Bold opening: Forza Motorsport’s future isn’t bright with new cars or tracks, but its online world isn’t closing—yet there’s a catch that could frustrate fans who hoped for ongoing evolution.
Turn 10 Studios, the developer behind Forza Motorsport, has confirmed that after significant layoffs this summer, there will be no more major content additions for the game. Released in 2023, the reboot of Microsoft’s long-running sim-racing franchise arrived with high expectations for fresh cars, tracks, features, and ongoing bug fixes. However, the launch drew mixed reactions from players, and roughly half of Turn 10’s staff were cut in July. The studio remains operational but has shifted its focus toward supporting the Forza Horizon line, which has become the priority.
In a clear statement, the studio explained that as they pivot to deliver the best possible experience with Forza Horizon 6 in 2026, they do not plan to introduce new cars, tracks, features, or routine bug fixes for Forza Motorsport. Nevertheless, they will maintain online servers, host special events and competitions, and reintroduce previously released Featured Tours and reward cars on a monthly basis, ensuring that all content remains accessible for players to enjoy at any time.
Turn 10 is now a co-development partner for Forza Horizon 6, which is primarily being developed by Playground Games in the United Kingdom. The upcoming installment is set in Japan and is scheduled for release sometime in 2026.
Microsoft has not publicly disclosed exact details of the layoffs at Turn 10, but reports at the time indicated that roughly 120 staff members were removed from the Forza side of the studio. Some former employees characterized the move as the shuttering of the Forza Motorsport space, signaling a difficult transition for a once-prominent racing franchise.
The original Forza Motorsport debuted on the Xbox in 2005 and helped establish the franchise as a flagship racing series for Microsoft, standing as a serious competitor to Sony’s Gran Turismo. Since then, seven additional Forza Motorsport titles have followed across multiple Xbox generations.
Is Forza Motorsport finished? In a broader statement around the franchise’s status, Xbox’s gaming chief suggested that while the series may not be scrapped, it is currently “parked with the engine off.” He noted that priorities can shift to newer projects, and that development teams sometimes need additional time to avoid prolonged tension while delivering careful support for a broader lineup of games.
What does this mean for players? The game remains playable online, with ongoing events and the option to revisit earlier content, but the horizon for major new features is limited. The community will likely debate whether the decision to pause new content signals a strategic retreat or a prudent refocusing of resources toward more sustainable, long-term projects. What’s your take: should studios preserve existing experiences with regular updates, or reallocate resources toward upcoming releases even if it risks stagnation for current titles? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Sources and notes: Forza Motorsport and Turn 10 statements about ongoing support and future content; the Shift toward Forza Horizon 6 development; reports of layoffs and the historical context of Turn 10’s role in the Forza franchise; official remarks from Xbox leadership about the franchise’s status.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. He can be reached at tom_phillips@ign.com or via Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social.
