On Saturday, Microsoft surprised Xbox fans with a brief but visually impressive in-engine trailer for Forza Horizon 6 that showcased the game's various biomes. The footage demonstrated the excellent level of detail provided by the latest iteration of the ForzaTech proprietary engine technology, while also offering a glimpse of the variety of environments players will be able to explore from the cockpit of their cars once the game ships in less than three months. We can see beaches, small villages, forests, the countryside, and snowy, mountainous regions, among others. Originally announced at Tokyo Game Show 2025, Forza Horizon 6 is […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/forza-horizon-6-shows-outstanding-visuals-biomes-trailer/

Developer Playground Games is truly listening to fans to make Forza Horizon 6 a great experience. In previous games, notably Forza Horizon 4 and 5, cheating your way to the top was a fairly easy thing to do. The leaderboards in both of those games are full of some very questionable times and records, even for trivial stuff like danger signs. To fix, Forza Horizon 6 will implement day one anti-cheat measures, according to the Forza Horizon 6 UK account (confirmed by some developers on Discord).

New Anti-Cheat Measures For Forza Horizon 6

The developers are going aggressive with the anti-cheat measures, and you can’t blame them for it. To ensure that Forza Horizon 6 is fun and fair for everyone involved, there will be a new rigorous exploit detection system in place. All the open-world leaderboards will reset weekly, and any unrealistic scores on the leaderboards will be removed whenever flagged by the system.

You may be thinking, why would anyone even want to cheat in Forza Horizon in the first place? After all, it’s mostly a game about unlocking more cars and exploring the open world. Unfortunately, some people just can’t be helped, as it’s easy fun for them to jump to the top of the leaderboards.

However, it’s worth noting that while these anti-cheat measures are nice, there’s no official word on whether this will stop modded accounts with unrealistic CR, cars, and max levels. There’s a lot of flexibility on PC, and unfortunately, some of it comes in the form of mods that make the game unfair to other players.

It’s also worth noting that this means that Linux support will likely be limited. This obviously also extends to the Steam Deck. Again, no official word on this yet, but robust anti-cheat measures, such as the ones FH6 is incorporating, usually hurt Linux support.

Forza Horizon 6 releases on May 19, 2026, on Xbox Series X|S and on PC via Steam. If you are planning to pre-order it’s worth familiarizing yourself with all of the different editions of the game. Even if you’re planning to play through Xbox Game Pass, it doesn’t hurt to know what the Deluxe or Premium upgrades bring to the table.

Set to take players to a whole new festival, now located amidst the sakura petals and breathtaking sceneries of Japan, Forza Horizon 6 will be arriving on both Xbox and PC on May 19.

But what about us PS5 players? Where will we be able to take the road and see what the next installment has in store? Here’s everything we know about Forza Horizon 6‘s PS5 release, as well as a look at the exact time all versions of the game are expected to become availalbe.

When Is Forza Horizon 6 Being Released PS5?

Unfortunately, no news regarding the exact release date of Forza Horizon 6 on PS5 have ben revealed, although the version has already been confirmed to be arriving in 2026. True to that, it’s not out of the realm of possibilities to assume that the release is subject to a 6-month exclusivity to both PC and Xbox, and thus will only be arriving on Sony’s console around November to December 2026. In my opinion, however, I believe we will only have to wait a couple of months.

Forza Horizon 6 Release Times And How To Unlock Early Access

Even if no official confirmation has been given, it’s safe to assume that, like all Forza Horizon 5 versions, Forza Horizon 6 will become available on May 19, 12 AM local time on all of its starting platforms (Xbox Series X/S and PC). Keep in mind that it was already revealed that those who purchase the game’s Premium Edition ($119.99) will have access to the title four days earlier (on May 15). Apart from the early access, the Premium Edition also offers the following:

• The Ferrari J50 Pre-Order Bonus
• VIP Membership (includes 3x Exclusive Forza Edition Cars, Crown Flair, Emote, Carn Horn, a free Tokyo city Player House, 2x CR Rewards, and weekly Super Wheelpins)
• Welcome Pack (includes 5x Pre-Tuned Cars, 1x Autoshow Car Voucher, a free player house, and 3x tickets for common/rare clothing items)
• A Car Pass featuring 30 extra cars
• The Italian Passion Car Pack, including four extra cars
• The Time Attack Car Pack, including eight extra cars
• Access to both upcoming expansions upon their respective releases

If you have already purchased the game’s standard or Deluxe editions on Xbox, you can still get access to all Premium Perks by purchasing the Premium Add-Ons Bundle for $59,99. The same applies to those who have a Game Pass Ultimate subscription. Just keep in mind that, if the subscription runs out, you will still need to buy the base game to play it.

