The Pre-Order Phenomenon and Steam Charts

Forza Horizon has dominated the Steam charts since early April, cementing its status as the last truly mainstream multiplatform racing series despite not even being released yet. As of April 15, the title had already secured over 500,000 pre-orders, a figure that has likely nearly doubled given its consistent grip on the weekly revenue rankings. To put those numbers into perspective, Battlefield 6 reportedly sat at around 1.7 million pre-orders during the final week before its October 10 launch.

While I personally avoid pre-ordering digital titles, the incentives here are clear. The base game includes a bonus "Pre-Tuned Ferrari J50," but with over 500 cars in the full release, that vehicle feels more like a novelty. The real draw is undoubtedly the $120 Premium version, which unlocks four days of early access alongside all future downloadable content. This commercial success naturally prompts a look backward at the Steam revenue charts to see if any other recent racing title has achieved similar momentum.

Tracking the Last True Mainstream Multiplatform Racing Series

When searching for historical context, it becomes painfully obvious that the mainstream multiplatform racing series rarely breaches the top ten on PC. Recent launch weeks show a fragmented landscape where even critically acclaimed titles struggle to capture massive attention.

  • Sonic Crossworlds nearly cracked the top ten during its September 25, 2025 launch, landing at number 11 behind heavy hitters like Megabonk, Dying Light: The Beast, and Silent Hill f.
  • F1 25 managed a solid number 5 spot during its May 31, 2025 release window.
  • Tokyo Xtreme Racer debuted at number 11 in early access on January 23, 2025, though it failed to breach the top 20 when it fully exited early access on September 25.
  • Assetto Corsa Evo peaked at number 6 following its January 7 launch.

The most surprising omission from the top tier is Tokyo Xtreme Racer, which undeniably sparked the most conversation among racing fans throughout 2025. However, it simply lacks the brand recognition of established franchises. Games like Screamer, Carmageddon: Rogue Shift, Ride 6, and MotoGP 26 also failed to crack the top ten despite strong sales, highlighting a broader industry shift. While players who lived through the '90s and early '00s might still view racing games as a cornerstone of the medium, they have largely faded into a niche category, save for exceptions like Mario Kart and Forza Horizon. Even when these titles sell exceptionally well, they rarely dominate cultural discourse for long. We will undoubtedly see vertical videos showcasing Horizon 6’s condensed version of Japan next week, but it won't generate the sustained debate currently surrounding Mixtape. Given how closely Forza Horizon 6 mirrors its predecessors, there may not be a massive amount to dissect anyway.

Current Top Sellers and Hardware Notes

Steam publishes its top-selling charts every Wednesday, meaning the latest data doesn't yet account for major late-week releases like Mixtape. Looking at the revenue data from April 28 through May 5, the platform's commercial hierarchy looks like this:

  1. Counter-Strike 2
  2. Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era
  3. Far Far West
  4. PUBG: Battlegrounds
  5. Forza Horizon 6
  6. Diablo IV
  7. Windrose
  8. Where Winds Meet
  9. Apex Legends
  10. Pragmata

It is worth noting that the newly released Steam Controller did not make the top 100 hardware list. Released on May 4, it missed the revenue cutoff for last week's chart by just one day. Considering how rapidly it sold out, its complete absence is notable, especially when compared to the Steam Deck's placement at number 86. This discrepancy might indicate that Valve had a severely limited initial stock of the controllers. If you want one now, you will need to join the waiting queue.

Deep Cuts and Hidden Gems

Beyond the mainstream heavyweights, several indie titles are capturing attention this week.

  • Alabaster Dawn (May 7): From the creators of CrossCode, this top-down action RPG channels strong pre-3D Zelda vibes. The shift to a 2.5D perspective gives the fast-paced combat excellent fluidity, and early access players can currently experience content up to the end of chapter two.
  • Hypnos (May 7): This first-person exploration game merges dark fantasy with brutalist architectural design. It carries distinct Control influences and the painterly textural style of the Dishonored series, developed by the team behind Blackshard.
  • Dead as Disco (May 6): A stylish rhythm-based beat 'em up where you play as Charlie Disco on a mission to rescue his legacy through rhythmic violence. Despite remaining in early access for approximately a year, the title already boasts over 2,000 "overwhelmingly positive" reviews.
  • CD-ROM (May 10): A fictional operating system simulator focused on unlocking various CDs. Players must decipher coded texts, analyze images, and solve mini-game puzzles to access the content hidden within these mysterious digital artifacts.

Best Steam User Review of the Week

Here I will leave the cat, friends who pass by can pet it and give it a thumbs up

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