Playground Games has officially confirmed that Forza Horizon 6 will not launch on PlayStation 5 until January 2027, a delay from its previously scheduled 2026 release. Sony Interactive Entertainment announced the new date on Thursday, adding to weeks of speculation surrounding the port.
The confirmation follows recent denials from the studio regarding a delay and an apology on X for a lack of communication about game updates and fixes. Forza Horizon 6, which was released on Xbox and PC in May, has seen significant commercial and critical success.
A Major Franchise Entry
The Forza Horizon series has become a major seller, with an estimated 7.4 million copies sold and approximately $534.3 million in revenue generated even before its PlayStation release, according to a report by Alinea Analytics. The game received stellar reviews upon its launch on Windows PC and Xbox Series X.
This follows the pattern of its predecessor, Forza Horizon 5, which had the biggest launch in Xbox history with over 10 million players in its first week. Forza Horizon 5 was also released on PS5 several years later, selling over five million copies.
Shifting Xbox Strategies
The delay and the extended exclusivity window for the PS5 version of Forza Horizon 6 occur amidst a significant strategic shift at Xbox. This period has seen widespread layoffs and the sale of several studios. As part of this recalibration, Xbox appears to be de-prioritizing releases on PlayStation. This is exemplified by the reported cancellation of a PlayStation port for Gears of War: E-Day, despite earlier plans for such releases.
Given the Forza Horizon series' proven popularity on PlayStation, the long-term strategy for bringing future installments to rival platforms remains uncertain.