Forza Team Disbands, Focus Moves to Horizon

Turn 10 Studios, the developer behind Forza Motorsport, has been significantly affected by Microsoft's recent workforce reductions, according to former staff members. These changes reportedly mark the end of Xbox's premier simulation racing franchise.

Forza Motorsport Team Disbanded

Former content coordinator Fred Russell revealed that Turn 10 has effectively dissolved its Forza Motorsport division, with remaining employees shifting focus to supporting Playground Games' Forza Horizon series.

"Turn 10 has closed the Forza Motorsport department," Russell stated on Facebook. "A tragic moment for racing game enthusiasts. I'll always cherish my time working on the series."

Russell clarified that while Microsoft discontinued Forza Motorsport development, Turn 10 remains operational to assist with the Horizon franchise. Former employee Chris Harding suggested approximately 120 staff members were affected by these changes.

End of a Racing Legacy

The original Forza Motorsport debuted in 2005, establishing itself as Xbox's flagship racing simulator and a worthy competitor to Gran Turismo. The series saw seven sequels across multiple Xbox console generations.

However, Forza Horizon's tremendous success as an open-world racing alternative since its 2012 debut gradually overshadowed its more simulation-focused counterpart. The Horizon series produced four sequels over the following decade.

Xbox Games Series Tier List

Xbox Games Series Tier List

Xbox leadership recently hinted at a new Forza title in 2026, likely referencing the Horizon series rather than a Forza Motorsport follow-up. The 2023 Motorsport reboot received mixed reviews and appears to be the franchise's final entry.

While Russell acknowledged the franchise's enduring impact, he confirmed that active development has ceased: "The legacy remains, but there's no future development planned."