As of now, there is no official confirmation from Forza Motorsport developers or Microsoft Gaming that a shift in development focus from Forza Motorsport to the Horizon series has occurred. However, recent industry discussions and rumors have speculated about changes in development priorities, particularly due to the success and popularity of the Forza Horizon series. The Forza Horizon series, developed by Playground Games and published by Xbox Game Studios, has consistently drawn strong player engagement and critical acclaim. In contrast, Forza Motorsport (the mainline, simulation-focused series) has seen a more niche but dedicated fanbase. The shift in attention—both in marketing and internal resources—has led to speculation that more development talent and resources might be allocated toward the Horizon series. That said, Turn 10 Studios, the original creators of Forza Motorsport, remains the lead developer for the main Forza Motorsport franchise. In a 2023 interview, Turn 10’s creative director, Dan Greenawalt, reaffirmed the team’s commitment to the core Motorsport experience, emphasizing the upcoming Forza Motorsport (2023) release as a full rebuild of the franchise. In summary: No official announcement confirms a developer team shift from Forza Motorsport to Horizon. Playground Games (Horizon) and Turn 10 (Motorsport) remain separate studios under Xbox Game Studios. Resource allocation and focus may naturally lean toward the more commercially successful Horizon series, but this does not equate to a team relocation or reassignment. Gamers should continue to expect new entries in the Forza Motorsport series, with Turn 10 dedicated to delivering a premium simulation experience. For the latest updates, always refer to official sources like Xbox News, Microsoft Gaming, or developer interviews.

The reports of Microsoft’s significant layoffs impacting Turn 10 Studios and the apparent discontinuation of Forza Motorsport have sent shockwaves through the gaming community — especially among long-time fans of the franchise.

While Microsoft has not officially confirmed the end of Forza Motorsport, multiple former employees — including Fred Russell, former content coordinator, and Chris Harding — have provided detailed accounts suggesting that the Forza Motorsport division at Turn 10 Studios has been disbanded. Russell’s public statement on Facebook — that the franchise team is "no more" — carries emotional weight, given his personal connection to the series.

Key points from the situation:

• Turn 10 Studios is still operational, but now reportedly focused solely on supporting Forza Horizon, which is developed by Playground Games in the UK.
• The Forza Motorsport development team has been dissolved, with around 120 staff laid off, according to former employees.
• The 2023 reboot of Forza Motorsport, which aimed to modernize the franchise with advanced simulation mechanics and a new visual engine, received mixed reviews and struggled to recapture the same level of acclaim as earlier entries.
• Despite this, Forza Motorsport remains a cornerstone of Microsoft’s first-party identity and a major rival to Gran Turismo in the simulation racing space.

Why This Matters

• Forza Motorsport (2005–2023) was a flagship title for Xbox, driving hardware sales and establishing Microsoft as a serious player in premium racing gaming.
• Forza Horizon, with its open-world, festival-style racing and broader appeal, has become the more commercially successful and culturally impactful spin-off.
• Microsoft’s shift in focus toward Horizon — and now potentially abandoning Motorsport — reflects a strategic pivot toward accessibility, player engagement, and long-term service models, which Horizon exemplifies.

Microsoft’s 2026 Announcement

When Phil Spencer announced that the next Forza game would launch in 2026, many speculated it would be a new Forza Horizon — not a follow-up to the 2023 reboot. Given the current reports, that interpretation now seems supported.

The Legacy

While the Forza Motorsport team may be disbanded, the legacy of the franchise endures — not just in memory, but in the racing simulation standards it helped define. The community, modders, and fanbases will likely keep the spirit of the series alive, but the official future of the franchise as a standalone, high-fidelity simulation appears uncertain.

"The legacy will endure, even if the game itself has no future."
— Fred Russell, former Forza Motorsport content coordinator

What’s Next?

• Microsoft has not responded to these reports, so all details remain unconfirmed.
• Fans and industry observers will be watching closely for any signs of a reboot, a shift in development leadership, or a return to simulation roots under a new banner.

For now, the end of Forza Motorsport as a standalone project — if true — marks a tectonic shift in Microsoft’s first-party strategy, prioritizing player-driven, open-world experiences over niche, simulation-heavy titles — even ones with a storied history.

Whether this is a short-term cost-cutting measure or a permanent reorientation of the franchise remains to be seen. But for now, the era of Turn 10 as a dedicated motorsport simulator studio may be over.