As a gamer, I’ve been keeping my ear to the ground about upcoming game releases, especially those from Microsoft-owned studios. Recently, there have been whispers and speculation around project cancellations at these studios. Among these rumors, a former developer from Turn 10 Studios, Fred Russell, has confirmed that Microsoft has indeed put an end to the beloved Forza Motorsport franchise. It’s important to note that Russell parted ways with Turn 10 back in 2016.
In simpler terms, Russell posted on Reddit that Turn 10 Studios closed down the Forza Motorsport part of their operation, but they will continue to operate in support of the Horizon series. He expressed sadness as he enjoyed his time working on the Forza Motorsport games.
Amidst the ongoing unrest at Microsoft’s studios due to layoffs and project terminations, Turn 10 Studios has reportedly been significantly affected. According to recent reports, the team responsible for the Forza Motorsport series is said to have suffered a loss of about half its workforce.
It’s important to mention that, although Forza Motorsport served as the primary franchise within the Forza racing game series, it’s been outshone by the Forza Horizon games in terms of player numbers and popularity. These latter games are more focused on open-world exploration rather than simulation. The last significant release in the Forza Motorsport series occurred in 2023.
Instead of Forza Horizon, it’s Playground Games who have been responsible for its development. The latest installment, Forza Horizon 5, was released in the year 2021. Historically, the Horizon series has blended the racing fundamentals from its Motorsport counterpart with a more casual, arcade-like gameplay experience that invites players to engage in various entertaining and unconventional activities.
Prior to Microsoft’s rumored lay-offs, it was reported that Turn 10 Studios was preparing for potential workforce reductions. At one point, there was a significant concern that the entire studio might be closed down. This information originated from George Broussard, the founder of 3D Realms.
It’s worth noting that back in June, Phil Spencer, Microsoft Gaming CEO, announced that a new Forza game was being developed for release in 2026, along with Fable and Gears of War: E-Day. However, due to recent layoffs, studio closures, and project cancellations, the future lineup of games from the company is now shrouded in uncertainty.
Spencer did not explicitly say whether the upcoming Forza title is part of the Horizon franchise or the Motorsport series.
In the meantime, check out more details about the last Forza Motorsport game in our review.
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2025-07-04 16:41