Playground Games Limited is a British video game developer based in Leamington Spa, England. It is known for developing the Forza Horizon series, which is part of the larger Forza franchise. In 2018, Playground Games became part of Microsoft Studios. They are also developing the next game in the Fable series.
Source: Wikipedia
Former Forza Horizon 5 creative director Mike Brown says the wave of Xbox layoffs and studio closures stems directly from Game Pass failing to hit the subscriber numbers needed to justify Microsoft's $69 billion Activision Blizzard acquisition. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has cut 1,600 staff with another 1,600 planned, while four studios are confirmed to be leaving Microsoft ownership.
Microsoft's "reset" memo has cast a shadow over several Xbox studios and games. Notably, the Forza Motorsport franchise has been cancelled, and The Outer Worlds series has been discontinued due to poor sales of The Outer Worlds 2. Studios like Compulsion, Ninja Theory, and Double Fine are in negotiations, putting titles like Psychonauts, Senua (Hellblade series continuation), and South of Midnight at risk.
Forza Horizon 6 PC players are advised to update Microsoft Gaming Services to version 37.114.10001.0 or higher to mitigate disappearing save issues. Playground Games is investigating the problem, which causes lost or reset game progress. Ensuring the latest Gaming Services version and proper game exiting can help prevent save losses.
Grab a limited-time $77 discount on the Xbox Series X 1TB console, now $573 with free shipping. Experience the critically acclaimed Forza Horizon 6, a timed Xbox and PC exclusive, praised as a "Masterpiece" by IGN. With 550 cars and diverse Japanese landscapes, it's an unmissable open-world racing adventure.
Xbox confirms Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution are not coming to PlayStation 5, marking a shift in exclusivity strategy. These titles are exclusive to Xbox and PC, with no timed release planned for Sony's console. The move signals Xbox's renewed focus on console exclusives.
Fable's delay to February 2027 is a prudent decision by Playground Games and Microsoft, ensuring the game's standalone success. However, this move leaves a notable gap in the 2026 lineup, particularly for PC players awaiting a major title to counterbalance GTA 6's November 19th console release. As the gaming community awaits, Fable's upcoming reveal at the Xbox Showcase on June 7th promises to keep anticipation alive.
Forza Horizon 6 has stormed into Steam's top 5 most played games, surpassing 300,000 concurrent players despite sticking to a "well-worn track." The game's unique additions, such as giant mechs and Babymetal, have contributed to its success. This milestone cements its position among gaming giants like Dota 2 and PUBG.
Forza Horizon 6 has achieved a notable sales milestone, selling 4.9 million copies despite the influence of Xbox Game Pass on its revenue. An analyst highlights how the subscription service is "cannibalizing revenue" for the game. This performance underscores the game's appeal amidst the evolving gaming landscape.
Despite Xbox's plans to reassess its exclusivity strategy, Playground Games has confirmed that Fable will indeed launch on PS5. The highly anticipated RPG is also not facing any delays, ensuring fans across platforms can look forward to its release as planned. This confirmation quells concerns among PS5 enthusiasts who might have worried about the title becoming exclusive to Xbox.
Subnautica 2 and Forza Horizon 6 are among the latest games to achieve Steam Deck Verified status, ensuring optimal performance on the handheld PC. Despite leaks plaguing both titles ahead of their releases, this certification brings welcome news for fans eager to play on the go. Mina the Hollower and Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight are also verified.
Forza Horizon 6's PC version has leaked online ahead of its May 19th release, attributed to an unencrypted Steam build upload mishap. The leak has drawn negative reactions from Premium Edition buyers who paid for early access. The game's legitimacy is confirmed by leaked videos and images circulating on social media and YouTube.
Forza Horizon 6 launches on Xbox Series X|S at the end of next week, offering two distinct modes: Quality for native 4K at 30fps on Series X, and Performance for dynamic 4K at 60fps. Series S players can choose between 1440p at 30fps (Quality) and 1080p at 60fps (Performance). The game also features nine radio stations, the largest song list in the series, and loyalty reward cars for veteran players.