Playground Games
Playground Games business and news from across the web.
Latest coverage
Xbox Chief Operating Officer Departs After 3 Months
Helen Chiang has departed from her role as Xbox chief operating officer after only three months. Her departure follows a 21-year tenure at Microsoft, during which she was involved with titles like Minecraft and led Mojang. This exit is part of a broader trend of leadership changes and layoffs within Xbox.
Where to find the Sotoyama region Treasure Hunt in Forza Horizon 6
This guide details the location of the Sotoyama region Treasure Hunt in Forza Horizon 6. The treasure chest can be found on the eastern shore of a large lake in the northern part of Sotoyama, north of Soni Circuit. Smashing the chest rewards players with 100,000 credits, 5,000 XP, and three Season Progress points.
From Slots to Skill Trees: Where Xbox and Casino Games Meet
This article analyzes the intersection of Xbox games and casino mechanics, particularly focusing on how elements like wheelspins in Forza Horizon 6 borrow from slot machines. It contrasts these with progression systems in games like Starfield and Sea of Thieves, which lack random elements. The piece clarifies that while games may use casino-like staging, they are not gambling products unless real money can be withdrawn, a distinction highlighted by regulatory frameworks in places like Ontario.
"Players want to engage with brands, not just consume them" – Mattel on its new Game Studios arm, why it's releasing on Roblox, and what it learnt from NetEase
Mattel has launched Mattel Game Studios to develop games based on its intellectual property, aiming to extend physical play into the virtual world. The company, which acquired its joint venture with NetEase, will focus on internally developed titles and strategic partnerships, emphasizing sustained engagement and authentic brand experiences. Mattel sees gaming as a core pillar of its entertainment ecosystem, with a long-term vision for its new studio to become a leading entertainment-based game developer and publisher.
Forza Horizon 6 Festival Playlist Challenges Guide – Series 6 Autumn
This guide provides details on the Forza Horizon 6 Festival Playlist challenges for Series 6 Autumn, running from October 15th to October 22nd, 2026. It outlines recommended cars, tune setups, and tips for completing various events to earn rewards like the 2018 DeBerti Ford Mustang GT and 2010 Nissan 350Z, with the main series rewards being the 2025 BMW M4 CS and 2015 Koenigsegg One:1.
Where to find the Takashiro region Treasure Hunt in Forza Horizon 6
This guide details the location of the Takashiro region Treasure Hunt in Forza Horizon 6's Horizon Meets series. The chest is found in a rest area surrounded by pampas grass, southeast of Soni Circuit, and rewards players with 100,000 credits, 5,000 XP, and three Season Progress points.
Forza Horizon 6 is 2026’s Highest Revenue Earner With 8.8 Million Sales – Rumor
A report from Alinea Analytics estimates that Forza Horizon 6, an Xbox console exclusive, has achieved 8.8 million sales and $579.2 million in revenue, making it a potential top earner for 2026. Despite concerns about Game Pass impacting sales, the game appears to be performing well, with anticipation high for its PlayStation 5 release.
Asha Sharma announces Xbox Labs project to "explore new technology," which sure sounds like tinkering with old games through AI
Asha Sharma announced the creation of Xbox Labs, a new R&D initiative focused on exploring emerging technologies like AI for game remixing and rejigging. While Microsoft clarified AI usage won't be mandatory, the initiative aims to turn new ideas into player experiences, potentially by decompiling and rebuilding old games or making new ones more moddable. The article expresses skepticism about the initiative's true goals, linking it to recent layoffs and a focus on existing franchises.
Forza Horizon 6’s 7-Eleven Deal Signals a Bigger Shift in How Brands Think About Loyalty
Forza Horizon 6's integration of 7-Eleven, featuring a branded storefront and exclusive Toyota Supra GR livery tied to real-world loyalty rewards, signifies a shift in how brands approach in-game partnerships. This move from simple advertising to feature integration aims to make loyalty programs more relevant to gamers, potentially setting a new template for brand collaborations across various game genres.
