Forza Horizon 6 has made quite the splash in the gaming world, even as critics note it may be treading familiar ground. Phil Savage, the Editor-in-Chief of PC Gamer, awarded the game an 84% rating, describing it as “riding a well-worn track.” Yet, the introduction of elements such as giant mechs, kei trucks, and the energetic sounds of Babymetal has invigorated the franchise, leading to impressive sales figures.
Record-Breaking Success
As of now, Forza Horizon 6 boasts over 300,000 concurrent players on Steam, according to data from SteamDB. This remarkable achievement places it among the top five most played games, surpassing popular titles like Apex Legends and Slay the Spire 2. It currently trails only behind heavyweights such as Dota 2, PUBG, and the perennial favorite, Counter-Strike 2. The game even set records on PC prior to its official release, showcasing the enduring appeal of its simcade formula.
The game’s momentum seems unshakeable, with pre-release leaks failing to dampen enthusiasm. Interestingly, the series has rebounded from a challenging period marked by significant layoffs at Microsoft, which reportedly halved the workforce at Turn 10, the studio behind the Motorsport series. In contrast, the more accessible Forza Horizon spinoff appears to have left its predecessor in the dust.
However, the success of Forza Horizon 6 comes amid a backdrop of controversy for Microsoft. The company has found itself in the crosshairs of the BDS movement, which protests its contracts with Israel in light of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestine. This situation has sparked unrest within the organization, with employees staging protests and developers from Microsoft-owned Arkane voicing their concerns. Recently, the head of an Israeli subsidiary was dismissed due to issues surrounding surveillance of Palestinians.
Looking Ahead
As for future developments in Forza Horizon 6, Playground Games has released a blog post outlining plans to address several initial issues, including drivatar AI difficulty, crash bugs, and overall optimization. Meanwhile, players can explore an impressive lineup of 618 vehicles, each ready to be put through their paces as they crash through billboards in the expansive open world.
