Forza Horizon 6, the upcoming installment in the acclaimed racing series, has been making waves on Steam despite its release still being on the horizon. As of April 15, the game had racked up over 500,000 pre-orders, a figure likely to have nearly doubled by now, given its steadfast presence at the top of Steam's weekly revenue charts since early April. This pre-release success is particularly noteworthy when compared to other recent releases in the racing genre.
Quick Facts — Forza Horizon 6
| Developer | null |
|---|---|
| Platform(s) | PC |
| Release Date | null |
| Genre | Racing |
| Price | null |
The pre-order bonus, a "Pre-Tuned Ferrari J50," might not be the primary driver for these numbers, especially considering the full game boasts over 500 cars. Instead, the $120 Premium version, offering four days of early access and all future DLC, is more likely the compelling factor.
"Forza Horizon is probably the only multi-platform racer that everyone will buy."
Shaun Prescott, Australian editor of PC Gamer
This assertion is backed by the game's pre-order success, which outpaces the launch week performances of other racing titles.
The State of Racing Games on Steam
A dive into recent Steam revenue charts reveals that achieving top ten status is a rare feat for racing games.
- F1 25 peaked at #5 during its launch week (May 31, 2025)
- Assetto Corsa Evo reached #6 (January 7, 2025)
- Tokyo Xtreme Racer and Sonic Crossworlds barely missed the top ten, peaking at #11 during their respective launch windows
This contrast with Forza Horizon 6's pre-release dominance underscores its unique position in the market.
The comparison to Battlefield 6's 1.7 million pre-orders in the week before its launch (October 10) provides context to Forza Horizon 6's numbers, though the genres differ significantly. Nonetheless, Forza Horizon 6's performance is astonishing, especially considering the broader trend of racing games struggling to penetrate the top ten on Steam, with exceptions like Mario Kart being few and far between.
Implications for the Gaming Market
The success of Forza Horizon 6, despite its similarity to previous iterations, suggests a loyal fan base and a brand powerful enough to drive sales without necessarily generating widespread, prolonged discussion. As Prescott notes, the game's release into a relatively quiet month for blockbusters won't significantly alter its mindshare, predicting it won't spark extensive arguments or debates, unlike titles such as Mixtape.
This phenomenon reflects the current state of the racing genre, where once iconic names like Need for Speed, Ridge Racer, Driver, and GRID have faded into the background. Forza Horizon stands as an outlier, a series that still manages to capture a broad audience across platforms.
Community and Market Expectations
While specific community reactions to Forza Horizon 6's pre-release success aren't detailed, the pre-order numbers speak to a dedicated fan base eager for the game's release. The broader gaming community's response to racing games, however, indicates a genre that no longer dominates discussion or sales charts consistently, aside from a few select titles.
The lack of significant competition in May further ensures Forza Horizon 6's prominence, though its impact on the broader gaming discourse remains to be seen. One thing is clear: as the last truly mainstream multiplatform racing series, Forza Horizon 6's performance will be closely watched by both fans and industry analysts alike.
Recent Steam Releases and Deep Cuts
Beyond Forza Horizon 6, recent weeks have seen the release of several notable titles on Steam, including:
- Alabaster Dawn, a top-down action RPG with a unique 2.5D perspective
- Hypnos, a first-person exploration game with a striking, brutalist-inspired art style
- Dead as Disco, a stylish beat 'em up with rhythm elements already garnering "overwhelmingly positive" reviews in early access
These releases, while diverse in genre and style, underscore the platform's vibrant ecosystem. However, they also highlight the challenge racing games face in breaking through to the top, a feat Forza Horizon 6 achieves with ease, solidifying its position as an exception in the current market landscape.