Forza Horizon 3 Online: Servers Rebooted, Community Rejoices
Despite being delisted in 2020, Forza Horizon 3's online services remain operational, much to the delight of its player base. Recent concerns about inaccessible features prompted a swift response from Playground Games. A community manager confirmed a server reboot, dispelling fears of an imminent shutdown and highlighting the developer's ongoing commitment to maintaining online functionality. This stands in contrast to the fate of Forza Horizon and Forza Horizon 2, whose online services were terminated after delisting.
The Forza franchise, launched in 2005 with Forza Motorsport, has seen continued success, particularly with the Horizon series. 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. Despite its omission from the Best Ongoing Game category at The Game Awards 2024, Forza Horizon 5 continues to receive significant post-launch content and updates, including the popular Hide and Seek mode.
The recent server reboot for Forza Horizon 3 followed community concerns raised on Reddit. A player's inability to access certain features sparked anxieties about a potential service termination. However, Playground Games' senior community manager quickly addressed these worries, earning praise for their prompt action and reassuring players that the servers were back online. The game's 2020 "End of Life" status, which removed it from the Microsoft Store, initially fueled these concerns.
Forza Horizon 4, delisted in December 2024 despite achieving over 24 million players, serves as a stark reminder of the potential for online service cessation. The positive response to the Forza Horizon 3 server issue, including increased player traffic post-reboot, demonstrates Playground Games' responsiveness to player needs and their commitment to preserving the online experience.
Forza Horizon 5's phenomenal success, boasting over 40 million players since its 2021 launch, underscores the enduring popularity of the series. With anticipation building for a potential Forza Horizon 6, and long-standing fan requests for a Japan setting, the future of the franchise looks bright. Playground Games may well be laying the groundwork for the next installment while simultaneously working on the highly anticipated Fable game.
