Open-World Racing Game Relists with Restored Servers

Despite being delisted in 2020, Forza Horizon 3's online functionality remains active, much to the delight of its players. This continued support from Playground Games was recently reaffirmed after a community manager confirmed server reboots to address player-reported issues. This contrasts sharply with 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 considerable success, particularly with the Horizon series. Forza Horizon 5, released in 2021, recently surpassed 40 million players, becoming one of Xbox's most successful titles. However, its exclusion from the Best Ongoing Game category at The Game Awards 2024 sparked some controversy.

The recent reassurance regarding Forza Horizon 3's online services stemmed from a Reddit thread expressing concern over inaccessible features. A Playground Games community manager responded swiftly, confirming server restarts and alleviating player anxieties. While Forza Horizon 3 was officially declared "End of Life" in 2020, meaning its removal from digital storefronts, its online components persist.

The delisting of Forza Horizon 4 in December 2024, despite its over 24 million players since its 2018 release, served as a stark reminder of the potential for online service termination. The prompt and positive response to the Forza Horizon 3 situation, including a reported surge in player activity following the server reboot, is a welcome change.

Forza Horizon 5's monumental success further underscores the franchise's popularity. With anticipation building for Forza Horizon 6, and long-standing player requests for a Japanese setting, Playground Games' future endeavors are eagerly awaited.