Open-World Racing Game Relaunches Online Play

Despite being delisted in 2020, Forza Horizon 3's online services remain active, much to the delight of its players. This continued support was recently confirmed by a community manager who addressed player concerns about inaccessible features, revealing a server reboot and underscoring Playground Games' commitment to maintaining online functionality. This contrasts with the permanent shutdown of online services for Forza Horizon and Forza Horizon 2 after their delistings.

The Forza franchise, launched in 2005 with Forza Motorsport, has seen significant growth, culminating in the highly successful Forza Horizon 5. Released in 2021, Forza Horizon 5 boasts over 40 million players, solidifying its place as one of Xbox's most successful titles. Its omission from The Game Awards 2024's "Best Ongoing Game" category sparked some controversy, despite its extensive post-launch content and updates, including the popular Hide and Seek mode.

The recent reassurance regarding Forza Horizon 3's online servers followed a Reddit thread expressing concern over the potential termination of online services. A player's inability to access certain features prompted worry, but Playground Games' senior community manager swiftly responded, confirming the server reboot and alleviating community anxieties. While Forza Horizon 3 was officially designated "End of Life" in 2020, removing it from the Microsoft Store, its online component perseveres.

The delisting of Forza Horizon 4 in December 2024, despite its impressive 24 million player base since its 2018 release, served as a stark reminder of the potential for online service termination. However, Playground Games' proactive response to the Forza Horizon 3 situation showcases a dedication to player satisfaction and community engagement. The positive player response following the server reboot further underscores this commitment.

Forza Horizon 5's continued success, with its massive player base, fuels anticipation for the next installment, likely titled Forza Horizon 6. Longstanding player requests for a Japan setting hint at potential future locations, while Playground Games simultaneously works on the anticipated Fable title.