Forza Horizon 3's Online Resurrection: Servers Rebooted, Community Rejoices
Despite being delisted in 2020, Forza Horizon 3's online services continue to function, much to the delight of its player base. Recent reports of inaccessible features prompted a swift response from Playground Games, with a community manager confirming a server reboot and reaffirming the studio's commitment to maintaining online functionality. This stands in contrast to 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 continued success, most recently with Forza Horizon 5's remarkable achievement of over 40 million players since its 2021 release. This latest entry, while notably absent from The Game Awards 2024's "Best Ongoing Game" category, boasts more post-launch content than any previous title, including the popular Hide and Seek mode.
Concerns about the end of Forza Horizon 3's online capabilities surfaced on Reddit after a player reported issues accessing certain features. However, Playground Games' senior community manager quickly addressed these anxieties, announcing the server reboot and earning praise from the community. The game's 2020 "End of Life" status, which removed it from the Microsoft Store, initially fueled fears of an imminent online shutdown.
Forza Horizon 3's Online Future Secure
The delisting of Forza Horizon 4 in December 2024, despite its impressive 24 million player count, served as a stark reminder of the precarious nature of online services for older titles. Playground Games' proactive response to the Forza Horizon 3 situation, however, is a welcome change, showcasing a dedication to player satisfaction and highlighting the positive impact of the server reboot on player engagement.
Forza Horizon 5's continued popularity, with its 40 million-strong player base, solidifies the Forza franchise's position as a major player in the racing genre. Anticipation for Forza Horizon 6 is high, with many players hoping for a long-requested Japan setting. While Playground Games is currently focused on Fable, speculation abounds about the next iteration of the Horizon series.
