Forza Horizon 3 Online Services Remain Active Despite Delisting
Despite being removed from digital stores in 2020, Forza Horizon 3's online functionality persists, much to the delight of players. A recent community manager confirmation that servers were restarted following reports of inaccessible features underscores Playground Games' ongoing commitment to maintaining online services. This is a welcome contrast to the permanent shutdown of online services for the original 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 hugely popular Forza Horizon 5. Released in 2021, Forza Horizon 5 recently surpassed 40 million players, solidifying its place as one of Xbox's most successful titles. This success, however, didn't prevent Forza Horizon 5 from sparking some controversy by its omission from the Best Ongoing Game category at The Game Awards 2024, despite its extensive post-launch content and updates, including the popular Hide and Seek mode.
Concerns about the future of Forza Horizon 3's online features were raised on Reddit when a player reported difficulties accessing certain functionalities. Fears of an imminent service termination were quickly addressed by Playground Games' senior community manager, who confirmed a server reboot and reassured the community. While Forza Horizon 3 reached its "End of Life" status in 2020, meaning its removal from the Microsoft Store, its online servers remain operational.
The Delisting of Forza Horizon 4
The unexpected delisting of Forza Horizon 4 in December 2024, despite its considerable success (over 24 million players 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, offers reassurance to fans. The community manager noted a significant increase in online activity following the server reboot.
Forza Horizon 5's Continued Success and Future Expectations
Forza Horizon 5's impressive player count and ongoing popularity highlight the enduring appeal of the franchise. With the anticipation building for Forza Horizon 6, speculation is rife about its setting, with many players hoping for a Japanese location. While Playground Games is currently focused on the upcoming Fable title, the possibility of a Japanese setting for the next Horizon installment remains a strong contender.
