Virtual Racers Rejoice: Delisted

Forza Horizon 3's Online Persistence: A Community Triumph

Despite its 2020 delisting, Forza Horizon 3's online functionality remains active, much to the delight of its player base. Recent reports of inaccessible features prompted a swift response from Playground Games, with a community manager confirming a server reboot and reaffirming the studio's commitment to maintaining online services. This is a welcome contrast to the fate of Forza Horizon and Forza Horizon 2, whose online features were shut down permanently after delisting.

The Forza franchise, launched in 2005 with Forza Motorsport, has seen continued success, especially with the Horizon series debuting in 2012. The latest installment, Forza Horizon 5, released in 2021, recently surpassed 40 million players, solidifying its position as one of Xbox's most successful titles. This success, however, didn't prevent some controversy surrounding its exclusion from the Best Ongoing Game category at The Game Awards 2024.

A recent Reddit thread highlighted player concerns regarding Forza Horizon 3's online status. A post questioning the game's future sparked anxiety within the community. However, Playground Games' senior community manager quickly allayed these fears, earning praise for their prompt response and confirmation of the server reboot. The game's 2020 "End of Life" status, which ended sales on the Microsoft Store, did not affect its online capabilities.

Forza Horizon 3's Online Future Secured

The delisting of Forza Horizon 4 in December 2024, despite its impressive 24 million player count since its 2018 launch, served as a stark reminder of the potential for online service termination. Playground Games' proactive approach to addressing Forza Horizon 3's issues, coupled with the positive player response following the server reboot, showcases a dedication to its community.

Forza Horizon 5's remarkable success, boasting over 40 million players, cements the franchise's popularity. Anticipation builds for the next entry, likely Forza Horizon 6, with many players hoping for a long-requested Japan setting. While Playground Games is currently focusing on Fable, speculation suggests development on Forza Horizon 6 may already be underway.