Forza Horizon 6 is being delayed on PS5 to January 2027
Playground Games has delayed Forza Horizon 6’s PlayStation 5 release from its planned 2026 window to 26 January 2027. The change brings the PS5 launch into line with a new expansion, giving PlayStation players access to the game and additional content at the same time.
The game first launched on Xbox and PC on 15 May, and its January expansion will be available on those platforms too. A Premium Edition for PS5 will offer up to five days of early access before the official release date. The previous game, Forza Horizon 5, was popular after arriving on PS5 last year.
- The PS5 version now launches on 26 January 2027.
- Its release will coincide with a new expansion.
- Premium Edition buyers get up to five days’ early access.
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Forza Horizon is a popular racing video game series owned by Microsoft and developed by Playground Games. The games feature open-world driving across varied landscapes with different vehicles. Historically exclusive to Xbox and PC, the franchise recently began releasing on PlayStation 5, significantly expanding its audience.
Forza Horizon 6 launched on Xbox and PC in May this year and was well-received by players. PlayStation 5 owners have been anticipating the game's arrival, particularly because the previous game in the series became successful after coming to PS5 last year. Major franchise releases across multiple platforms have become increasingly significant to gamers and the industry's competitive landscape.
The release of established games to new platforms rather than keeping them exclusive affects both players' options and competition between hardware manufacturers. For PS5 players, the arrival of previously unavailable popular titles represents an important shift from how exclusive games traditionally worked in the gaming market.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The decision to synchronise the PS5 release with the major expansion represents responsible game management. By ensuring PlayStation players receive both the base game and new content simultaneously, Playground Games prevents a fragmented launch experience and provides better value. The Premium Edition's early access option allows keen players to begin before the official date. This approach prioritises product quality and comprehensive content delivery over arbitrary release timelines, ultimately serving the player base better.
The case against
PlayStation players face a significantly longer wait than initially promised, with the original 2026 window slipping to January 2027. This creates an unfair disparity compared to Xbox and PC players, who gained access months earlier. Whilst the expansion synchronisation is convenient, it does not justify extending the gap between platform releases to such an extent. Consumers who opted for PlayStation consoles partly in anticipation of this game have reasonable grounds to feel deprioritised relative to other platform holders.