Microsoft has announced another Developer Direct, set to take place on the 22nd January. It'll feature Fable, Forza, and Beast of Reincarnation.

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Microsoft has announced that the Xbox Developer Direct will be taking place on January 22nd, and has confirmed Fable, Forza Horizon, and Game Freak’s Beast of Reincarnation will all have gameplay shown. Both Fable and Forza Horizon 6 are pencilled in to launch this year, so we should get release dates for both at Developer Direct, and we may also get a release date for Beast of Reincarnation.

In the announcement post, Joe Skrebels, Xbox Wire Editor In Chief, said, “2026 is going to be an incredible year for Xbox players – you might even call it a… fabled year. To celebrate, we’re kicking it off with the fourth installment of our Developer_Direct broadcast on January 22, bringing you news, new gameplay, and insights directly from the incredible teams working on titles coming this year. Presented by the game creators themselves, Developer_Direct will once again give you an inside look at not just the games, but the studios working to bring them to life. Fittingly for Xbox’s 25^th anniversary year, that includes the return of some of our most legendary franchises, which rub shoulders with a brand new title from one of Japan’s most beloved studios.”

The Xbox Developer Direct will be streaming on January 22nd at 10am Pacific / 1pm Eastern / 6pm UK.

Source: Xbox

British developer Playground Games will be the absolute star of the Xbox Developer Direct 2026, with the first in-depth look at the long-awaited Fable reboot and the proper reveal of Forza Horizon 6, a sequel to a massively successful game that is estimated to have been played by over 50 million users. Sure, there's also Game Freak's Beast of Reincarnation and even a rumored 'secret' fourth game, but those two games are going to be the centerpiece of the showcase due to air on January 22. Officially, both Fable and Forza Horizon 6 are only announced for PC and Xbox […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/playground-fable-rumored-launch-day-date-ps5-forza-horizon-6-wont-wasnt-ready/

Yesterday, Microsoft officially confirmed that the Xbox Developer Direct 2026 will feature three games: Playground's Fable reboot and Forza Horizon 6, and Game Freak's new Beast of Reincarnation intellectual property. However, out of three Xbox Developer Direct presentations, on two occasions there were also secret announcements that Microsoft held off until the actual show. The very first time, in 2023, there was the reveal and shadow drop of Tango Gameworks' Hi-Fi Rush, which was critically acclaimed but still proved insufficient to prevent Microsoft from shutting down the studio just over a year later. Thankfully, the Japanese developer was later resurrected […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/xbox-developer-direct-2026-features-secret-fourth-game-says-insider/

• Category: Developer_Direct

January 8, 2026

Developer_Direct Returns January 22: Watch Fable, Forza Horizon 6, and Beast of Reincarnation Gameplay, Direct from the Studios

• Joe Skrebels, Xbox Wire Editor-in-Chief

2026 is going to be an incredible year for Xbox players – you might even call it a… fabled year. To celebrate, we’re kicking it off with the fourth installment of our Developer_Direct broadcast on January 22, bringing you news, new gameplay, and insights directly from the incredible teams working on titles coming this year.

Presented by the game creators themselves, Developer_Direct will once again give you an inside look at not just the games, but the studios working to bring them to life. Fittingly for Xbox’s 25^th anniversary year, that includes the return of some of our most legendary franchises, which rub shoulders with a brand new title from one of Japan’s most beloved studios.

The show includes not one but two titles from Playground Games, with the UK studio bringing us a first extended look at Fable, as well as the debut of gameplay for Forza Horizon 6. We’ll also be taking a trip to Tokyo to visit the legendary Game Freak, offering a first in-depth look at Beast of Reincarnation, which we revealed at Xbox Games Showcase last year.

You can tune in at 10am Pacific / 1pm Eastern / 6pm UK on January 22 to see all the latest on:

Fable – Playground Games welcomes players back to the fairytale land of Albion, with the first in-depth look at Fable – one of 2026’s most anticipated titles. Devs from the Playground team will unveil the magic and mischief that awaits players in this fresh new beginning for the franchise, including a first look at some stunning new gameplay. Of course, the core themes of Fable will all be there – choice, consequence, drama, action, British humor and (of course) chickens, all reimagined for existing fans and new players alike.

Forza Horizon 6 – The Forza team from Playground Games will share a deep-dive on the much-anticipated Forza Horizon 6 as the open world racer takes players to the beautiful and contrasting landscapes of Japan. The segment will deep-dive into a very first look at gameplay, including reveals of new features – and how Japan comes to life in this stunning new installment.

