Forza Horizon 3's Online Functionality Remains Active Despite Delisting
Despite being removed from digital storefronts in 2020, Forza Horizon 3's online services continue to operate, much to the delight of its player base. This stands in contrast to the fate of its predecessors, Forza Horizon and Forza Horizon 2, whose online services were permanently shut down after delisting. Recent concerns regarding inaccessible features prompted a community manager to confirm that the servers had been restarted, reassuring players of Playground Games' ongoing commitment to maintaining online functionality.
The Forza franchise, launched in 2005 with Forza Motorsport, has seen significant growth, particularly with the Forza Horizon series. The most recent installment, Forza Horizon 5, released in 2021, has achieved remarkable success, boasting over 40 million players. This success, however, didn't prevent some controversy surrounding its exclusion from the Best Ongoing Game category at The Game Awards 2024.
The confirmation of Forza Horizon 3's server reboot followed a Reddit thread expressing concern over the game's online status. A player's inability to access certain features sparked fears of an impending shutdown. The prompt and reassuring response from Playground Games' senior community manager was widely praised by the community, who noted a surge in player activity following the server restart. It's important to remember that Forza Horizon 3 officially reached its "End of Life" in 2020, meaning it was no longer available for purchase.
The continued support for Forza Horizon 3 contrasts sharply with the delisting of Forza Horizon 4 in December 2024, despite its considerable success (over 24 million players since its 2018 launch). This proactive response from Playground Games underscores their commitment to player engagement.
Forza Horizon 5's massive player count solidifies its position as one of Xbox's most successful games. Anticipation is already building for the next installment, potentially titled Forza Horizon 6, with many players hoping for a Japan setting. While Playground Games is currently focused on the upcoming Fable title, speculation suggests that development on Forza Horizon 6 may already be underway.
