Despite being delisted in 2020, Forza Horizon 3's online functionality remains active, much to the delight of players. This continued support was recently reaffirmed by a community manager who confirmed server restarts following reports of inaccessible features. This commitment stands in contrast to the fate of Forza Horizon and Forza Horizon 2, whose online services were shut down after delisting.
The Forza franchise, launched in 2005 with Forza Motorsport, has seen significant growth, culminating in the recent success of Forza Horizon 5. Released in 2021, Forza Horizon 5 boasts over 40 million players, making it one of Xbox's most successful titles. This success, however, didn't prevent the game from being controversially omitted from the Best Ongoing Game category at The Game Awards 2024.
The recent reassurance regarding Forza Horizon 3's online services stemmed from a Reddit post expressing concern over unavailable features. A senior community manager swiftly responded, confirming server reboots and alleviating player anxieties. While the game reached its "End of Life" status in 2020, meaning it's no longer purchasable, its online component persists. This positive response contrasts with the 2024 delisting of Forza Horizon 4, which had over 24 million players since its 2018 release.
The continued operation of Forza Horizon 3's online services, coupled with the massive success of Forza Horizon 5, highlights Playground Games' dedication to its player base. The impressive player count for Forza Horizon 5 fuels anticipation for the next installment, Forza Horizon 6, with many players hoping for a Japanese setting. While Playground is currently working on Fable, speculation abounds regarding the development of the next Horizon game.