Despite being delisted in 2020, Forza Horizon 3's online services remain active, much to the delight of its players. A recent community manager intervention confirmed server restarts following player reports of inaccessible features, underscoring Playground Games' ongoing commitment to maintaining online functionality. This stands in contrast to the permanent shutdown of online services for the original Forza Horizon and Forza Horizon 2 after their delistings.
The Forza franchise, launched in 2005 with Forza Motorsport, has seen continued success, most recently with Forza Horizon 5's achievement of over 40 million players since its 2021 release. This latest title, despite its omission from The Game Awards 2024's "Best Ongoing Game" category, boasts extensive post-launch content and updates, including the popular Hide and Seek mode.
A Reddit thread expressing concern about the potential end of Forza Horizon 3's online services prompted a reassuring response from Playground Games' senior community manager. The manager confirmed server reboots, addressing player issues and alleviating fears. While Forza Horizon 3 officially reached its "End of Life" status in 2020, meaning its removal from the Microsoft Store, its online capabilities persist.
The delisting of Forza Horizon 4 in December 2024, despite its 24 million player base, served as a stark reminder of the transience of online services. However, Playground Games' swift and positive response to the Forza Horizon 3 situation demonstrates a dedication to player satisfaction and community engagement. The increased player traffic following the server reboot further underscores this commitment.
Forza Horizon 5's remarkable success, surpassing 40 million players, solidifies the Forza franchise's position as a major player in the Xbox ecosystem. Anticipation is building for Forza Horizon 6, with many players hoping for a long-requested Japan setting. While Playground Games is currently focused on Fable, the future of the Forza Horizon series remains bright.
