As Xbox continues to grapple with a lack of major exclusive titles, despite having a long list of first-party studios actively working on various projects, one franchise has remained a consistent pillar in Microsoft’s gaming ecosystem: Forza.
Each instalment, whether part of the simulation-based Motorsport series or the open-world Horizon spin-offs, has carried its own appeal. In particular, Forza Horizon has won widespread acclaim for its blend of high-speed racing and expansive, beautifully rendered open-world environments. However, despite its legacy and critical success, Forza Motorsport appears to have become the latest casualty of Microsoft’s ongoing corporate restructuring.
Microsoft’s recent wave of layoffs, reportedly affecting over 9,000 employees across multiple countries, has had a profound impact on its gaming division. Alongside the cancellation of several in-development titles and even the closure of some studios such as The Initiative, a new report suggests that Microsoft has now shut down Forza Motorsport as an active franchise.
Is Forza Motorsport Cancelled?
The news comes from Fred Russell, a former employee of Turn 10 Studios, who revealed the information in a post on his personal Facebook page. According to Russell, Microsoft’s recent “efficiency” measures have led to the official termination of Forza Motorsport, with the entire development team reportedly laid off. Turn 10 Studios, which had been the longtime developer behind the simulation racing series, is believed to be one of the studios hit hardest by the recent cuts.
On the other hand, the future looks more secure for Forza Horizon. The arcade-inspired series developed by Playground Games is confirmed to be continuing, further solidifying its place as Microsoft’s flagship racing franchise. As of now, Microsoft has not issued any official statement in response to these reports. However, multiple employee testimonials seem to support the claim that Turn 10 was significantly affected during last week’s round of layoffs.
If the reports are accurate, this marks a significant shift in Microsoft’s racing game strategy, one that signals a full commitment to the Horizon brand, while bringing an end to the more traditional and competitive Forza Motorsport series that helped define the Xbox brand for nearly two decades.
