Online Features Restored for Delisted Open-World Racer

Forza Horizon 3 Online Services Remain Active Despite Delisting

Despite being removed from digital stores in 2020, Forza Horizon 3's online functionality continues to operate, much to the delight of its player base. This is a welcome surprise, considering the online services for the original Forza Horizon and Forza Horizon 2 were shut down after delisting. Recently, a Playground Games community manager confirmed server maintenance following player reports of inaccessible features, reassuring fans of the game's ongoing online support.

The Forza franchise, launched in 2005 with Forza Motorsport, has seen significant growth, particularly with the Horizon series debuting in 2012. The latest installment, Forza Horizon 5, released in 2021, recently surpassed 40 million players, solidifying its place as one of Xbox's most successful titles. This success, however, didn't prevent controversy surrounding its omission from the Best Ongoing Game category at The Game Awards 2024. Forza Horizon 5 has delivered extensive post-launch content, including the popular Hide and Seek multiplayer mode.

A recent Reddit thread, initiated by user JoaoPaulo3k, highlighted player concerns about the potential end of Forza Horizon 3's online services. Inability to access certain features sparked worry, but Playground Games' senior community manager swiftly responded, confirming server restarts and alleviating player anxieties. The game's 2020 "End of Life" status resulted in the removal of the base game and DLC from the Microsoft Store, but online play persists.

Forza Horizon 3's Online Persistence After Delisting

The delisting of Forza Horizon 4 in December 2024, despite its impressive 24 million player base (since its 2018 launch), served as a stark reminder of the potential for online service termination. Playground Games' prompt response to Forza Horizon 3's online issues, however, demonstrates a commitment to player satisfaction and highlights the positive impact of the server reboot on player engagement.

Forza Horizon 5's remarkable achievement of over 40 million players since its 2021 release underscores the franchise's enduring popularity. Anticipation for Forza Horizon 6 is high, with many players hoping for a long-requested Japan setting. While Playground Games is currently focusing on the upcoming Fable title, speculation suggests that development on the next Horizon game may already be underway.