Microsoft’s upcoming racing sim Forza Horizon 6 was accidentally made available far earlier than planned when unencrypted Steam preload files were uploaded over the weekend. According to a report from IGN’s Daily Fix, the files — which are normally encrypted to prevent early access — went up without any encryption, allowing the build to quickly spread across piracy sites.

Steam typically distributes preload files in an encrypted state. Customers who preorder a game can download those files ahead of launch, but the data remains locked until Steam decrypts them at the official release time. In Forza Horizon 6’s case, the files bypassed that encryption step entirely, making the game immediately playable for anyone who downloaded them. Within hours, the build appeared on torrent and piracy platforms.

Microsoft has been trying to contain the fallout by targeting anyone who streams the leaked build. The company has issued takedown notices and pursued livestreamers who attempted to broadcast the game before its announced release date. This is a standard but aggressive response: Microsoft wants to minimize the visibility of the leaked version and preserve the marketing and launch cadence it planned.

The leak itself raises questions about how such an encryption failure occurred on a major platform like Steam. Valve has not publicly commented on the incident, but the error appears to be on the publisher’s or developer’s side — encrypted files are prepared and uploaded by the game’s publisher, not by Steam itself. Microsoft or its developer, Playground Games, would have been responsible for ensuring the files were encrypted before submission. That process clearly broke down.

This isn’t the first time a high-profile game has leaked through unlocked Steam preloads. Earlier titles have suffered similar misfortunes, though such incidents remain rare because encryption is generally handled automatically. The fact that a game as large as Forza Horizon 6 — likely containing dozens of gigabytes of data — slipped through suggests a procedural failure rather than a targeted hack.

For now, players who want to play Forza Horizon 6 legitimately will have to wait for the official release. The leaked build may be incomplete, potentially missing features, buggy, or lacking day-one patches. And anyone caught streaming or distributing the leaked files risks Microsoft’s legal wrath. The leak may also force the publisher to adjust its launch schedule or communication strategy, though no such announcement has been made.

Stellar Blade 2 goes multiplatform

In other gaming news, developer ShiftUp announced that Stellar Blade 2 will be self-published, and the studio has left the door open for a multiplatform release. The first Stellar Blade was a PlayStation 5 exclusive, part of an agreement with Sony. The new arrangement means ShiftUp can bring the sequel to other platforms, including Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox consoles, should it choose to.

The decision to self-publish gives ShiftUp more control over distribution, pricing, and launch timing. It also signals that the developer is confident enough in the Stellar Blade IP to handle marketing and logistics independently rather than relying on a platform holder’s publishing arm. The move could broaden the game’s audience significantly if ShiftUp pursues a simultaneous or near-simultaneous release on multiple platforms.

No release date or target platforms have been confirmed for Stellar Blade 2. The announcement simply confirms that the sequel is in development and that ShiftUp holds the publishing rights, leaving it free to negotiate platform-specific deals or go day-one on everything.

Nintendo confirms unannounced games for this year

Nintendo has confirmed that it still has unannounced games planned for release this year, despite the company’s falling stock value. The confirmation comes as Nintendo faces investor pressure after announcing a price hike for the Switch 2, reportedly at the behest of shareholders.

The stock decline and price increase have created uncertainty around Nintendo’s near-term hardware and software strategy. The company’s statement that unannounced games are still coming suggests that its software pipeline remains healthy, even if investors are skittish about hardware pricing and margins.

Nintendo did not specify which titles are under wraps. The company typically holds multiple Direct presentations throughout the year, so announcements could come at any time. The fact that Nintendo felt the need to publicly reassure fans and investors that games are still slated for 2025 indicates that the stock drop has rattled confidence, but the development pipeline appears intact.

For context, Nintendo’s stock has historically fluctuated around hardware launches and major game reveals. The Switch 2 price hike — rumored to be significant — may have spooked shareholders who worry about consumer demand at a higher price point. But Nintendo’s software output remains the company’s strongest asset, and unannounced titles could help reignite enthusiasm.

What these leaks and announcements mean

The Forza Horizon 6 leak is a cautionary tale for publishers about the fragility of digital preload systems. One encryption mistake can undo months of careful launch planning. For players, the leaked build offers a tempting but risky preview — and for Microsoft, it’s a reminder that no amount of post-release takedowns can fully erase a leaked game once it’s out in the wild.

ShiftUp’s self-publishing pivot for Stellar Blade 2 could be a model for other developers who want to break free from platform exclusivity. And Nintendo’s quiet reassurance that more games are on the way suggests that even a falling stock price and a controversial price hike won’t stop the company from filling its release calendar.

All three stories point to a gaming industry in flux: leaks happen despite security measures, exclusivity deals are loosening, and hardware pricing is becoming a flashpoint for investors. None of these trends are new, but they’re all playing out in real time as 2025 unfolds.