Forza Horizon 3's Online Persistence: A Community Triumph
Despite its 2020 delisting, Forza Horizon 3's online services remain operational, much to the delight of its dedicated player base. Initial concerns arose when players reported inaccessible features, sparking fears of an imminent shutdown—a fate that befell earlier Forza Horizon titles. However, a Playground Games community manager swiftly intervened, confirming a server reboot and reassuring players of the game's continued online support. This proactive response stands in contrast to the permanent closure of Forza Horizon and Forza Horizon 2's online services following their delistings.
The Forza franchise, launched in 2005 with Forza Motorsport, has seen significant growth, culminating in the hugely popular Forza Horizon 5. Released in 2021, Forza Horizon 5 recently surpassed 40 million players, cementing its place as one of Xbox's most successful titles. This success, however, didn't prevent the game from being controversially omitted from The Game Awards 2024's "Best Ongoing Game" category. Despite this, Forza Horizon 5 continues to receive substantial post-launch content and updates, including the addition of the Hide and Seek multiplayer mode.
The recent online service concerns regarding Forza Horizon 3 originated on Reddit, where a player's post expressing worry about the game's online future prompted a reassuring response from Playground's senior community manager. The manager's prompt action and clear communication were widely praised by the community. It's worth noting that Forza Horizon 3 officially reached its "End of Life" status in 2020, meaning it was removed from 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 potential for online service termination. The positive response to the Forza Horizon 3 situation, however, highlights Playground Games' commitment to player satisfaction and community engagement. The server reboot not only restored functionality but also saw a notable increase in player activity.
Forza Horizon 5's remarkable success continues to fuel anticipation for the next installment, tentatively titled Forza Horizon 6. With a significant player base actively requesting a Japanese setting, speculation is rife about the game's potential location and features, alongside Playground Games' concurrent work on the upcoming Fable title.