Beast of Reincarnation – Join us as we delve into Game Freak’s intense one-person, one-dog action RPG. For the first time, Game Freak will reveal details of our protagonist Emma’s innovative plant manipulation actions and gameplay with her canine companion, Koo. In Beast of Reincarnation, a profound and dangerous world unfolds in post-apocalyptic Japan. Discover the development secrets behind its creation in Developer_Direct.

Stay tuned to our official social channels for more from Developer_Direct, airing on Thursday, January 22 at 10am Pacific / 1pm Eastern / 6pm UK.

The post Developer_Direct Returns January 22: Watch Fable, Forza Horizon 6, and Beast of Reincarnation Gameplay, Direct from the Studios appeared first on Xbox Wire.

This year’s Xbox Developer_Direct is on January 22nd, and Playground Games is bringing both of its big titles – Forza Horizon 6 and Fable. The former will receive its first-ever gameplay reveal while the latter gets a deep dive into its lovely fantasy world. Interestingly, while Forza Horizon 6 is PS5-bound at a later date, it seems that Fable could be a day-and-date multiplatform release.

This is according to VGC’s Andy Robinson, who shared on the site’s latest podcast, “Fable’s day and date. That’s what I’ve been told. Those are the sort of details where insiders misstep, right? Those are the sorts of details that can be changed a week before or a day before. The other stuff is kind of like a bit more set in stone. Yes, it’s coming to PlayStation 5.” Perhaps more intriguing is that the studio has reportedly been “targeting PS5 for a while.”

Why isn’t Forza Horizon 6 getting the same treatment, especially with how successful Forza Horizon 5 was on PS5? It’s also arguably the bigger brand, appealing to a larger spectrum of consumers. Robinson doesn’t know the “full story,” but heard that, allegedly, “It just wasn’t ready. I don’t know how true that is, because I mean, it’s going to be absolutely massive, but that game would be absolutely massive if it’s launching on everything day one, right? You’d kind of think that’s a bit of a hindrance for them.

“I mean, even Xbox stalwarts are starting to drift away from playing on the console now. It’ll have a humongous PC launch, but PS5, I mean, look at Indiana Jones: The Great Circle. It did so well when it came out on PS5 afterwards.” And yet here we are with Forza Horizon 6 arriving who-knows-when. That said, Robinson imagines that the team (which includes Turn 10 Studios) will “do their best to get that out as soon as they can.”

Fable is confirmed for Xbox Series X/S and PC, and hasn’t really had an extensive showing since its announcement in July 2020. Plenty of stories have circulated about development troubles, and though its delay from 2025 to 2026 didn’t inspire much confidence, Xbox Game Studios head Craig Duncan promised it would be “worth the wait.”

As for Forza Horizon 6, it’s finally taking the series to Japan while delivering Playground Games’ biggest map to date. You can expect seasons to play a major part in the gameplay, and there will be a “broad range” of cars, but the team is also looking at capturing the nation’s atmosphere in every possible way. The open-world racer is rumored to launch in the first half of 2026, which means a potential release date announcement during the Developer_Direct.

We’re entering the hallowed ground of the Top 10, the territory of listicles across countless topics, as we search for our very most desired games of 2026. This batch of games has some galactic and not so galactic racing, a bit of revolution in the air, a much wanted sequel, and an experience that might leave you shaken but not stirred.

10 – Star Wars: Galactic Racer

PS5, XSX|S, PC – 2026

In a galaxy far, far away an Empire has fallen and a New Republic is forming. However, this is a time of great upheaval and uncertainty, which means there is space for some sci-fi motor racing. A spiritual successor to Star Wars: Episode I: Racer, Star Wars: Galactic Racer introduces us to the undergroung Galactic League, where racers from different backgrounds and disciplines come together to prove who the best pilot is in the galaxy. Podracer Sebulba is just one of those characters.

There is also a new character called Shade, and that is who players embody. Shade is a racer starting at the bottom who has two goals; glory and revenge. Glory in becoming the best racer in the league, and revenge against rival Kestar who wants to run the league in his own way. Racing just makes up one part of Star Wars Galactic Racer, as players will have to navigate alliances and rivalries with other racers to come out on top. There will be race tracks across familiar planets as well as new ones being added to the Star Wars universe.

9 –  Clockwork Revolution

XSX|S, PC – TBA

inXile Entertainment has steadily built itself up as a studio that can deliver fun and interesting RPGs, from The Bard’s Tale series, through Torment: Tides of Numenera and most recently Wasteland 3 each showing depth in ideas and execution. But since their acquisition by Microsoft they’ve been able to push on towards full AAA territory. Clockwork Revolution is the time-bending RPG coming out of this ambition, and it’s high on our list following a great looking gameplay reveal that showcased fun gameplay, comedy, and a world that can be changed by player actions.

