Forza Motorsport is Dead, Says Former Turn 10 Employee

This week, Microsoft laid off approximately 9,000 employees. Many of those impacted were from various Xbox studios, including Turn 10 Studios, the team behind Forza Motorsport. Jason Schreier reported that nearly 50 staff members from Turn 10 were among those laid off. Immediately, this raised concerns about the future of the Forza Motorsport series. Subsequently, Fred Russell, a former Turn 10 employee, posted on his Facebook page, seemingly confirming widespread fears. He stated, “Turn 10 Studios has shut down the Forza Motorsport division, and that team no longer exists.” This marks a truly sad day for one of the industry’s premier racing game franchises. In subsequent comments, Russell also hinted that Microsoft Gaming might even sell Playground Games, which would effectively eliminate any prospects for those Turn 10 employees to transfer. He further conveyed, “The legacy is still there, even if the game itself has no future.” This message will undoubtedly resonate deeply with players who grew up with the Xbox brand and always regarded Forza Motorsport as the premier racing game for consoles.

As if the recent layoffs at Xbox studios weren’t concerning enough, Turn 10 Studios, the creative force behind Forza Motorsport and Forza Horizon, is facing its own significant challenges. Jonathan Dubinski delves into these issues in his blog post “Forza Motorsport Studio Loses Nearly 50% of Its Workforce,” which highlights the substantial job losses at Turn 10 following Jason Schreier’s report. The impact on both the studio and the broader gaming community is profound, as other studios like Raven Software are also experiencing similar cuts. To learn more about these developments and their potential consequences for future projects, be sure to check out Jonathan’s insightful piece Forza Motorsport Studio Loses Nearly 50% of Its Workforce. In related news, Forza Horizon 5 is set to make its way to the PlayStation 5 in the coming months, a move that underscores Microsoft’s commitment to cross-platform play. Sophie Laurent’s recent post on Players for Life (January 30, 2025) details this exciting development, which includes full support for cross-play and simultaneous content updates across all platforms. For fans eager to continue their racing adventures regardless of console loyalty, this news is a breath of fresh air amidst the current challenges in the gaming industry. Be sure to check out the full story Forza Horizon 5 Confirmed for PS5, Sony Quick to Announce for all the details.