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Forza Horizon 3's Online Persistence: A Community Triumph

Despite its 2020 delisting, Forza Horizon 3's online functionality remains surprisingly active. This unexpected longevity is a testament to Playground Games' commitment to its player base. Following reports of inaccessible features, a community manager confirmed server restarts, dispelling fears of an impending shutdown. This contrasts sharply with the fate of Forza Horizon and Forza Horizon 2, whose online services were permanently discontinued after delisting.

The Forza franchise, launched in 2005 with Forza Motorsport, has seen significant growth, particularly with the Horizon series debuting in 2012. The latest iteration, Forza Horizon 5 (released in 2021), recently surpassed 40 million players, solidifying its place as an Xbox flagship title. Despite its omission from the 2024 Game Awards' "Best Ongoing Game" category, Forza Horizon 5 continues to receive substantial post-launch content and updates, including the popular Hide and Seek mode.

The recent online service concerns stemmed from a Reddit post expressing anxieties about Forza Horizon 3's future. A player's inability to access certain features sparked widespread worry. However, Playground Games' senior community manager swiftly addressed these concerns, confirming the server reboot and earning considerable praise from the community. It's important to note that Forza Horizon 3 reached its "End of Life" status in 2020, meaning its removal from the Microsoft Store.

The unexpected continued operation of Forza Horizon 3's online services stands in contrast to the 2024 delisting of Forza Horizon 4, another highly successful title with over 24 million players since its 2018 release. Playground Games' rapid response to the Forza Horizon 3 issue and the subsequent increase in online activity highlight their dedication to player satisfaction.

Forza Horizon 5's remarkable success, with its 40 million-plus player count, further underscores the franchise's popularity. Anticipation for Forza Horizon 6 is high, with many players hoping for a Japanese setting. While Playground Games is currently focused on Fable, speculation abounds regarding the next Horizon installment.