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 proactive response contrasts sharply with the previous termination of online services for earlier titles in the franchise.
The Forza series, launched in 2005 with Forza Motorsport, has seen significant growth, culminating in the recent success of Forza Horizon 5. While Forza Horizon 5's omission from the 2024 Game Awards' "Best Ongoing Game" category generated some controversy, its over 40 million players since its 2021 release undeniably solidify its position as a major Xbox franchise success. The game's extensive post-launch content, including the popular Hide and Seek mode, further underscores its ongoing appeal.
A Reddit thread highlighting concerns about Forza Horizon 3's online future prompted the community manager's intervention. The prompt and reassuring response was met with widespread appreciation, with the community manager praised for their quick action. The reboot not only restored functionality but also resulted in a noticeable increase in player activity. It's worth noting that Forza Horizon 3's "End of Life" status in 2020 meant the game was removed from sale, but its online servers continue to function.
The delisting of Forza Horizon 4 in December 2024, despite its 24 million player base, served as a stark reminder of the transient nature of online services. Playground Games' swift action regarding Forza Horizon 3, however, demonstrates a commitment to player engagement and community satisfaction.
Forza Horizon 5's phenomenal success, reaching over 40 million players, sets a high bar for future installments. With speculation rife about a potential Japan setting for Forza Horizon 6, the future of the franchise appears bright, even as Playground Games continues work on other anticipated titles like Fable.
