Forza Horizon 4 Nears End of Online Era

Forza Horizon 4, the critically acclaimed open-world racing title, is set to be removed from major digital platforms on December 15, 2024. This means that after this date, purchasing the game or any additional content will no longer be possible through digital storefronts like the Microsoft Store, Steam, and Xbox Game Pass. This decision affects a game that enjoyed immense popularity since its 2018 release, boasting over 24 million players by November 2020.

While initially indicating no plans for delisting, developer Playground Games recently confirmed the removal, citing expiring licenses for in-game assets. The announcement, posted on Forza.net, specifies that all DLC will be unavailable for purchase from June 25th, 2024. Only the standard, deluxe, and ultimate editions will remain purchasable until the December 15th delisting date.

The final in-game series, Series 77, will run from July 25th to August 22nd. Post-Series 77, the playlist screen will become inaccessible, although daily and weekly challenges and Forzathon Live events will still be available via the Forza Events screen. Existing owners of the game, both digital and physical, can continue playing without interruption. Furthermore, active Xbox Game Pass subscribers who've purchased DLC will receive a game token to guarantee continued access.

The delisting, while unfortunate, is not unusual in the gaming industry, particularly for racing games. Expiring licenses for vehicles and music frequently necessitate the removal of titles. Forza Horizon 3 faced a similar fate. However, players still interested in experiencing Forza Horizon 4 can currently benefit from an 80% Steam discount and an upcoming Xbox Store sale on August 14th.