Delisted Open-World Racing Game Restores Online Features

Forza Horizon 3 Online Services Remain Active Despite Delisting

Despite being removed from digital storefronts in 2020, Forza Horizon 3's online functionality continues to operate, much to the delight of its player base. This positive outcome follows the permanent shutdown of online services for the original Forza Horizon and Forza Horizon 2 after their delistings, leading to concerns that Forza Horizon 3 would suffer the same fate. However, a Playground Games community manager recently confirmed the servers were restarted after players reported issues accessing certain features, reassuring the community of the game's ongoing online support.

The Forza franchise, launched in 2005 with Forza Motorsport, has seen significant growth, with the Forza Horizon series gaining immense popularity. Forza Horizon 5, the latest entry, achieved a remarkable feat in 2024, surpassing 40 million players since its 2021 release. This success, however, contrasted with the game's omission from The Game Awards 2024's "Best Ongoing Game" category, sparking some controversy. Forza Horizon 5 has consistently delivered post-launch content and updates, including the popular Hide and Seek multiplayer mode.

A recent Reddit thread, initiated by user JoaoPaulo3k, highlighted player concerns regarding the potential end of Forza Horizon 3's online services. A screenshot showcased a post questioning the game's future due to inaccessible features. The timely response from Playground Games' senior community manager, who confirmed a server reboot, was met with widespread appreciation from the community. It's important to note that Forza Horizon 3 reached its "End of Life" status in 2020, meaning it was no longer available for purchase on the Microsoft Store.

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 transient nature of online game services. Playground Games' swift and positive response to the Forza Horizon 3 situation, including the noted increase in online traffic following the server reboot, is a welcome contrast.

Forza Horizon 5's continued success, with its massive player count, underscores the enduring appeal of the franchise. The anticipation for Forza Horizon 6 is high, with many players hoping for a long-requested Japan setting. While Playground Games is currently focusing on the upcoming Fable title, speculation abounds regarding the development of the next Forza Horizon installment.