Despite being removed from digital storefronts in 2020, Forza Horizon 3's online services continue to function, much to the delight of its player base. This is a welcome surprise, considering the permanent shutdown of online services for the original Forza Horizon and Forza Horizon 2 following their delistings. Recent concerns raised by players regarding inaccessible features prompted a response from Playground Games, confirming a server reboot and reaffirming their commitment to maintaining online play.
The Forza franchise, launched in 2005 with Forza Motorsport, has seen significant growth, especially within the Horizon series, which debuted in 2012. The latest installment, Forza Horizon 5, released in 2021, has achieved remarkable success, boasting over 40 million players. This success, however, didn't prevent controversy surrounding its exclusion from the Best Ongoing Game category at The Game Awards 2024. Forza Horizon 5's extensive post-launch content and updates, including the Hide and Seek mode, have contributed significantly to its popularity.
A recent Reddit thread highlighted player anxieties about the potential end of Forza Horizon 3's online features. A Playground Games senior community manager swiftly addressed these concerns, announcing the server reboot and effectively calming community fears. The game's 2020 "End of Life" status, signifying the removal of the base game and DLC from the Microsoft Store, initially fueled these concerns.
The delisting of Forza Horizon 4 in December 2024, despite its impressive 24 million player count since its 2018 launch, served as a stark reminder of the franchise's past decisions. Playground Games' proactive response to the Forza Horizon 3 situation, however, demonstrates a shift towards prioritizing player experience and community engagement. The positive player response following the server reboot further underscores the importance of maintaining these online services.
Forza Horizon 5's continued success, with its 40 million player milestone, solidifies its position as one of Xbox's most successful titles. Anticipation for Forza Horizon 6 is already building, with many players hoping for a long-requested Japan setting. While Playground Games is currently focused on the upcoming Fable title, speculation suggests that development on the next Horizon installment might already be underway.
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