Katarzyna Petru
Rumours of the end of Forza Motorsport have proven to be exaggerated. Despite recent layoffs at Turn 10 Studios, Microsoft is not planning to kill off its iconic racing series. As confirmed by Phil Spencer himself in an interview with the Japanese magazine Famitsu – the brand will continue to be developed, although it is not currently a priority for the corporation.
“No! Sometimes we have to shift priorities to titles that will release sooner. I understand that many people reacted to the scaling back of Turn 10 Studios' activities, but sometimes it's worth giving the team more time to avoid pressure and burnout” – said Spencer.
The words of the head of the gaming division at Microsoft dispel the doubts that have arisen following a series of restructuring and layoffs at the studio responsible for the simulation branch of Forza. Turn 10 now has the time to calmly refine the project and rebuild its reputation after the lukewarm reception of the 2023 reboot. Although the previous Forza Motorsport impressed with its driving realism and technical grandeur, players complained about the sparse content and the unengaging career mode. For Microsoft, the series is to remain a technological showcase for the Xbox brand, much like Gran Turismo 7 once was for Sony.
Behind the scenes, however, it is clear that Microsoft's entire gaming division is undergoing a serious transformation. According to Jason Schreier's report, the company has imposed an aggressive margin target of 30% on its gaming departments, which is clearly impacting employment structure and production decisions. Fortunately, Spencer reassures:
Forza Motorsport has not been cancelled, and the studio has been given more room to create the game with passion – without the pressure of time and finances. Meanwhile, on the horizon, there is something that will surely delight fans of more skillful driving – Forza Horizon 6, which, according to unofficial information, will transport players to Japan and debut in 2026.
