Delisted Open-World Racing Game Restores Online Features
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 server restarts and reaffirming their commitment to maintaining online services. This contrasts sharply with the fate of Forza Horizon and Forza Horizon 2, whose online services were permanently shut down after delisting.
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 recently surpassed 40 million players, becoming one of Xbox's most successful titles. Its omission from the Best Ongoing Game category at The Game Awards 2024 sparked some controversy, but its extensive post-launch content and updates, including the Hide and Seek mode, speak volumes.
A recent Reddit thread, initiated by user JoaoPaulo3k, highlighted concerns about the potential end of Forza Horizon 3's online services. A player's inability to access certain features fueled anxieties within the community. However, Playground Games' senior community manager quickly addressed these concerns, confirming the server reboot and earning praise from players. The game's 2020 "End of Life" status resulted in its removal from the Microsoft Store, but its online infrastructure persists.
The Delisting of Forza Horizon 4
The delisting of Forza Horizon 4 in December 2024, despite its impressive 24 million player base since its 2018 launch, served as a stark reminder of the ephemeral nature of online services. Playground Games' proactive response to the Forza Horizon 3 situation, however, showcases a dedication to player experience and community engagement, further highlighted by the positive increase in online activity following the server reboot.
Forza Horizon 5's continued success, with over 40 million players since its 2021 release, solidifies its place as an Xbox flagship title. Anticipation builds for Forza Horizon 6, with many players hoping for a long-requested Japan setting. While Playground Games is currently focused on Fable, the possibility of a Japanese setting for the next Horizon title remains a strong contender.
