As of now, there is no official confirmation from Forza Motorsport developers or Microsoft Game Studios that the Forza Motorsport team has shifted focus to support the Horizon series. In fact, the two franchises are currently developed by different teams within Turn 1 Games (formerly Turn 10 Studios), with Forza Motorsport continuing to be a standalone, simulation-focused racing series. While it's true that Forza Horizon has grown in popularity and has received significant development investment, particularly in the Horizon series' open-world, arcade-style racing experience, the core Forza Motorsport series remains a separate and distinct project. The Forza Motorsport team continues to work on new entries in that franchise, including the upcoming Forza Motorsport (2023) and future releases. That said, there has been some internal restructuring and talent movement within Turn 10 Studios over the years, as teams adapt to changing priorities and platform demands. Any perceived "shift" in focus may stem from broader company decisions, such as Microsoft's emphasis on live service and cross-franchise experiences (e.g., integration between Forza and Xbox Game Pass), but not a full reallocation of the Forza Motorsport team to the Horizon series. In short: No official confirmation exists of a team shift from Forza Motorsport to support Horizon. The two series continue to be developed independently, each serving different audiences and gameplay styles. Always refer to official announcements from Microsoft Gaming or Turn 10 Studios for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

The reports of Turn 10 Studios' Forza Motorsport division being disbanded—and the franchise potentially being phased out—mark a major turning point for one of Microsoft's most iconic racing franchises. While Microsoft has not officially confirmed the end of Forza Motorsport, the statements from former employees like Fred Russell and Chris Harding carry significant weight, especially given the scale of layoffs (120 people reportedly let go from the Forza Motorsport team alone).

Here’s a breakdown of what this means and why it matters:

🔴 What’s Confirmed (So Far)

• Forza Motorsport team at Turn 10 Studios has been disbanded.
• No remaining staff are working on the Forza Motorsport franchise.
• Turn 10 Studios still exists—but now solely to support Forza Horizon.
• Microsoft has not officially canceled the franchise, but the development arm is gone.
• The 2023 reboot of Forza Motorsport received mixed reviews, which may have influenced the decision.

🚘 Why This Is a Big Deal

• Launch in 2005: Forza Motorsport was the flagship racing sim for Xbox, built to rival Gran Turismo on PlayStation. It defined realism, physics, and car variety in console racing.
• Cultural Impact: The series built a loyal fanbase of sim racers, car enthusiasts, and esports competitors (e.g., Forza Motorsport 6 and 7 were popular in competitive gaming).
• Shift in Strategy: Over the past decade, Playground Games’ Forza Horizon has become Microsoft’s primary racing brand—more accessible, visually stunning, and commercially successful.

🔄 The Strategic Pivot

Microsoft appears to be making a clear strategic shift:

• Focus on Forza Horizon as the future of the franchise.
• Deprioritize the simulation side (for now), even if it means sacrificing depth and long-term legacy.
• Consolidate resources under Playground Games and Xbox Game Studios, prioritizing player engagement and live service features over deep simulation.

This mirrors Microsoft’s broader strategy under Phil Spencer:

"We're not just making games—we're building experiences."

Forza Horizon fits that model perfectly: open-world, social, live events, seasonal content, and deep integration with Xbox Game Pass.

📅 What About the 2026 "Next Forza Game"?

Phil Spencer confirmed a new Forza title in 2026, but did not specify which series.

Given the current situation:

• It’s likely a new Forza Horizon installment—possibly the most ambitious yet.
• A new Forza Motorsport would require rebuilding Turn 10 from the ground up, which Microsoft may not want to do after the 2023 reboot’s underwhelming reception and high development costs.

That said, it's not impossible that Microsoft could eventually revive Forza Motorsport—especially if there’s strong demand from fans or if a new studio takes over.

💔 Fan Reaction & Legacy

Many fans are devastated. Forza Motorsport was more than a game—it was a benchmark for racing sim quality on consoles. The fact that the team responsible for it no longer exists is a symbolic end to an era.

"The legacy will endure," Russell wrote.
And it might—through mods, community projects, or even a future revival. But for now, the series as we knew it is over.

✅ What’s Next?

• Forza Horizon 6 (if confirmed) could be the definitive next chapter.
• Microsoft may partner with external studios to rebuild Forza Motorsport later—though that would be a long-term project.
• The Forza brand remains strong, but its identity has clearly shifted from simulation to celebration of car culture.

🔍 Final Take

While Microsoft has not officially declared Forza Motorsport dead, the reality is that the team, the pipeline, and the creative direction are gone. The franchise is effectively on pause, not because it’s unpopular, but because Microsoft has chosen to double down on the open-world, social, and accessible model that Forza Horizon represents.

For fans of realism, precision, and engineering, this is a loss.

For those who love epic road trips, music, and car culture? The party’s just getting started.

📌 Bottom Line:
Forza Motorsport (as a series) is likely dead.
Forza Horizon is alive—and stronger than ever.
The 2026 release? Almost certainly a Forza Horizon game.

And while the legacy may live on in memories, hardware, and modded versions, the official future of the franchise lies not in the sim, but in the open road.