Forza Horizon 6 launched May 19 and within a week Alinea Analytics analyst Rhys Elliott reported 4.9 million copies sold across Steam and Xbox, generating over $325 million in gross revenue. Microsoft's own official figure is "over 6 million players" — the gap explained by Game Pass subscribers accessing the game without purchasing it.
The game is set in Japan. The PS5 port hasn't launched yet. The real ceiling is higher.
Key Points
- Forza Horizon 6 sold approximately 4.9 million copies in its first week — Steam accounted for 2.8 million, Xbox platforms for 2.1 million paid copies, per Alinea Analytics
- Over 3 million additional players accessed the game through Game Pass on launch week — Microsoft's official player count of "over 6 million" includes these subscribers
- $325 million in gross revenue with Xbox accounting for 51% despite only 42% of unit sales — early access Premium Edition buyers at $120 drove the revenue split
- Currently the fourth best-selling new game of 2026 by copies sold — the PS5 port confirmed for later in 2026 has significant upside potential
- Forza Horizon 5 sold 6 million copies on PS5 alone after its port — FH6's Japan setting is a particular draw, with China accounting for 13% of Steam players at launch
The Game Pass Tension
Three million Game Pass players on top of 2.1 million paid Xbox copies is impressive. It's also the central tension in Microsoft's subscription strategy. Alinea's Elliott described Game Pass as "cannibalising" revenue — players who might have purchased the game instead accessed it through their existing subscription. Whether that's a net positive for Microsoft depends on retention and subscription revenue, not just game sales figures.
The 1.7 million players who paid $120 for the Premium Edition to get early access on May 15 — four days before the standard launch — shows that a meaningful segment of the audience actively wants to pay more to play sooner.
That's a healthy signal for premium pricing tiers.
Steam's Dominance Is the Real Story
2.8 million Steam copies versus 2.1 million paid Xbox copies. For a Microsoft first-party franchise, Steam outselling Xbox platforms is striking. Forza was Xbox-exclusive for years. The PC Game Pass versus Steam split has clearly shifted — Windows players are buying on Steam rather than subscribing through Microsoft's own service. China drove 13% of FH6's Steam player base at launch, confirming Xbox's emerging foothold in a market where its console presence is minimal.
Japan Was the Right Setting
Forza Horizon 6 is the first mainline entry to use Japan as its open world. The setting's appeal — combined with a franchise that typically sets records regardless of location — contributed to the strong launch. The Japan choice appears to have helped Steam performance specifically in Asia, where the Forza series has historically had lower penetration than in Europe and North America.
The PS5 Port Changes Everything
Forza Horizon 5 sold 6 million copies after its April 2025 PS5 port. FH6 launches on PS5 later in 2026 without a specific date yet. If the same conversion pattern holds, total copies sold could approach or exceed 10 million between current platforms and the PS5 release. That would make it one of the best-selling racing games of all time.
Currently fourth in 2026 game sales. By year end, that ranking is likely to change.
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