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| Playground Games apparently also classifies AFK farming with Auto Drive as an exploit. |
Players who used the Auto-Drive feature to farm credits are discovering that Playground Games considers it an exploit—and the consequences are significant
Just yesterday, we reported on a major exploit in Forza Horizon 6's Eliminator mode that allowed players to accumulate hundreds of millions of credits in record time. Playground Games responded swiftly, disabling matchmaking for the controversial game mode and resetting the accounts of offenders to a mere 10,000 credits. However, it appears that players who utilized a different method to get ahead may also be facing the same harsh penalty: the widely discussed AFK (Away From Keyboard) farming technique.
The AFK Method Explained
For those unfamiliar with the strategy, the AFK method involves using Forza Horizon 6's built-in Auto Drive feature to complete races with virtually no player input. Long Rivals tracks have proven particularly popular for this purpose, as the Auto Drive system handles all steering, braking, and acceleration while players simply ensure the race continues running. By repeating this process over extended periods, players can generate substantial credit earnings without ever touching their controller or keyboard.
Until now, the community was divided on whether Playground Games considered this a clever use of game mechanics or an outright exploit. The developer's silence on the matter led many to assume the practice was permissible—after all, Auto Drive is an official feature of Forza Horizon 6.
Official Response Confirms Crackdown
The situation has become much clearer following a recent Reddit thread where a user shared their support ticket response from Playground Games regarding a credit rollback on their account.
In the communication, Playground Games first explained that Eliminator mode was temporarily disabled and player credits were reset following the discovery of the credit exploit. However, the final paragraph contained a bombshell revelation:
"Playground also identified players who had used an exploit related to the Auto Drive feature to farm large amounts of credits."
The same penalty applied—a reset to 10,000 credits. This confirmation marks the first official acknowledgment from the developer that AFK farming is considered a violation of the game's intended design.
Community Reaction: Divided Opinions
The community has responded with predictable controversy. Some players defend the rollback, arguing that Auto Drive was clearly designed for convenience, not hours of automated credit farming. These supporters point out that leaving a game running overnight to accumulate wealth bypasses the intended progression system and gives unfair advantages in the game's economy.
Critics, however, argue that Playground Games is overstepping by punishing players for using an official feature. The Xbox version of Forza Horizon 6, available on Amazon for approximately $67, includes Auto Drive as a legitimate gameplay mechanic. Many players contend that how they choose to use that feature should be their own decision.
Communication Breakdown
Perhaps the most significant frustration stems from Playground Games' lack of transparent communication. Many players only learned through support tickets—or community forums—that AFK farming was considered an exploit. The absence of clear guidelines left players uncertain about what practices were acceptable, and now some are paying the price for what they believed was a harmless strategy.
The situation is further complicated by the inability to independently verify the support ticket's authenticity or understand the specific conditions under which Playground Games applies the rollback. Multiple Forza Horizon 6 players in the Reddit thread have claimed to lose credits after using AFK farming, suggesting this isn't an isolated incident.
What This Means for Players
While AFK farming may seem like an appealing way to earn credits more casually, the Auto Drive mode still requires some effort and attention to manage effectively. More importantly, with Playground Games now demonstrating their willingness to take action against the practice, players should think twice before attempting it.
The developer has made their position clear: automated credit farming, whether through exploits or official features used in unintended ways, will not be tolerated. As the Forza Horizon 6 community navigates these new enforcement policies, the message is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
What are your thoughts on Playground Games' decision to penalize AFK farming? Is this fair enforcement or an overreach by the developer? Share your opinions in the comments below.