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, especially considering the permanent shutdown of online services for Forza Horizon and Forza Horizon 2 following their delistings. Recent concerns raised by players regarding inaccessible features prompted a response from Playground Games' community manager, confirming a server reboot and reaffirming the studio's commitment to maintaining online functionality.
The Forza franchise, launched in 2005 with Forza Motorsport, has seen significant growth, with the Forza Horizon series gaining immense popularity. The latest installment, Forza Horizon 5, released in 2021, recently surpassed 40 million players, solidifying its position as one of Xbox's most successful titles. This success, however, didn't prevent controversy surrounding its exclusion from the Best Ongoing Game category at The Game Awards 2024.
A Reddit post highlighting player concerns about the potential end of Forza Horizon 3's online services prompted a reassuring response from Playground Games' senior community manager. The community manager confirmed the servers had been restarted, addressing the reported issues and preventing further anxieties. While Forza Horizon 3 reached its "End of Life" status in 2020, meaning its removal from the Microsoft Store, its online components remain surprisingly active.
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 transient nature of online game availability. Playground Games' swift and positive response to the Forza Horizon 3 situation, however, demonstrates a dedication to player satisfaction and community engagement. The increased online traffic following the server reboot further underscores this commitment.
Forza Horizon 5's remarkable success continues to fuel anticipation for the next game in the series, likely titled Forza Horizon 6. Longstanding player requests for a Japan setting suggest a potential direction for the future, though Playground Games is currently also focused on the upcoming Fable title.
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