Forza Horizon 6 PS5 Players Face a £110 Early-Access Choice
Forza Horizon 6 will launch on PlayStation 5 on January 26, 2027, with Premium Edition owners gaining early access five days prior on January 21, coinciding with the release of the game's first paid expansion. The game supports cross-platform play and cross-saves with the Xbox and PC versions, which were released in May 2026. The Premium Edition costs £110 and includes the early access and expansion, while a free update is also scheduled for January 21.
Shack Chat: What gaming series do you want to see get a racing game?
Shacknews staff members discuss which gaming series they would like to see adapted into a racing game. Suggestions range from PlayStation's first-party characters and Hollow Knight to F-ZERO, Destiny's Sparrow Racing League, Shovel Knight, Halo, Pokemon, and The Legend of Zelda.
It's official: Forza Horizon 6 delayed to 2027 on PS5, and the game's first expansion has been announced
Forza Horizon 6 has been delayed on PlayStation 5, with its release now scheduled for January 26, 2027, and early access starting January 21. The game's first paid expansion will also launch on January 21, with a free update available the same day for all players. The article notes the game's positive reception and its performance on PlayStation 5.
Forza Horizon 6's first major expansion will pull up in January, now Playground Games just need to offer any kind of hint whatsoever as to what it'll look like
Playground Games announced that the first major expansion for Forza Horizon 6 will be released on January 21, 2027. While details about the expansion's theme are scarce, it will be included with premium editions of the game. The article also touches on Microsoft's ongoing layoffs and boycott concerns.
Acclaimed Open-World Xbox Exclusive Sets PlayStation 5 Release Date
Forza Horizon 6, originally an Xbox exclusive, is now confirmed for a PlayStation 5 release on January 26, 2027. This date is a delay from its initial 2026 target, possibly to avoid competing with Grand Theft Auto 6. The game will feature a vast open-world Japan and the largest car collection in the franchise's history, with a Premium Edition offering five days of early access.
Pull Up to 7-Eleven in Forza Horizon 6
Xbox and 7-Eleven have partnered for a new in-game update in Forza Horizon 6 called 'Horizon Meets,' which adds a 7-Eleven storefront and themed car meet in Japan. The collaboration also includes new avatar clothing, collectible items, a special Toyota Supra GR livery for players in the US and Canada, and a real-life merchandise drop.
Forza Horizon 6 Launches on January 26th, 2027 for PS5, Pre-Orders Now Available
Playground Games has announced that Forza Horizon 6 will launch on January 26th, 2027, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC, with pre-orders now available. The game will cost $69.99 for the standard edition, with Deluxe and Premium editions offering additional content and early access starting January 21st, 2027.
Forza Horizon 6 For PS5 Apparently Delayed To 2027, And It’s Getting A Disc Release
A new report suggests Forza Horizon 6 for PlayStation 5 has been delayed to January 26, 2027, contradicting Microsoft's previous statement of a 2026 release. The game is also confirmed to receive a physical disc edition. This news comes as Forza developers Turn 10 and Playground Games are merging into a single studio.
Forza Horizon 6 on PS5 release date leaked and it will come on a disc
A leak suggests Forza Horizon 6 will be released on PlayStation 5 on January 26, 2027, with a physical disc version available for £59.99. This delay is reportedly to align its release with the game's first expansion. Developer Playground Games recently apologized for a lack of communication regarding updates.
Undead Labs speaks about its split from Xbox, revealing it has to "make some changes" to State of Decay 3 following layoffs
Undead Labs has revealed that it must make changes to State of Decay 3 following significant layoffs after regaining independence from Xbox. Studio head Phillip Holt stated that while the game is in alpha, the departure of colleagues necessitates adjustments, though not a dramatic scope reduction. The studio is now focused solely on creating the best possible game for its audience.
Forza Horizon 6 has been delayed on PS5, a new report suggests, not long after developer Playground insisted it hadn't
A new report suggests Forza Horizon 6 has been delayed on PlayStation 5 to January 2027, contradicting earlier statements from developer Playground Games. Reliable leaker billbil-kun has provided a specific release date and pricing information, while also noting potential differences in edition availability between platforms. Playground Games recently apologized for a lack of communication regarding the game.