Forza Horizon 6 Steam Player Count Surpasses Apex Legends in 2026

Forza Horizon 6 has officially surpassed major industry stalwarts like Apex Legends, developed by Respawn Entertainment, in terms of concurrent player count on Steam. Since its release on May 19, 2026, the latest entry in the open-world racing series from developer Playground Games has maintained a strong presence on the Steam charts, signaling a shift in the hierarchy of popular PC titles. While long-standing games like Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and PUBG continue to lead in total numbers, the entry of Forza Horizon 6 into the top 5 most played games demonstrates significant commercial momentum for the franchise.

Forza Horizon 6 Steam Player Statistics 2026

According to data provided by SteamDB, Forza Horizon 6 has successfully crossed the 300,000 concurrent player threshold. This figure places the racing title in direct competition with high-profile live service games. For many observers at In Game News, this performance is noteworthy given the historical dominance of shooters and MOBAs on the platform. The game’s ability to attract such a large audience upon release suggests that the "simcade" formula favored by Playground Games remains a potent draw for the PC gaming audience.

This surge in player activity follows a period of pre-release anticipation that saw the game breaking series records even before it was officially available to the public. While some critics, such as PC Gamer Editor-in-Chief Phil Savage, noted in an 84% review that the game follows a well-worn path, the inclusion of diverse content—ranging from giant mechs and kei trucks to collaborations with artists like Babymetal—appears to have resonated with a broad player base. Our racing games coverage continues to track how these unique additions impact long-term engagement.

The Future of the Forza Franchise

The commercial success of Forza Horizon 6 has prompted discussions regarding the future of the broader Forza brand. For years, the main Forza Motorsport series served as the flagship for the franchise. However, reports from last year by former Turn 10 Studios employee Fred Russell suggested that the Motorsport series faced an uncertain future following significant staff layoffs at Microsoft. Jason Schreier reported that these layoffs effectively halved the workforce at Turn 10, leading many to speculate that the more accessible Horizon spin-off has now become the primary focus for the publisher.

The shift in internal priorities appears to be reflected in market performance. As we have monitored in our industry news reporting, Forza Horizon 6 is currently outperforming its predecessors in terms of initial player acquisition. This trend suggests that the "Horizon" brand is now the primary driver of the Forza identity, potentially relegating the more technical Forza Motorsport series to a secondary position within Microsoft’s portfolio.

Corporate Challenges and Developer Response

Despite the high player engagement, the release of Forza Horizon 6 occurs against a backdrop of corporate and social tension. Microsoft is currently a designated pressure target of the BDS movement, which protests the company’s contracts with Israel. Internal turmoil has been reported within Microsoft-owned studios, including Arkane, where developers have publicly addressed these concerns. The company also recently terminated the head of an Israeli subsidiary regarding the surveillance of Palestinians. These external factors have formed a complex environment for the development and launch of the title.

In terms of post-launch support, Playground Games has already begun addressing technical feedback. In a blog post published on Friday, the developers outlined their immediate priorities for the game. Key areas for upcoming patches include:

• Adjustments to Drivatar AI difficulty levels.
• Resolution of reported crash bugs.
• General game optimization for a wider range of PC hardware configurations.

For players currently exploring the game, the sheer volume of content is substantial. The title features a total of 618 vehicles available for collection and customization. For those looking to optimize their experience, we have compiled resources regarding the best cars to acquire, how to locate treasure cars, and where to find barn-find relics scattered across the map.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current player count for Forza Horizon 6 on Steam?

As of May 2026, Forza Horizon 6 has reached over 300,000 concurrent players on the Steam platform.

Is Forza Horizon 6 one of the most played games on Steam?

Yes, following its release, Forza Horizon 6 entered the top 5 most played games on Steam, currently ranking ahead of titles like Apex Legends.

How many people are playing Forza Horizon 6 on Steam?

Recent SteamDB statistics show the game maintaining a concurrent player count exceeding 300,000 users shortly after its May 19, 2026 launch.