Forza Horizon 6’s PS5 Release Delayed Amidst Intensifying Console Rivalry

After a short truce, the console wars are heating up again. Despite earlier announcements that Xbox’s Forza Horizon 6 would be making its way to PlayStation 5 this year, it appears that the port has been quietly postponed. Reports confirm this delay, with sources indicating that the situation has shifted.

The 2026 release window for Forza Horizon 6 on PS5 was revealed just before the game launched on PC and Xbox Series X|S to rave reviews. However, significant changes have occurred at Xbox since then. Asha Sharma took the reins as CEO of Xbox Game Division in February, and several key executives departed the company. Sharma later shared that Xbox would be undergoing a substantial “reset” to tackle its recent financial challenges, which included a July announcement about laying off 3,200 employees in the upcoming fiscal quarter and severing ties with multiple studios.

Around the same time, Microsoft began to scale back on publishing its games for competing platforms. While Halo: Campaign Evolved made its way to PlayStation 5, Xbox reportedly pulled the game’s trailer from one of Sony’s State of Play events. Additionally, a nearly finished PS5 port of Gears of War: E-Day was reportedly scrapped just before its reveal.

Xbox’s Chief Content Officer previously stated that the company intends to honor commitments made to players regarding previously announced multiplatform titles, suggesting that Forza Horizon 6 will eventually arrive on PS5. However, he also noted that while some multiplayer-focused games may remain available across platforms, “we know that exclusives are important.”

Sony has taken a similar approach, with reports indicating that the company is scaling back its plans to release games on Windows PC. A recent promotional reel from PlayStation highlighted several current and upcoming titles, emphasizing that these games are “Only On PS5.”

What initially seemed like a move toward unity among consoles has quickly unraveled. The trend toward exclusivity comes as gaming hardware prices continue to rise. The Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and Nintendo Switch 2 have all seen price increases that surpass their launch costs. Furthermore, a recent report suggests that prices may rise even more due to new tariffs.

‘Only On PS5’ is proving to be a strong strategy for Sony.