Clockwork Revolution is set in the year 1895 in the steam powered city of Avalon where humans and clockwork people live and work together side by side. It is also a world filled with criminals and a powerful ruling class that can time travel to craft Avalon in their image. Unfortunately for them, your character has also found a way to time travel and shape the city to their own ends. We know the main character is a scoundrel who appears they will do anything to get ahead. The character creation alone is integrated into the game as someone giving the police a description of you after you have robbed them.

8 – Forza Horizon 6

XSX|S, PC (and possibly PS5) – 2026

The announcement for Forza Horizon 6 had some of its impact taken away after the Forza Horizon social media accounts posted the teaser ahead of the official reveal at Tokyo Game Show. The teaser pans across items from different parts of the world before settling on a Japanese license plate and a white Neko figure. It then pans up to show Mount Fuji, confirming Forza Horizon 6 will be taking place in Japan.

Not much is known about Forza Horizon 6 right now, beyond the fact that it will carry on in the traditions of the open world series. Seasons will be returning, and the map will have be landmark-filled approximation of Japan, including Mount Fuji, Tokyo, and rural areas. This map is being developed with Japanese consultants so more is shown of the country than just the touristy bits. Expect to see an awful lot more of this game, and likely a release date announcement during the Developer_Direct stream on 22nd January.

7 – 007: First Light

PS5, XSX|S, NSW2, PC – 27th May 2026

While we still wait on the news on who will be the next James Bond for the films, we don’t have to wait much longer for IO Interactive’s take on the most famous of spies, even if the game has been delayed to May. 007: First Light is IO Interactive’s most ambitious games, taking on the mantle of crafting a new Bond story while using lessons learned from its highly acclaimed Hitman games.

Bond is not yet the globe trotting super spy we all know, but a young agent still earning his reputation and having to work as part of a team. The mission is to take down 009 who has gone rogue, using MI6’s own tactics against them. Bond is a loose cannon who will do things his own way to get the job done, even if it doesn’t please others in the organisation. The game will feature spycraft, shootouts, and driving ( a first for IO Interactive) with each taking inspiration from the 007 books and movies.

You can read more about the game in our very own preview.

6 – Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2

PS5, XSX|S, PC – 2026

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun was heralded as a great return to form for the boomer shooter form, getting critical acclaim and commercial success. Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 has already got high expectations placed upon its shoulders, and what we know of it so far seems to promise a lot more action without sacrificing much of what made Boltgun great.

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 gives us two protagonists to play as, Sternguard Veteran Malum Caedo and Sister of Battle, Nyra Veyrath. Each has their own playstyle so you can try new ways of taking on enemies as you travel through a hive city and mangrove swamps. The story will also have a branching narrative with each choice taking you to different levels, meaning you may have to play through a few times to see everything. On top of that there are new enemy units to engage in combat with including Bloodletters ,Juggernauts and other new enemies from different factions. Boltgun 2 is going to be a bigger and louder experience than its predecessor, but we will have to wait and see if it is better.

That’s it for today, and we’re going to take a day off tomorrow to catch our breath and then blitz through out top five with daily posts. What’s going to come out on top?

Microsoft has announced that the Xbox Developer Direct will be taking place on January 22nd, and has confirmed Fable, Forza Horizon, and Game Freak’s Beast of Reincarnation will all have gameplay shown. Both Fable and Forza Horizon 6 are pencilled in to launch this year, so we should get release dates for both at Developer Direct, and we may also get a release date for Beast of Reincarnation.

In the announcement post, Joe Skrebels, Xbox Wire Editor In Chief, said, “2026 is going to be an incredible year for Xbox players – you might even call it a… fabled year. To celebrate, we’re kicking it off with the fourth installment of our Developer_Direct broadcast on January 22, bringing you news, new gameplay, and insights directly from the incredible teams working on titles coming this year. Presented by the game creators themselves, Developer_Direct will once again give you an inside look at not just the games, but the studios working to bring them to life. Fittingly for Xbox’s 25^th anniversary year, that includes the return of some of our most legendary franchises, which rub shoulders with a brand new title from one of Japan’s most beloved studios.”

The Xbox Developer Direct will be streaming on January 22nd at 10am Pacific / 1pm Eastern / 6pm UK.

Source: Xbox

2025 had video games. 2026 will have video games. GTA 6 might be one of those video games. However, it’s currently only pencilled in for console next year. Not that I considered writing about it in this sort of article two years running, just for a laugh. That’d be hackish and beneath the level I hold myself to. Well, by about three millimeters.

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