to play a major role in sales.

The Forza Horizon series is one of Xbox’s strongest modern franchises, with broad appeal beyond traditional racing fans thanks to its open-world structure, festival atmosphere, and accessible driving model. That makes any launch disruption especially notable. A leak of this scale risks spoiling the release window conversation and shifting attention away from reviews, impressions, and official marketing.

At the same time, the leak may not significantly derail the game’s commercial performance. At present, Forza Horizon 6 is the second highest-selling game by revenue on Valve’s platform, where it is currently available for prepurchase. That suggests the game is still likely to perform strongly despite the leak. It is also the third most-wishlisted title on Steam.

Launch Plans Remain Unclear

Microsoft has not yet confirmed the exact time Forza Horizon 6 will officially unlock and become playable, or whether the leak will have any impact on its launch plans. The game’s general release date is May 19, with early access beginning four days earlier on May 15.

For now, the central question is whether Microsoft will adjust its rollout, tighten enforcement against unauthorized streams and downloads, or continue with the planned launch schedule. Either way, the leak has turned what should have been a final stretch of anticipation into an unexpected pre-release controversy.