Speculation is mounting that Microsoft may have inadvertently disclosed the launch window for Forza Horizon 6 through an internal advertisement. According to a screenshot circulating on social media, a promotional pop-up appeared within Forza Horizon 5, potentially spoiling the surprise just days before the Xbox Developer Direct on January 20, where Playground Games is expected to showcase both the new Forza and Fable.
The leak, originally shared by X user XboxF10, provides an itemized breakdown of the game’s Premium Edition. The purported image lists several digital incentives, including:
- Early Access: Play four days ahead of schedule, beginning May 15.
- VIP Membership & Welcome Pack
- Car Pass & Time Attack Car Pack
- Italian Passion Car Pack: (Post-launch content)
- Two Major Expansions: (Post-launch content)
Given the May 15 early access date, the standard global release would likely fall on May 19. The user who captured the image claims the advertisement triggered immediately after they exited a garage in Forza Horizon 5.
While the leaked assets look remarkably authentic, the community is maintaining a degree of skepticism. Independent confirmation of the pop-up has been scarce, and such prominent in-game advertising is atypical for the series. Nevertheless, the high-fidelity logos and art match the aesthetic of previously revealed pre-launch materials. It remains plausible that Forza Horizon 6 is slated for the first half of 2026, leaving the latter half of the year for the Fable reboot.
This upcoming installment moves the festival to Japan, featuring diverse locales ranging from the rural countryside and Mount Fuji to the densely packed urban sprawl of Tokyo. Art director Don Arceta characterized the new setting as one of the studio’s “most detailed and layered environments to date.” Furthermore, cultural consultant Kyoko Yamashita noted that the game will lean heavily into Japan’s unique automotive heritage, placing a spotlight on “Kei cars, drifting’s roots, and a deep passion for precision customization.”
Source: Polygon
