Open-World Racer Resurrects Online Gameplay

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 arose when players reported inaccessible features, sparking fears of an imminent shutdown mirroring the fate of Forza Horizon and Forza Horizon 2's online services. However, a Playground Games community manager swiftly intervened, confirming a server reboot and reassuring players of the game's continued online support.

This positive response stands in contrast to the earlier termination of online services for the original Forza Horizon and Forza Horizon 2 after their respective delistings. The community had anticipated a similar outcome for Forza Horizon 3, making the community manager's intervention particularly welcome.

The Forza franchise, launched in 2005 with Forza Motorsport, has seen significant growth, culminating in the recent success of Forza Horizon 5. Released in 2021, Forza Horizon 5 boasts over 40 million players, solidifying its position as one of Xbox's most successful titles. This success, however, didn't prevent controversy surrounding its exclusion 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.

The recent online service concerns for Forza Horizon 3 stemmed from a Reddit post expressing worry about the game's future. The prompt and reassuring response from Playground Games' senior community manager, praised by the community, not only addressed the technical issues but also highlighted a surge in player activity following the server reboot. While Forza Horizon 3 officially reached its "End of Life" in 2020, meaning it's no longer available for purchase, its online experience continues.

The delisting of Forza Horizon 4 in December 2024, despite its impressive 24 million player base since its 2018 release, served as a stark reminder of the potential for online service termination. Playground Games' proactive approach to Forza Horizon 3's online issues offers a refreshing contrast, demonstrating a commitment to player engagement.

With Forza Horizon 5's monumental success and anticipation building for a potential Forza Horizon 6 (with many fans hoping for a Japan setting), Playground Games continues to shape the future of the franchise while simultaneously demonstrating its dedication to maintaining the legacy of its previous titles.