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 about server shutdown, fueled by past experiences with Forza Horizon and Forza Horizon 2 (whose online services were terminated post-delisting), were recently allayed. A Playground Games community manager confirmed a server reboot following player reports of inaccessible features, demonstrating a continued commitment to supporting the game's online community.

This positive development contrasts with the fate of earlier Forza Horizon titles and highlights Playground Games' dedication to its players. The franchise, launched in 2005 with Forza Motorsport, has seen significant growth, culminating in the highly successful Forza Horizon 5, which boasts over 40 million players since its 2021 release. This success, however, didn't prevent Forza Horizon 4 from being delisted in December 2024, despite its impressive 24 million player count.

The recent reassurance regarding Forza Horizon 3 came after a Reddit post expressing concern over the game's online functionality. A player's inability to access certain features sparked fears of an imminent service termination. The timely intervention of Playground's senior community manager, who confirmed the server reboot and noted increased player activity, effectively quelled these anxieties. The delisting of Forza Horizon 3 in 2020 marked its "End of Life" status, meaning it's no longer available for purchase on the Microsoft Store.

Forza Horizon 3's Online Services Remain Active Despite Delisting

The swift response to the Forza Horizon 3 online concerns stands in contrast to the delisting of Forza Horizon 4. Playground Games' proactive approach and the community manager's communication have been widely praised. The positive player response following the server reboot further underscores the importance of ongoing support for even delisted titles.

Forza Horizon 5's phenomenal success, with its 40 million player milestone, solidifies the franchise's position as a major player in the racing game genre. Anticipation is already building for Forza Horizon 6, with many players hoping for a Japan setting. While Playground Games is currently focused on Fable, the possibility of a future Japanese-themed Forza Horizon installment remains exciting.