Microsoft's layoffs in the Forza Motorsport division, signifying potential end for the series, yet Horizon continues unscathed.
The gaming industry has been abuzz with news following significant layoffs at Turn 10 Studios, the developer behind the Forza Motorsport franchise. The layoffs, affecting key individuals across the studio, have led to speculation about the future of the Forza Motorsport series.
The layoffs at Turn 10 Studios suggest that the next Forza game, expected in 2026, will likely be a new entry in the open-world, arcade Forza Horizon series. This shift in focus comes as the broader Forza franchise continues, with a focus on Forza Horizon, which is developed by Playground Games.
Since its inception in 2005, Forza Motorsport has been a staple in the racing game genre, competing with Sony's Gran Turismo. The series captured automotive subcultures from the 2000s tuner boom to golden-age American muscle and contemporary motorsports. However, it appears that the most recent Forza Motorsport game, released in 2023, may be the final installment in the series.
The latest Forza Motorsport was met with mixed reception, criticised for its experimental single-player campaign, performance issues on Xbox consoles and PC, and day-one bugs. These issues, combined with the recent layoffs, have led to questions about the future of the Forza Motorsport franchise.
One contractor who worked on the latest Forza Motorsport shared an account about a challenging development environment in early 2024. The current status and future plans for the Forza Motorsport franchise have been significantly impacted by these challenges, with the team at Turn 10 Studios disbanded.
Despite reports from former Turn 10 Studios employees, there has been no official confirmation from Microsoft or Turn 10 Studios regarding the cancellation of Forza Motorsport. However, what's left of Turn 10 Studios is supposed to assist Playground Games in building Forza Horizon 6.
The future of the Motorsport side of the Forza brand is currently uncertain following the layoffs and a comprehensive live service reboot. An employee who last worked at Turn 10 in 2016, Fred Russell, posted on Facebook that Forza Motorsport was "shuttered," but the Forza Horizon franchise "would continue."
Forza Motorsport differentiated itself by allowing players to damage vehicles, modify them, swap powertrains, and design liveries. It's a series that arguably hit its zenith during the Xbox 360 generation with FM3 and FM4. The series also boasted a unique soundtrack consisting of Junkie XL arrangements of classic guitar rock jams, different from GT's jubilant jazz.
As we wait for official confirmation, the gaming community will be keeping a close eye on the developments surrounding the Forza Motorsport franchise. Our platform has reached out to Microsoft about the future of the Forza Motorsport franchise, and will update this story should we learn anything.
- The gaming industry's discussions have expanded to include the potential shift of the Forza Motorsport series towards the open-world, arcade Forza Horizon series, given the layoffs at Turn 10 Studios.
- The broader Forza lifestyle, with its focus on car-maintenance, sports cars, and motorsports, continues through the popularity of the Forza Horizon series, developed by Playground Games.
- The latest Forza Motorsport game, despite its unique features like vehicle damage, modifications, and personalized designs, faced criticism for its experimental single-player campaign, technical issues, and day-one bugs, which may have impacted the franchise.
- Gadget enthusiasts and smartphone users might find it interesting to know that the Forza series, in addition to capturing various automotive subcultures, has also incorporated elements of technology and racing into its gameplay.
- As sports fans and racing enthusiasts eagerly await updates about the future of the Forza Motorsport franchise, there's a growing interest in sports-betting platforms for potential outcomes in the realm of auto-racing and grand-prix events.
- The forthcoming Forza Horizon 6, despite being supported by the remnants of Turn 10 Studios, may witness a different approach than its predecessors due to the challenging development environment experienced in early 2024.
