Microsoft and developer Playground have announced the launch times for Forza Horizon 6, confirming precisely when players will be able to start their engines. Microsoft also announced pre-loading details and confirmed the file sizes.
As announced previously, Forza Horizon 6 will launch first for people who pay more on May 15 before everyone can get in on May 19. The game releases at 12:01 AM local time, and that’s for both the PC version on Steam and the console edition for Xbox Series X|S. The game, which takes place in Japan, is coming to PS5, but not until later in the year.
More specifically, countries with multiple timezones will provide access to Forza Horizon 6 when the country’s Eastern-most time zone hits 12:01 AM. That means in the US, people in California, for example, can start playing at 9:01 PM their time. Those in Chicago, meanwhile, can start playing at 11:01 PM their time.
To play Forza Horizon 6 as soon as possible, you need to buy the game’s $120 Premium Edition or the $60 upgrade bundle. Forza Horizon 6 is included with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, but that version does not release until May 19. However, Game Pass members who don’t want to wait can buy the Premium Edition upgrade to get started on May 15.
Given that Forza Horizon 6 launches at 12:01 AM local time, people are wondering if the trick where you change your console’s settings to New Zealand will work for the racing game. Presumably it will, but that remains to be seen. For what it’s worth, Microsoft says this trick goes against its community standards.
Forza Horizon 6 is one of two games coming this year from Playground, the other being the Fable reboot.
Forza Horizon 6 early access launch times
May 14:
- 9:01 PM PT
- 11:01 PM CST
May 15:
- 12:01 AM ET
- 12:01 AM BST
- 12:01 AM AEST
- 12:01 AM JST
Forza Horizon 6 launch times for everyone
May 18:
- 9:01 PM PT
- 11:01 PM CST
May 19:
- 12:01 AM ET
- 12:01 AM BST
- 12:01 AEST
- 12:01 JST
Forza Horizon 6 pre-loading and file sizes:
Everyone who preorders Forza Horizon 6 or has Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass can pre-load Forza Horizon 6 right now. As for the file sizes, these are:
- Xbox Series X: 135 GB
- Xbox Series S: 130 GB
- PC: 160 GB (SSD required)