Restored Online Races Ignite Delisted Game's Revival

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 players. Recently, a community manager confirmed server restarts following player reports of inaccessible features, underscoring Playground Games' commitment to maintaining online services. This is a welcome contrast to the fate of Forza Horizon and Forza Horizon 2, whose online services were shut down permanently after delisting.

The Forza series, launched in 2005 with Forza Motorsport, has seen continued success, culminating in the highly popular Forza Horizon 5. Released in 2021, Forza Horizon 5 recently surpassed 40 million players, solidifying its place as one of Xbox's biggest hits. This latest installment generated some buzz, however, after its omission from the Best Ongoing Game category at The Game Awards 2024. Despite this, Forza Horizon 5 continues to receive significant post-launch support, including additions like the Hide and Seek multiplayer mode.

The recent reassurance regarding Forza Horizon 3's online services stemmed from a Reddit thread. A player, unable to access certain features, raised concerns about the potential shutdown of online services. A Playground Games senior community manager responded swiftly, confirming server reboots and alleviating player anxieties. The game's 2020 "End of Life" status, which ended sales of the base game and DLC on the Microsoft Store, had fueled these concerns.

Forza Horizon 3's Online Persistence After Delisting

The delisting of Forza Horizon 4 in December 2024, despite its over 24 million players since its 2018 launch, served as a stark reminder of the impermanence of online services for some games. Playground Games' proactive response to Forza Horizon 3's online issues, however, is encouraging. The community manager also noted a positive uptick in player activity following the server restarts.

Forza Horizon 5's remarkable success, with over 40 million players since its 2021 launch, underscores the enduring appeal of the series. Anticipation is already building for Forza Horizon 6, with many players hoping for a Japanese setting. While Playground Games is currently working on the highly anticipated Fable title, speculation suggests they might be simultaneously laying the groundwork for the next Forza Horizon installment.