Delisted Open-World Racing Game Restores Online Features

Forza Horizon 3's Online Persistence: A Community Triumph

Despite its 2020 delisting, Forza Horizon 3's online functionality remains active, much to the delight of its player base. Initial concerns regarding server outages and feature unavailability were swiftly addressed by Playground Games. A community manager confirmed a server reboot, dispelling fears of an imminent shutdown—a stark contrast to the permanent closure of online services for Forza Horizon and Forza Horizon 2 after their delistings.

The Forza franchise, launched in 2005 with Forza Motorsport, has seen significant growth, culminating in the recent success of Forza Horizon 5. This latest iteration, released in 2021, boasts over 40 million players and continues to receive substantial post-launch content, including the popular Hide and Seek mode. Despite its omission from The Game Awards 2024's "Best Ongoing Game" category, Forza Horizon 5's continued popularity is undeniable.

A Reddit thread highlighted player anxieties about Forza Horizon 3's online future. A user's inability to access certain features sparked concerns about a potential service termination. However, Playground Games' senior community manager intervened, reassuring players that the servers had been restarted. This proactive response earned the community manager significant praise. It's important to note that Forza Horizon 3 reached its "End of Life" status in 2020, meaning it's no longer available for purchase on the Microsoft Store.

The delisting of Forza Horizon 4 in December 2024, despite its 24 million player base, served as a reminder of the potential for online service termination. Playground Games' swift and positive response to the Forza Horizon 3 situation, however, underscores their commitment to player engagement and community satisfaction. The increased online traffic following the server reboot further validates this commitment.

Forza Horizon 5's remarkable success, with its 40 million player milestone, solidifies the franchise's position as a major player in the racing game genre. Anticipation for Forza Horizon 6 is high, with many players hoping for a long-requested Japanese setting. The future of the franchise appears bright, even as Playground Games juggles its various projects, including the upcoming Fable title.