Forza Motorsport’s future doesn’t look good following the grim week at Xbox — Turn 10 layoffs reportedly had a massive impact on any future for the franchise

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This week has undeniably been a challenging one for Xbox, particularly difficult for those who have been directly impacted by the wave of job losses, project cancellations, and facility shutdowns.

Despite the overwhelming negative headlines, it’s been reported that up to half of the team at Turn 10 Studios (one half of the Forza crew at Xbox) has been affected by layoffs. Turn 10 Studios is responsible for creating the Forza Motorsport series and developing the ForzaTech engine that powers these popular games.

Now, there are increasing discussions about the potential implications for the future of Forza Motorsport, and unfortunately, the rumors aren’t encouraging.

The process begins with Fred Russell, a former employee from the Turn 10 team, announcing on Facebook (via Eurogamer) that Forza Motorsport is no longer operational. However, it’s important to clarify that Russell doesn’t work for the team currently undergoing layoffs; he previously did.

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In a subsequent statement, Russell announced that the Forza Horizon series will persist, with Turn 10 Studios assuming a supporting role for Playground Games, who are responsible for creating the Horizon franchise.

According to unnamed sources from Windows Central who aren’t allowed to speak publicly about this matter, there’s no confirmed end or “cancellation” of the series at this time. However, it seems possible that the team behind it, Turn 10, is currently dedicating their efforts to Forza Horizon instead, leaving room for the return of the series in the future.

2023 saw the reboot of Forza Motorsport, but even without the latest report, it was not anticipated that a new game would be released soon. Following the alternating release pattern, we had been expecting a fresh Forza Horizon title next, and Microsoft’s Gaming CEO, Phil Spencer, has hinted at this for 2026 during the recent Xbox Showcase.

I’m not certain about the current player count for Forza Motorsport, but it’s reasonable to assume that Horizon is significantly more popular overall. When it launched on PlayStation 5 this year, it ranked among the top three best-selling games on the PlayStation Store.

The Horizon series, which came after Forza Motorsport, captivates a broader audience. This is due to its open-world “Car-RPG” style and a more arcade-style racing experience, which resonates with those who are less hardcore when it comes to racing games.

While Forza Motorsport came first, the Horizon series has a bigger fanbase because of its open world gameplay that combines racing and role-playing elements, as well as a more casual, arcade-style racing feel.

From a sincere standpoint, let me say this: Horizon provides a greater sense of joy compared to Forza Motorsport at present. Although I admire Forza Motorsport, my affection for Horizon outweighs it.

If these developments turn out to be true, they prompt a question: What will become of the Forza Motorsport game currently available on the market? Given that it’s barely two years old, if Turn 10 Studios are planning to divert their focus, could this mean an end to any future content updates and support?

I’ve contacted Microsoft for their take on the matter, and I’ll share any new information once I get a reply.

Today is a sorrowful day in an already dismal week. Our deepest sympathies are with those who have been impacted, above all others. I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to everyone, past and present, connected to Turn 10 Studios. Their games have given me countless hours of pleasure that I can hardly quantify.

Whether it’s goodbye, or just see you later, the legacy will always remain.

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2025-07-04 21:09