Katarzyna Petru
Rumors about the end of Forza Motorsport turned out to be exaggerated. Despite recent layoffs at Turn 10 Studios, Microsoft does not plan 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 for the time being it is not a priority for the corporation.
“No! Sometimes we have to rearrange priorities to focus on titles that will be released sooner. I understand that many people reacted to the scaling down of Turn 10 Studios, but sometimes it’s worth giving the team more time to avoid pressure and burnout” – said Spencer.
The words of the head of Microsoft's gaming division dispel the doubts that arose after a series of restructurings and layoffs at the studio responsible for the simulation branch of Forza. Turn 10 now has time to calmly fine-tune the project and rebuild its reputation after the lukewarm reception of the 2023 reboot. Although the previous Forza Motorsport impressed with its realism in driving and technical scope, players complained about the sparse content and the unengaging career mode. For Microsoft, the series is intended to remain a technological hallmark of the Xbox brand, just as Gran Turismo 7 once was for Sony.
However, behind the scenes, it is evident that Microsoft's entire gaming division is undergoing a serious transformation. According to Jason Schreier's report, the company has imposed on its gaming departments a 30% aggressive margin target, which clearly affects employment structure and production decisions. Fortunately, Spencer reassures:
Forza Motorsport has not been canceled, and the studio has been given more space to create the game with passion – without pressure of time and finances. In the meantime, something can be seen on the horizon that will certainly delight fans of more arcade-style driving – Forza Horizon 6, which according to unofficial information will take players to Japan and is set to debut in 2026.
